802.11s Packet Formats
What are packet formats in 802.11s?
Packet formats define the structure of frames used for communication within the mesh network, including data, management, and control frames.
How does 802.11s extend standard 802.11 frame formats?
It adds mesh-specific headers and elements to support mesh routing and forwarding functions.
What is the Mesh Control field?
A header field in mesh data frames that contains routing information used by mesh points for forwarding.
Which frame types are extended in 802.11s?
Data frames are extended with mesh headers; management frames include mesh peering and path selection elements.
What is the purpose of the Mesh Header?
It enables multi-hop routing by carrying source, destination, and forwarding information within the mesh.
How large is the Mesh Control field?
Typically 6 to 24 bytes, depending on the routing protocol and frame type.
Do 802.11s packets support fragmentation?
Yes, standard 802.11 fragmentation mechanisms apply to mesh packets.
What management frames are unique to 802.11s?
Mesh Peering Open/Confirm frames and Mesh Path Request/Reply frames for routing.
How is security information included in 802.11s packets?
Security elements like Integrity Group Temporal Key (IGTK) and pairwise keys can be included within the mesh frame fields.
Are QoS features supported in 802.11s packets?
Yes, QoS Control fields are present as in standard 802.11 frames to prioritize traffic.
What is the format of Mesh Path Selection frames?
They use specific management frames with path request and path reply elements embedded.
Can 802.11s packets carry both mesh and non-mesh traffic?
Mesh points can handle both, but mesh packets have additional headers for routing.
How are packet formats optimized for multi-hop routing?
By including routing and forwarding information directly within the packet headers.
Do mesh packets support broadcast and multicast?
Yes, special addressing and forwarding rules apply for broadcast/multicast mesh packets.
What fields help prevent routing loops in packet formats?
Sequence numbers and Time-to-Live (TTL) fields in mesh headers assist in loop prevention.
Are mesh packets backward compatible with legacy 802.11 devices?
Mesh packets are generally not understood by legacy devices but mesh networks interoperate at the MAC level.
How does packet format affect mesh network scalability?
Efficient header design reduces overhead, supporting larger mesh networks with many hops.
What role do control frames play in 802.11s packet formats?
They manage mesh link establishment, routing discovery, and error reporting within the mesh.
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