IEEE 802.11k

802.11 is a set of IEEE standards that govern wireless networking transmission methods. They are commonly used today in their 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g versions to provide wireless connectivity in the home, office and some commercial establishments.

Radio Resource Management

IEEE 802.11k is a proposed standard for radio resource management. It defines and exposes radio and network information to facilitate the management and maintenance of a mobile Wireless LAN. IEEE 802.11k and IEEE 802.11r are the key industry standards now in development that will enable seamless Basic Service Set (BSS) transitions in the WLAN environment. The 802.11k standard provides information to discover the best available access point.

802.11k is intended to improve the way traffic is distributed within a network. In a wireless LAN, each device normally connects to the access point (AP) that provides the strongest signal. Depending on the number and geographic locations of the subscribers, this arrangement can sometimes lead to excessive demand on one AP and underutilization of others, resulting in degradation of overall network performance. In a network conforming to 802.11k, if the AP having the strongest signal is loaded to its full capacity, a wireless device is connected to one of the underutilized APs. Even though the signal may be weaker, the overall throughput is greater because more efficient use is made of the network resources.

Status

There is disagreement as to how soon the new specification will be ratified. Per the official IEEE 802.11 Work Plan predictions the formal 802.11k standard is scheduled to be published for ballot by May 2006. It is anticipated that the standard will be ratified by 2Q 2007.

See also

*IEEE 802.11r
*IEEE 802.11v

External references

*Status of the project 802.11kIEEE Task Group TGk

*802.11k makes WLANs measure up Dan Simone Network World, March 29, 2004
*802.11k Network World
*Adapting to the Wireless Environment with 802.11k Intel Webcast on 802.11k originally broadcast on June 2, 2004
*Sidebar: 802.11k -- Management Standard Ahead Drew Robb Computerworld October 20, 2003
*Seamless Platform Mobility Across Wireless Networks Kapil Sood, Emily H. Qi, and Vivek G. Gupta Technology@Intel Magazine