March 2004doc.: IEEE 802.11-04/376r0
IEEE P802.11
Wireless LANs
Resolution of WG Comments on Fast Roaming PAR and 5 Criteria
Date:March 17, 2004
Author:Clint Chaplin
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
6480 Via Del Oro
San Jose, CA 95119-1208
Phone: +1-408-528-2766
e-Mail:
Abstract
Resolution of WG comments on the proposed PAR (11-03-0771-05-frfh-possible-par) and proposed 5 criteria (11-03-0772-04-frfh-possible-5-criteria) for the Fast BSS-Transition Task Group
The following comments on the proposed PAR were received from the IEEE 802.21 WG:
Comments from 802.21
Comment #1 - Scope
Suggest changing the paragraph to be ‘scope like’ by changing the initial word to “
”Enhancements to the”
Comment #2 - Scope
The interpretation of the term roam varies widely based on context. ‘BSS Transition’ has defined meaning in 802.11. Substitute roam with BSS transition.
Scope:
Enhancements to the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) layer to minimize or eliminate the amount of time data connectivity between the STA and the DS is absent during a bss transition, limited to the state necessary for the operation of the MAC. This PAR will apply only to the STA-AP state within the same ESS, and will not apply to the IBSS case. Security must not be decreased as a result of the enhancement. Timing criteria and timing conditions will be defined by the Task Group.
Comment #3
In order to clarify the efforts of the new Task Group and align those efforts with 802.21 it is suggested that the naming of the new 802.11 Task Group be either:
- Fast BSS-Transitionor
- Fast Inter-BSS-Transition
Comment #4
The purpose statement appear to be a problem statement
This should be re-expressed as a purpose statement.
“To improve the user experience during BSS transitions within 802.11 ESSs and to support real time constraints imposed by applications such as VoIP.”
And move the existing purpose text to the explanatory notes section.
To resolve these comments, the Fast Roaming Study group made the following motions:
Motion #1: replace the first word “Enhance” in section 12 of 11-03-0771-05-frfh-possible-par.doc with “Enhancements to the”.
Moved: Ivan Reed/Keith Amann
SG Vote: Unanimous Consent
WG Vote: 132-0-2
Motion #2: replace the term “roam” in section 12 of 11-03-0771-05-frfh-possible-par.doc with “BSS transition”, and delete the word “roaming” from the same section.
Moved: Bob Love/Keith Amann
SG Vote: 36-1-1
WG Vote: 135-0-3
Motion #3: replace “Fast Roaming” in the title in Section 4 of 11-03-0771-05-frfh-possible-par.doc with “Fast BSS-Transition”
Moved: Bob Love/Nancy Cam-Winget
SG Vote: 41-0-4
WG Vote: 120-0-5
Motion #4: In 11-03-0771-05-frfh-possible-par.doc move the text that currently exists in section 13 to section 18, change “roam” and “roaming” to “BSS transition” and add headers to read:
Section 13:
A new set of WLAN applications are more sensitive to even momentary loss of connectivity during BSS transition (e.g. VoIP). With increasing amounts of state being needed before connectivity is allowed as amendments are made to the 802.11 standard, the time taken to complete a BSS transition is increasing while next generation applications demand decreased BSS transition time.
Section 12:
The scope of modifications is during the STA transfer from one AP to another (BSS transition). Determination of the need for a BSS transition, selection of which AP to BSS transition to (with the exception of the advertisement of the availability of fast BSS transition services to the STA), and determination of when to BSS transition are all outside the scope of this project.
As a design criteria, the proposed mechanism must accomplish this goal without compromising security or existing Station services
And add the following text to section 13 to replace the moved text:
“To improve BSS transitions within 802.11 ESSs and to support real time constraints imposed by applications such as VoIP.”
Moved: Ivan Reid/Bob Love
SG Vote: 37-0-3
WG Vote: 116-0-7
Submissionpage 1Clint Chaplin, FR SG Chair