802.11 MAC Architecture IN THIS CHAPTER, YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE FOLLOWING: Y Packets, frames, and bits ¥ Data-Link layer * MAC Service Data Unit (MSDU) = MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) v Physical layer = PLCP Service Data Unit (PSDU) + PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) ¥ 802.11 and 802.3 interoperability ¥ Three 802.11 frame types = Management frames * Control frames * Data frames ¥ Beacon management frame (beacon) ¥ Passive scanning Y Active scanning ¥ Authentication * Open System authentication * Shared Key authentication v Association Y Authentication and association states Y Basic and supported ratesv Roaming v Reassociation ¥ Disassociation ¥ Deauthentication Y ACK frame v Fragmentation ¥ Protection mechanism v RTS/CTS ¥ CTS-to-Self ¥ Data frames v Power management * Active mode * Power Save mode * Traffic indication map (TIM) * Delivery traffic indication message (DTM) * Announcement traffic indication message (ATIM) + WMM Power Save (WMM-PS) and U-APSD = 802.11n power managementThis chapter presents all of the components of the 802.11 MAC architecture, We discuss how upper-layer information is encapsulated within an 802.11 frame format. We cover the three major 802.11 frame types and a majority of the 802.11 frame subtypes. We discuss many MAC layer tasks such as active scanning and the specific 802.11 frames that are used to accomplish these tasks. An often misunderstood capability of 802.11 is the ERP protection mechanism. We describe exactly how 802.11b and 802.11g stations can coexist in the same BSS by using either the RTS/CTS or CTS-to-Self protection mechanism, The final section of the chapter discusses legacy 802.11 power management and enhanced WMM-PS power management, which are methods used to save battery life. Packets, Frames, and Bits When learning about any technology, itis important at times to step back and focus on the basics. If you have ever flown an airplane, it is important, when things get difficult, to refocus on the number one priority, the main objective—and that is to fly the airplane, Navigation and communications are secondary to flying the airplane. When dealing with any complex technology, itis easy to forget the main objective; this is as true with 802.11 communications as it is with flying. With 802.11 communications, the main objective is to transfer user data from one computing device to another. As data is processed in a computer and prepared to be transferred from one computer to another, it starts at the upper layers of the OSI model and moves down until it reaches the Physical layer, where itis ultimately transferred to the other devices. Initially, a user may want to transfer a word processing document from their computer to a shared network disk on another computer. This document will start at the Application layer and work its way down to the Physical layer, get transmitted to the other computer, and then work its way back up the layers of the OSI model to the Application layer on the other computer. ‘As data travels down the OSI model for the purpose of being transmitted, each layer adds header information to that data. This enables the data to be reassembled when it is received by the other computer. At the Network layer, an IP header is added to the data that came from layers 4-7. A layer 3 IP packet, or datagcam encapsulates the data from the higher layers. At the Data-Link layer, a MAC header is added and the IP packet is encapsulated inside a frame. Ultimately, when the frame reaches the Physical layer, a PHY header with more information is added to the frame.