July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 1

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Proposal for Fast Roam Fast Handoff Study Group

Clint Chaplin, Symbol Technologies

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 2

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Three Colliding Trends

• Industry evolving from portable computing to mobile computing

• Applications starting to demand seamless connectivity (VoIP)

• More state necessary to set up during association before data communications allowed (QoS, Security)

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 3

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Problem Statement

• Develop a standard to allow fast roaming in a general way that will allow seamless connectivity during a roam that can be extended for future negotiation requirements

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 4

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Possible Solutions 1

• Make before break (associate with new AP before dropping association from old AP)

• Pre-association negotiation (allow handshaking and negotiation before Associate Request/Associate Response)

Problem: APs will probably be on different channels

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 5

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Possible Solutions 2

• 11-03-241 Keying for Fast Roaming

• State handoff between APs using IAPP (push or pull model)

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 6

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Possible Overlaps 1

• IEEE P802 Handoff Study Groupintends to develop a roaming solution at the 802 level, more specifically for multi-interfaces devices needing to handoff between interfaces where no procedures for handing off exist, and for handoff within a technology type (say 802.11) but between networks and administrative domains where handoff is not supported within the base standards (e.g. inter-ESS handoff in 802.11). The IEEE P802 Handoff Study Group does not address the more specific issue of fast roaming within an ESS, which this project will address.

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 7

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Possible Overlaps 2

• IEEE 802.11 TGfRecommended practice, not a standard, and that Task Group is done.

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 8

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

Possible Overlaps 3

• IEEE 802.11 TGiNeed a more general purpose mechanism, one that can help QoS and any future needs.

July 2003

Clint Chaplin, Symbol TechnologiesSlide 9

doc.: IEEE 802.11-03/533r0

Submission

PAR and 5 Criteria Straw Man

• 11-03-461r0-WNGA Possible PAR and Five Criteria for Fast Roaming-Fast Handoff