Inter-Access Point Protocol

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.

Inter-Access Point Protocol

IEEE 802.11F or Inter-Access Point Protocol is a recommendation that describes an optional extension to IEEE 802.11 that provides wireless access-point communications among multivendor systems.

The IEEE 802.11 standard doesn't specify the communications between access points in order to support users roaming from one access point to another and load balancing. The 802.11 WG purposely didn't define this element in order to provide flexibility in working with different distribution systems (i.e., wired backbones that interconnect access points).

Protocol operation

The protocol is designed for the enforcement of unique association throughout an Extended Service Set and for secure exchange of station's security context between the current AP and the new AP during the handoff period. Based on security level, communication session keys between APs are distributed by a RADIUS server. The RADIUS server also provides a mapping service between AP's MAC address and IP address.

Status

The 802.11F Recommendation has been ratified and published in 2003.

External References

The 802.11F-2003 Recommendation
Status of the project 802.11fIEEE Task Group TGf
Quick Guide to IEEE 802.11 WG
Do we need AP interoperability? Joanie Wexler, Network World Wireless September 02, 2002
WLAN Roaming - the basics Louise McKeag, Techworld March 23, 04