802.11ag Packet Formats
==========================


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        **What is the general structure of an 802.11a/g packet?**

        It consists of a Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) preamble and header, followed by the MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU).

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        **What is the PLCP preamble in 802.11a/g?**

        The PLCP preamble helps receivers synchronize and prepare to receive the frame; it consists of training symbols.

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        **How long is the PLCP preamble in 802.11a?**

        The short preamble duration is 16 microseconds, while the long preamble is 20 microseconds.

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        **What is included in the PLCP header?**

        The header contains information about the data rate, length of the frame, and error checking for synchronization.

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        **What is the MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU)?**

        MPDU includes the MAC header, payload (data), and Frame Check Sequence (FCS) for error detection.

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        **What fields are in the MAC header?**

        The MAC header contains Frame Control, Duration/ID, Addresses (up to 4), Sequence Control, and QoS Control fields (if applicable).

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        **How many address fields can a MAC header have?**

        Up to four address fields can be present, used for source, destination, transmitter, and receiver addresses.

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        **What is the purpose of the Frame Control field?**

        It specifies the frame type, subtype, protocol version, and control flags like retry and power management.

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        **What is the Duration/ID field used for?**

        It carries information for network allocation vector (NAV) to reserve the medium and avoid collisions.

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        **What is the Sequence Control field?**

        It contains the fragment number and sequence number to support fragmentation and reassembly.

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        **What does the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) do?**

        FCS provides error detection using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to ensure data integrity.

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        **Are there different types of frames in 802.11a/g?**

        Yes, management, control, and data frames, each with specific formats and purposes.

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        **What is unique about management frames?**

        Management frames handle network organization tasks like association, authentication, and beaconing.

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        **What is the function of control frames?**

        Control frames assist in medium access control, such as acknowledgments (ACK) and Request to Send (RTS) frames.

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        **How is QoS support reflected in packet formats?**

        QoS control field is added in the MAC header in QoS data frames (802.11e extension) to prioritize traffic.

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        **What is the maximum size of an 802.11a/g MAC frame?**

        The maximum MPDU size is typically 2304 bytes, but fragmentation can be used for larger data.

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        **How does fragmentation affect packet format?**

        Large frames are divided into fragments, each with its own MAC header and FCS for independent transmission.

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        **How are packet formats standardized for interoperability?**

        Strict adherence to IEEE 802.11a/g PLCP and MAC frame definitions ensures devices from different vendors communicate correctly.



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        Topics in this section,

                * :ref:`Learnings in this section <packet_formats_step1>`

                * :ref:`Terminology <packet_formats_step2>`

                * :ref:`Version Info <packet_formats_step3>`

                * :ref:`packet_formats Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <packet_formats_step18>`

                * :ref:`Reference links <packet_formats_step17>`

.. _packet_formats_step1:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section

        * In this section, you are going to learn

.. _packet_formats_step2:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Terminology
        
       * Terminology


.. _packet_formats_step3:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Version Info
    
         * Version Info


.. _packet_formats_step18:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: packet_formats Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4

       * setup


.. _packet_formats_step17:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Reference links
     
       * Reference links