802.11w ================ .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is IEEE 802.11w?** IEEE 802.11w is an amendment to the Wi-Fi standard that enhances the security of management frames by providing management frame protection (MFP). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **When was 802.11w introduced?** It was ratified in 2009 to address vulnerabilities related to unprotected management frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are management frames?** Management frames are Wi-Fi protocol messages used to establish and maintain connections, including authentication, association, and disassociation frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why do management frames need protection?** Without protection, attackers can spoof management frames to disrupt or hijack Wi-Fi connections (e.g., deauthentication attacks). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What kind of attacks does 802.11w prevent?** It helps prevent attacks such as deauthentication and disassociation frame spoofing, which can cause denial of service. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11w protect management frames?** It encrypts and authenticates certain management frames using cryptographic techniques, making them tamper-resistant. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11w mandatory?** While not mandatory for all devices, it is highly recommended and often required for enterprise-grade security. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which management frames are protected under 802.11w?** Protection typically applies to disassociation, deauthentication, and robust action frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11w replace WPA or WPA2?** No, it complements WPA/WPA2 by securing management frames, which were not protected under earlier standards. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11w supported by all devices?** Support varies; modern Wi-Fi hardware and drivers generally support 802.11w, but some older devices may not. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11w cause compatibility issues?** In some cases, yes. Older clients or devices not supporting 802.11w may experience connection problems if it is enforced. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which OSI layer does 802.11w operate at?** It operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2), enhancing Wi-Fi frame security. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11w relate to WPA3?** WPA3 mandates management frame protection, building upon 802.11w features for stronger security. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11w protect all Wi-Fi frames?** No, it specifically targets management frames. Data frames are protected by WPA/WPA2 encryption. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11w support enabled by default?** It depends on the device and firmware; many modern devices enable it by default or allow it to be configured. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11w affect network performance?** The added encryption and authentication introduce minimal overhead, usually not noticeable in normal use. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11w prevent all Wi-Fi attacks?** No security standard is foolproof, but 802.11w significantly reduces risks related to management frame attacks. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11w relevant for home networks?** It is more critical in enterprise and public networks but can improve security in home Wi-Fi environments as well. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How can I check if my device supports 802.11w?** Check your device specifications, firmware documentation, or Wi-Fi adapter properties for management frame protection features. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11w_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11w_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11w_step3>` * :ref:`802_11w Version&IEEE Details <802_11w_step4>` * :ref:`802_11w Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11w_step5>` * :ref:`802_11w Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11w_step6>` * :ref:`802_11w List of MAC features <802_11w_step7>` * :ref:`802_11w Medium Access Functions and their inner working <802_11w_step8>` * :ref:`802_11w Supported Frequency Bands in 802.11w <802_11w_step9>` * :ref:`802_11w List of Physical Features <802_11w_step10>` * :ref:`802_11w Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w <802_11w_step11>` * :ref:`802_11w Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w <802_11w_step12>` * :ref:`802_11w End-User Products that support 802.11w <802_11w_step13>` * :ref:`802_11w Protocol Packet Details <802_11w_step14>` * :ref:`802_11w Basic Features <802_11w_step15>` * :ref:`Reference links <802_11w_step16>` .. _802_11w_step1: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section * In this section, you are going to learn .. _802_11w_step2: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Terminology * Terminology .. _802_11w_step3: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Version Info * Version Info .. _802_11w_step4: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w Version&RFC Details * rfc details .. _802_11w_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 * setup .. _802_11w_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 * setup .. _802_11w_step7: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w List of MAC features * mac features .. _802_11w_step8: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w Medium Access Functions and their inner working * Medium Access Functions and their inner working .. _802_11w_step9: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Supported Frequency Bands in 802.11w * Supported Frequency Bands in 802.11w .. _802_11w_step10: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w List of Physical Features * List of Physical Features .. _802_11w_step11: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w * Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w .. _802_11w_step12: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w * Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w .. _802_11w_step13: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: End-User Products that support 802.11w * End-User Products that support 802.11w .. _802_11w_step14: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Protocol Packet Details in 802.11w * Protocol Packet Details .. _802_11w_step15: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Basic Features * Basic Features .. _802_11w_step16: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links