802.11aq - Basics
What is IEEE 802.11aq?
IEEE 802.11aq is a wireless standard focused on enabling pre-association discovery of services to improve user experience in Wi-Fi networks.
When was 802.11aq developed?
802.11aq was developed in the late 2010s and standardized to support service discovery before device association.
What problem does 802.11aq address?
It solves the problem of discovering available services on a network before connecting, allowing devices to make smarter connection choices.
How does 802.11aq work?
It extends management frames to advertise services offered by access points, enabling devices to query and learn about services before associating.
Which frequency bands does 802.11aq support?
It works across existing Wi-Fi frequency bands, including 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands.
Is 802.11aq backward compatible?
Yes, it is designed to be backward compatible with existing 802.11 standards.
What kind of services can 802.11aq advertise?
Services like streaming, printing, file sharing, voice over IP, or network-specific applications can be advertised.
Does 802.11aq improve network efficiency?
Yes, by allowing devices to select networks based on services available, it can reduce unnecessary associations and improve user experience.
Is 802.11aq implemented in current Wi-Fi devices?
Adoption is gradual; newer devices and access points increasingly support service discovery features from 802.11aq.
What OSI layers does 802.11aq operate on?
It primarily extends Layer 2 (Data Link) functionality with enhanced management frames.
Does 802.11aq require special client software?
Client devices need firmware or driver support to interpret and use 802.11aq service discovery data.
How does 802.11aq benefit enterprise networks?
It helps enterprises provide tailored services and improves client device selection of optimal access points.
Is 802.11aq related to Hotspot 2.0?
Both aim to improve Wi-Fi user experience, but 802.11aq specifically focuses on service discovery before association.
Can 802.11aq enhance roaming between access points?
Yes, by knowing services beforehand, devices can make smarter roaming decisions to maintain service continuity.
Does 802.11aq impact Wi-Fi security?
Service discovery frames are designed to be secure and do not expose sensitive information.
How does 802.11aq affect battery life?
It can help reduce power consumption by avoiding unnecessary associations and scans.
Is 802.11aq suitable for IoT devices?
Yes, IoT devices benefit by discovering available services and choosing optimal networks efficiently.
Where can I find the official 802.11aq standard?
The standard is available from the IEEE Standards Association website for purchase or access.
Topics in this section,
In this section, you are going to learn
Terminology
Version Info
rfc details
setup
setup
mac features
Medium Access Functions and their inner working
Supported Frequency Bands in 802.11aq
List of Physical Features
Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11aq
Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11aq
End-User Products that support 802.11aq
Protocol Packet Details
Basic Features
Reference links