802.11i

What is IEEE 802.11i?

IEEE 802.11i is a Wi-Fi security standard that enhances the original 802.11 authentication and encryption mechanisms.

When was 802.11i introduced?

It was ratified in 2004 to address security weaknesses in previous Wi-Fi standards.

What encryption does 802.11i use?

It primarily uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with CCMP (Counter Mode with CBC-MAC Protocol) for strong encryption.

Does 802.11i replace WEP?

Yes, 802.11i replaces the insecure WEP protocol with WPA2 security.

What is WPA2 in relation to 802.11i?

WPA2 is the certification that implements the 802.11i standard for wireless security.

What authentication methods does 802.11i support?

It supports IEEE 802.1X-based authentication with EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) for enterprise networks.

Is 802.11i compatible with WPA?

Yes, 802.11i is an improvement over WPA, offering stronger encryption and authentication.

Which OSI layer does 802.11i operate on?

It operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2), specifically the MAC sublayer.

What protocols does 802.11i use for key management?

It uses the Four-Way Handshake and Group Key Handshake for dynamic key management.

Can 802.11i protect against replay attacks?

Yes, the CCMP protocol provides protection against replay attacks through sequence counters.

Does 802.11i support personal and enterprise modes?

Yes, it supports Personal mode (PSK - Pre-Shared Key) and Enterprise mode (using 802.1X authentication servers).

What is the difference between WPA and WPA2?

WPA uses TKIP encryption; WPA2 (802.11i) uses stronger AES-based CCMP encryption.

Is 802.11i backward compatible?

Devices can support mixed modes for backward compatibility with older WPA devices, but full 802.11i security requires WPA2-capable hardware.

What vulnerabilities does 802.11i address?

It addresses vulnerabilities like weak encryption, poor key management, and lack of mutual authentication found in WEP.

Is 802.11i mandatory for modern Wi-Fi networks?

Yes, WPA2 (802.11i) is considered a baseline security standard for modern Wi-Fi networks.

Can 802.11i be implemented on existing hardware?

Many devices support firmware upgrades to enable 802.11i, but some older hardware may not be compatible.

How does 802.11i improve key distribution?

It dynamically distributes keys via the Four-Way Handshake, reducing risk of key compromise.

Does 802.11i support mutual authentication?

Yes, via IEEE 802.1X and EAP, both client and server authenticate each other.

Which Wi-Fi certification corresponds to 802.11i?

WPA2 certification corresponds to IEEE 802.11i security enhancements.

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 802.11i

  • List of Physical Features

  • Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11i

  • Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11i

  • End-User Products that support 802.11i

  • Protocol Packet Details

  • Basic Features

  • Reference links