MAC Component Breakdown Topics for Discussion

1. MAC Component BreakdownTopics for Discussion Authors: Date: 2008-07-17 Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

2. Abstract This presentation introduces some conditions that can lead to network overload due to excessive RRM and/or WNM frames. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

3. Outline • Problem statement • Overload Examples • Considerations • Possible Solutions • Straw Polls Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

4. Problem statement • RRM/WNM frames are meant to characterize and help optimize the wireless network. • But, overuse of those frames could itself overwhelm the network to the point of complete failure (due to bandwidth starvation for real data laden frames). Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

5. Overload Examples • measurements • diagnostics • event logs • syslog dump • location tracking Scenarios with great potential for network overload by RRM/WNM frames that can overwhelm real data laden frames. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

6. Considerations • A specific deployment may constitute a system that ONLY does location tracking, e.g. in a warehouse application, so that might be acceptable. • But, in a normal multi-use network deployment RRM/WNM frames could overwhelm normal data frames. In particular delivery of high priority, time sensitive data like VOIP data frames could be compromised. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

7. Possible Solutions • Add QOS header to MMPDUs • set lowest priority for RRM/WNM frames • Duty cycle limit RRM/WNM frames • Other? Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

8. Straw Polls • Is this an important issue? Y/N • Approach preference? • QOS header • Duty cycle limits Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

9. References • 1. IEEE Std. 802.11-2007 • 2. P802.11v_D3.0.pdf Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

10. Revisions • r0 – 2008-07-17 First presentation to TGv. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

11. Backup Slides Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

12. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks