802.11 Arc Standing Committee May 2008 doc.: IEEE 802.11-08/0575r0 May 2008 802.11 Arc Standing Committee Date: 2008-05-09 Authors: David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

May 2008 doc.: IEEE 802.11-08/0575r0 May 2008 Abstract This presentation contains an introduction and overview of the 802.11 Arc standing committee. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

IEEE P802.11 WG Chair’s Architecture Committee May 2008 IEEE P802.11 WG Chair’s Architecture Committee An outline of the motivation and goals for the 802.11 Arc Standing Committee. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

May 2008 What: An architecture group (“the Arc”) has been formed as a WG Chair’s committee. Mission: The Arc group is tasked to discover, analyze, codify, and promote a common understanding of 802.11 architecture. Discover: To notice or learn, especially by making an effort; Archaic To reveal or expose; Analyze: To separate (a material or abstract entity) into constituent parts or elements; determine the elements or essential features of; Codify: To arrange or systematize; Promote: To help or encourage to exist or flourish; The Arc team utilizes 802.11 members with significant expertise, experience, and history within 802.11. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

What: (not) The Arc Committee is Not a project approval body. May 2008 What: (not) The Arc Committee is Not a project approval body. Not a gatekeeper. Not a procedures committee. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

Why: May 2008 802.11 is a large document It’s growth has been a bit more chaotic than carefully coordinated. It’s nearly impossible for an individual to abstract from a 1000+ page document the underlying basic framework. 802.11 is a large organization There are individuals that are experts is various aspects, but almost no one (if anyone) groks (to understand profoundly through intuition or empathy) the entire thing. Numerous examples of members not fully grasping architectural concepts and this leading them into extra work (“Better houses with good foundations”). Low Modularity Organization size has pushed 802.11 TG activity toward becoming multiple semi-isolated silos; TG activities need a common framework to assist in understanding activity interactions and scope. Increased modularity would assist shared understanding of context for activities. This would be of particular benefit to newer members. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

Why: May 2008 With apologies to Dr. Suess. What’s needed IT’S A WIRE David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

How The Architecture Committee was created as a WG Chair’s committee. May 2008 How The Architecture Committee was created as a WG Chair’s committee. It is a Standing Committee (not a TG). Attendance counts toward 802.11 attendance credit during session weeks. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

Who Management Contributors May 2008 The SC management team is the driving/coordinating aspect of the activity. Arc Chair: David Bagby Key contributor for 1997 std architecture sections. Founding member of 802.11, Former MAC & TGF Chair, Member Emeritus #1 Arc VChair: Darwin Engwer Key contributor for 2007 std architecture sections. Long time participant, key contributor for architectural topics since 1994, former TGma Vice-Chair, initiator of Very High Throughput (VHT) SG. Contributors The SC management team expects to pull in multiple WG members who have specific subject expertise. This is crucial as the Arc activities are unlikely to be accomplished by just the core members. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

What (Arc activities) 1) What is the Architecture as of 802.11 2007? May 2008 What (Arc activities) 1) What is the Architecture as of 802.11 2007? Discover, analyze, codify… into white paper/presentation output Stick strictly to “what it is”, not “what do we wish it was”. This first activity back fills basics to correspond to the 2007 revision. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

May 2008 What (Arc activities) 2) What are the pending Arc impacts of current 802.11 TG activities? Most TG activities are already quite far along in their development. Mostly “what is it”, some “why is it” Updates to output from activity 1. Discover, analyze, codify and promote. Update ordering In order of TG completion schedules? Or some other order that would be more beneficial? David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

May 2008 What (Arc activities) 3) Encourage SGs to consider which portions of the 802.11 Architecture they are proposing to modify. 4) Contact point for 802.1 architecture liaison topics. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

When The Arc appointees wish this already existed… May 2008 When The Arc appointees wish this already existed… Some framework components already exist, significant others do not. With the help of additional volunteer subject matter experts, we’ll do the best we can to progress these activities. David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.

Where .11 WG updates during session weeks. May 2008 Where .11 WG updates during session weeks. We expect most activity to be offline, between 802.11 sessions. Once the work plan firms up, we’ll be soliciting key members to assist. Fame can be yours! Let us know where your interests are… David Bagby, Calypso Ventures, Inc.