1. Firmware Notification
Month Year
doc.: IEEE yy/xxxxr0
January 2010
Firmware Notification
Date:
Authors:
S. Hodroj (T-Mobile USA)
John Doe, Some Company

2. Month Year
doc.: IEEE yy/xxxxr0
January 2010
Abstract
Recommendation for using Diagnostic Request and Response frames (Diagnostic Request Element) to announce the availability of new access point firmware.
S. Hodroj (T-Mobile USA)
John Doe, Some Company

3. Month Year
doc.: IEEE yy/xxxxr0
January 2010
Problem Statement
AP firmware upgrade notification doesn’t exist today for end users in home environments
Currently most home users manage AP FW upgrade through AP web GUI or by calling vendor/ operator customer care for help
Many APs don’t have an LCD screen like other consumer devices to get firmware updates notifications
Service providers usually notify the end users using SMS, , or the service monthly statement when a new FW is available for download
Interoperability (between AP & STA) challenges & dependency occurs when using higher layer protocol for notification
(Ex: UPnP is not supported on all types of STAs)
S. Hodroj (T-Mobile USA)
John Doe, Some Company

4. Recommendation Firmware Check (Out of scope) Firmware Announcement
Month Year
doc.: IEEE yy/xxxxr0
January 2010
Recommendation
Firmware Check (Out of scope)
AP Device checks for new FW periodically through a backend management server
AP Device determines that a new FW image needs to be installed
Firmware Announcement
AP notifies an associated STA that “a new AP FW is available” through the Diagnostic Report Request frame
A new diagnostic request type is defined (New FW available) to announce this notification
The new diagnostic request type includes two sub elements (existing FW version, New FW version)
S. Hodroj (T-Mobile USA)
John Doe, Some Company

5. Firmware update notification
Month Year
doc.: IEEE yy/xxxxr0
January 2010
Firmware update notification
STAs with v
AP with v
New FW available 1
Device checks for new FW Image
STAs associates with the AP 3
New FW available 4a
Diagnostic Report Request
Internet 4b
Diagnostic Report Response 2
Device determines
a new FW image is available
FW server
New FW available
In scope
Out of scope
Implications:
User doesn’t have to login to the AP device web GUI / check for new FW.
User is notified through the STA device whenever a new FW is available
STA notify the end user through a pop-up message 5
S. Hodroj (T-Mobile USA)
John Doe, Some Company

6. Benefits of the Proposal
Better customer experience and improved digital eco system
Can help minimize customers calling vendor/ operator customer care for help
Improve manageability of AP devices in consumer deployments
Need for improved manageability will only will only increase in the future, with new applications over Wi-Fi networks in the home, and new “AP devices” are deployed