1. Liaison report from the Wi-Fi Alliance to 802.11 WG
Nov 06
doc.: IEEE /1xxxr0
Nov 2006
Liaison report from the Wi-Fi Alliance to WG
Date:
Authors:
Notice: This document has been prepared to assist IEEE It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein.
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Andrew Myles (Cisco)
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

2. Nov 2006
This liaison reports on recent WFA news & highlights an issue of importance to the WG & the WFA 1
What is news in the WFA? 2
How can meet market needs in a timely manner? 3
How can I find out more?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

3. Nov 2006
WFA has had a change of leadership with a new Chair of the WFA Board of Directors
Clint Chaplin’s recent change in employer meant he had to resign as Chair of the WFA Board of Directors
The WFA Board of Directors thanks Clint for his service to the industry by serving as Chair since June 2005
Certifications launched under his tenure include WMM-Power Save, WPA Mandatory & WMC-RF Performance
Andrew Myles has been elected as the new Chair of the WFA Board of Directors
News
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

4. Nov 2006
This liaison reports on recent WFA news & highlights an issue of importance to the WG & the WFA 1
What is news in the WFA? 2
How can meet market needs in a timely manner? 3
How can I find out more?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

5. Nov 2006
WFA continues to meet market needs for certifications related to interoperability (& performance)
Existing Marketing TGs are focused on market needs
Existing Technical TGs are focused on defining test plans
Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Voice Over Wi-Fi
Home & Small Office
Enterprise
WMM – Admission Control new!
Wi-Fi Mobile Convergence
RF Performance with CTIA
Device Class
TGn
Baseline …
Security new!
Mesh new!
Video new!
Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Voice Over Wi-Fi
Home & Small Office
Enterprise
WMM – Admission Control new!
Wi-Fi Mobile Convergence
RF Performance (with CTIA)
Device Class
TGn
Baseline …
Market needs?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

6. Nov 2006
The market is being hampered by slow standards development … or is looking for “alternatives”
Current WFA activity
Relationship to WG activities
Effect of IEEE pace on WFA
Wi-Fi Protected Setup
No spec, WFA developed own spec
No IEEE activity
Voice – H&SO
Relies on WMM spec (a variant of e)
Actual misalignment
Voice - Enterprise
Currently waiting for parts of k & r (& WMM-AC)
Probable delay
WMM – AC
Relies on WMM spec (a variant of e)
Probable misalignment
TGn – Baseline
Will rely on parts of an early draft of n, but phase 2 will use ratified standard
Potential misalignment
Mesh
Currently planning to wait for (parts of?) s
Possible delay
Video
Will probably use a “new” DLS still at SG stage, as existing DLS does not meet market needs
Possible delay
Market needs?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

7. Ideally, the 802.11 WG will remain the “primary” SDO in the WLAN space
Nov 06
doc.: IEEE /1xxxr0
Nov 2006
Ideally, the WG will remain the “primary” SDO in the WLAN space
Expertise is available in the IEEE WG
WFA is not currently structured to do standards development
WFA has a big enough task already
Certification of interoperability (& performance)
Market development
Representing the industry, eg to regulators …
Market needs?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

8. Nov 2006
So what can the WG do to better meet market needs as the “primary” SDO in a timely manner?
The original standard took may years to develop but it did not matter because the market was immature & slow moving
However, the market wants limited “useful” features now, not “every” feature at some undefined point in the future
What can the WG do to better meet this need?
Smaller more focused amendments?
Less amendments in parallel?
Only standardise proven technologies, with less “academia”?
Separate documents, rather than amending “the 2,000 page brick”?
A stream-lined ballot process?
Realignment of e with WMM & WMM-PS (& soon WMM-AC)?
Can the WFA assist? – we have a vested interest in success
The answer is up to the IEEE WG but will have an effect on the market relevance of the standard
Market needs?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

9. Nov 2006
This liaison reports on recent WFA news & highlights an issue of importance to the WG & the WFA 1
What is news in the WFA? 2
How can meet market needs in a timely manner? 3
How can I find out more?
Andrew Myles (Cisco)

10. Nov 2006
Advertisement: the best way to get information about the activities of the WFA is to join!
Contact Frank Hanzlik (Managing Director of WFA)
Contact Andrew Myles (Chair of WFA)
Look at the website at
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Andrew Myles (Cisco)