802.11 (1997)
After discussion and debate (dating back to the early 1990s), the “original” 802.11 specification was ratified in 1997. Data rates of 1 or 2 megabits per second (Mbps) were supported. The protocol covers Layer 1 (physical) and Layer 2 (data link) of the OSI model. At the data link layer, 802.11 provides definitions for the following services:
Authentication/Deauthentication
Association/Disassociation/Reassociation
Privacy (WEP)
Mac Service Data Unit (MSDU) delivery
Three different methods were specified at the physical layer:
Direct Sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
Frequency Hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
Infrared (IR)
Most people are not aware that the 802.11 protocol actually included support for IR. Although 801.11 over IR is technically ...
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