In a multi-access and multi-service 802.11 environment, the problem of providing users with useful service related information to support a correct, rapid network selection is expected to become a very important issue. In this paper, we propose a feasible, short-term 802.11-tailored solution for service publishing. To achieve a working solution compliant with existing equipment, our suggestion is to publish service information encoded within the SSID Information Element within beacon frames. This makes it possible for an operator to implement service publishing in 802.11 networks while waiting for a standardized mechanism. We present a quantitative comparison of service discovery times between the legacy scenario, where the user is forced to associate and authenticate with a network point of access to check its service offer, and the enhanced scenario where the set of service-related information is broadcasted within beacons. These discovery times are obtained by processing the results of a measurement campaign performed in a multi-access/service 802.11 environment. This analysis confirms the effectiveness of the beacon-based approach.
Service publishing to support an efficient network selection in an 802.11 multi-access environment
DI SORTE, Dario;FEMMINELLA, Mauro;REALI, Gianluca
2006
Abstract
In a multi-access and multi-service 802.11 environment, the problem of providing users with useful service related information to support a correct, rapid network selection is expected to become a very important issue. In this paper, we propose a feasible, short-term 802.11-tailored solution for service publishing. To achieve a working solution compliant with existing equipment, our suggestion is to publish service information encoded within the SSID Information Element within beacon frames. This makes it possible for an operator to implement service publishing in 802.11 networks while waiting for a standardized mechanism. We present a quantitative comparison of service discovery times between the legacy scenario, where the user is forced to associate and authenticate with a network point of access to check its service offer, and the enhanced scenario where the set of service-related information is broadcasted within beacons. These discovery times are obtained by processing the results of a measurement campaign performed in a multi-access/service 802.11 environment. This analysis confirms the effectiveness of the beacon-based approach.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
