Wi-Fi protocol passes

A Cisco protocol has been chosen as the basis for a standard that will control Wi-Fi access points in enterprise networks, but analysts say the final standards may be ignored by users.

Cisco’s LWAPP protocol has been confirmed as the basis for an eventual standard that could allow users to build enterprise wireless LANs from several vendors’ kits. At present, the “thin” access points used in centralized wireless LANs can usually be controlled by central switches from only one vendor.

However, “open” Wi-Fi networks may not make such a big difference. Standard products won’t be available for a year, and other vendors have emphasized the difficulty of upgrading to them. In any case, users won’t care much, say analysts.

“I think this is less important than it might have been when vendors first pursued it 18-24 months ago or so. Generally it seems that folks go with the same vendor for WLAN switch and for APs,” said Infonetics’ wireless analyst Richard Webb. This isn’t because of compatibility, he said: “They probably get the best deal on APs from their WLAN switch vendor.”

To allow multi-vendor switched WLANs, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has been working for more than a year on the CAPWAP (control and provisioning of wireless access points) protocol. Ironically, the project was kicked off in response to the LWAPP protocol, originally proposed by Airespace as a rallying point for switched wireless vendors, against Cisco.

Last year, Cisco bought into switched WLANs, by acquiring Airespace, and LWAPP emerged as a front runner for the CAPWAP standard in an IETF evaluation report. As a Cisco proposal, however, it now faced competition from SLAPP, a more lightweight approach put forward by Airespace’s rivals, Aruba and Trapeze. SLAPP proposed a different approach, sidestepping the idea of a standard to control APs and suggesting a simple protocol that would allow vendors to download firmware to each other’s APs.

The LWAPP model was chosen as the basis for the CAPWAP standard by 40 votes to 20. The protocol which defines the functions of the access point (known as the “control plane”) will be developed from LWAPP, while components, such as the communications protocol and security specification, will be changed to meet criticism in the review. A working draft will be produced this month, with a final standard in six months, and products in another six months, according to people involved in the process.

Vendors will therefore spend the next year claiming their products will support CAPWAP better and quicker. Both Cisco and the number two in switched WLANs, Aruba, promise to support CAPWAP.

QuickLink 067891

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Featured Articles

Cybersecurity in 2024: Priorities and challenges for Canadian organizations 

By Derek Manky As predictions for 2024 point to the continued expansion...

Survey shows generative AI is a top priority for Canadian corporate leaders.

Leaders are devoting significant budget to generative AI for 2024 Canadian corporate...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now