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Re: [STDS-802-11-ARC] Definition of 'IEEE 802 network' proposal



--- This message came from the IEEE 802.11 ARC Reflector ---

Hi Max

 

Thank you for this proposal.

 

I do have some concern with your use of the word “system” in the definition. 

Merriam-Webster defines system as:  a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole.

Oxford Languages defines system as: a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network, “the state railroad system”

And

Oxford Languages defines network as: 1) an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines 2) a group or system of interconnected people or things

Merriam-Webster defines network as: a fabric made of strands loosely twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals 2) something made up of many interdependent or related parts, “a telephone network”

 

Network is not currently defined in 802REVc.

 

My understanding of the difference between system and network is that: a system is a collection of organized things that act according to a set of rules, while a network is an interconnection of independent things based on shared protocols (rules).  Hence a system may be part of a network, but a network is not necessarily a system, as the independent things need not follow the same rules.   

 

I propose the following definition of network for 802REVc:

network: an interconnected group of two or more devices that can communicate.

 

Assuming this definition, I propose to modify the proposed definition as follows:

IEEE 802 ® network: A networksystem that uses forwards user data frames according to IEEE 802 medium access control (MAC) addresses, and IEEE 802 MAC addresses to identify the devices endpoints of the communication links within the networksystem.

 

One additional thought – I don’t know if just using IEEE 802 MAC addresses is adequate, we may want to state that an IEEE 802 standardized protocol must be used. 

 

Regards,

Joseph

 

 

From: *** 802.11 Architecture Standing Committee *** <STDS-802-11-ARC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Maximilian Riegel (Nokia)
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 8:51 AM
To: STDS-802-11-ARC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [STDS-802-11-ARC] Definition of 'IEEE 802 network' proposal

 

--- This message came from the IEEE 802.11 ARC Reflector ---

 

In our last ARC call, we discussed various approaches to define 'IEEE 802 network'. As a starting point for further textual refinements, I would like to propose a definition aligned to the approach adopted in the 802.1CF Recommended Practice for Network Reference Model and Functional Description of IEEE 802 ® Access Network. It relies on the usage of the 'IEEE 802 MAC address' as defined through IEEE Std 802 as the common property of IEEE 802 networks:

 

Draft proposal of updated definition:

-----

IEEE 802 ® network: A system that forwards user data frames according to IEEE 802 medium access control (MAC) addresses, and IEEE 802 MAC addresses identify the endpoints of the communication links within the system.

-----

 

Further discussion and refinements might be necessary to make the definition really fitting the many different scenarios that are covered in IEEE 802 standards.

 

FYI, the current definition:

IEEE 802 ® network: A network consisting of one or more interconnected networks each using a medium
access control (MAC) protocol specified in an IEEE 802 standard.

 

Bye

Max

 

 


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