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| --- This message came from the IEEE 802.11 ARC Reflector ---
Hi Joseph,
Thanks for your review and your comprehensive research into the meaning of system.
The main difference between 'system' and 'network' seems to be that while both follow a set of rules, the network applies a common set of rules while a system is organized potentially with different rules for different parts.
Going back to our task to find a definition of 'IEEE 802 network': The common set of rules applied to all parts seems to be the challenge. Within IEEE 802, we hardly have a variety of rules, we have 48bit- as well as 64bit- MAC addresses, we usually use EPD
but sometimes instead LPD, we have a high variety of PHYs and MACs. We failed so far to determine he protocol that is common to all IEEE 802 networks.
In this sense, referring to a 'system' instead of a 'network' could make sense.
I have difficulties with your definition of 'network' below. What is a 'device' in the scope of IEEE 802, and is it already a network, when two devices can communicate with each other?
Bye
Max
From: Joseph Levy <Joseph.Levy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2023 19:01 To: Maximilian Riegel (Nokia) <maximilian.riegel@xxxxxxxxx>; STDS-802-11-ARC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <STDS-802-11-ARC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: RE: Definition of 'IEEE 802 network' proposal
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
network
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)
--- 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
Bye Max
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