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Re: [STDS-802-11-TGM] Scope of RCM TIG

--- This message came from the IEEE 802.11 Task Group M Technical Reflector ---
Thank you Mark.
I have the same reading. It does not seem that the scope includes promoting anything, or describing use cases where using random MACs would be a great idea. Rather, starting from a Standard where most provisions were built on the assumption of MAC address unicity, what does MAC address randomization potentially break, and what could be do to alleviate the impact.

Jerome 


---- On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:11:35 -0500 <mark.hamilton2152@xxxxxxxxx> wrote ----

--- This message came from the IEEE 802.11 Task Group M Technical Reflector ---

All,

 

As an FYI, per our discussion in the RCM TIG yesterday, here is actual wording of the motion creating (and setting the scope) for the TIG:

 

1.1.1. Approve formation of a random and changing MAC address (RCM) TIG to investigate the:

•      current and planned implementations of random and changing MAC addresses in devices, and current and planned 802.11/802 Standards treatment of randomized MAC addresses

•      impact on 802.11 features from random MAC addresses and/or changing addresses during:

•                      Pre-association (stateless)

•                      Preparing for (creating shared state) and during associations

•      potential mechanisms to address the above impacts, through:

•                      Implementation options, or possible guidelines document

•                      Modifications to the Standard, if any, and recommend continuing work (Study Group/PAR)

The TIG is to complete a report on this topic at or before the November 2019 session.

 

 

My personal takeaway (which could be debated, of course), is that our scope is to identify what devices’ implementations are doing (or planning) w.r.t. random MAC addresses, and to identify how those changes will impact 802.11 features – and I read “impact” to mean in a negative sense, and hence why the next bullet of exploring mechanisms to “address” the impacts.  Thus, my personal view is that we are not expected to also list out the positive/benefits of random and changing MAC addresses on 802.11 or other aspects (like privacy).  That is, in summary, “what does this break, and what can we do about it?”

 

Mark

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