802.11 frame types
Okay, so let's imagine that you have a big group of friends and you all want to communicate with each other. But, you're not all speaking the same language, so you need a way to make sure that everyone understands each other. That's where the 802.11 standard comes in - it's like a set of rules for how your devices can talk to each other over Wi-Fi.
Within the 802.11 standard, there are different types of "messages" that can be sent between devices. These messages are called frames. Think of them like little packets of information that your devices send and receive.
There are three main types of frames: management frames, control frames, and data frames.
Management frames are like signals to help your devices find and connect to each other. They might include things like:
- Beacon frames - these are like little "I'm here!" signals that your Wi-Fi router sends out to let your devices know that it's available to connect to.
- Probe request/probe response frames - these are messages that your devices send to try to find other Wi-Fi devices in the area.
Control frames are like signals that help manage the actual transmission of data between devices. They might include things like:
- Request-to-Send/Clear-to-Send (RTS/CTS) frames - these are messages that help your devices avoid "collision" when trying to communicate (like if two people try to speak at the same time and no one can understand either of them).
- Acknowledgement (ACK) frames - these are messages sent to let the sender know that their message was received successfully.
Data frames are like the actual messages that your devices want to send to each other. For example, when you send an email or load a webpage on your phone, your device is sending a data frame to your router, which then sends it along to the internet.
Overall, understanding the different types of 802.11 frames is like knowing the different ways that your devices can communicate over Wi-Fi. Each type of frame is like a different "tool" that your devices can use to talk to each other, and they all work together to make sure your Wi-Fi connection stays strong and reliable.
Within the 802.11 standard, there are different types of "messages" that can be sent between devices. These messages are called frames. Think of them like little packets of information that your devices send and receive.
There are three main types of frames: management frames, control frames, and data frames.
Management frames are like signals to help your devices find and connect to each other. They might include things like:
- Beacon frames - these are like little "I'm here!" signals that your Wi-Fi router sends out to let your devices know that it's available to connect to.
- Probe request/probe response frames - these are messages that your devices send to try to find other Wi-Fi devices in the area.
Control frames are like signals that help manage the actual transmission of data between devices. They might include things like:
- Request-to-Send/Clear-to-Send (RTS/CTS) frames - these are messages that help your devices avoid "collision" when trying to communicate (like if two people try to speak at the same time and no one can understand either of them).
- Acknowledgement (ACK) frames - these are messages sent to let the sender know that their message was received successfully.
Data frames are like the actual messages that your devices want to send to each other. For example, when you send an email or load a webpage on your phone, your device is sending a data frame to your router, which then sends it along to the internet.
Overall, understanding the different types of 802.11 frames is like knowing the different ways that your devices can communicate over Wi-Fi. Each type of frame is like a different "tool" that your devices can use to talk to each other, and they all work together to make sure your Wi-Fi connection stays strong and reliable.