IEEE Approves 802.11i

Dozix007 writes "IEEE has approved a new wireless security protocol dubbed 802.11i, intended to finally provide sufficient security for wireless connections that users don't need to rely on alternate security layers. The new specification works by using AES encryption in the transceiver itself, encrypting data directly at the level just above the actual radio pulses themselves. That makes it transparent for applications sending data through the radio, so legacy programs running on new 802.11i-compliant hardware will automatically get the benefits of the new protocol without the need for modification."

Watch your Head!

[Braingoo]

Oh no another wireless radio wave flying through the air! Oh well maybe I can pic up the internet if i tune my radio just right!

Suspicious

[gUmbi]

What happened to 802.11h? Was it brushed under the rug by the NSA? The CIA? The Bush family?

Get out the tin foil hats boys, this is a big one.

802.11h?

[BoldAC]

I hope this means that everybody is respecting my patent for 802.11h--which is, of course, packet transmission by horsepack. We are also trying to teach dolphins... the squeaks are tough to error correct. :(

The i stands for...

[calebb]

The i is for incryption! [groan]

Hey, if you don't think anyone makes that spelling mistake, check out this link! [google.com]

Re:Suspicious

[Anonymous Coward]

They wanted to stick with the trend of naming everything with an "i". The original name was to be i802.11.

This is terrible news

[piecewise]

More security and more awareness for security means that I won't be able to leach off my neighbor's wireless and in turn that means I will not be able to sit on the toilet with my PowerBook and in turn that means I will have to stretch Ethernet clear across into the bathroom and THAT can create a fire hazard.

Need I say more.

Re:Ah Finally!

[nazsco]

encription in EVERY protocol layer and then some encription in the software, that's runing trhu ssh... so i can safely read my mail that i protected with my birtday as the password.

Let's hope 802.11 stops soon

[FerretFrottage]

...because once we get to 802.11l we're really going to be screwed and nevermind the marketing nightmares.

Sample tech support eamil exchange
"I'm having problems with my 802.11l wireless router"

"Did you say 802.111?"

"No, 802.11l"

"That's what I said"

"No, you said 802.111, that's not due out til next month according to /."

"Sorry sir, so you have our 802.11/. router?"

Re:awesome

[servognome]

Consumer: So which router should I get
Best buy guy: You definately should get x, the letter is umm, a speed rating, like on car tires
Consumer: Will it work with my existing system
Best buy guy: Yes it works on the 802.11 standard

Re:Is this really a good thing?

[aredubya74]

That's a bold statement.

Hee hee.

Poor Starbucks

[Anonymous Coward]

What the hell am I supposed to do at starbucks now If I can't sit around and sniff wirelessness??. Read the newspaper?!?!?!

Re:802.11h?

[Anonymous Coward]

Pan-European approval of 802.11h is not expected until the end of 2003.
I can't wait until last year, so I can buy one! :)

In related news...

[genka]

Apple anounced it's own version, called i802.11

Re:This is terrible news

[pediddle]

I've tried that... my powerbook heats up until it burns my bare legs.

Re:Suspicious

[shigelojoe]

You think that's big, what about 802.11c through 802.11f?

This one calls for a freaking tin foil *bodysuit*.

Some fool...

[Anonymous Coward]

... wrote the RFC using IPv5.

Re:The i stands for...

[darkmeridian]

"Incryption"? That's not a typo, silly. It's security through obscurity.

Re:awesome

[hackstraw]

Its clear. a/b/g are transmition protocols. /i and /x are security protocols /a can be faster than /b, but not necessarily faster than /g /a is usually compatable with /b stuff, /g stuff is usually compatable with /a and /b. something labeled as /a or /b will probably work with a /g at some negotiated speed

I could care less about /i and /x, I do my own encryption, thank you very much

Re:Long Time Until it Replaces B/G

[XMyth]

Ironic....I ignored his sig until you mentioned it. Now I'm checking out the site.

=)

Re:Ah Finally!

[Kymermosst]

encription in EVERY protocol layer and then some encription in the software, that's runing trhu ssh... so i can safely read my mail that i protected with my birtday as the password.

I'd say your spelling problems provide enough encryption at the user level.