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Two types of encapsulation schemes were defined to support IP in Ethernet networks : the original encapsulation scheme, built above the Ethernet DIX format is defined in :rfc:`894` and a second encapsulation :rfc:`1042` scheme, built above the LLC/SNAP protocol [IEEE802.2]_. In 802.11 networks, the situation is simpler and only the :rfc:`1042` encapsulation is used. In practice, this encapsulation adds 6 bytes to the 802.11 header. The first four bytes correspond to the LLC/SNAP header. They are followed by the two bytes Ethernet Type field (`0x800` for IP and `0x806` for ARP). The figure below shows an IP packet encapsulated in an 802.11 frame.
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IP over IEEE 802.11
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The second important utilization of the management frames is to allow a WiFi station to be associated with an access point. When a WiFi station starts, it listens to beacon frames to find the available SSIDs. To be allowed to send and receive frames via an access point, a WiFi station must be associated to this access point. If the access point does not use any security mechanism to secure the wireless transmission, the WiFi station simply sends an `Association request` frame to its preferred access point (usually the access point that it receives with the strongest radio signal). This frame contains some parameters chosen by the WiFi station and the SSID that it requests to join. The access point replies with an `Association response frame` if it accepts the WiFI station.
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The 802.11 working group defined the `basic service set (BSS)` as a group of devices that communicate with each other. We continue to use `network` when referring to a set of devices that communicate.
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In fact, the [IEEE802.11]_ frame format contains a fourth optional address field. This fourth address is only used when an 802.11 wireless network is used to interconnect bridges attached to two classical LAN networks.
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