According to Simone, the taxonomy defines three basic WLAN approaches: autonomous, also called "fat"; centralized; and distributed, or meshed.
The next step, according to Simone, is to decide on the functionality of the AP and it's interfaces. This may require the help of the IEEE 802.11 working group. Once decided, the Internet Engineering Task Force will then help define the protocol that will communicate between the AP and the switch.
According to Narasimhan, a single protocol could cater to both a split and full MAC approach. "When you split the MAC, you have to define a protocol that will span L2 and L3 boundaries," he said.
Objectives have to be defined by May at the latest, he added. After that, Narasimhan predicted the standard will be largely complete by early 2006.
If the objectives of the standard have not been set by May, then the Capwap group will most likely dissolve. Given all the work on the taxonomy definition, Simone said he doubts dissolution will occur. "We don't want to lose momentum," he said.
