Technical Summary
IEEE 802.16 is an air interface specification for wireless broadband
access. IEEE 802.16 has specified multiple service specific
Convergence Sublayers for transmitting upper layer protocols. The
packet CS (Packet Convergence Sublayer) is used for the transport of
all packet-based protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP) and IEEE
802.3 (Ethernet). The IP-specific part of the Packet CS enables the
transport of IPv4 packets directly over the IEEE 802.16 MAC. This
document specifies the frame format, the Maximum Transmission Unit
(MTU) and address assignment procedures for transmitting IPv4
packets over the IP-specific part of the Packet Convergence Sublayer
of IEEE 802.16.
Working Group Summary
The document underwent much heated discussion, particularly on the
proper choice of MTU. The document captures consensus within the
IETF and includes some information about the source of such
opposing views: WiMAX Forum's use of an MTU of 1400 as opposed to
1500 in this document. Such discrepancy is not new, as it is also
found in the case of the so-called IPv6 CS (RFC5121). However, in
the IPv6 case, the RA MTU option provides an easy solution, whereas
no such reliable method exists for IPv4. Other topics received much
input and guidance from 802.16 and WiMAX participants.
Document Quality
This document was produced with the appropriate expertise, as it
benefitted from the efforts within the IETF of many participants
in IEEE 802.16 and the WiMAX Forum, including formal reviews from
relevant experts in those bodies.
Personnel
Gabriel Montenegro (g_e_montenegro@yahoo.com) is
the document shepherd. Ralph Droms (rdroms@cisco.com)
is the responsible AD.