IEEE 802.11w-2009
Specific requirements. Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 4: Protected Management Frames
Available Formats:
Availability: Immediate Download
Language: English
License Type: Single User
Updates: Not Included
About This Item
802.11w-2009 is a wireless LAN technical standard focused on Protected Management Frames within the 802.11 MAC and PHY framework. It addresses communication and networking requirements that help management traffic resist certain attacks and unauthorized interference, which can improve WLAN robustness in practice. As a superseded English-language specification, it remains relevant for understanding legacy design choices, compliance references, and testing expectations tied to IEEE 802.11 wireless implementations.
802.11w-2009 overview
This standard defines specific requirements for amendment 4 to the 802.11 family, centering on protection for management frames at the Medium Access Control layer. In practical terms, it helps clarify how wireless LAN devices should handle sensitive control traffic so that associations, disconnections, and related network signaling are less exposed to spoofing or tampering. For engineers and procurement teams, 802.11w-2009 provides a concrete reference point for evaluating feature support and interoperability in 802.11-based equipment.
Typical use cases
The specification is commonly relevant when reviewing enterprise Wi‑Fi access points, client adapters, and embedded wireless modules that need stronger handling of management traffic. It may also be used in certification, lab validation, and product comparison workflows for communications equipment operating under the 802.11 standard. In sectors where network reliability and controlled wireless access matter, 802.11w-2009 can help define expected behavior for protected frame exchange and related implementation checks.
Why this standard matters
802.11w-2009 matters because management-frame protection can reduce the risk of disruptive wireless attacks and support more consistent WLAN behavior. For design and testing teams, it offers a clear technical baseline for confirming that devices implement the intended protection mechanisms. For buyers and integrators, the standard can support more informed specification review and reduce ambiguity when comparing wireless products. Since this version is superseded, it is especially useful when dealing with legacy systems or historical compliance documentation.
- Protected management frame requirements
- 802.11 MAC and PHY context
- Wireless LAN interoperability reference
- Legacy compliance and testing support
- Publication Date: 2009
- Standard Status: Superseded
- Publisher: IEEE
- Subject: Communication, Networking and Broadcast Technologies; Computing and Processing
- Official IEEE: Doi link
- New Version Available: 802.11 (2025)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2025)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2025)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2024)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2024)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2023)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2023)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2023)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2023)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2022)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2021)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2021)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2021)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2021)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2018)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2018)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2018)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2017)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2016)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2016)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2014)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2013)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2012)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2012)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2012)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2012)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2011)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2011)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2011)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2010)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2010)
- This Version: 802.11 (2009)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2009)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2008)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2008)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2008)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2007)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2005)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2004)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2004)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2003)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2003)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2003)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2001)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2001)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (2000)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (1999)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (1998)
- Previous Version: 802.11 (1997)
Please request information about the document. Contact Page
Need This Standard?
Request a personalized quote today to receive the latest edition in PDF or other available formats.
Need This Standard?
Request a personalized quote today to receive the latest edition in PDF or other available formats.
Summarize with AI
Get quick summaries using your favorite AI engine.
