// reference · industry organizations · cwna ch.1
WLAN Industry Organizations
Wi-Fi is the product of three parallel processes: IEEE writes the standard, the Wi-Fi Alliance certifies interoperability, and regulatory bodies (FCC, ETSI, ARIB) define legal power limits. Understanding who does what prevents the common exam confusion between a standard and a certification.
IEEE IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards body
The IEEE publishes the 802.11 standard - the technical specification that defines exactly how 802.11 devices must behave at the PHY and MAC layers. IEEE defines frequency bands, modulation, frame formats, MAC procedures, security mechanisms, and every protocol detail. The standard is published by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group, which is part of the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee.
Key facts
IEEE 802.11-2020: the consolidated base standard (all amendments incorporated through 2020)
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) are amendments to the base standard
The IEEE does NOT test products or award certifications
Standards are publicly purchasable; some drafts available free from IEEE
WFA Wi-Fi Alliance Certification body
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit industry consortium that certifies products for interoperability. A product can implement 802.11 and NOT be Wi-Fi certified. Wi-Fi Alliance certification means it has been tested by a Wi-Fi Alliance authorized test lab and interoperates with other certified products. The "Wi-Fi" name and logos are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Key facts
Wi-Fi 4 = 802.11n
Wi-Fi 5 = 802.11ac
Wi-Fi 6 = 802.11ax (2.4/5 GHz)
Wi-Fi 6E = 802.11ax (6 GHz added)
Wi-Fi 7 = 802.11be
WPA2, WPA3 = Wi-Fi Alliance security certifications (not IEEE specs)
WMM = Wi-Fi Alliance QoS certification (subset of 802.11e EDCA)
Passpoint (Hotspot 2.0) = Wi-Fi Alliance managed Wi-Fi certification
IETF IETF - Internet Engineering Task Force Internet protocol standards
The IETF defines the internet protocols that run over 802.11 - EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol), RADIUS, DHCP, and others. 802.11 itself stops at Layer 2. Everything above - authentication protocols, IP addressing, tunneling - comes from IETF RFCs. 802.1X (the authentication framework) is from IEEE 802, not IETF, but EAP (the transport) is IETF RFC 3748.
Key facts
RFC 3748: EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)
RFC 2865: RADIUS protocol
RFC 2131: DHCP
RFC 5415: CAPWAP (controller protocol)
RFC 4186: EAP-SIM
IETF has no certification or regulatory role
FCC FCC - Federal Communications Commission US regulator
The FCC regulates spectrum use in the United States. Part 15 of the FCC Rules governs unlicensed devices (including Wi-Fi). The FCC sets maximum transmit power, EIRP limits, frequency bands, and channel plans. Any Wi-Fi device sold in the US must have FCC Part 15 authorization. The FCC does not define how 802.11 works - only what power levels are permitted.
Key facts
2.4 GHz: max EIRP 36 dBm (4W)
5 GHz U-NII-1/U-NII-2A: max EIRP 30 dBm (1W) indoor
5 GHz U-NII-3: max EIRP 30 dBm point-to-multipoint, higher for point-to-point bridges
6 GHz U-NII-5/6/7/8: 5.925-7.125 GHz, standard power 36 dBm indoor (AFC required for outdoor)
DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) required for U-NII-2A/2C - must vacate channel if radar detected
ETSI ETSI - European Telecommunications Standards Institute EU regulator
ETSI sets spectrum regulations for Europe. The CE mark on European products includes ETSI Radio Equipment Directive compliance. European power limits differ from FCC - generally similar but with some band-specific differences. ETSI EN 300 328 governs 2.4 GHz; ETSI EN 301 893 governs 5 GHz. 6 GHz Wi-Fi rollout in Europe is governed by ECC/ETSI decisions.
Key facts
2.4 GHz: 13 channels (vs 11 in US)
5 GHz: DFS required for more channels than US
6 GHz: lower power initially than US; varies by country
CE mark = ETSI compliance for radio products
Not all 5 GHz channels legal in all EU countries
ARIB ARIB - Association of Radio Industries and Businesses Japan regulator
ARIB sets spectrum regulations for Japan. Japan has unique Wi-Fi band restrictions - some 5 GHz channels permitted in US/EU are not available in Japan. Enterprise Wi-Fi deployments in Japan must account for ARIB restrictions. ARIB STD-T66 governs 2.4 GHz; ARIB STD-T71 governs 5 GHz.
Key facts
2.4 GHz: similar to EU (14 channels including Ch14 for 802.11b only)
5 GHz: restricted subset vs US (W52, W53, W56 band designations)
W52: 5.15-5.25 GHz (indoor only)
W53: 5.25-5.35 GHz (DFS required)
W56: 5.47-5.725 GHz (DFS required)
6 GHz: regulatory status evolving as of 2024
ITU-R ITU-R - International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector International spectrum coordinator
The ITU-R coordinates spectrum allocation globally between member nations. ITU-R recommendations (not binding law - each country implements its own regulations) provide the framework that national regulators follow. The ITU allocates the ISM bands (2.4 GHz) and RLAN (Radio LAN) bands globally, which national regulators then implement with their own power limits.
Key facts
ITU-R Resolution 229: Wi-Fi spectrum framework
ISM bands (2.4 GHz) defined in ITU Radio Regulations
ITU-R does not certify products or set binding power limits
Each member country (US=FCC, EU=ETSI, Japan=ARIB) sets binding rules
WRC (World Radiocommunication Conference) defines global spectrum every 3-4 years
// cwna exam field notes
01 IEEE writes the standard. Wi-Fi Alliance certifies products. FCC/ETSI regulate power. These are different organizations with different roles. Exam questions love to mix them up.
02 WPA2 and WPA3 are Wi-Fi Alliance certifications, not IEEE standards. The IEEE counterpart is 802.11i (now incorporated into 802.11-2020). Devices can implement 802.11i without WPA2 certification.
03 "Wi-Fi 6" is a Wi-Fi Alliance marketing name for 802.11ax. The exam may use either name. Wi-Fi 4 = 802.11n, Wi-Fi 5 = 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 = 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 7 = 802.11be.
04 ETSI allows 13 channels in 2.4 GHz. FCC allows 11. ARIB allows 14 (Ch14 is 802.11b-only for Japan). Channel plans differ by region - a device sold in Japan may use a channel illegal in the US.
05 DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) is an FCC/ETSI requirement for 5 GHz U-NII-2A and U-NII-2C bands. The 802.11h amendment added DFS and TPC (Transmit Power Control) to the standard to satisfy regulatory requirements. The regulatory body mandated it; IEEE implemented it.
See regulatory and certification data in your PCAP
WiFi Analyser surfaces Country IE (regulatory domain), DFS channel usage, and WPA2/WPA3 certification status per AP from beacon frames.