Ephraim Schwartz reports that 802.11i is expected to be ratified in June: The IEEE 802.11i protocol is the update to 802.11 security that includes all of the interim measures found in WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), and also adds a longer, strong encryption key using AES and fast handoff through quick reauthentication among access points. AES has higher computational requirements, and Schwartz points out that some devices will need replacement.

WPA was a stop-gap based on work in progress in 802.11i, and issued by the Wi-Fi Alliance in an attempt to make older equipment backwards compatible. The elements found in WPA didn't require circuits other than those used for the older, broken WEP encryption standard. If you hunt, you can find firmware updates for almost all 802.11b devices ever produced.

What Schwartz doesn't mention, though, is that virtually all Wi-Fi chips shipped since the end of 2002 (including virtually all 802.11g chips) contain the processing core and other elements necessary to handle AES. They just need firmware upgrades. Schwartz talked to several major vendors, who pointed out their timeframes and upgrade plans, but he omitted chipmakers like Broadcom, Atheros, GlobeSpanVirata, and other consumer/enterprise OEM vendors who would have told him that AES is baked in and just ready for ratification to activate.

The Wi-Fi Alliance has said that it will certify 802.11i under the name WPA2.

Schwartz also notes the 802.11e's improvements in throughput and resource management for bandwidth won't be finalized until the end of this year. The Wi-Fi Alliance will certify the throughput (Wireless Multimedia Extensions) portion of 802.11e before the full standard ratification, he reports.