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Wireless Clients
Understanding the Cisco Compatible Extensions Program
© 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. IUWNE v1.0—3-2
The Cisco Compatible Extensions Program No-cost licensing of technology for use in WLAN adapters and devices Independent testing to ensure interoperability with Cisco infrastructure
latest innovations Marketing of compliant products by Cisco and product suppliers under
“Cisco Compatible” brand
© 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. IUWNE v1.0—3-3
Cisco Compatible Extensions Program for Wi-Fi Tags
Allows customers with a Cisco Unified Wireless Network and a Cisco location solution to benefit from the latest innovation offered by Cisco technology partners
Offers improved consistency and interoperability among Cisco Compatible Extensions partners
Allows the deployment of tags from different technology partners in the same environment
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Explained
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Example: Cisco Centralized Key Management
Cisco Centralized Key Managementallows the wireless infrastructure to cache the credentials, thus removing the need to conduct a fullreauthentication when roaming
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Example: AP-Specified Maximum Power
In a heterogeneous environment, a power difference between clients and AP can prevent clients from being heard by the AP. With Cisco Compatible Extensions, the AP can detect and automatically configure the optimal transmit power for the client.
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Example: Enhanced Roaming
Ping-pong effect occurs when a wireless client is at the edge of two cells and hops between them. Cisco Compatible Extensions allows the AP to determine “inner regions” where scanning is not required and “outer regions” where the client, about to lose connection, would be allowed to scan for a better AP.
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Example: Client Link Test
Client link test allows the AP to query the client for its own reading of the AP signal, and provide a deeper view of the client connection to the network
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Example: Client Reporting
Client reporting allows the AP to get information from the client about its various parameters. This allows the administrator to collect data to optimize the network, but also, for example, for the AP to learn where the client would prefer to connect, and to redirect it to the right AP, if it is in range.
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Example: Client MFP
When using MFP, client and AP use a key to authenticate management messages, thus making AP impersonation virtually impossible
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Cisco Compatible Extensions Features and Versions Summary
v1 v2 v3 v4 v5Security WEP
IEEE 802.1XLEAPCisco TKIP
PEAP-GTCWPA
WPA2EAP-FAST
NAC (wireless)EAT-TLSPEAP-MSCHAP
Management FrameProtection for clients
VLANs and QoS
MultipleSSIDs/VLANson AP
eDCF Wi-Fi Multimedia(WMM)
Voice over IP U-APSDTSPEC CAC Voice metrics
Expedited bandwidthrequest
MobilityAnd Management
AP-assisted roamingCisco Centralized Key Management with LEAPProxy ARP information element
AP-assisted roamingCisco Centralized Key Management with EAP-FASTSingle sign on: LEAP, EAP-FAST
AP-assisted roamingCisco Centralized Key Management with otherEAP typesAP-directed roamingLocationKeep aliveLink test
AP-assisted roamingCisco Centralized Key Management enhancementGratuitous probe ResponseDiagnostic channelAssociationLocation service
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Summary
The Cisco Compatible Extensions program allows wireless clients to benefit from Cisco innovations.
Most wireless client hardware and silicon vendors support it. It comprises more than 70 advanced features, such as Cisco
Centralized Key Management, enhanced roaming, wireless IDS, client reporting, and client MFP.
© 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. IUWNE v1.0—3-13