10 Overview of WiMAX Security

CONTENTS 10.1 Introduction 197 10.2 Network Aspects 198 10.3 WiMAX Security 199 10.4 Conclusions 203 References 204The IEEE 802.16 protocol is also called WiMAX, which stands for worldwide interoperability of microwave access. It addresses high-bandwidth wide-area access between a service provider base station (BS) and multiple subscriber stations (SSs), often referred to as the “last mile’’ in reference to neighborhood connections between subscribers’ homes and a phone or cable company office. In fact, important parts of the protocol are based on the DOCSIS BPI + (data over cable service interface specifications: baseline privacy plus interface specification) [3] protocol used in cable modems. The original 802.16 standard covers line-of-sight connections in the 10-66 GHz range, supporting speeds up to 280 Mbps over distances up to 50 km (30 mi.). 802.16a covers nonline-of-sight connections in the 2-11 GHz range, supporting speeds up to 75 Mbps over distances of 5-8 km (3-5 mi.). 802.16a also adds features for mesh networks, while the 802.16e standard adds support for mobility (i.e., station handoff) [4].