The Peer-to-Peer Wireless Network Confederation: Enabling Global Wi-Fi Roaming

Belonging to the same family of standards as Ethernet, it was nicknamed 'Wireless Ethernet' and was considered an appropriate networking technology for offices because it did not rely on cables. Although burdened by inherent insecurity (Fluhrer, 2001) and low bit rates compared to its wired equivalent, IEEE 802.11 was a success. The cost of manufacturing 802.11 chipsets fell quickly and 802.11 client adapters found their way from desktop PCs to laptops and personal digital assistants. Wi-Fi (short for Wireless Fidelity), a consumer-friendly moniker for 802.11 was adopted and the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA), a nonprofit international association was formed in 1999 to certify the interoperability of Wi-Fi products. WECA changed its name to the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2002 (Wi-Fi Alliance, 2004). The two main components of Wi-Fi networks are the wireless stations and the Wi-Fi access points, which are the wireless equivalent of Ethernet hubs. Stations equipped with Wi-Fi adapters can communicate wirelessly with nearby access points that link them to each other, to the local wired network, and to the Internet. Stations can also communicate with each other without access points, assuming their radios are within range, in a so-called 'ad hoc' mode (IEEE Std 802.11, 1999). Newer IEEE specifications include 802.11g, which enables stations and access points to connect to each other at speeds of up to 54 Mbps, and 802.11i, which employs advanced authentication and encryption algorithms to protect against unauthorized users that attempt to gain access to private networks (IEEE Standards, 2004). 802.11i also protects the confidentiality and integrity of wireless sessions that are usually susceptible to eavesdropping and hijacking attacks. The term 'Wi-Fi hotspot' is now being used to describe an area where Wi-Fi connectivity is available via a nearby access point. Public hotspots can be found in airport lounges and shopping malls; in coffee shops and restaurants; in hotels and exhibition centers. Wi-Fi users that include business travelers, patrons, and other visitors can use their portable devices in these hotspots to access e-mail, corporate intranets, or the Internet. Users can browse the Web, use instant messaging and