Fire-station tablets use 802.11r while paramedics move through the apparatus bay. At a conceptual AKM/roaming level, how do FT over-the-air and FT over-the-DS differ?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Over-the-air FT talks to the next AP across the RF sidewalk. Over-the-DS FT uses the wired back-alley (distribution system) to help the handshake along. Same FT family, different paths for the paperwork.
Full Explanation
802.11r defines FT over-the-air and FT over-the-DS variants for performing Fast BSS Transition handshakes. Over-the-air exchanges occur via the wireless medium toward the target AP, whereas over-the-DS uses the distribution system to assist FT signaling. Neither mode means “no encryption while roaming,” and FT over-the-DS is not merely a synonym that erases the FT key hierarchy in favor of OKC alone.