Detailed Look at 802.11u, Hotspot 2.0

Detailed Look at Hotspot 2.0 802.11u and Hotspot 2.0 mechanisms

Both the 802.11u(IEEE) and the Hotspot 2.0(WiFi alliance) specs details the protocols and mechanisms for enhancing the WiFi capabilities. 

there are 3 main organisation those who have done initiative for enhanced wifi capabilities. They are the ones below

IEEE => IEEE brought the 802.11u initiative which is amendment to the 802.11 published in 2011. 

Wi-Fi Alliance => Brought the Hotspot 2.0 initiative which is basically the technical program and specification that defines technical requirements for Passpoint interoperability certification. 

Wireless Broadband alliance => Brought the Next Generation hotspot initiative which basically trying to establish a common framework for interoperability between networks and devices. 

802.11u specification was ratified in Feb 2011.It defines a number of enhancements to the 802.11(WLAN) protocol to address the process of interworking with external networks. One of the motivations of 802.11u is to learn more about a network before deciding to join it. Some of the relevant use cases for knowing the additional info about a network is 

- network selection 

- automated roaming and offload 

- secure user authentication 

- emergency services and 

- QOS integration with operator networks carrying user traffic. 

On the heels of IEEE, WiFi alliance has also been at work creating a certification framework and specification that complements a subset of 802.11u protocols. The WiFi alliance program called Hostpot 2.0 is the technical specification which spells out the Passpoint certification requirements. 

To note again, Hotspot 2.0 is the technical specification and Passpoint is the certification. Hotspot 2.0 technical specification spells out the requirements for Passpoint certification. 

Normally, hotspot clients use Active probes or passive beacons for scanning to discover APs, to learn about the network, to determine which network is best and connect to it. the problem today is that this process depends on the user recognition of the network name. What 802.11u does is, it does not alter this mechanism, instead it makes available few more info about the network during the scanning process and it allows the client to query AP for more info. 

References:
http://www.arubanetworks.com/pdf/technology/whitepapers/WP_Passpoint_Wi-Fi.pdf
http://hotspot2experience.com/
http://c541678.r78.cf2.rackcdn.com/appnotes/appnote-wispr.pdf
http://www.slideshare.net/zahidtg/hotspot-20-making-wifi-as-easy-to-use-and-secure-as-cellular
http://www.arubanetworks.com/pdf/technology/whitepapers/WP_Passpoint_Wi-Fi.pdf
http://a030f85c1e25003d7609-b98377aee968aad08453374eb1df3398.r40.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp/wp-how-interworking-works.pdf