[Ns-developers] ns-2 802.11 roadmap

[Tom Henderson]

Based on the discussion which has slowed recently, it seems like there 
was support for moving forward on two parallel paths:

1) extend the existing 802.11 implementation with the following:
   - Ilango's beacan and association patch, along with a new 
authentication and active scanning patch (not yet posted to the list)
  - the dei80211mr loadable multirate library

Sven Wiethoelter suggested even to freeze this model after the next 
release to provide a stable base for legacy patches.

2) incorporate the new DC-REDNA 802.11 stack as a second stack
  - http://dsn.tm.uni-karlsruhe.de/1374.php


If we are to do this (include two 802.11 models in the future 
distribution), I'd suggest that we make sure that we:
- clearly document to users what the different features are with the two 
models, and the difference in using each of them
- clearly label them in a way that they can be unambiguously cited in 
research papers
- have validation and example scripts that make use of the features, and 
have corresponding manual documentation that covers them
- have some level of commitment by someone to maintain each of them for 
a period of time (e.g, for the next two years, respond to bug reports)

Any further comments on this plan?

Tom