Subscription service provider network (SSPN) interface

4.3.14 Subscription service provider network (SSPN) interface

An AP can interact with external networks using a SSPN interface for the purpose of authenticating users
and provisioning services, as shown in Figure 4-7. The exchange of authentication and provisioning
information between the SSPN and the AP passes transparently through the Portal. The protocol used to
exchange this information is outside the scope of this standard. The logical SSPN interface provides the
means for an AP to consult an SSPN for authenticating and authorizing a specific non-AP STA and to report
statistics and status information to the SSPN. Authentication and provisioning information for non-AP STAs
received from the SSPN are stored in the AP management information base (MIB) and are used to limit
layer-2 services provided to that non-AP STA. Detailed interactions describing the SSPN interface are provided in 10.24.5


The SSPN interface provides the non-AP STA access to the services provisioned in the SSPN via the
currently associated BSS. SSPN access may involve virtual local area network (VLAN) mapping or tunnel
establishment that are transparent to the non-AP STA and outside the scope of this standard. The SSPN
interface also allows the non-AP STA to access services in destination networks (DNs) other than the SSPN.
An example of a DN other than SSPN is the provision of Internet access via the IEEE 802 LAN, or an
intermediary network that connects the IEEE 802.11 infrastructure and the SSPN.
NOTE—The SSPN Interface Service is not supported in an IBSS.