AKM Suite List AKM

MAC 4 octets RSN element unverified

How a station proves it may join and how the keys get derived.

Reading a capture

This is where WPA2 and WPA3 actually differ. Both can use CCMP-128 above; the change is here, where a pre-shared key suite becomes SAE. Reading the cipher and calling it the generation is the common mistake.

Values

Value Meaning
1 802.1X
2 PSK — WPA2 Personal
8 SAE — WPA3 Personal
24 OWE — opportunistic wireless encryption

Bit values written b0 first, matching transmission order.

Where it sits

AKM Suite List

Authored in RSN element . Drawn in 2 frames.

Accuracy

Clause
802.11-2024 §9.4.2.24
Byte order
little-endian — least significant octet first
Verified
Not verified against the standard. Treat this as a claim, not a fact.