Editing WiMAX (section)

=== Integration with an IP-based network ===
[[Image:WiMAXArchitecture.svg|thumb|upright=1.6 |The WiMAX Forum architecture]]

The WiMAX Forum has proposed an architecture that defines how a WiMAX network can be connected with an IP based core network, which is typically chosen by operators that serve as Internet Service Providers (ISP); Nevertheless, the WiMAX BS provide seamless integration capabilities with other types of architectures as with packet switched Mobile Networks.

The WiMAX forum proposal defines a number of components, plus some of the interconnections (or reference points) between these, labeled R1 to R5 and R8:
* SS/MS: the Subscriber Station/Mobile Station
* ASN: the Access Service Network<ref>{{cite web|title=The Access Service Network in WiMAX: The Role of ASN-GW|url=http://www.mustafaergen.com/asn-gw.pdf|website=Mustafaergen.com|access-date=2008-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227153815/http://www.mustafaergen.com/asn-gw.pdf|archive-date=2008-02-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
* BS: Base station, part of the ASN
* ASN-GW: the ASN Gateway, part of the ASN
* CSN: the Connectivity Service Network
* HA: Home Agent, part of the CSN
* AAA: [[AAA protocol|Authentication, Authorization and Accounting]] Server, part of the CSN
* NAP: a Network Access Provider
* NSP: a Network Service Provider

The functional architecture can be designed into various hardware configurations rather than fixed configurations. For example, the architecture is flexible enough to allow remote/mobile stations of varying scale and functionality and Base Stations of varying size – e.g. femto, pico, and mini BS as well as macros.