Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for associating in a basic service set (BSS) includes receiving, by a first node, a first packet from a second node and determining whether association is pursued in accordance with a first traffic type accepted by the first node and the first packet including a second traffic type accepted by the second node or in accordance with a first device type of the first node and the first packet including a second device type of the second node. The method also includes attaching the first node to the second node when association is pursued.