A method and apparatus for use in an IEEE 802.11 root access point (AP) are provided. The method may comprise transmitting, from the root AP to the R-AP, an indication of a number of end-STAs which the R-AP is allowed to associate with. A first message may be received, from the R-AP that enables the root AP to associate the end-STA with the R-AP, the first message including: an indication of a number of information fields in the first message and a number of information fields identified by the indication of the number of information fields. Each information field may include a unique identifier associated with a respective indicated end-STA associated with the R-AP. A second message may be transmitted for the end-STA, from the root AP to the R-AP, and the second message may include the unique identifier.