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    Mini PCI express wireless card for hostap mode

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
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    • jimpJ
      jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
      last edited by

      According to my notes the wpi driver which is used by that card is the only Intel driver that is supposed to support hostap.

      As with the other cards, seeing the dmesg output would help once you have that back in place.

      I have one of those cards, but I have yet to try it in my net6501 to see if pfSense would use it.

      Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

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      • W
        woni
        last edited by

        Ok, I have tested the Intel 3945ABG again.
        In System Log:

        php: /interfaces.php: Cloning new wireless interface wpi0_wlan0
        php: /interfaces.php: Failed to clone interface wpi0 with error code 1, output ifconfig: SIOCIFCREATE2: Operation not supported
        kernel: wpi0: HOSTAP mode not supported

        "ifconfig wpi0_wlan0 list caps" returns

        drivercaps=181e001 <sta,txpmgt,shslot,shpreamble,monitor,wpa1,wpa2>My /boot/loader.conf and /boot/loader.conf.local

        autoboot_delay="3"
        vm.kmem_size="435544320"
        vm.kmem_size_max="535544320"
        kern.ipc.nmbclusters="0"

        legal.intel_wpi.license_ack=1
        legal.intel_ipw.license_ack=1

        and dmesg

        padlock0: No ACE support.
        acpi0: <102109 RSDT1632> on motherboard
        acpi0: [ITHREAD]
        acpi0: Power Button (fixed)
        acpi0: reservation of 0, a0000 (3) failed
        acpi0: reservation of 100000, 3f700000 (3) failed
        Timecounter "ACPI-fast" frequency 3579545 Hz quality 1000
        acpi_timer0: <24-bit timer at 3.579545MHz> port 0x808-0x80b on acpi0
        cpu0: <acpi cpu="">on acpi0
        ACPI Warning: Incorrect checksum in table [OEMB] - 0x53, should be 0x52 (20100331/tbutils-354)
        cpu1: <acpi cpu="">on acpi0
        pcib0: <acpi host-pci="" bridge="">port 0xcf8-0xcff on acpi0
        pci0: <acpi pci="" bus="">on pcib0
        vgapci0: <vga-compatible display="">port 0xcc80-0xcc87 mem 0xfe880000-0xfe8fffff,0xd0000000-0xdfffffff,0xfe840000-0xfe87ffff irq 16 at device 2.0 on pci0
        agp0: <intel 945gme="" svga="" controller="">on vgapci0
        agp0: detected 7932k stolen memory
        agp0: aperture size is 256M
        vgapci1: <vga-compatible display="">mem 0xfe780000-0xfe7fffff at device 2.1 on pci0
        pci0: <multimedia, hda="">at device 27.0 (no driver attached)
        pcib1: <acpi pci-pci="" bridge="">irq 16 at device 28.0 on pci0
        pci1: <acpi pci="" bus="">on pcib1
        em0: <intel(r) 1000="" pro="" network="" connection="" 7.2.3="">port 0xdc80-0xdc9f mem 0xfe9e0000-0xfe9fffff,0xfe9dc000-0xfe9dffff irq 16 at device 0.0 on pci1
        em0: Using MSIX interrupts with 3 vectors
        em0: [ITHREAD]
        em0: [ITHREAD]
        em0: [ITHREAD]
        pcib2: <acpi pci-pci="" bridge="">irq 17 at device 28.1 on pci0
        pci2: <acpi pci="" bus="">on pcib2
        em1: <intel(r) 1000="" pro="" network="" connection="" 7.2.3="">port 0xec80-0xec9f mem 0xfeae0000-0xfeafffff,0xfeadc000-0xfeadffff irq 17 at device 0.0 on pci2
        em1: Using MSIX interrupts with 3 vectors
        em1: [ITHREAD]
        em1: [ITHREAD]
        em1: [ITHREAD]
        pcib3: <acpi pci-pci="" bridge="">irq 18 at device 28.2 on pci0
        pci3: <acpi pci="" bus="">on pcib3
        wpi0: <intel(r) pro="" wireless="" 3945abg="">mem 0xfebff000-0xfebfffff irq 18 at device 0.0 on pci3
        wpi0: Driver Revision 20071127
        wpi0: Hardware Revision (0x1)
        adding chan 1 (2412MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 2
        adding chan 2 (2417MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 4
        adding chan 3 (2422MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 6
        adding chan 4 (2427MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 8
        adding chan 5 (2432MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 10
        adding chan 6 (2437MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 12
        adding chan 7 (2442MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 14
        adding chan 8 (2447MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 16
        adding chan 9 (2452MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 18
        adding chan 10 (2457MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 20
        adding chan 11 (2462MHz) flags=0x2b maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 22
        adding chan 12 (2467MHz) flags=0x21 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 24
        adding chan 13 (2472MHz) flags=0x21 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 26
        adding chan 34 (5170MHz) flags=0x21 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 27
        adding chan 36 (5180MHz) flags=0xab maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 28
        adding chan 38 (5190MHz) flags=0x21 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 29
        adding chan 40 (5200MHz) flags=0xab maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 30
        adding chan 42 (5210MHz) flags=0x21 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 31
        adding chan 44 (5220MHz) flags=0xab maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 32
        adding chan 46 (5230MHz) flags=0x21 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 33
        adding chan 48 (5240MHz) flags=0xab maxpwr=15 passive=0, offset 34
        adding chan 52 (5260MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 35
        adding chan 56 (5280MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 36
        adding chan 60 (5300MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 37
        adding chan 64 (5320MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=15 passive=1, offset 38
        adding chan 100 (5500MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 39
        adding chan 104 (5520MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 40
        adding chan 108 (5540MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 41
        adding chan 112 (5560MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 42
        adding chan 116 (5580MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 43
        adding chan 120 (5600MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 44
        adding chan 124 (5620MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 45
        adding chan 128 (5640MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 46
        adding chan 132 (5660MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 47
        adding chan 136 (5680MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 48
        adding chan 140 (5700MHz) flags=0xb1 maxpwr=16 passive=1, offset 49
        power group 0: chan=1 maxpwr=50 temp=-171
                sample 0: index=13 power=47
                sample 1: index=29 power=37
                sample 2: index=47 power=16
                sample 3: index=58 power=6
                sample 4: index=77 power=-13
        power group 1: chan=44 maxpwr=53 temp=-174
                sample 0: index=12 power=46
                sample 1: index=19 power=40
                sample 2: index=32 power=27
                sample 3: index=43 power=17
                sample 4: index=77 power=-15
        power group 2: chan=64 maxpwr=55 temp=-173
                sample 0: index=12 power=50
                sample 1: index=20 power=43
                sample 2: index=33 power=30
                sample 3: index=44 power=20
                sample 4: index=77 power=-11
        power group 3: chan=116 maxpwr=53 temp=-171
                sample 0: index=12 power=40
                sample 1: index=20 power=31
                sample 2: index=36 power=15
                sample 3: index=48 power=4
                sample 4: index=77 power=-23
        power group 4: chan=153 maxpwr=50 temp=-171
                sample 0: index=10 power=38
                sample 1: index=20 power=26
                sample 2: index=32 power=14
                sample 3: index=42 power=5
                sample 4: index=77 power=-26
        wpi0: Regulatory Domain: MoW2
        wpi0: Hardware Type: B
        wpi0: Hardware Revision: ?
        wpi0: SKU does support 802.11a
        wpi0: [ITHREAD]
        uhci0: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-a="">port 0xcc00-0xcc1f irq 23 at device 29.0 on pci0
        uhci0: [ITHREAD]
        uhci0: LegSup = 0x2f00
        usbus0: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-a="">on uhci0
        uhci1: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-b="">port 0xc880-0xc89f irq 19 at device 29.1 on pci0
        uhci1: [ITHREAD]
        uhci1: LegSup = 0x2f00
        usbus1: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-b="">on uhci1
        uhci2: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-c="">port 0xc800-0xc81f irq 18 at device 29.2 on pci0
        uhci2: [ITHREAD]
        uhci2: LegSup = 0x2f00
        usbus2: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-c="">on uhci2
        uhci3: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-d="">port 0xc480-0xc49f irq 16 at device 29.3 on pci0
        uhci3: [ITHREAD]
        uhci3: LegSup = 0x2f00
        usbus3: <intel 82801g="" (ich7)="" usb="" controller="" usb-d="">on uhci3
        ehci0: <intel 82801gb="" r="" (ich7)="" usb="" 2.0="" controller="">mem 0xfe837c00-0xfe837fff irq 23 at device 29.7 on pci0
        ehci0: [ITHREAD]
        usbus4: EHCI version 1.0
        usbus4: <intel 82801gb="" r="" (ich7)="" usb="" 2.0="" controller="">on ehci0
        pcib4: <acpi pci-pci="" bridge="">at device 30.0 on pci0
        pci4: <acpi pci="" bus="">on pcib4
        isab0: <pci-isa bridge="">at device 31.0 on pci0
        isa0: <isa bus="">on isab0
        atapci0: <intel ich7="" udma100="" controller="">port 0x1f0-0x1f7,0x3f6,0x170-0x177,0x376,0xffa0-0xffaf at device 31.1 on pci0
        ata0: <ata 0="" channel="">on atapci0
        ata0: [ITHREAD]
        atapci1: <intel ich7m="" sata150="" controller="">port 0xc400-0xc407,0xc080-0xc083,0xc000-0xc007,0xbc80-0xbc83,0xbc00-0xbc0f mem 0xfe837800-0xfe837bff irq 19 at device 31.2 on pci0
        atapci1: [ITHREAD]
        ata2: <ata 0="" channel="">on atapci1
        ata2: [ITHREAD]
        ata3: <ata 1="" channel="">on atapci1
        ata3: [ITHREAD]
        pci0: <serial bus,="" smbus="">at device 31.3 (no driver attached)
        acpi_button0: <power button="">on acpi0
        atrtc0: <at realtime="" clock="">port 0x70-0x71 irq 8 on acpi0
        uart0: <16550 or compatible> port 0x3f8-0x3ff irq 4 flags 0x10 on acpi0
        uart0: [FILTER]
        pmtimer0 on isa0
        sc0: <system console="">at flags 0x100 on isa0
        sc0: VGA <16 virtual consoles, flags=0x300>
        vga0: <generic isa="" vga="">at port 0x3c0-0x3df iomem 0xa0000-0xbffff on isa0
        atkbdc0: <keyboard controller="" (i8042)="">at port 0x60,0x64 on isa0
        atkbd0: <at keyboard="">irq 1 on atkbdc0
        kbd0 at atkbd0
        atkbd0: [GIANT-LOCKED]
        atkbd0: [ITHREAD]
        ppc0: parallel port not found.
        est0: <enhanced speedstep="" frequency="" control="">on cpu0
        p4tcc0: <cpu frequency="" thermal="" control="">on cpu0
        est1: <enhanced speedstep="" frequency="" control="">on cpu1
        p4tcc1: <cpu frequency="" thermal="" control="">on cpu1
        Timecounters tick every 1.000 msec
        IPsec: Initialized Security Association Processing.
        usbus0: 12Mbps Full Speed USB v1.0
        usbus1: 12Mbps Full Speed USB v1.0
        usbus2: 12Mbps Full Speed USB v1.0
        usbus3: 12Mbps Full Speed USB v1.0
        usbus4: 480Mbps High Speed USB v2.0
        ad4: 305245MB <wdc wd3200bpvt-22jj5t0="" 01.01a01="">at ata2-master UDMA100 SATA
        ugen0.1: <intel>at usbus0
        uhub0: <intel 1="" 9="" uhci="" root="" hub,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 1.00="" 1.00,="" addr="">on usbus0
        ugen1.1: <intel>at usbus1
        uhub1: <intel 1="" 9="" uhci="" root="" hub,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 1.00="" 1.00,="" addr="">on usbus1
        ugen2.1: <intel>at usbus2
        uhub2: <intel 1="" 9="" uhci="" root="" hub,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 1.00="" 1.00,="" addr="">on usbus2
        ugen3.1: <intel>at usbus3
        uhub3: <intel 1="" 9="" uhci="" root="" hub,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 1.00="" 1.00,="" addr="">on usbus3
        ugen4.1: <intel>at usbus4
        uhub4: <intel 1="" 9="" ehci="" root="" hub,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 2.00="" 1.00,="" addr="">on usbus4
        uhub0: 2 ports with 2 removable, self powered
        uhub1: 2 ports with 2 removable, self powered
        uhub2: 2 ports with 2 removable, self powered
        uhub3: 2 ports with 2 removable, self powered
        SMP: AP CPU #1 Launched!
        Root mount waiting for: usbus4
        uhub4: 8 ports with 8 removable, self powered
        Root mount waiting for: usbus4
        Trying to mount root from ufs:/dev/ad4s1a
        ugen1.2: <chicony>at usbus1
        ukbd0: <chicony 0="" 2="" hp="" basic="" usb="" keyboard,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 2.00="" 1.30,="" addr="">on usbus1
        kbd2 at ukbd0
        wpi0: HOSTAP mode not supported
        wpi0: timeout resetting Tx ring 1
        wpi0: timeout resetting Tx ring 3
        wpi0: timeout resetting Tx ring 4
        microcode alive notification version 10e02 alive 1
        microcode alive notification version 10e02 alive 1
        pflog0: promiscuous mode enabled
        em1: link state changed to UP
        ipfw2 (+ipv6) initialized, divert loadable, nat loadable, rule-based forwarding enabled, default to accept, logging disabled
        load_dn_sched dn_sched FIFO loaded
        load_dn_sched dn_sched QFQ loaded
        load_dn_sched dn_sched RR loaded
        load_dn_sched dn_sched WF2Q+ loaded
        load_dn_sched dn_sched PRIO loaded
        pid 24232 (squid), uid 62: exited on signal 6
        wpi0: HOSTAP mode not supported</chicony></chicony></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></wdc></cpu></enhanced></cpu></enhanced></at></keyboard></generic></system></at></power></serial></ata></ata></intel></ata></intel></isa></pci-isa></acpi></acpi></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel></intel(r)></acpi></acpi></intel(r)></acpi></acpi></intel(r)></acpi></acpi></multimedia,></vga-compatible></intel></vga-compatible></acpi></acpi></acpi></acpi></sta,txpmgt,shslot,shpreamble,monitor,wpa1,wpa2>

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • W
          wallabybob
          last edited by

          @woni:

          wpi0: HOSTAP mode not supported

          This "agrees" with the FreeBSD wpi man page which doesn't mention hostap support.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • jimpJ
            jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
            last edited by

            Hmm, OK. Not sure where the note I had about hostap for wpi came from then, since I had it marked a Yes.

            I changed it to No in the spreadsheet.

            Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

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            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              We discussed this before, here.
              The wpi(4) driver has code to support a hostap mode.
              Perhaps it's limited to certain cards or firmware?

              Steve

              Edit: Reading it again, perhaps the code references hostap but doesn't actually support it?

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • W
                wallabybob
                last edited by

                @stephenw10:

                Edit: Reading it again, perhaps the code references hostap but doesn't actually support it?

                I found a number of occurrences of the string HOSTAP inside #if 0/#endif blocks. In particular, the code that sets "HOSTAP supported" in the device capabilities bitmap is enclosed in a #if 0/#endif block.

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                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  Exactly, like it was an intended feature but was never implemented.

                  Steve

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                  • W
                    woni
                    last edited by

                    I have ordered a new card with Atheros chipset.
                    I will give feedback next week.

                    Thanks so far

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • W
                      woni
                      last edited by

                      Ok, now I have installed Atheros 5416 and what a surprise , it works in hostap mode.
                      But, next problem, I can't see this AP from a WiFi-Client.

                      
                      ifconfig ath0_wlan0 list caps
                      drivercaps=6f85ed01 <sta,ibss,[b]hostap[ b],ahdemo,txpmgt,shslot,shpreamble,monitor,mbss,wpa1,wpa2,burst,wme,wds,bgscan,txfrag="">cryptocaps=1f <wep,tkip,aes,aes_ccm,tkipmic></wep,tkip,aes,aes_ccm,tkipmic></sta,ibss,[b]hostap[> 
                      

                      This the pert from my config.xml

                      
                      		 <opt1><if>ath0</if>
                      			 <wireless><standard>11g</standard>
                      				<mode>hostap</mode>
                      				<protmode>off</protmode>
                      				<ssid>i-access.woni</ssid>
                      				<channel>0</channel>
                      				 <authmode><txpower>99</txpower>
                      				 <distance><regdomain><regcountry><reglocation><wpa><macaddr_acl><auth_algs>1</auth_algs>
                      					<wpa_mode>3</wpa_mode>
                      					<wpa_key_mgmt>WPA-PSK</wpa_key_mgmt>
                      					<wpa_pairwise>CCMP TKIP</wpa_pairwise>
                      					<wpa_group_rekey>60</wpa_group_rekey>
                      					<wpa_gmk_rekey>3600</wpa_gmk_rekey>
                      					 <passphrase><ext_wpa_sw></ext_wpa_sw></passphrase></macaddr_acl></wpa> 
                      				 <auth_server_addr><auth_server_port><auth_server_shared_secret></auth_server_shared_secret></auth_server_port></auth_server_addr></reglocation></regcountry></regdomain></distance></authmode></wireless> 
                      
                      			 <spoofmac><enable><ipaddr>192.168.2.1</ipaddr>
                      			<subnet>24</subnet></enable></spoofmac></opt1> 
                      
                      

                      Any idea? Thanks a lot.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • W
                        wallabybob
                        last edited by

                        Channel 0 is "unusual" (Auto?)

                        If you have an Android phone you could use app Wifi Analyzer to get an idea what channels are in use in your vicinity, otherwise I suggest you pick 6 or 11 to be comfortably away from 1 which seems to be a common default. Wifi Analyzer will also help you tell if you have sufficient signal strength at your client location.

                        Is the card connected to an external (to the box) antenna?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • W
                          woni
                          last edited by

                          The channel 0 means "auto" and there is a external antenna connected to the box.
                          I don't have a Android phone.
                          I have put my notebook very near to my pfsense accesspoint and could recognize a litte signal of my ap.
                          The atheros card have 3 connectionpoints for antenna and I try port 2 instead port 1.
                          The signal is now not the best, but I can work so far.

                          Near the my pfSense AP I positioned a netgear ap. With the software inSSIDer from my notebook I get for the netgear ap -54dB and for the pfSense ap -61dB.

                          I don't know, which of these 3 ports should be the correct one.

                          Any idea, to get a stronger signal?

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            If you only have one antenna it's important to switch off Diversity and to set both the transmit and receive antennas to use the same, correct, number.

                            From config.xml:

                            
                            				<diversity>0</diversity>
                            				<txantenna>1</txantenna>
                            				<rxantenna>1</rxantenna>
                            
                            

                            Steve

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • W
                              woni
                              last edited by

                              Sorry, the problem is not gone. I have less signal strength.
                              Any idea or do you know a better mini PCIe wireless card?
                              What chipset will be supported for hostap?
                              Now, I have spent a lot of time and money to solve the problem.
                              Should I give up? ???

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • stephenw10S
                                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                last edited by

                                Did you try my suggestions above? Reboot after making the changes?
                                Also antenna 1 happens to be correct for my card but may not for yours.

                                Steve

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • W
                                  woni
                                  last edited by

                                  Thanks for response.
                                  I have tried all antenna (1,2,3) but only 2 is working with the named limitation.
                                  So, I think, I buy two antennas, connect their and give feedback.

                                  And sure, I had rebooted after every change.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • W
                                    woni
                                    last edited by

                                    Now, I have build in 2 further antennas. So I have one external and two internal antennas. Without luck. Nothing changed.
                                    It seems, only antenna 2 is working. It doesn't matter, what I configure. In example the channel: I configure 10 but the system comes up with 1.

                                    Further, I have recognized that the signal strength is always going down and up.
                                    I have configuered a <shellcmd>to restart ath0_wlan0 after bootup. This solves the behavior and the channel is 10 which I have configured.

                                    I think, there is a problem in startup. I would like to try a complete reconfigure-script after startup, but I don't know how.
                                    Any help woukd be fine.</shellcmd>

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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