Mini PCI express wireless card for hostap mode
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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?
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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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Exactly, like it was an intended feature but was never implemented.
Steve
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I have ordered a new card with Atheros chipset.
I will give feedback next week.Thanks so far
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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.
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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?
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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?
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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
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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? ??? -
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
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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.
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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>