Subject: HEADS UP wi(4), ifconfig(8), wiconfig(8)
To: None <current-users@netbsd.org>
From: David Young <dyoung@ojctech.com>
List: current-users
Date: 09/27/2002 23:03:20
Ifconfig now provides a consistent interface to 802.11 parameters for
every hardware type supported by wi(4). You should prefer ifconfig to
wiconfig for all purposes except scanning for APs, dumping statistics
counters, setting AP density, MAC address, max data length, RTS threshold,
microwave oven robustness, and roaming function. In other words, wiconfig
options -c, -e, -f, -k, -n, -P, -p, -q, and -t are being deprecated.
The SSID to join/create is set with ifconfig's nwid option. The empty
nwid is the "don't care" SSID. This deprecates -q and -n.
The BSSID to join/create is set with ifconfig's bssid option. BSSID
0:0:0:0:0:0 means "join any."
The channel of the BSSID to join/create is set with the chan option,
deprecating -f.
WEP encryption is enabled by setting a WEP key (or keys) with the
nwkey option to ifconfig. WEP encryption is disabled with -nwkey. This
deprecates -e and -k.
The powersave option to ifconfig deprecates -P.
Wi(4) always selects the correct port type for IBSS/HostAP/BSS mode,
so it is not necessary to use -p. If wi(4) will not set the correct port
type for your application, submit a bug report.
Wi(4) defaults to IEEE infrastructure (BSS) mode, which requires an
access point. Modes different from infrastructure mode are selected
using ifconfig with media options.
IEEE ad hoc (IBSS) mode is set with
ifconfig <device> mediaopt ibss
OR
ifconfig <device> mediaopt adhoc
It is turned off again with
ifconfig <device> -mediaopt adhoc
HostAP mode is enabled/disabled with
ifconfig <device> mediaopt hostap
and
ifconfig <device> -mediaopt hostap
respectively.
Lucent ad hoc mode, which is not 802.11-standard, is set with
ifconfig <device> mediaopt adhoc,flag0
Dave
--
David Young OJC Technologies
dyoung@ojctech.com Engineering from the Right Brain
Urbana, IL * (217) 278-3933