Subject: [Summer of Code] WiFi Browser - requirements
To: None <tech-net@NetBSD.org>
From: Ricardo Pinto <rncp@mega.ist.utl.pt>
List: tech-net
Date: 06/07/2005 23:01:34
After some feedback, I've put together these requirements:


Tech requirements
   - Portability (through architectures, and even between BSDs)
   - Wireless device independence

UI requirements
   - Easy to use (simple yet complete, with lots of info)
   - Configurable, for external programs to access (like shell scripts)

Functional requirements
   - Information
     - Access point MAC address
     - BSSID
     - BSS basic rate set (data rates available)
     - Channel
     - Protocol (for future use)
     - RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
     - SQ (Signal Quality)
     - Authentication Algorithm Number (open system / shared key)
   - Ability to select a network from the menu
     - Automatic configuration of the interface

Advanced stuff
   - Saving parameters to files / creation of scripts for use with ifconfig(8)
   - Matching manufacturers of APs through MAC address


	After taking a look at the wireless drivers, there is some work to be done
on them, namely the creation of ioctl(2) interfaces (currently only available, partially, for ath(4))
	These interfaces would allow to set the card in one channel, take a peek, proceed to the next channel, until all channels are swept.

	Please comment on the above

		Ricardo Pinto