A wireless interface always operates in one of the following operating modes. The mode sets the main functionality of the wireless link.
AccessPoint (AP) infrastructure mode
An Access Point acts as the Master device in a managed wireless network. It holds the network together by managing and maintaining lists of associated Stations. It also manages security policies. The network is named after the MAC-Address (BSSID) of the AP. The human readable name for the network, the SSID, is also set by the AP.
/!\ To use AP mode in Linux you need to use hostapd, at least a current 0.6 release, preferably from git. /!\ Cf. http://wireless.erley.org
Station infrastructure mode:
The Station device connects to an access point by sending certain management packets to it. This process is called the authentication and association. After the AP sent the successful association reply, the station is part of the network.
This mode is also called managed in the wireless extension tools (
iwconfig
Monitor mode:
Monitor mode is a passive-only mode, no packets are transmitted. All incoming packets are handed over to the host computer completely unfiltered. This mode is useful to see what's going on on the network.
With mac80211, it is possible to have a network device in monitor mode in addition to a regular device, this is useful to observe the network whilst using it. However, not all hardware fully supports this as not all hardware can be configured to show all packets while in one of the other operating modes, monitor mode interfaces always work on a “best effort” basis.
With mac80211, it's also possible to transmit packets in monitor mode, which is known as packet injection. This is useful for applications that wish to implement MLME work in userspace, for example to support nonstandard MAC extensions of IEEE 802.11.
With mac80211, it is possible to have a network device in monitor mode in addition to a regular device, this is useful to observe the network whilst using it. However, not all hardware fully supports this as not all hardware can be configured to show all packets while in one of the other operating modes, monitor mode interfaces always work on a “best effort” basis.
With mac80211, it's also possible to transmit packets in monitor mode, which is known as packet injection. This is useful for applications that wish to implement MLME work in userspace, for example to support nonstandard MAC extensions of IEEE 802.11.
Ad-Hoc (IBSS) mode
The Ad-Hoc mode is used to create a wireless network without the need of having a Master Access Point in the network. Each station in an IBSS network is managing the network itself. Ad-Hoc is useful for connecting two or more computers to each other when no (useful) AP is around for this purpose.
Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
The Distribution System is the wired uplink connection to an AP. The Wireless Distribution System is the wireless equivalent to it. WDS serves as a wireless communication path between cooperating APs (usually in a single ESS), it can be used instead of cabling. Read iw WDS documentation for details on how to enable this, but also review and consider using 4-address mode.
Mesh
Mesh interfaces are used to allow multiple devices to communication with each other by establishing intelligent routes between each other dynamically.
Please see Wikipedia's entry on 802.11s. and Wireless mesh network(WMN).
In order to achieve mesh portal functionality, you can bridge a mesh interface with a regular ethernet interface.
Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
The Distribution System is the wired uplink connection to an AP. The Wireless Distribution System is the wireless equivalent to it. WDS serves as a wireless communication path between cooperating APs (usually in a single ESS), it can be used instead of cabling. Read iw WDS documentation for details on how to enable this, but also review and consider using 4-address mode.
Mesh
Mesh interfaces are used to allow multiple devices to communication with each other by establishing intelligent routes between each other dynamically.
Please see Wikipedia's entry on 802.11s. and Wireless mesh network(WMN).
In order to achieve mesh portal functionality, you can bridge a mesh interface with a regular ethernet interface.
Wireless Modes and Channels
WatchGuard AP wireless devices support two different wireless bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The band you select and the country you specify determine which wireless modes are available.
These wireless standards are supported:
80211n 80211g 80211b 80211a
Freq band: 2.4GHz and 5GHz 2.4GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz
Data rate : 600Mbps 54Mbps 11Mbps 54Mbps
Channel Width: 20MHz and 40MHz 20MHz 20Mhz 20MHz
Indoor Range: 230ft 125ft 115ft 115ft
The 802.11n protocol is the latest wireless standard, and provides high data rates and performance in the 5 GHz frequency band. It is only supported in the most recent types of wireless devices.
For maximum performance, select only the 802.11n standard in the 5 GHz band. This selection requires that all the wireless devices on your network support the 802.11n standard. For most environments, you must support legacy wireless devices that do not support 802.11n. Because of this, WatchGuard recommends that you configure your WatchGuard AP device to use the default mixed mode 802.11b/g/n.
These wireless standards are supported:
80211n 80211g 80211b 80211a
Freq band: 2.4GHz and 5GHz 2.4GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz
Data rate : 600Mbps 54Mbps 11Mbps 54Mbps
Channel Width: 20MHz and 40MHz 20MHz 20Mhz 20MHz
Indoor Range: 230ft 125ft 115ft 115ft
The 802.11n protocol is the latest wireless standard, and provides high data rates and performance in the 5 GHz frequency band. It is only supported in the most recent types of wireless devices.
For maximum performance, select only the 802.11n standard in the 5 GHz band. This selection requires that all the wireless devices on your network support the 802.11n standard. For most environments, you must support legacy wireless devices that do not support 802.11n. Because of this, WatchGuard recommends that you configure your WatchGuard AP device to use the default mixed mode 802.11b/g/n.
Wireless Channels
A wireless channel is a specific division of frequencies within a specific wireless band. For example, in the 2.4GHz band with a channel width of 20MHz, there are 14 defined channels spaced every 5MHz. Channels 12 and 13 are available in countries outside of North America. Channel 14 is for Japan only and is spaced at 12 MHz.
One wireless channel can overlap the frequency of another wireless channel. When you design and deploy wireless networks, you must consider which channels you use for your wireless network. For example, in the 2.4 GHz band, adjacent channels such as channel 3 and 4 have frequencies that closely overlap, which can cause interference. In the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the most commonly used channels. They do not overlap each other because of the space between their frequencies. The 2.4GHz band is crowded because many other devices that operate on this band (such as cordless phones, microwaves, monitors, and wireless headsets) also use the same channels, and can cause wireless congestion.
In the 5GHz band, the full channel width is reserved and there is a very large selection of channels that do not overlap. 802.11n also enables you to combine two 20MHz channels to form a 40MHz channel for increased bandwidth.
In some regions, DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels operate in the 5GHz band. Because DFS channels are used with radar, transmissions from your AP device stop if radar signals are detected on that channel. Use can disable the use of DFS channels in your AP device configuration.
For outdoor model AP102, you can configure the device to only use outdoor channels.
One wireless channel can overlap the frequency of another wireless channel. When you design and deploy wireless networks, you must consider which channels you use for your wireless network. For example, in the 2.4 GHz band, adjacent channels such as channel 3 and 4 have frequencies that closely overlap, which can cause interference. In the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the most commonly used channels. They do not overlap each other because of the space between their frequencies. The 2.4GHz band is crowded because many other devices that operate on this band (such as cordless phones, microwaves, monitors, and wireless headsets) also use the same channels, and can cause wireless congestion.
In the 5GHz band, the full channel width is reserved and there is a very large selection of channels that do not overlap. 802.11n also enables you to combine two 20MHz channels to form a 40MHz channel for increased bandwidth.
In some regions, DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels operate in the 5GHz band. Because DFS channels are used with radar, transmissions from your AP device stop if radar signals are detected on that channel. Use can disable the use of DFS channels in your AP device configuration.
For outdoor model AP102, you can configure the device to only use outdoor channels.
Channel Selection
The WatchGuard AP device is configured by default to automatically select a wireless channel. When you power on the WatchGuard AP device, it automatically scans the network and selects the wireless channel with the least amount of interference.
The default channel width is configured as 20/40MHz. This mixed mode sets the radio to use 40MHz channel width, but it also has additional transmission information, which enables it to be used in an environment that includes 802.11a/b/g wireless access points.
The default channel width is configured as 20/40MHz. This mixed mode sets the radio to use 40MHz channel width, but it also has additional transmission information, which enables it to be used in an environment that includes 802.11a/b/g wireless access points.
