WiFi AP - HostApd
- Yazan Shhady
Creating a WiFi hotspot on a device running Linux involves configuring the built-in wireless adapter to act as an access point. Below are general steps to achieve this using the hostapd software:
Prerequisites:
Ensure that your device has a compatible wireless adapter. You may need an external USB WiFi dongle if the built-in WiFi doesn't support the necessary features.
Make sure your device is running a Linux distribution with package management. Debian is a popular choice.
Step 1: Install hostapd and dnsmasq
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade -y
sudo apt-get install hostapd dnsmasqStop Services:
sudo systemctl stop hostapd
sudo systemctl stop dnsmasqConfigure Static IP for the Access Point:
Edit /etc/dhcpcd.conf and add the following lines at the end:
interface wlan0
static ip_address=192.168.4.1/24
nohook wpa_supplicantConfigure dnsmasq:
Create a new configuration file /etc/dnsmasq.conf and add:
Configure Hostapd:
Create a new configuration file /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf :
Here can find more information about the hostapd configuration
https://web.mit.edu/freebsd/head/contrib/wpa/hostapd/hostapd.conf
The hw_mode parameter can take one of the following values:
a: Specifies 5 GHz (802.11a)b: Specifies 2.4 GHz (802.11b)g: Specifies 2.4 GHz (802.11g)ad: Specifies 60 GHz (802.11ad)n: Specifies 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz (802.11n)ac: Specifies 5 GHz (802.11ac)
Update Hostapd Configuration:
Edit /etc/default/hostapd and update the line:
Start Services:
Enable Services to Start on Boot:
Reboot:
After rebooting, your device should be broadcasting a WiFi hotspot with the specified SSID and password. You can connect to it using a device and should be able to access the internet through the device.
Adjust the configurations (SSID, password, IP range, etc.) according to your preferences.
Please note that these steps provide a basic setup, and additional configurations may be needed depending on your specific requirements and the Linux distribution you are using.
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