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FreeBSD WLAN Futures

FreeBSD WLAN Futures. Sam Leffler Errno Consulting sam@errno.com. Current FreeBSD WLAN Support. 802.11b only Most users use Intersil-based devices (wi driver) Netbsd 802.11 layer for non-station mode No integrated support for 802.1x or other security mechanisms. Realworld WLAN Support.

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FreeBSD WLAN Futures

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  1. FreeBSD WLAN Futures Sam Leffler Errno Consulting sam@errno.com

  2. Current FreeBSD WLAN Support • 802.11b only • Most users use Intersil-based devices (wi driver) • Netbsd 802.11 layer for non-station mode • No integrated support for 802.1x or other security mechanisms

  3. Realworld WLAN Support • Multi-mode devices (11a/b, 11b/g, 11a/b/g) • Commodity products ($100 for AP, $50 for Cardbus card) • Main players are: Intersil, Broadcom, Atheros • Intel wants a piece of the pie (Centrino)

  4. FreeBSD WLAN Futures • Atheros support in the works for 6+ months • Extend security mechanism in base system (802.1x, WPA) • Provide functionality wireless developers want (AP, mesh networks, community wireless)

  5. Atheros Support • Device driver • Hardware Access Layer (HAL) to support all Atheros devices (5210, 5211, 5212, etc.) • 802.11 layer rewrite for multi-mode devices • Minor ifconfig, et. al. mods Only BSD system with a/b/g support

  6. WLAN Security • 802.1x is “last generation technology” but necessary • Authenticator • Supplicant • Flawed • WPA is “current technology” • Michael+TKIP instead of WEP • 802.1x + EAP/TLS (or EAP/SSL) • Will morph into standard fare (802.11i)

  7. Other Functionality • Good embedded development environment • QOS/802.1q (?) support for applications like streaming video (Wi-Fi phones) • Better bridging support: STP, encrypted neighbor links • WDS • Power-save mode

  8. “The Plan” • Intersil and other firmware-based devices are dead ends; Atheros is the future • Too few people, too much work; promote cooperation • Other BSD groups are minor players; leverage cross-development with Linux

  9. Status • Atheros driver close to production quality • 802.11 multi-mode functionality mostly done (11g support to be completed) • 802.11 rewrite 65% done

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