WiFi Interfaces

We know that in past few years transition from wired networks to wireless networks is very much evident and fast, Wireless Networks are every where? in Offices, Schools, Colleges and at many more places. So the? question which use to strike me every time when i was starting with WiFi technology was how does we really get connected to a wireless network ? what makes it work ?

Connections to these wireless networks are usually maintained by a Network Interface Card (NIC) or Network adapters. A wireless network adapter is a device that helps us to connect to wireless networks. It acts as a mediator between the server or other computers and our machine, which helps in sending and receiving files. Also, every computer or machine in a network is known as a Node.

It is imperative to understand the different modes in which these network adapters can work and wireless connections can be made. Hence, choose the right mode for yourself, your home or your company.

There are basically 4 types of modes?

1. Ad-Hoc mode : In Ad-Hoc mode, the nodes are connected to each other without the presence of any Base Station or Access Point. The nodes can communicate directly with each other and also share resources without the presence of any external medium (router etc.), provided they are connected on the same network and on the same channel.
2. Managed mode : In Managed mode every node is connected to an Access Point or Base Station (router etc.) and it only receives the data which is sent to it by the AP. To connect to a network in managed mode the node automatically changes its channel according to the AP.
3. Master mode : In the Master mode, a node acts as an access point and other nodes can connect to it. It may provide same functionality as that of a router. It is basically like a wifi hotspot in which the main node can share internet and resources individually with the nodes connected to it.
4. Monitor mode : In Monitor mode, the node is not connected to any AP or any node but it has the capability to monitor all the data packets traveling in the wireless medium on a given channel in its range. It is not meant for usual day to day communications.

Mostly the NIC in laptops/phones are supported with default managed mode which makes it able to connect to a AP Network

There are few commands which gives info regarding the supported modes of our system NIC?

One of the eternal usb to wifi adaptor i have supports only two modes

And to get detail information regarding the current mode check with iwconfig commands

Here in my case both the internal and external wifi cards are working in managed mode, if i want to make any one of interface work/act as access point i have to change it to Master mode

You can use iwconfig commands to change the mode based on supported types

• sudo iwconfig <interface name> mode master

Thoughts? you all can also check modes before purchasing any laptops or devices based on use case.

It is fun checking what is supported and what is not,this is my device interface supported modes what is?yours ?