Hostapd

hostapd is an open-source software utility used to implement access point (AP) and authentication servers for wireless networks. It is primarily designed for Linux-based systems and provides the functionality necessary to create and manage Wi-Fi hotspots and serve as a central authentication point for users connecting to wireless networks.

The core feature of hostapd is its ability to configure wireless interfaces to operate in access point mode, enabling devices to connect wirelessly and share network resources. It supports various wireless standards, including IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, and can manage multiple security protocols such as WPA, WPA2, WPA3, and enterprise authentication methods like IEEE 802.1X with RADIUS integration. This flexibility makes it suitable for small networks, enterprise deployments, and research environments.

hostapd is highly configurable via a plain text configuration file, allowing administrators to define network SSIDs, security settings, radio parameters, and multiple virtual access points. It also supports advanced features such as band steering, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), and multi-SSID configurations, providing extensive control over wireless network behavior.

As a user-space daemon, hostapd interacts with the Linux kernel’s mac80211 subsystem and nl80211 interface to control wireless hardware. Its modular architecture and compatibility with various drivers facilitate integration and customization.

Overall, hostapd is a widely used, reliable tool for building and managing wireless access points on Linux systems, supporting both simple hotspots and complex, enterprise-grade networks.

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