using powerbook as an AP?

[egorFiNE]

Hi!

I've just installed Ubuntu 10 alpha on a 15" powerbook of one of the last models (1.5ghz, etc). I updated all packages and Airport card works perfectly in client mode - I can connect to other networks, can create ad hoc networks, etc.

However, I am trying to make this notebook an access point at home and seems like I cannot make this card go into master mode:


$ sudo iwconfig wlan0 mode master
Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06) :
SET failed on device wlan0 ; Invalid argument.


I've googled the net and the clues are that Broadcom 4306 should work as AP. Even the "iw" tool says so:


$ sudo iw phy0 info
...
Supported interface modes:
* IBSS
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* WDS
* monitor
* mesh point
...


Plz help: how do I enable master mode for this card in powerbook?

PS: In case you need additional info about the machine - it's connected via ethernet at 93.73.236.110, l/p helpme, port 22222, sudo enabled. Please don't hurt :)

[linuxopjemac]

I few weeks ago a tried to configure my PC as a wireless router so other devices can get connected throught my PC, i think it's kind of what you want. I have a Broadcom wireless card too.

If you set your card in Ad-Hoc mode it will work. It did with me.
http://old.nabble.com/Broadcom-drivers-to-enable-master-mode-td23235319.html

Why do you use such a nice computer as an AP? Buy a cheapo router and you are done.

[egorFiNE]

http://old.nabble.com/Broadcom-drivers-to-enable-master-mode-td23235319.html

Yeah, ad hoc mode works well. But I am looking into master.

Why do you use such a nice computer as an AP? Buy a cheapo router and you are done.

:-) It's half dead. Not usable as a desktop anymore. So I decided to make it a nice router/iTunes server/NAS/Multimedia player. A perfect retirement for a Powerbook.

[linuxopjemac]

I found some info here:
http://acx100.erley.org/acx/nl80211_master_mode.html

and slow transfer rate problem
http://lists.shmoo.com/pipermail/hostap/2008-November/018800.html

hostapd:
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Documentation/hostapd

[egorFiNE]

Solved. I had to properly configure hostapd.conf and run it. It will make the wlan0 into mode master and take care of the AP.


driver=nl80211
interface=wlan0
hw_mode=g
channel=5
ssid=NETWORK_NAME
wpa=1
wpa_pairwise=TKIP
wpa_passphrase=PASSWORD