Configuring Wireless Interface using iwconfig
1. Setting the ESSID (Network Name)
essid : Set the ESSID (or Network Name – in some products it may also be called Domain ID).
iwconfig [Interface] essid "Your Network name"
–help : Displays help regarding iwconfig command, such as the different modes in the options.
iwconfig --help
2. Network ID Configuration (nwid
):
The nwid
option in iwconfig
allows you to set or disable the network ID. This can be useful for network identification purposes. Here is an example:
iwconfig [Interface] nwid on/off
3. Setting Nickname (nick
):
The nick
option is used to set the nickname or station name for a wireless interface. This can be handy for personalizing the identification of your device. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] nickname "My Node"
4. Operating Mode Configuration (mode
):
The mode
option in iwconfig
sets the operating mode of the wireless device based on the network topology. Modes can include Ad-Hoc, Managed, Master, Repeater, Secondary, and Monitor. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] mode Managed
hh
5. Frequency and Channel Configuration (freq/channel
):
The freq
and channel
options allow you to set the operating frequency or channel for the wireless device. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] freq 2.46000000
iwconfig [Interface] channel 3
6. Access Point Registration (ap
):
The ap
option in iwconfig
forces the wireless card to register with the Access Point specified by the address. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] ap 00:60:1D:01:23:45
7. Bitrate Configuration (rate
):
The rate
option is used to set the bitrate in bits per second for wireless cards that support it. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] rate 11M
8. Transmit Power Adjustment (txpower
):
The txpower
option in iwconfig
allows you to set the transmit power in dBm for wireless cards supporting multiple power levels. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] txpower 15
9. Sensitivity Threshold Configuration (sens
):
The sens
option sets the sensitivity threshold, defining how sensitive the wireless card is to poor operating conditions such as low signal or interference. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] sens -80
10. Maximum Retries Configuration (retry
):
The retry
option in iwconfig
sets the maximum number of times the MAC can retry transmission. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] retry 16
11. RTS Handshake Configuration (rts
):
The rts
option adds a handshake before each packet transmission to ensure that the channel is clear. Example:
iwconfig [[Interface] rts 250
12. Fragment Size Configuration (frag
):
The frag
option sets the maximum fragment size, always lower than the maximum packet size. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] frag 512
13. Encryption Key and Security Configuration (key/enc
):
The key
or enc
option is used to manipulate encryption or scrambling keys and security mode. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] key 0123-4567-89
14. Power Management Configuration (power
):
The power
option is used to manipulate power management scheme parameters and mode. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] power off
15. Modulation Configuration (modu
):
modu : This option is used to force the card to use a specific set of modulations. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] modu auto
16. Applying Changes (commit
):
commit : This option forces the card to apply all pending changes. Example:
iwconfig [Interface] commit
iwconfig command in Linux with Examples
Wireless networking plays a crucial role in modern computing, enabling devices to connect and communicate without the need for physical cables. In the Linux ecosystem, the iwconfig
command stands as a powerful tool for configuring and managing wireless network interfaces. This article will delve into the details of the iwconfig
command, covering its features, usage, and practical applications.