LinuxAP FAQ v.0.3 01/Feb/2004

LinuxAP Frequent Asked Questions V.0.3 01/02/04
Copyright (c)-2003-2004 by Bruno Lopes F. Cabral

License

     Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this
     document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
     as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 1.1,
     or (at your option) any later version. A copy of the license is
     included at: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl.html

     This FAQ is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
     but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
     MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU
     General Public License for more details.

     For more information about licenses, see the GNU project
     (http://www.gnu.org) and the OpenSource Initiative
     (http://www.opensource.org).

1. Questions about this FAQ

1.1 Who is responsible for this FAQ?

     Bruno Lopes F. Cabral <[email protected]>

1.2 What is the purpose of this FAQ?

     To help LinuxAP users to install and use the system and
     aid to solve the more common issues.

1.3 Where can I get the latest copy of this FAQ?

     FIXME: Soon to be included

2. Basics

2.1 What is LinuxAP?

     LinuxAP is a rework made by Keith Smith on OpenAP source code.
     Original OpenAP is at http://opensource.instant802.com

     LinuxAP was heavily modified to be a complete linux router
     distribution, with NAT, DHCP server, web/telnet configuration etc.

2.2 Why do I need LinuxAP?

     "Mainly for fun."

     Another reasons would be the need of a s linux distribution,
     with small footprint, easy to use yet powerfull.

2.3 Which hardware do LinuxAP runs on?

     Current version runs on Eumitcomm WL11000 boards (i.e. USR2450)
     or soekris.com or PC boxes (like mini-itx or micro-atx).
     It also needs a prism2-based wireless card for AP server mode.

2.4 Who contributed to LinuxAP?

     Keith Smith, Glenn Engel, Bruno Lopes F. Cabral, may be others.

3. Getting & Installing

3.1 Where can I find LinuxAP?

     You can get the latest version from:
     http://linuxap.ksmith.com

3.2 How do I install?

     Compile your own or make use of a pre-built image. The procedure
     for reflashing using a pre-built image is detailed here:

 
http://lists.instant802.com/pipermail/openap-dev/2002-August/001113.html

3.3 What is running on it?

     Current version has:
     - http server for configuration
     - telnet server for configuration
     - dhcp server / masquerading
     - NAT capabilities (or soft of, i.e. no H323 or IRC DCC support
     while NAT'ing)

3.4 How do I configure LinuxAP?

     You can edit every feature of LinuxAP through it's shell,
     either via console or telnet.  Here is a sample configuration
     session:

     # cd /etc/rw/
     # ls
     # vi config-file-name
     # save_config
     # reboot

     To use a browser to config LinuxAP, point it to http://10.0.1.1
     (the default LAN address, but default image also try to
     discover it's own address through DHCP client mode)

3.5. How do I change the telnet password?

     If your version already has telnetd -l /bin/login,
     through the shell, edit the config file /etc/rw/passwd

     root:cryptedpassword:0:0:root:/

     Just to be sure, test the new password with a remote telnet
     connection to your running LinuxAP _before_ saving the config
     with

     # save_config

     If not, well, it is not so difficult to add tinylogin to LinuxAP.

3.6. Explain to me the telnetd.hosts file

     It is used to enable the IP addresses or networks that will be
     able to telnet to your running LinuxAP. I.e.

     10.0.1.1

     will allow 10.0.1.1, 10.0.1.10 e 10.0.1.100 to telnet in.
     If you wan't to allow just, 10.0.1.1, just add an ending "."
     to the IP address desired, as

     10.0.1.1.

     (this is a "feature" that MAY be corrected in the future)

3.7. Explain to me the httpd.conf file

     It is used to enable the IP addresses or networks that will be
     able to telnet to your running LinuxAP, or to setup password
     level access. I.e.

     ip:10.0.1.1

     will allow 10.0.1.1, 10.0.1.10 e 10.0.1.100 to access the web server.
     If you wan't to allow just, 10.0.1.1, just add an ending "."
     to the IP address desired, as

     10.0.1.1.

     (this is a "feature" that MAY be corrected in the future)

     To put a password protected area (i.e. for setup), add a line like:

     /cgi-bin:user:password

     The password is unencrypted.

3.8. What are the runlevels?

     LinuxAP has the following working runlevels:

     - 1 : Used to reflash the unit
     - 2 (Managed): The wireless card will be an AP station
     - 3 (Master) : Wireless and local network are bridge as an AP
     - 4 (Router) : AP on the wireless side, router on the network side
     - 5 : This mode needs to be tweaked by hand by YOU!
     - 6 : Used to first flash the unit (by boot from SRAM card)

     Runlevel 3 only needs one IP address, while 2 and 4 use
     two, one for the wireless card, another for the ethernet card.
     IP Forwarding is activated by default on runlevels 2 and 4.

4. Advanced

4.1 How do I make a bridge?

     Most APs have proprietary bridging modes. LinuxAP also
     behaves that way! To make two running LinuxAPs to act as one,
     configure both with:

     - same ESSID string
     - same channel number (1 to 11)
     - same wep key (if using wep)
     - runlevel 3 on both
     - NWDS=1 (count the number of LinuxAPs that will communicate
     with this one and put that number here)

     To see how things are going, use the following commands:

     # cat /proc/net/prism2/wlan0/wds
     # brctl showmacs br0

     This post on list archive also talks about bridging:
 
http://lists.instant802.com/pipermail/openap-dev/2002-September/001315.h
tml

4.2 How do I know who is on-line on modes 3 & 4?

     # ls /proc/net/prism2/wlan0/0*

4.3 How do I get the signal of a station or AP?

     If your version have iwspy, you can use it. If not, try

     # cat /proc/net/prism2/wlan0/0stationmac

     (search for signal=) or

     # cat /proc/net/wireless

     for the signal from the AP you're associated with.

4.4 How do I choose the mac addresses that can associate with LinuxAP?

     Soon to be included

4.5 How do I kick out some stations?

     Soon to be included

4.6 Any recomendation on pccard firmwares?

     To know the station firmware you're using, check the
     log just after the hostap_cs or hostap_pci load for
     the string STA=

     The best station firmwares are 1.3.5 and from 1.4.9 on

     There are utilities to help updating the card firmware,
     but it's known to be easier to do it through the own
     card setup wizard on MS-Windows 2000/XP.

     Better ask on the hostap list on this!!

5. Licensing

5.1 What license is used for LinuxAP?

     Each package has their own preferred license. Generally licenses
     are either GNU or BSD in nature.

     A BSD style license essentially states that no warranty is given,
     the core may be distributed in source or binary form and the
     authors copyright must be acknowledged.

     The GNU Public License (GPL) adds the important condition that
     all modifications must be distributed under the GPL. When you
     release something under the GPL, no-one can take away your right
     to later access a modified version of it. Conversely, if you use
     a GPLed item, you MUST distribute all information about it and
     NOT prevent others from redistributing or modifying it. Stating
     it as an oversimplification: you cannot keep secrets unless you
     want your butt sued.

     For more information about licenses, see the GNU project
     (http://www.gnu.org) and the OpenSource Initiative
     (http://www.opensource.org).

History

     V.0.3 01/02/04 By Bruno Lopes F. Cabral <bruno at openline.com.br>
     - Modified to talk only about Eumitcomm based LinuxAP

     V.0.2 30/04/03 By Bruno Lopes F. Cabral <bruno at openline.com.br>
     - Updated license text, changed default language to english

     V.0.1 14/04/03 By Bruno Lopes F. Cabral <bruno at openline.com.br>
     - Minor updates

     V.0.0 31/01/03 By Bruno Lopes F. Cabral <bruno at openline.com.br>
     - Initial version

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