FreeBSD WLAN Futures Sam Leffler Errno Consulting

Current FreeBSD WLAN Support b only Most users use Intersil-based devices (wi driver) Netbsd layer for non-station mode No integrated support for 802.1x or other security mechanisms

Realworld WLAN Support Multi-mode devices (11a/b, 11b/g, 11a/b/g) Commodity products ($100 for AP, $50 for Cardbus card) Main players are: Intersil, Broadcom, Atheros Intel wants a piece of the pie (Centrino)

FreeBSD WLAN Futures Atheros support in the works for 6+ months Extend security mechanism in base system (802.1x, WPA) Provide functionality wireless developers want (AP, mesh networks, community wireless)

Atheros Support Device driver Hardware Access Layer (HAL) to support all Atheros devices (5210, 5211, 5212, etc.) layer rewrite for multi-mode devices Minor ifconfig, et. al. mods Only BSD system with a/b/g support

WLAN Security 802.1x is “last generation technology” but necessary –Authenticator –Supplicant –Flawed WPA is “current technology” –Michael+TKIP instead of WEP –802.1x + EAP/TLS (or EAP/SSL) –Will morph into standard fare (802.11i)

Other Functionality Good embedded development environment QOS/802.1q (?) support for applications like streaming video (Wi-Fi phones) Better bridging support: STP, encrypted neighbor links WDS Power-save mode

“The Plan” Intersil and other firmware-based devices are dead ends; Atheros is the future Too few people, too much work; promote cooperation Other BSD groups are minor players; leverage cross-development with Linux

Status Atheros driver close to production quality multi-mode functionality mostly done (11g support to be completed) rewrite 65% done