1. FreeBSD WLAN Futures Sam Leffler Errno Consulting sam@errno.com

2. Current FreeBSD WLAN Support 802.11b only Most users use Intersil-based devices (wi driver) Netbsd 802.11 layer for non-station mode No integrated support for 802.1x or other security mechanisms

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. Atheros Support Device driver Hardware Access Layer (HAL) to support all Atheros devices (5210, 5211, 5212, etc.) 802.11 layer rewrite for multi-mode devices Minor ifconfig, et. al. mods Only BSD system with a/b/g support

6. 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)

7. 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

8. “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

9. Status Atheros driver close to production quality 802.11 multi-mode functionality mostly done (11g support to be completed) 802.11 rewrite 65% done