Hostapd

Under construction

Scope of this document
Hostapd can do a lot of things, but only its most basic aspects will be covered here. Links are available at the end for more advanced setups.

Requirement
The only thing needed is a Wi-Fi card supporting the "AP Mode".

If AP is present, then the card can be used as an Access Point.

WiFi
802.11a: 5.8GHz, very old, very slow, not used anymore 802.11b: 2.4GHz, very old, very slow, not used anymore 802.11g: 2.4GHz, old, slow, a few devices still use it 802.11n: 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz, recent, fast, used by nearly all current devices, note that it can only use one band at a time, not both at the same time 802.11ac: 5.8GHz, brand new, very fast, little adoption for now but new devices will support it

What Hostapd can do

 * Create an AP
 * Create multiple APs on the same card (if the card supports it, usually up to 8)
 * Create one AP on one card and another AP on a second card, all within a single instance of Hostapd

What Hostapd cannot do

 * Use 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz at the same time on the same card. Two cards would be needed for that. Even if a card is dual-band it can't use both at the same time
 * Create multiple APs on different channels on the same card. Multiple APs on the same card use the same channel (without any problems)
 * Create a dual-band AP, even with two cards. But there can be two APs with the same SSID, one on 2.4GHz and one on 5.8GHz

802.11b/g/n with WPA2-PSK
A simple but secure AP with maximal compatibility for current hardware Frequency: 2.4GHz, channel 10 Compatibility: 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n Encryption: WPA2-PSK with CCMP

802.11a/n/ac with WPA2-PSK
A simple but secure AP with maximal compatibility for current hardware Frequency: 5.8GHz, automatic channel Compatibility: 802.11a, 802.11n and 802.11ac Encryption: WPA2-PSK with CCMP