hostapd

Hostapd is a command line tool used for configuring and managing wireless access points (APs) in Linux environments. It stands for Host Access Point Daemon. It allows a computer with a compatible Wi-Fi network card to act as a Wi-Fi Access Point and facilitate connections with other devices. Hostapd supports various Wi-Fi security protocols including WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, making it a robust and secure tool. It can handle multiple wireless interfaces simultaneously, allowing for more flexibility in managing access points. Hostapd also supports a wide range of authentication methods, such as EAP-TLS, EAP-PEAP, and EAP-SIM, enhancing the security of the wireless network. Furthermore, it supports both bridge and routing modes, allowing users to choose how the network traffic is handled. Hostapd provides advanced features like client isolation, MAC address filtering, and VLAN tagging for better network control and segmentation. It offers extensive logging and debugging capabilities to troubleshoot issues and monitor the access point's performance. Hostapd is widely used in settings where creating a standalone Wi-Fi network is required, such as homes, offices, hotspot deployments, and IoT projects. It is highly customizable through configuration files, offering great flexibility to tailor the access point's behavior and security options to specific needs.