iw

iw is a command-line tool used for configuring and inspecting wireless network interfaces in Linux-based systems. It stands for "ioctl for wireless," indicating its purpose to interact with wireless network interfaces. It is typically used in conjunction with the Wireless Extension (WE) framework for manipulating and gathering information about wireless devices and networks.

With iw, users can perform various operations like scanning for nearby networks, managing wireless connections, and configuring network interface parameters. It provides functionalities such as setting the network's frequency, SSID, encryption, channel width, transmit power, and more. These settings allow users to establish connections with desired wireless networks or create ad-hoc networks.

iw supports various wireless interface types, including Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), and more. It offers features like signal quality monitoring, link quality calculation, and noise level estimation to help users troubleshoot wireless network issues. It also supports advanced operations like packet injection and monitoring, making it a useful tool for security testing and network debugging.

Additionally, iw provides detailed information about the wireless network interfaces, including their current status, supported features, available frequencies, connected devices, and associated access points. This information can be crucial for troubleshooting, network optimization, and identifying potential sources of interference.

Overall, iw is a powerful command-line tool that provides extensive control and insight into wireless network interfaces, enabling users to configure, manage, and troubleshoot wireless networking in Linux systems.