1. Configure a wlan interface on hotspot mode[edit | edit source]
WiFi hotspots are internet access points that allow you to connect to a WiFi network using your computer, smartphone or another device while away from your home or office network.
- Configure the wlan interface for systemd/netword
Add the following rule on /lib/systemd/network/
cat /lib/systemd/network/hostapd.network [Match] Name=wlan0 [Network] Address=192.168.72.1/24 DHCPServer=yes IPForward=ipv4 IPMasquerade=yes
192.168.72.1/24: ip address affected to the hotspot device.
This configuration supports dhcpserver, ip forward and ip masquerade for this wlan interface: wlan0.
- Create the hotspot configuration by replacing /etc/hostapd.conf content by the following lines
cat /etc/hostapd.conf interface=wlan0 driver=nl80211 # mode Wi-Fi (a = IEEE 802.11a, b = IEEE 802.11b, g = IEEE 802.11g) hw_mode=g ssid=STExampleNetwork channel=7 wmm_enabled=0 macaddr_acl=0 # Wi-Fi closed, need an authentication auth_algs=1 ignore_broadcast_ssid=0 wpa=2 wpa_passphrase=ExamplePassPhraseNetwork wpa_key_mgmt=WPA-PSK wpa_pairwise=TKIP rsn_pairwise=CCMP
STExampleNetwork is the visible name of the new wlan hotspot (SSID).
ExamplePassPhraseNetwork is the passphare associated to the wlan hotspot (SSID).
If you have network congestion issue on channel 7, you can try other channel (possible value 1-14).
- Correct one issue with systemd-networkd.service which does not enable the wifi link by default
Add the highlighted line in /lib/systemd/system/hostapd.service file
cat /lib/systemd/system/hostapd.service [Service] ExecStartPre=/sbin/ip link set wlan0 up ExecStart=/usr/sbin/hostapd /etc/hostapd.conf -P /run/hostapd.pid -B
- Enable systemd service
systemctl enable hostapd