Wireshark-users: Re: [Wireshark-users] promiscuous mode on a wireless card with a router as the a
On Mon, Jun 11, 2007 at 12:19:41AM -0500, Terra Frost wrote:
> The Linksys WRT54G - the access point I'm using - has a built-in
> switch, however, I'm not sure if this built-in switch is for wired
> networks, only, or if it's for wireless networks, as well. If it's
> for wireless networks, then that'd probably explain why I can't enter
> into promiscuous mode, however, what would let me enter into
> promiscuous mode for wireless networks, then?
The ability to use promiscuous mode on a wireless LAN interface depends
on the WLAN interface/drivers/operating system you're running and not
the access point. For example, my work laptop can do promiscuous under
Linux but not under Windows.
> Linksys has a stand-alone access point (WAP54G), however, the page on
> Linksys' website that discusses it doesn't mention anything about a
> hub or a switch. Does that mean that wireless access points don't
> even use hubs / switches?
Wireless APs may have a hub or switch built in for the wired side of it
or they may just have one wired connection. In either case, the
wireless and wired sides are typically bridged together (a bridge is
just a 2 port switch). The wireless side acts like a hub where all
machines have to check if another station is currently using the
wireless medium before they can transmit.
Steve
