linux-wifi-hotspot Documentation

1. Project Overview & Quickstart (lakinduakash/linux-wifi-hotspot) Copy Chapter

File: README.md Copy Chapter

Linux Wifi Hotspot Copy Chapter

What's new Copy Section

• Use aa-complain instead of complain to fix the permission issue for dnsmasq
• Fix some 5Ghz band not working issue
• Compatible with iw 6.7

Project Update

Hi everyone — I've been inactive on this project for a while due to other commitments. I'm now actively looking for contributors and maintainers to help keep the project alive and growing.

If you're interested in contributing — whether it's fixing bugs, improving documentation, or developing new features — please open an issue to introduce yourself.

I'm also open to adding trusted collaborators with commit access who demonstrate consistent contributions and interest.

Thanks for being part of the community and keeping Linux-WiFi-Hotspot going!

Features Copy Section

• Share your wifi like in Windows - Use wifi and enable hotspot at the same time.
• Share a wifi access point from any network interface
• Create a hotspot with VPN - The hotspot has the traffic tunnelled through VPN. Useful for devices with no VPN app support like TV or gaming consoles.
• Share wifi via QR code
• MAC filter
• View connected devices
• Includes Both command line and GUI.
• Support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz (Need to be compatible with your wifi adapter). Ex: You have connected to the 5GHz network and share a connection with 2.4GHz.
• Customise wifi Channel, Change MAC address, etc.
• Hide SSID
• customize gateway IP address
• Enable IEEE 80211n, IEEE 80211ac and IEEE 80211ax modes

Command line help and documentation Copy Section

Read Command line help and documentation here.

If you only need the command line without GUI run make install-cli-only as the root user.

Notes Copy Section

• Sometimes there are troubles with 5Ghz bands due to some vendor restrictions. If you cannot start the hotspot while you are connected to the 5Ghz band, Unselect Auto and select 2.4Ghz in frequency selection.

• If any problems with RealTeK Wifi Adapters see this

• Unable to allocate IP: firewalld issue: Please check for potential fixes: #209 #166

Installation Copy Chapter

Debian/Ubuntu

Download the Debian package from the latest release

OR
Good news! I was able to restore keys, new versions will be available via the PPA

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lakinduakash/lwh
sudo apt update
sudo apt install linux-wifi-hotspot

Arch based distributions

Linux Wifi Hotspot is available as an AUR package. You can install it manually or with your favorite AUR helper.
For example, if you use yay you can do:
yay -S linux-wifi-hotspot

Fedora based distributions Copy Section

copr based repo is available for Fedora

sudo dnf copr enable zinix01/linux-wifi-hotspot
sudo dnf install linux-wifi-hotspot

Dependencies Copy Chapter

General

• bash
• util-linux (for getopt)
• procps or procps-ng
• hostapd
• iproute2
• iw
• iwconfig (you only need this if 'iw' can not recognize your adapter)
• haveged (optional)

Make sure you have those dependencies by typing them in terminal. If any of dependencies fail
install it using your distro's package manager

For 'NATed' or 'None' Internet sharing method

• dnsmasq
• iptables

To build from source

• make
• gcc and g++
• build-essential
• pkg-config
• gtk
• libgtk-3-dev
• libqrencode-dev (for qr code generation)
• libpng-dev (for qr code generation)

On Ubuntu or Debian install dependencies by,

sudo apt install -y libgtk-3-dev build-essential gcc g++ pkg-config make hostapd libqrencode-dev libpng-dev

On Fedora/CentOS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux/Rocky Linux/Oracle Linux

sudo dnf install -y gtk3-devel gcc gcc-c++ kernel-devel pkg-config make hostapd qrencode-devel libpng-devel

Installation Copy Chapter

git clone https://github.com/lakinduakash/linux-wifi-hotspot
cd linux-wifi-hotspot

#build binaries
make

#install
sudo make install

Uninstallation Copy Chapter

sudo make uninstall

Running Copy Chapter

You can launch the GUI by searching for "Wifi Hotspot" in the Application Menu
or using the terminal with:

wihotspot

Create VPN Hotspot

After connecting to VPN, Open wihotspot GUI. Select the virtual interface created by the VPN. In this case it is tun0

Run on Startup Copy Chapter

The wihotspot GUI uses create_ap to create and manage access points. This service and core logic were originally created by
@oblique, and are now maintained in this
repository.

Start the hotspot service on startup (using your saved configuration) with:

systemctl enable create_ap

Contributing Copy Chapter

If you found a bug or you have an idea about improving this make an issue. Even a small contribution makes the open source world more beautiful.
Please read CONTRIBUTING.md for more info.

Disclaimer Copy Chapter

Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com

Stargazers over time Copy Chapter

License Copy Chapter

FreeBSD

Copyright (c) 2013, oblique

Copyright (c) 2024, lakinduakash

File: docs/howto/realtek.md Copy Chapter

Try this first Copy Chapter

If you are facing any problems with Realtek adapters (e.g. Edimax EW-7811Un)
first try to run create_ap with -w 2 (i.e. use WPA2 only) or use it
without passphrase. If you are still facing any problems or you want to
also use WPA1, then follow the instructions below.

NOTE: The instructions below are only valid for Realtek adapters with 8192 chipset.

Before installation Copy Chapter

If you're using ArchLinux, run:

pacman -S base-devel linux-headers dkms git
pacman -R hostapd

If you're using Debian, Ubuntu, or any Debian-based distribution, run:

apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-generic dkms git
apt-get remove hostapd
apt-get build-dep hostapd

Install driver Copy Chapter

The driver in the mainline of Linux kernel doesn't work well with the 8192 adapters.
For this reason you need to install the driver that is provided from Realtek. Their
driver can not be compiled with newer kernels, but since it was an open-source
release under GPL license some people were able to fixed it and make it compile.

With the following commands you can install a fixed version of Realtek's driver:

git clone https://github.com/pvaret/rtl8192cu-fixes.git
dkms add rtl8192cu-fixes
dkms install 8192cu/1.9
cp rtl8192cu-fixes/blacklist-native-rtl8192.conf /etc/modprobe.d
cp rtl8192cu-fixes/8192cu-disable-power-management.conf /etc/modprobe.d

After installation, unload the previous driver and load the new one, or just reboot.

Install hostapd Copy Chapter

Realtek's driver is using an old subsystem which is called wireless-extensions
(or wext). Hostapd works only with the new subsystem (which is called nl80211).
For this reason Realtek wrote a patch for hostapd. You can install it with the
following commands:

If you have ArchLinux install hostapd-rtl871xdrv
from AUR or just run:

yaourt -S hostapd-rtl871xdrv

If you're using any other distribution, run:

git clone https://github.com/pritambaral/hostapd-rtl871xdrv.git
wget http://w1.fi/releases/hostapd-2.2.tar.gz
tar zxvf hostapd-2.2.tar.gz
cd hostapd-2.2
patch -p1 -i ../hostapd-rtl871xdrv/rtlxdrv.patch
cp ../hostapd-rtl871xdrv/driver_* src/drivers
cd hostapd
cp defconfig .config
echo CONFIG_DRIVER_RTW=y >> .config
make
make install

File: src/scripts/README.md Copy Chapter

Features Copy Chapter

• Create an AP (Access Point) at any channel.
• Choose one of the following encryptions: WPA, WPA2, WPA/WPA2, Open (no encryption).
• Hide your SSID.
• Disable communication between clients (client isolation).
• IEEE 802.11n & 802.11ac support
• Internet sharing methods: NATed or Bridged or None (no Internet sharing).
• Choose the AP Gateway IP (only for 'NATed' and 'None' Internet sharing methods).
• You can create an AP with the same interface you are getting your Internet connection.
• You can pass your SSID and password through pipe or through arguments (see examples).
• Optionally assign IP addresses to specified hosts via dnsmasq's dhcp-host configuration option.

Dependencies Copy Chapter

General Copy Section

• bash (to run this script)
• util-linux (for getopt)
• procps or procps-ng
• hostapd
• iproute2
• iw
• iwconfig (you only need this if 'iw' can not recognize your adapter)
• haveged (optional)

For 'NATed' or 'None' Internet sharing method Copy Section

• dnsmasq
• iptables

Installation Copy Chapter

Generic Copy Section

git clone https://github.com/lakinduakash/linux-wifi-hotspot
cd linux-wifi-hotspot/src/scripts
make install

ArchLinux Copy Section

pacman -S create_ap

Gentoo Copy Section

emerge layman
layman -f -a jorgicio
emerge net-wireless/create_ap

Examples Copy Chapter

No passphrase (open network): Copy Section

create_ap wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint

WPA + WPA2 passphrase: Copy Section

create_ap wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

AP without Internet sharing: Copy Section

create_ap -n wlan0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Bridged Internet sharing: Copy Section

create_ap -m bridge wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Bridged Internet sharing (pre-configured bridge interface): Copy Section

create_ap -m bridge wlan0 br0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Internet sharing from the same WiFi interface: Copy Section

create_ap wlan0 wlan0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Choose a different WiFi adapter driver Copy Section

create_ap --driver rtl871xdrv wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

No passphrase (open network) using pipe: Copy Section

echo -e "MyAccessPoint" | create_ap wlan0 eth0

WPA + WPA2 passphrase using pipe: Copy Section

echo -e "MyAccessPoint\nMyPassPhrase" | create_ap wlan0 eth0

Enable IEEE 802.11n Copy Section

create_ap --ieee80211n --ht_capab '[HT40+]' wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Client Isolation: Copy Section

create_ap --isolate-clients wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Assign IP address to a hosts listed in /etc/hosts: Copy Section

create_ap --dhcp-hosts "host1 host2" wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Assign IP address to two hosts not listed in /etc/hosts: Copy Section

create_ap --dhcp-hosts "host1,192.168.12.2 host2,192.168.12.3" wlan0 eth0 MyAccessPoint MyPassPhrase

Use a space to separate multiple dhcp-host definitions. Reference dnsmasq.conf.example for other valid ways to define hosts, such as by MAC address.

Systemd service Copy Chapter

Using the persistent systemd service

Start service immediately: Copy Section

systemctl start create_ap

Start on boot: Copy Section

systemctl enable create_ap

License Copy Chapter

FreeBSD

• Copyright (c) 2013, oblique
• Copyright (c) 2019, lakinduakash

File: util/debian/README.md Copy Chapter

Debian Build Docker Image

The Dockerfile in this directory can be used to build the debian package for this project.

1. docker build . -t linux-wifi-hotspot-deb
2. docker run -it linux-wifi-hotspot-deb
3. cd /root

All build artifacts will be located in the /root directory.

4. Use docker cp to copy the desired artifacts out of the container.

2. Official Technical Reference & Guides (lakinduakash/lakinduakash.github.io) Copy Chapter

Get started building your personal website

Showcase your software development skills Copy Section

This repository gives you the code you'll need to kickstart a personal website that showcases your work as a software developer. And when you manage the code in a GitHub repository, it will automatically render a webpage with the owner's profile information, including a photo, bio, and repositories.

Your personal website is waiting to be personalized, though. It includes space to highlight your specific areas of interest in software development, like languages or industries. And it's standing by to publish your next great blog post.

It's all possible using the combination of Jekyll (for building your website), GitHub Pages (for hosting your website), and GitHub's API (for automatically populating your website with content).

Installation Copy Chapter

Fork the `github/personal-website` repo Copy Section

You'll be making your own copy of the "personal website starter" repository so you have your own project to customize. A "fork" is a copy of a repository. So select "Fork" atop the github/personal-website repository.

Once you've found a home for your forked repository, it's yours. You're the owner, so you're ready to publish, if you wish.

Install in your local development environment Copy Section

If you want to manage your website in a local web development environment, you'll be using Ruby.

Once you've found a home for your forked repository, clone it.

Install Jekyll

Jekyll is a Ruby Gem that can be installed on most systems.

1. Install a full Ruby development environment
2. Install Jekyll and bundler gems

gem install jekyll bundler

3. Change into your new directory

cd personal-website

4. Install missing gems

bundle install

5. Build the site and make it available on a local server

bundle exec jekyll serve

You should see something like:

Configuration file: /octocat/personal-website/_config.yml
            Source: /octocat/personal-website
       Destination: /octocat/_site
 Incremental build: disabled. Enable with --incremental
      Generating...
   GitHub Metadata: No GitHub API authentication could be found. Some fields may be missing or have incorrect data.
                    done in 14.729 seconds.
 Auto-regeneration: enabled for '/octocat/personal-website'
    Server address: http://127.0.0.1:4000
  Server running... press ctrl-c to stop.

Don't worry about the "No GitHub API authentication could be found" message. API authentication is only necessary if you intend to display more detailed metadata, like a branch name.

6. Now browse to http://localhost:4000

Publish Copy Section

When you host your personal website's code on GitHub, you get the support of free hosting through GitHub Pages.

The fastest approach is to rename your repository username.github.io, where username is your GitHub username (or organization name). Then, the next time you push any changes to your repository's master branch, they'll be accessible on the web at your username.github.io address.

If you want to use a custom domain, you'll want to add it to your repository's "Custom domain" settings on github.com. And then register and/or configure your domain with a DNS provider.

Customization Copy Chapter

It's your website, and you control the source code. So you can customize everything, if you like. But we've provided a handful of quick customizations for you to consider as you get your website off the ground.

Quick configuration changes Copy Section

Most customizations can be done in a matter of seconds, by revising your repository's _config.yml file. Just remember to restart your local server each time you save new changes so your Jekyll-powered website rebuilds correctly:

1. Shut down your server by entering the keyboard command CTRL+c
2. Restart your server: bundle exec jekyll serve

Layout

Your website will display in a two-column layout by default on larger-screen devices, with your photo, name, and basic information displayed in a left-aligned "sidebar." You can quickly switch to a "stacked" single-column layout by changing the line in your _config.yml file that reads layout: sidebar to layout: stacked.

Style

Your website appears with a "light" white and gray background by default, with dark text. You can quickly switch to a "dark" background with white text by changing the line in your _config.yml file that reads style: light to style: dark.

Projects

The "My Projects" section of your website is generated by default with your nine most recently "pushed" repositories. It also excludes repositories that you forked, by default. But each of these parameters can be quickly customized in your repository's _config.yml file, under the projects dictionary line.

Parameters include:

• sort_by: The method by which repositories are sorted. Options include pushed and stars.
• limit: The maximum number of repositories that will be displayed in the "My Projects" section of your website. Out of the box, this number is set to 9.
• exclude:
  • forks: When true, repositories you've forked will be excluded from the listing.
  • projects: A list the repository names you want to exclude from the listing.

Topics

Your website comes pre-configured with three topics (e.g. "Web design" and "Sass") that appear in a section titled "My Interests." These are also stored in your repository's _config.yml file, where you can define each topic's name and two other optional details:

• web_url: The web address you'd like to your topic to link to (e.g. https://github.com/topics/sass).
• image_url: The web address of an (ideally square) image that you'd like to appear with your topic.

Social media

Your website supports linking and sharing to social media services you're using, including Behance, Dribbble, Facebook, LinkedIn, Medium, Stack Overflow, Twitter, and YouTube. To identify the services you use:

1. Edit your repository's _config.yml file.
2. Edit the social_media dictionary line, and represent the services you like in a simple key: value form:

social_media:
  behance: your_username
  dribbble: your_username  
  facebook: your_username
  hackerrank: your_username
  instagram: your_username
  keybase: your_username
  linkedin: your_username
  medium: your_username
  stackoverflow: your_user_id
  telegram: your_username
  twitter: your_username
  unsplash: your_username
  vk: your_username
  website: http://your_website_url
  youtube: your_username

Links to your profile for each of the services you define will appear in the <header> of your website, appended to your bio. And if those services support sharing, any blog posts that you publish will include links to share that post using each social media service.

Note: This feature is supported by two files in your repository:

• /_data/social_media.yml: Defines each of the supported services, including variable name, display name, URL path, and SVG icon.
• /_includes/social_media_share_url.html: Outputs the share URL required for any of the supported social media services that support sharing URLs.

If you're interested in adding a social media service that's not already supported in this repo, you can edit these two files to build that support.

Adding pages Copy Chapter

To add a page to your website (e.g. detailed resume):

1. Create a new .html or .md file at the root of your repository.
2. Give it a filename that you want to be used in the page's URL (e.g. http://yoursite.dev/filename).
3. At the start of your file, include the following front matter:

---
layout: default
---

Adding blog posts Copy Chapter

To add a blog post to your website:

1. Create a new .md file in your repository's /_posts/ directory.
2. Give it a filename using the following format:

YEAR-MONTH-DAY-title.MARKUP

3. At the start of your file, include the following front matter:

---
title: "The title of my blog post"
---

Your website comes with a placeholder blog post that you can reference. Notably, its front matter declares published as false, so that it won't appear on your website.

While you can define a layout in the front matter, your website is pre-configured to assign the post layout to all of the posts in your /_posts/ directory. So you don't have to declare that in your posts.

Jekyll's conventions for authoring and managing blog posts is very flexible. You can learn more in Jekyll's documentation for "Posts."

Content and templates Copy Chapter

To give you a sound foundation to start your personal website, your repository includes a handful of "includes" -- dynamic .html files that are re-used throughout your website. They're all stored in the /_includes/ directory.

There are the usual suspects, like header.html and footer.html. But there are few more worth pointing out:

• interests.html: A heading and dynamic list of "My Interests," which is populated with the topics you list in your _config.yml.
• masthead.html: A collection of your avatar, name, bio, and other metadata that's displayed prominently on all your webpages to help identify what the website is about.
• post-card.html: A compact, summarized presentation of a blog post, re-used to display a listing of your latest blog posts.
• projects.html: A heading and dynamic list of "My Projects," which is populated with a listing of your newest GitHub repositories.
• repo-card.html: A compact, summarized presentation of a repository, re-used to display a listing of your GitHub repositories.
• thoughts.html: A heading and dynamic list of "My Thoughts," which is populated with a listing of your latest blog posts.
• topic-card.html: A compact, summarized presentation of a topic (defined in your _config.yml), re-used to display a listing of your interests.

Layouts Copy Section

Your repository comes with three layouts:

• default: Not used by any of the built-in pages or posts, but useful for any new pages you create.
• home: Used by your index.html homepage to display listings of your projects, interests, and (optionally) your blog posts.
• post: Used by default by the posts in your /_posts/ directory.

Jekyll's convention for defining layouts is very flexible. You can learn more about customizing your layouts in the Jekyll "Layouts" docs.

Styles Copy Chapter

Your website is pre-configured to use GitHub's very flexible CSS framework called "Primer,". It's currently referenced within your styles.scss file, using the CSS import at-rule:

@import url('https://unpkg.com/primer/build/build.css');

You are, of course, welcome to remove it or replace it with another framework. Just bear in mind that the HTML that your website came pre-packaged with references multiple Primer "utility classes" to define things like column widths, margins, and background colors.

You also have the option to add on to and extend Primer's styles by adding custom CSS to your /assets/styles.scss Sass stylesheet. By editing this file, you can customize your website's color scheme, typography, and more.

License Copy Chapter

The theme is available as open source under the terms of the MIT License.

rebuilt #14