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Wireless

t1n1wall supports wireless networking through virtual WLAN interfaces. A WLAN interface is created and then assigned as a LAN, WAN, or optional interface, the same as any other interface.

Web UI locations

  • Interfaces > Wireless — create and manage WLAN virtual interfaces
  • Interfaces > Assign — assign a WLAN interface to a network role
  • Status > Wireless — show current wireless association and signal state

Creating a WLAN interface

Field Notes
Interface Virtual interface name (wlan0, wlan1, etc.)
SSID Wireless network name broadcast or joined
Description Human-readable label

Multiple WLAN interfaces can be created on systems with multiple wireless radios, or on a single radio in supported configurations.

WPA support

WPA_Supplicant support was added in the FreeBSD 11 release. Prior to FreeBSD 11, WPA was not supported on the WAN interface.

WPA on a WAN interface operates in BSS (client/station) mode — the firewall connects to an upstream access point as a wireless client, similar to how a laptop connects to a Wi-Fi network. This is the typical use case when the WAN uplink is a wireless network rather than a wired Ethernet connection.

Driver support

Wireless support depends on the FreeBSD driver for the installed wireless card. The following driver families are known to work:

  • ath (Atheros) — supported, including ath_pci for older PCI cards
  • run / runfw (Ralink RT2x00, RT3x00 USB) — Ralink firmware support added FreeBSD 11
  • Other drivers vary; check FreeBSD hardware notes for the specific chip

Not all wireless cards support all operating modes (AP, client, monitor). Verify driver capability before deployment.

Assigning a WLAN interface

After creating a WLAN interface:

  1. Go to Interfaces > Assign
  2. Select the WLAN entry from the available interfaces list
  3. Assign it to the desired role (LAN, WAN, OPT)
  4. Configure the interface as normal

Wireless status

Status > Wireless shows the current state of wireless interfaces including association status, channel, signal strength (RSSI), and noise floor.