Authenticator for IEEE 802.11 networks
hostapd-version [-BdhKtv] [-e entropy_file] [-f output_file] [-g global_ctrl_interface] [-G group] [-P PID_file] [-Z num] config-file ...
QNX Neutrino
The daemon has its own configuration file that can be used to define AP options. The distribution package contains an example of a configuration file. This is installed as /usr/share/examples/hostapd/hostapd.conf for you to use as a basis for configuration. It includes examples of all supported configuration options and a short description of each option. Start the hostapd utility with a full path to the configuration file as the command line argument; for example,./hostapd /etc/hostapd.conf. This file contains the name of the wireless interface.
The hostapd utility is an authenticator for IEEE 802.11 networks. It provides full support for WPA/IEEE 802.11i and can also act as an IEEE 802.1X Authenticator with a suitable backend Authentication Server (typically FreeRADIUS). The hostapd utility implements the authentication protocols that piggyback on top of the normal IEEE 802.11 protocol mechanisms.
The number in the hostapd utility name indicates the WPA version it supports. For example, hostapd-2.5 supports version 2.5.
To use hostapd as an authenticator, the underlying device must support some basic functionality, such as the ability to set security information in the 802.11 management frames. Note that not all devices have this support.
The hostapd utility is designed to be a daemon program that runs in the background and acts as the backend component controlling the wireless connection. It supports separate front-end programs such as the text-based front-end, hostapd_cli.
To reload changes to the configuration file, send a SIGHUP signal to the hostapd processor, or use the hostapd_cli reconfigure command.