IoT Access Point Configuration

Configuring the Access Point

Files that are edited

• /etc/network/interfaces
• /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
• /etc/default/hostapd
• /etc/dnsmasq.conf

Configuration

[access_point_setup.py] - This script edits the above files in order to configure the Raspberry Pi for a wireless access point.

In /etc/network/interfaces the script writes to the file to setup the necessary bridge between ports in order to create the access point rather than attempting to connect to the internet through the wireless drivers or through the ethernet port.

In /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf the script writes to this file and creates the configuration for the wireless access point. This file defines the name of the access point, the password, the security for it, and other configuration options needed for the access point to be created.

In /etc/default/hostapd the script changes the configuration for the hostapd Daemon to read from the file that was previously changed (/etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf).

In /etc/dnsmasq.conf the script adds the interface used for the bridge that generates the access point. This also add the certain number of accessable IP addresses that will be assigned when devices connect to the access point.

Configuring the Internet Access

Files that are edited

• /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
• /etc/dnsmasq.conf
• /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
• /etc/default/hostapd

Configuration

[configuration.py] - This script edits the above files in order to configure the Raspberry Pi for a Wi-Fi access.

In /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf the script adds the name of the network and the password required to join the network. The type of authentication (i.e. WPA, WPA2, etc.) and the credentials are specified in this file.

In /etc/dnsmasq.conf the script removes/comments the lines added earlier in order to step towards turning off the access point.

In /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf the script removes/comments all of the lines within this file in order to stop the configuration from being created. All lines need to be editted in order for the initial configuration of the access point to be stopped.

In /etc/default/hostapd the script removes/comments the specific line edited earlier in order to remove the location of the configuration file so that the access point cannot start up again.