[SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

Danielsan · 2025-11-18 14:56:47

💡 solution here: https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=59865#p59865

Hi folks,

I am trying to create an "ad hoc" wifi connection through wpa_supplicant; I tried to mix together several sources, but with systemd becoming every day more predominant, it is very difficult finding information for systemdless systems.

This is my adapter:

01:00.0 Network controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter

And the firmware is installed.

Here is my interfaces file:

# wlan0
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet static
    address 10.1.10.1
    gateway 10.1.10.254
    netmask 24
    #wpa-driver nl80211
    wpa-conf /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlan0.conf

Here my wpa_supplicant-wlan0.conf with permissions set to 600.

ctrl_interface=DIR=/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
fast_reauth=1
update_config=1
ap_scan=2

# AD-HOC NETWORK

network={
        ssid="ESSID"
        #psk="..."
        psk=YADA-YADA-YDAD
        frequency=2432
        mode=1
        proto=RSN
        key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
        pairwise=CCMP
        group=CCMP        
}

The wifi is clearly down:

ip link show wlan0
3: wlan0: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether b0:ac:82:ff:a8:86 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff

When I try to raise up the wlan0 adapter, it fails:

sudo ifup wlan0
wpa_supplicant: /usr/sbin/wpa_supplicant daemon failed to start
run-parts: /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/wpasupplicant exited with return code 1
ifup: failed to bring up wlan0

And when I try to start the service alone it fails the same; wireless-tools are installed:

sudo service wpa_supplicant start
grep: /etc/init.d/wpa_supplicant: No such file or directory
wpa_supplicant: unrecognized service

Now are two days that I am trying to troubleshoot this issue but I couldn't find any solution.

Thanks… 🙏

Last edited by Danielsan (Today 12:30:11)

Danielsan · 2025-11-18 16:31:20

I found this documentation but when I tested it out, all the connections got frozen...

https://raspi.emawind.com/devnote/raspi … twork.html

stargate-sg1-cheyenne-mtn · 2025-11-18 16:52:44

this webpage shows it was last updated in 2012 which may precede some/most/all of the systemd stuff

https://wiki.debian.org/WiFi/AdHoc

Danielsan · 2025-11-18 18:44:35

That page doesn't include a method to use a WPA protection, therefore any transmission on the air is plain.

Danielsan · 2025-11-18 19:57:50

I found the documentation and what I did looks right:

# mode: IEEE 802.11 operation mode
# 0 = infrastructure (Managed) mode, i.e., associate with an AP (default)
# 1 = IBSS (ad-hoc, peer-to-peer)
# 2 = AP (access point)
# Note: IBSS can only be used with key_mgmt NONE (plaintext and static WEP) and
# WPA-PSK (with proto=RSN). In addition, key_mgmt=WPA-NONE (fixed group key
# TKIP/CCMP) is available for backwards compatibility, but its use is
# deprecated. WPA-None requires following network block options:
# proto=WPA, key_mgmt=WPA-NONE, pairwise=NONE, group=TKIP (or CCMP, but not
# both), and psk must also be set.
#
# frequency: Channel frequency in megahertz (MHz) for IBSS, e.g.,
# 2412 = IEEE 802.11b/g channel 1. This value is used to configure the initial
# channel for IBSS (adhoc) networks. It is ignored in the infrastructure mode.
# In addition, this value is only used by the station that creates the IBSS. If
# an IBSS network with the configured SSID is already present, the frequency of
# the network will be used instead of this configured value.

# IBSS/ad-hoc network with RSN
network={
	ssid="ibss-rsn"
	key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
	proto=RSN
	psk="12345678"
	mode=1
	frequency=2412
	pairwise=CCMP
	group=CCMP
}

Danielsan · 2025-11-18 20:19:46

Found another hint:

sudo wpa_supplicant -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlan0.conf -i wlan0
Successfully initialized wpa_supplicant
Note: nl80211 driver interface is not designed to be used with ap_scan=2; this can result in connection failures

I tried to change driver, clearly this wifi chipset doesn't support "ad hoc":

sudo wpa_supplicant -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlan0.conf -i wlan0 -D wext
Successfully initialized wpa_supplicant
ioctl[SIOCSIWENCODEEXT]: Invalid argument
ioctl[SIOCSIWENCODEEXT]: Invalid argument
wlan0: Trying to associate with SSID 'TEST-ESSID'
ioctl[SIOCSIWGENIE]: Operation not supported
wlan0: Association request to the driver failed
wlan0: Associated with 9a:dc:7c:a0:6d:5a
wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-CONNECTED - Connection to 9a:dc:7c:a0:6d:5a completed [id=0 id_str=]

Last edited by Danielsan (2025-11-18 20:23:04)

g4sra · 2025-11-18 20:21:51

# Note: IBSS can only be used with key_mgmt NONE

key_mgmt=WPA-PSK

Make sure you terminate any\all daemons after config change and before 'ifup wlan0', wpa_supplicant daemon in particular can get 'stuck' and require killing.

Danielsan · 2025-11-18 20:29:20

Hi g4sra, I will follow you advise however I bought a dongle that should support hot-spot and "ad hoc " mode, then I'll try doing other tests.

g4sra · 2025-11-18 20:41:45

Nope. I am wrong, key management is possible in ad hoc.
For AP mode go with the 'hostapd' package ('apt show hostapd')

Danielsan · Yesterday 15:15:40

HOSTAPD made the magic, however I am still unable to bring up wlan0:

sudo ifup wlan0
Error: ipv4: Address already assigned.
ifup: failed to bring up wlan0

dzz · Yesterday 15:48:48

Worth rechecking the device really is assigned to wlan0 and not something else.. One of numerous methods:

inxi -nn

Danielsan · Yesterday 16:17:42

@dzz if I "force" to ignore the issues I can bring up wlan0.

sudo ifup -v --ignore-errors  wlan0

ifup: configuring interface wlan0=wlan0 (inet)
run-parts --verbose /etc/network/if-pre-up.d
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/hostapd
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/wireless-tools
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/wpasupplicant
ip addr add 10.1.10.1/255.255.255.0 broadcast 10.1.10.255 	  dev wlan0 label wlan0
Error: ipv4: Address already assigned.
ip link set dev wlan0   up
 ip route add default via 10.1.10.254  dev wlan0 onlink 
RTNETLINK answers: File exists
run-parts --verbose /etc/network/if-up.d
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-up.d/mountnfs
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-up.d/resolved
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-up.d/wpasupplicant

inxi -bb

Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
    driver: rtw_8821ce
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: b0:ac:82:ff:a8:86
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    driver: r8169
  IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: e0:51:d8:17:8d:cd
  IF-ID-1: usb0 state: unknown speed: -1 duplex: half mac: 96:e7:cd:80:f0:f7

Danielsan · Yesterday 16:25:41

Now I have two static IPv4:

sudo ifconfig
[sudo] password for freezr: 
eth0: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        inet 10.0.10.1  netmask 255.0.0.0  broadcast 10.255.255.255
        inet6 fe80::e251:d8ff:fe17:8dcd  prefixlen 64  scopeid 0x20<link>
        ether e0:51:d8:17:8d:cd  txqueuelen 1000  (Ethernet)
        RX packets 947810  bytes 72203287 (68.8 MiB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 3407541  bytes 4858575073 (4.5 GiB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 2097 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0

lo: flags=73<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING>  mtu 65536
        inet 127.0.0.1  netmask 255.0.0.0
        inet6 ::1  prefixlen 128  scopeid 0x10<host>
        loop  txqueuelen 1000  (Local Loopback)
        RX packets 160515  bytes 387653396 (369.6 MiB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 160515  bytes 387653396 (369.6 MiB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 0 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0

usb0: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        inet 10.92.39.251  netmask 255.255.255.0  broadcast 10.92.39.255
        inet6 fa45::23v7:vvde:la90:d3d4  prefixlen 64  scopeid 0x20<link>
        inet6 5678:lj70:4455:ddfr4:78ip:vvdd:45tr:u7t5  prefixlen 64  scopeid 0x0<global>
        ether 56:a5:lp:78:f5:f3  txqueuelen 1000  (Ethernet)
        RX packets 156925  bytes 214499218 (204.5 MiB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 0  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 77688  bytes 11670689 (11.1 MiB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 2 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0

wlan0: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST>  mtu 1500
        inet 10.1.10.1  netmask 255.0.0.0  broadcast 10.255.255.255
        ether b0:ac:82:ff:a8:86  txqueuelen 1000  (Ethernet)
        RX packets 3262  bytes 235917 (230.3 KiB)
        RX errors 0  dropped 3  overruns 0  frame 0
        TX packets 3605  bytes 358278 (349.8 KiB)
        TX errors 0  dropped 95 overruns 0  carrier 0  collisions 0

perhaps I should made "that" bridge that I read in other articles like this one:

https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/debian-ub … ess-point/

🤔

g4sra · Yesterday 16:44:20

You cannot assign 10.1.10.1 to both eth0 and wlan0.
If you want your wireless network to be a continuation of your existing ethernet network then you need to bridge.
Or
Make a new subnet for your wireless network e.g. 10.1.11.1/255.255.255.0
You will also need a DHCP server for this new subnet and routing configured.

Danielsan · Yesterday 18:41:11

g4sra... Got you but I am already setup this way, unless I am doing a typical pebcak mistake! 🤷

# eth0
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
	address 10.0.10.1/24
	netmask 255.255.255.0
	gateway 10.0.10.254

# wlan0
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet static
    address 10.1.10.1/24
    netmask 255.255.255.0
    gateway 10.1.10.254

# usb0
allow-hotplug usb0
iface usb0 inet dhcp

Last edited by Danielsan (Yesterday 18:41:39)

Danielsan · Yesterday 19:27:00

I found the pebcak: you don't need to specify any gateway if your goal is to create a "direct connection".

Here the steps I made:

1. Install hostapd
2. modify /etc/default/hostapd:
```
DAEMON_CONF="/etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf"
```

3. I need to create direct connection (crosscable), here my interfaces

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

# # DHCP
# auto eth0
# allow-hotplug eth0
# iface eth0 inet dhcp

# The primary network interface
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
	address 10.0.10.1/24
	netmask 255.255.255.0

# wlan0
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet static
    address 10.1.10.1/24
    netmask 255.255.255.0

# usb0
allow-hotplug usb0
iface usb0 inet dhcp

4. Create: /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf

### Wireless network name ###
interface=wlan0
driver=nl80211
country_code=US
ssid=$ESSID-NAME
hw_mode=g
channel=1
wpa=2
wpa_passphrase=$PASSPHRASE
## Key management algorithms ##
wpa_key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
## Set cipher suites (encryption algorithms) ##
## TKIP = Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
## CCMP = AES in Counter mode with CBC-MAC
wpa_pairwise=TKIP
rsn_pairwise=CCMP
## Shared Key Authentication ##
auth_algs=1
## Accept all MAC address ###
macaddr_acl=0

5. restart the network: sudo service networking restart
6. start the hostapd deamon: sudo service networking start

⚠️ please be advised that I reverted the name of the interfaces to the legacy naming!

Last edited by Danielsan (Yesterday 19:28:21)

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#1 2025-11-18 14:56:47

[SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#2 2025-11-18 16:31:20

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#3 2025-11-18 16:52:44

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#4 2025-11-18 18:44:35

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#5 2025-11-18 19:57:50

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#6 2025-11-18 20:19:46

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#7 2025-11-18 20:21:51

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#8 2025-11-18 20:29:20

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#9 2025-11-18 20:41:45

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#10 Yesterday 15:15:40

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#11 Yesterday 15:48:48

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#12 Yesterday 16:17:42

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#13 Yesterday 16:25:41

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#14 Yesterday 16:44:20

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#15 Yesterday 18:41:11

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

#16 Yesterday 19:27:00

Re: [SOLVED] set up an "AD HOC" connection with HOSTAPD (OPENRC)

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