Error 95: iw dev wlan0 set type monitor operation not supported
When using the nl80211 driver on an ARM-based device, you might encounter the error message "iw dev wlan0 set type monitor operation not supported" while trying to set Monitor Mode. This article will provide some context on the topic, cover key concepts, and propose solutions to the problem.
Monitor Mode and nl80211
Monitor Mode is a special mode for wireless network interface controllers (NICs) that allows them to monitor all traffic in the air, regardless of the source or destination. This mode is often used for wireless network analysis, packet sniffing, and other security-related tasks.
The nl80211 driver is a kernel space API for wireless networking that replaced the old mac80211 driver. It is included in most modern Linux distributions and supports various wireless cards and chipsets, including those found on ARM-based devices.
Understanding the Error Message
The error message "iw dev wlan0 set type monitor operation not supported" indicates that the wireless interface (wlan0 in this case) does not support Monitor Mode or the driver does not have the capability to set the interface in Monitor Mode.
Possible Solutions
There are a few possible solutions to this problem:
- Check the wireless card/chipset documentation to ensure it supports Monitor Mode.
- Upgrade the wireless card/chipset firmware or driver to a version that supports Monitor Mode.
- Try using a different driver that supports Monitor Mode on the wireless card/chipset.
- Use a USB-based wireless card/chipset that is known to support Monitor Mode on ARM-based devices.
Setting Monitor Mode on an ARM-based device with the nl80211 driver can be a challenge, but it is not impossible. By understanding the error message and trying the suggested solutions, you can increase the likelihood of success. It is important to note that the specific steps for each solution may vary depending on the device, wireless card/chipset, and Linux distribution used.