WiFi Pineapple - 6th Gen: NANO / TETRA
  • WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA
  • Getting Started
    • About the WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA
    • The WiFi Auditing Workflow
    • The PineAP Suite
    • The Web Interface
    • Upgrading the Firmware
  • Setup
    • Setup Basics
    • WiFi Pineapple NANO - Linux Setup
    • WiFi Pineapple NANO - Windows Setup
    • WiFi Pineapple TETRA - Linux Setup
  • Internet Connectivity
    • Internet Connectivity Basics
    • Internet Connection Sharing on Kali Linux
    • Internet Connection Sharing over Ethernet in Windows
    • Internet Connection Sharing over Ethernet in Linux
    • Wired Internet Connection
    • WiFi Client Mode
  • Console Access
    • Console Access Basics
    • Secure Shell
    • Serial Access - WiFi Pineapple TETRA
    • Working with PineAP from the CLI
  • Basics of WiFi Operation
    • Basics of WiFi Operation
    • Radios and Chipsets
    • Stations and Base Stations
    • Transmit Power
    • Channels and Regions
    • Protocols
    • Modes of Operation
    • Logical Configurations
    • MAC Address
    • Broadcast Address
    • Service Sets and Identifiers
    • Management Frames
    • Frame Types
    • Frames and Frame Structure
    • Frame Injection
    • Association States
  • FAQ / Troubleshooting
    • Serial Console on the WiFi Pineapple TETRA
    • Ethernet on the WiFi Pineapple TETRA
    • LED Status Indicators
    • Power Considerations
    • Factory Reset
    • Firmware Recovery
    • Manual Firmware Installation
  • Development
    • Legacy WiFi Pineapple Mark V Modules (Infusions)
    • Specifications and Power Considerations
    • WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA Module API - Introduction
    • WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA Module API - Authentication
    • WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA Module API - Modules
    • WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA Module API - module.php API
    • Creating WiFi Pineapple NANO/TETRA Modules
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  1. Basics of WiFi Operation

Service Sets and Identifiers

If you’ve been using WiFi for a while – and if you’re reading this book I’ll assume you have been – you’ve undoubtedly run across the term SSID. It’s the human readable “network name” associated with a WiFi Network – like “Joe’s Coffee” or “LAX Airport Free WiFi” or depending on your apartment building, perhaps a lewd comment directed toward neighbors. This “network name” is known as the Service Set Identifier. It can be up to 32 characters long and may identify either a Basic or Extended Service Set.

The majority of WiFi networks are Basic Service Sets (BSS). That is to say a single access point with multiple connected clients – be it laptops, tablets, gaming consoles or IoT coffee makers. Every station (both clients and AP) in the BSS are identified by a Basic Service Set Identification (BSSID). The BSSID is derived from the access point’s MAC address. Specifically the MAC address of the wireless NIC as the access point may also have an Ethernet Network Interface Controller with its own unique MAC address.

Extended Service Sets are larger WiFi networks whereby multiple access points, each with their own BSSID, all share the same SSID or “network name”. For instance a college or corporate campus may require many access points to cover the entire property. In this case the SSID is called an ESSID for Extended Service Set Identification, which facilitates client roaming.

PreviousBroadcast AddressNextManagement Frames

Last updated 3 years ago