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802.11 b/a/n/g handheld warwalking?

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:57 am
by Iszi
I'm looking to buy (or assemble) a handheld warwalking rig, and was wondering what recommendations you all might have.

I'm particularly aiming at rogue device hunting, and would like to have either a PDA or UMPC based unit that can find anything in the 802.11 b/a/n/g ranges. It would be great if I could re-use some of the hardware we already have, but if the only option is to buy a full new system then that can be considered as well.

What we currently have are some AirMagnet handhelds, which are really just a HP iPAQ hx2495b with a Summit SDC-CF20G and some proprietary software. While these do work wonderfully as they are, they are limited to only the 2.4 GHz (802.11 b/g, and some of n) and even then only to the first 11 channels. I need to find something that covers all commonly available 802.11 devices.

As I said, the ideal option would be to re-use the PDAs and just buy some new hardware/software to support our needs. However, I've been having a hard time finding anything that will offer the solution I seek on a handheld platform.

In seeking a commercial product I've contacted AirMagnet to find that while they do have an 802.11 b/a/n/g analyzer, it's only available on a laptop. So far, the only commercially available analyzer that fits the bill is Berkely Varitronics' YellowJacket b/a/n/g. However, this is fairly expensive ($6,500 not counting options like direction-finding antennae) and has many features and capabilities that I don't need. Even the Berkely Varitronics sales rep suggested that I should "home-brew" something instead.

So, any suggestions? Is there a wifi device and wardriving tool that would work with these PDAs and cover the whole b/a/n/g spectrum? Or, does the YellowJacket have some competition I just haven't dug up yet?

Thanks in advance for the input.

- Iszi

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:17 pm
by Barry
I've never seen any pda stuff work with 802.11a or n. Probably have to stick with a umpc or small laptop.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:30 pm
by little dave
Barry wrote:I've never seen any pda stuff work with 802.11a or n. Probably have to stick with a umpc or small laptop.


Doesn't the Zaurus have a pcmcia slot? Runs linux so Kismet and any card the OP wants.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:55 pm
by brwrdrvr
This thread got me interested in searching for this type of stuff while grepping the network.

I found a great deal of software out there that might work for the OP's purpose. Might even work right on the hardware he has.

Google is a great tool. :D

Edit:

Even found some stuff to run on a *nix box and detect over the wire as well. Some of it has even been discussed in the forum before.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:59 pm
by little dave
brwrdrvr wrote:This thread got me interested in searching for this type of stuff while grepping the network.

I found a great deal of software out there that might work for the OP's purpose. Might even work right on the hardware he has.

Google is a great tool. :D

Edit:

Even found some stuff to run on a *nix box and detect over the wire as well. Some of it has even been discussed in the forum before.



Ok Ill bite

This was the first thing I thought of. Or off site

Bye the way I've give up on Sidux

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:48 pm
by Barry
little dave wrote:Doesn't the Zaurus have a pcmcia slot? Runs linux so Kismet and any card the OP wants.


No, it has a cf slot, though I have stuffed a cf to pcmcia card adapter in one once. As long as the pcmcia card is 3 volt it should work.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:09 pm
by little dave
Barry wrote:No, it has a cf slot, though I have stuffed a cf to pcmcia card adapter in one once. As long as the pcmcia card is 3 volt it should work.


I threw it into goggle and gotthis

Just figured it was a newer one.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:24 pm
by Barry
little dave wrote:I threw it into goggle and gotthis

Just figured it was a newer one.


Fuck balls!! I used to have one of those!!! Got it when I joined the AF. It runs a proprietary os, not linux. Actually I think that came out before linux....

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:28 pm
by streaker69
Barry wrote:Fuck balls!! I used to have one of those!!! Got it when I joined the AF. It runs a proprietary os, not linux. Actually I think that came out before linux....


I STILL have one. It's in the basement somewhere.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:58 am
by Iszi
little dave wrote:Doesn't the Zaurus have a pcmcia slot? Runs linux so Kismet and any card the OP wants.


Does Kismet do N? Homepage only lists A/B/G.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:02 am
by Iszi
brwrdrvr wrote:This thread got me interested in searching for this type of stuff while grepping the network.

I found a great deal of software out there that might work for the OP's purpose. Might even work right on the hardware he has.

Google is a great tool. :D

Edit:

Even found some stuff to run on a *nix box and detect over the wire as well. Some of it has even been discussed in the forum before.


Google and forum searching are great tools, I agree. However, I've done both and am either not reading and following the results right, or not using the right search terms to turn up relevant results. (Although I have tried numerous times, numerous ways.) That is why I'm asking you guys to help.

I would appreciate a link to the search results you're referring to, if you don't mind. Thanks.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:07 am
by renderman
Iszi wrote:Does Kismet do N? Homepage only lists A/B/G.


It does do N, sort of. Some of the Draft-N Intel chipsets work along with the Airpcap. It's still early and driver support is a bit limited under Linux

Most if not all 802.11g cards will detect .11n networks even in greenfield mode. further analysis needs a .11n card in that case, but it's a start

Once the ath9k drivers settle we'll have decent support for .11n cards in linux it will be easier. It'll also be easier when the draft is finalized and the moving target stops.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:04 am
by Iszi
renderman wrote:It does do N, sort of. Some of the Draft-N Intel chipsets work along with the Airpcap. It's still early and driver support is a bit limited under Linux

Most if not all 802.11g cards will detect .11n networks even in greenfield mode. further analysis needs a .11n card in that case, but it's a start

Once the ath9k drivers settle we'll have decent support for .11n cards in linux it will be easier. It'll also be easier when the draft is finalized and the moving target stops.


I suppose I should clarify that I'm looking to find N on both 2.4 and 5 GHz. G cards only do 2.4 as far as I know.