Operating system Wi-Fi support

Operating system Wi-Fi support is defined as the facilities an operating system may include for <a href="/facts/Wi-Fi/u94quCsx">Wi-Fi</a> networking. It usually consists of two pieces of <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a>: <a href="/facts/Device_driver/rDYnHU1G">device drivers</a>, and applications for configuration and management.
Driver support is typically provided by manufacturers of the <a href="/facts/Chipset/0xU3kbVI">chipset</a> hardware or end manufacturers. <a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a> clones such as <a href="/facts/Linux/9FvCKSTq">Linux</a>, sometimes through open-source projects are also available.
Configuration and management support consists of software to enumerate, join, and check the status of available Wi-Fi networks. This also includes support for various encryption methods. These systems are often provided by the operating system backed by a standard driver model. In most cases, drivers emulate an <a href="/facts/Ethernet/nMfhU8tU">Ethernet</a> device and use the configuration and management utilities built into the operating system. In cases where built-in configuration and management support is non-existent or inadequate, hardware manufacturers may include software to handle those tasks.

Operating system Wi-Fi support open-in-new

Operating system Wi-Fi support