# Wi-Fi Modes

[中文]

## ESP32 Wi-Fi AP General Scenario

Below is a "big scenario" which describes some small scenarios in AP mode:

> Sample Wi-Fi Event Scenarios in AP Mode

## Wi-Fi Sniffer Mode

The Wi-Fi sniffer mode can be enabled by `esp_wifi_set_promiscuous()`. If the sniffer mode is enabled, the following packets can be dumped to the application:

> - 802.11 Management frame.

> - 802.11 Data frame, including MPDU, AMPDU, and AMSDU.

> - 802.11 MIMO frame, for MIMO frame, the sniffer only dumps the length of the frame.

> - 802.11 Control frame.

> - 802.11 CRC error frame.

The following packets will NOT be dumped to the application:

> - Other 802.11 error frames.

For frames that the sniffer can dump, the application can additionally decide which specific type of packets can be filtered to the application by using `esp_wifi_set_promiscuous_filter()` and `esp_wifi_set_promiscuous_ctrl_filter()`. By default, it will filter all 802.11 data and management frames to the application. If you want to filter the 802.11 control frames, the filter parameter in `esp_wifi_set_promiscuous_filter()` should include WIFI_PROMIS_FILTER_MASK_CTRL type, and if you want to differentiate control frames further, then call `esp_wifi_set_promiscuous_ctrl_filter()`.

The Wi-Fi sniffer mode can be enabled in the Wi-Fi mode of `WIFI_MODE_NULL`, `WIFI_MODE_STA`, `WIFI_MODE_AP`, or `WIFI_MODE_APSTA`. In other words, the sniffer mode is active when the station is connected to the AP, or when the AP has a Wi-Fi connection. Please note that the sniffer has a great impact on the throughput of the station or AP Wi-Fi connection. Generally, the sniffer should be enabled only if the station/AP Wi-Fi connection does not experience heavy traffic.

Another noteworthy issue about the sniffer is the callback `wifi_promiscuous_cb_t`. The callback will be called directly in the Wi-Fi driver task, so if the application has a lot of work to do for each filtered packet, the recommendation is to post an event to the application task in the callback and defer the real work to the application task.

## Wi-Fi AwareTM (NAN)

Wi-Fi AwareTM or NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) is a protocol that allows Wi-Fi devices to discover services in their proximity. NAN uses direct device-to-device communication and does not require any Internet or AP connection.

Multiple NAN devices in the vicinity will form a NAN cluster which allows them to communicate with each other. NAN devices in a cluster synchronise their clocks and listen to each other periodically on Channel 6. Devices can advertise (Publish) or seek for (Subscribe) services within their NAN Cluster using Service Discovery protocols. Matching of services is done by service name and optionally matching filters. Once a Subscriber gets a match with a Publisher, it can either send a message (Follow-up) or establish a datapath (NDP) with the Publisher. After NDP is setup both devices will obtain an IPv6 address and can use it for communication.

Please note that NAN Datapath security is not supported i.e., the data packets will go out unencrypted. NAN uses a separate interface for Discovery and Datapath, which is other than that used for STA and AP. NAN operates in standalone mode, which means co-existence with STA or AP interface is not supported.

Refer to ESP-IDF examples examples/wifi/wifi_aware/nan_publisher/README.md and examples/wifi/wifi_aware/nan_subscriber/README.md to setup a NAN Publisher and Subscriber.

## Unsynchronized Service Discovery (USD)

Unsynchronized Service Discovery (USD) is a mechanism for devices to discover the services that have been made discoverable on new devices that enter the RF environment, without requiring synchronization between the devices.

USD uses Service Info field in the SDEA of a Publish and Follow-up message to convey the service specific information.

Refer to ESP-IDF examples examples/wifi/wifi_aware/usd_publisher/README.md and examples/wifi/wifi_aware/usd_subscriber/README.md to setup a NAN-USD Publisher and Subscriber.

Was this page helpful?

- Thank you! We received your feedback.
- If you have any comments, fill in Espressif Documentation Feedback Form.

- We value your feedback.
- Let us know how we can improve this page by filling in Espressif Documentation Feedback Form.