---
name: "ipw"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/if_ipw"
---

# ipw(4)

Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 IEEE 802.11a/b driver

Part of [if\_ipw(4)](/if_ipw/4.md).

## NAME

**ipw** – Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 IEEE 802.11a/b driver

## SYNOPSIS

To compile this driver into the kernel, place the following lines in your kernel configuration file:

**device ipw** **device ipwfw** **device pci** **device wlan** **device firmware**

Alternatively, to load the driver as a module at boot time, place the following line in [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md):

```
if_ipw_load="YES"
```

In both cases, place the following line in [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md) to acknowledge the firmware license (see below):

```
legal.intel_ipw.license_ack=1
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **ipw** driver provides support for Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 802.11a/b wireless network devices in **station**, **adhoc**, and **monitor** mode operation. Only one virtual interface may be configured at any time.

This driver requires the firmware built with the **ipwfw** module to work. For the loaded firmware to be enabled for use the license at */usr/share/doc/legal/intel\_ipw.LICENSE* must be agreed by adding the following line to [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md):

```
legal.intel_ipw.license_ack=1
```

For more information on configuring this device, see [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md).

## HARDWARE

The **ipw** driver provides support for the Intel PRO/Wireless 2100a/b MiniPCI network adapter.

## FILES

- */usr/share/doc/legal/intel\_ipw.LICENSE*

  **ipw** firmware license

## EXAMPLES

Join an existing BSS network (i.e., connect to an access point):

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev ipw0 inet 192.0.2.20/24
```

Join a specific BSS network with network name *my\_net*:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev ipw0 ssid my_net up
```

Join a specific BSS network with 64-bit WEP encryption:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev ipw0 ssid my_net \
    wepmode on wepkey 0x1234567890 weptxkey 1 up
```

Join a specific BSS network with 128-bit WEP encryption:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev ipw0 wlanmode adhoc ssid my_net \
    wepmode on wepkey 0x01020304050607080910111213 weptxkey 1
```

## DIAGNOSTICS

- ipw%d: device timeout

  The driver will reset the hardware. This should not happen.

- ipw%d: firmware error

  The onboard microcontroller crashes for some reason. The driver will reset the hardware. This should not happen.

- ipw%d: timeout waiting for firmware initialization to complete

  The onboard microcontroller failed to initialize in time. This should not happen.

- ipw%d: could not load firmware image '%s'

  The driver failed to load the firmware image using the [firmware(9)](/firmware/9.md) subsystem. Verify the [ipwfw(4)](/ipwfw/4.md) firmware module is installed and the license agreement [loader(8)](/loader/8.md) tunable has been set.

- ipw%d: could not load microcode

  An attempt to upload the microcode image to the onboard microcontroller failed. This should not happen.

- ipw%d: could not load firmware

  An attempt to upload the firmware image to the onboard microcontroller failed. This should not happen.

## SEE ALSO

[ipwfw(4)](/ipwfw/4.md), [pci(4)](/pci/4.md), [wlan(4)](/wlan/4.md), [wlan\_ccmp(4)](/wlan_ccmp/4.md), [wlan\_tkip(4)](/wlan_tkip/4.md), [wlan\_wep(4)](/wlan_wep/4.md), [networking(7)](/networking/7.md), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md), [wpa\_supplicant(8)](/wpa_supplicant/8.md)

## AUTHORS

The original **ipw** driver was written by Damien Bergamini ⟨*damien.bergamini@free.fr*⟩.