---
title: How to Use WLAN Pi as a Remote WiFi Scanner / Sensor
description: How to use WiFi Scanner for Windows and WLAN Pi as as remote WiFi Scanner via SSH integration and tcpdump.
image: https://go.accessagility.com/hubfs/wlan-pi-silver.png
---

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# AccessAgility Blog

## [How to Use WLAN Pi as a Remote WiFi Scanner / Sensor](https://go.accessagility.com/blog/using-wlan-pi-as-remote-wifi-scanner)

 \[fa icon="calendar"\] Feb 22, 2021, 4:15:15 PM / by [Blog Team](https://go.accessagility.com/blog/author/blog-team)

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[WiFi Scanner for Windows](https://go.accessagility.com/wifi-scanner-windows) is a WiFi discovery and scanning application for IT professionals and home users looking for detailed information about surrounding WiFi networks.

[WLAN Pi](https://www.wlanpi.com/) is a portable device that can be used as a throughput tester, remote WiFi scanner, packet capture tool, portable WiFi signal generator and more.

Below blog post was tested on following hardware and software.

- WLAN Pi hardware - FriendlyARM NanoPi NEO2

- [WLAN Pi v2.0.1 image](https://github.com/WLAN-Pi/releases/releases/tag/v2.0.1)

- [Comfast CF-912AC 1200MBPS Realtek Dual Band USB WiFi Network Adapter](https://www.amazon.com/Comfast-CF-912AC-1200MBPS-Realtek-Network/dp/B01KX1M436/)

- [WiFi Scanner for Windows 2.3](https://go.accessagility.com/wifi-scanner-windows)  or newer. Click to download 7 day free trial.

**1) Tcpdump Permission Modification**

SSH into WLAN Pi and configure permissions to allow WLAN Pi user ID "wlanpi" to run tcpdump. Without this change remote WiFi scanning will not work.

sudo groupadd pcap

sudo usermod -a -G pcap $USER

sudo chgrp pcap /usr/sbin/tcpdump

sudo chmod 750 /usr/sbin/tcpdump

sudo setcap cap\_net\_raw,cap\_net\_admin=eip /usr/sbin/tcpdump

**2) Configure WiFi Scanner Integration**

Configure remote WiFi scanner in windows and test configuration via WiFi Scanner > Preferences > Remote WiFi Scanner tab or click "+" button next to System WiFi Interface to access this tab.

![remote-wifi-scanner-windows-wifi-scanner](https://go.accessagility.com/hs-fs/hubfs/remote-wifi-scanner-windows-wifi-scanner.png?width=431&name=remote-wifi-scanner-windows-wifi-scanner.png)

Enter the IP address or host name of remote or local WLAN Pi. The default port is 22 but can be any port that is directed to SSH on the WLAN Pi.

The wireless lan interface should be wlan0 or whichever interface is the Comfast adapter or other compatible Realtek 8812au adapter.

Username password should be wlanpi and wlanpi unless you changed password during or after initial setup.

Save/Update the configuration as needed.

**3) Test Configuration**

Click Test Configuration to confirm settings and availability of all commands needed for this setup. Be patient this process can take several seconds to complete. 

![wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-scanner-ssh-configuration-log](https://go.accessagility.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-scanner-ssh-configuration-log.png?width=500&name=wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-scanner-ssh-configuration-log.png)

Log of results should look like below with all test passing. The configuration test checks for required hardware and software for remote WiFi scanning. If all tests pass and return information then we are 99% sure that remote WiFi scanning will work for your setup.

Checking SSH connection to IP: 172.16.12.120 Port:22....: Pass  
Checking Username: wlanpi Password: \*\*\*\*\*\* ..........: Pass  
Checking device hardware model........: FriendlyARM NanoPi NEO Core2  
Listing USB adapters / hardware connected to your device.:   
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub  
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 0bda:8812 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8812AU 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2T2R DB WLAN Adapter  
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub  
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub  
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub  
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub  
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub  
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub  
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub  
Bus 009 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

Checking for root user access.....................: Pass  
Checking for iwconfig command.....................: Pass  
Checking for iw command...........................: Pass  
Checking for iwlist command.......................: Pass  
Checking for ifconfig command.....................: Pass  
Checking for tcpdump command......................: Pass  
Checking for network interfaces...................: lo eth0 usb0 wlan0   
Checking for configured interface wlan0 on device.: Pass  
Checking if wlan0 is available for use............: Pass  
Checking for monitor mode on wlan0 interface......: Pass  
Checking for tcpdump capture on wlan0.............: Pass  
Checking for supported channels on wlan0..........: Pass

\*\*\*\*\*Configuration Check Completed \*\*\*\*\*

Note any issues with test configuration results. If you have followed all instructions and setup is not working use copy/paste icon to copy test log and send to [support@accessagility.com](mailto:support@accessagility.com) for guidance on potential issues.

**Use WLAN Pi As Scanning Interface**

Select Remote WiFi Scanner in WiFi Scanner for Windows

![remote-wifi-scanner-windows-wifi-scanner](https://go.accessagility.com/hs-fs/hubfs/remote-wifi-scanner-windows-wifi-scanner.png?width=431&name=remote-wifi-scanner-windows-wifi-scanner.png)

Windows WiFi Scanner will connect to WLAN Pi / Linux device over SSH and run tcpdump for configured wireless interface (wlan0) and send results to WiFi Scanner for display. WiFi Scanner will cycle through all supported channels every 100ms and repeat until scanning is paused/stopped.

[![wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-results-graph](https://go.accessagility.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-results-graph.png?width=500&name=wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-results-graph.png)](https://go.accessagility.com/hubfs/wifi-scanner-remote-wifi-results.png)

 

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