Non-invasive node detection in IEEE 802.11 wireless networks

IEEE 802.11 wireless sniffers are useful tools for monitoring network traffic and for the acquisition of information at the MAC level and above. The standard approach for implementing a wireless sniffer is to setup a device in the so-called Promiscuous mode. In this mode, devices are able to acquire all traffic that passes through them, independently from its destination. On a wireless network, this means that it is possible to monitor all the activities inside the device´s cover range. Unfortunately, the Promiscuous mode limits the use of the device by prohibiting the association with wireless networks, or in general, sending data. This limitation restricts uses of sniffers on specific scenarios. This paper shows how to remove such limitation by presenting our Laurin Project. Laurin is a wireless sniffer that provides sniffer´s capabilities without limiting the device´s use. This solution opens the doors to the development of new desktop-oriented applications that take advantage of network monitoring capabilities.