Re: [PATCH] ath9k: Add module parameter to disable hardware crypto

[pat-lkml <pat-lkml@erley.org>]

Jouni Malinen wrote:
> On Tue, Feb 24, 2009 at 09:24:32AM -0500, pat-lkml wrote:
> 
>> With this patch, and nohwcrypt=1, I get the following in hostapd (this
>> system runs as an access point) when I try to associate with a client.
>>
>> I can't say whether this is a hostapd problem or an ath9k problem yet,
>> but it's a different behavior than with nohwcrypt=0 or without this 
>> patch.  With this patch, wpa2 works perfectly, as without it, as well
>> as wep working perfectly.  
> 
> Are you saying that you get different behavior from hostapd when
> comparing nohwcrypt=0 and nohwcrypt=1 (i.e., no changes in the driver
> code, just the module parameter change)?

Yes.  

>> I wouldn't call this report a 'ACK/NACK' report as it has caused no
>> new problems, nor fixed any old problems.  Unfortunately I don't have 
>> a log around of the old behavior right now, for comparison.  I just 
>> wanted to report what I've found based on this patch.
> 
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: sending 1/4 msg of 4-Way Handshake
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: EAPOL-Key timeout
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: sending 1/4 msg of 4-Way Handshake
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: EAPOL-Key timeout
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: sending 1/4 msg of 4-Way Handshake
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: received EAPOL-Key frame (2/4 Pairwise)
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: invalid MIC in msg 2/4 of 4-Way Handshake
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: received EAPOL-Key 2/4 Pairwise with unexpected replay counter
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: received EAPOL-Key 2/4 Pairwise with unexpected replay counter
>> wlan0: STA 00:1f:a7:70:2d:8d WPA: EAPOL-Key timeout
> 
> Which client are you using? Are you sure that the passphrase/PSK is set
> correctly? The nohwcrypt patch should make absolutely no difference for
> this part (this is key handshake which in the initial phase is sent
> without encrypted EAPOL-Key frames, so neither sw nor hw crypto used).

I've tried 3 different clients with identical behavior:

1.  Playstation 3
2.  Dell Axim / WM6
3.  ath5k Laptop

I get that (afore mentioned invalid MIC in msg 2/4) with nohwcrypt=1, while
nohwcrypt=0 I get 'STA Detected Michael MIC error' during stage 3 I believe. 

I'll have more time after about 6:00PM EST to test this and provide the full
logs of each client associating, along with  wpa_supplicant logs.  I'm running
git hostapd, and I've NEVER had wpa1 work correctly with it, which is why I said
that that report wasn't an 'ACK/NACK' just reporting that I see a difference in 
behavior with it.  

Pat