Understanding Your Wi-Fi Network: What is a BSSID and How Do I Find It?

When it comes to understanding your Wi-Fi network, there are several terms that may seem confusing at first. Two of the most important ones are SSID (Service Set Identifier) and BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier). In this article, we'll explore what each term means, why they're important, and how you can find your BSSID.

What is a BSSID?

A BSSID, short for Basic Service Set Identifier, is the MAC physical address of an access point or wireless router that connects to a Wi-Fi network. It's used to identify individual access points within a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and keep them separate from one another.

Why Do I Need to Know My BSSID?

As an IT administrator, knowing your BSSID can be crucial for managing permissions and authentication rules for different users on the same network. For instance, you may want to restrict access to certain areas of a hospital or provide different levels of access to staff, patients, and guests.

How Do I Find My BSSID?

Finding your BSSID is relatively easy. There are several ways to do so:

* On most devices, you can check the Wi-Fi settings for the MAC address of the wireless network adapter.

* You can also use a command-line tool such as `iwlist` or `netsh` to scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks and retrieve their BSSIDs.

* Some routers have built-in tools that allow you to view and configure your BSSID.

In conclusion, understanding your Wi-Fi network's SSID and BSSID is crucial for managing access and permissions. While the SSID is the name of the network itself, the BSSID is the MAC physical address of each access point. By knowing your BSSID, you can provide different levels of access to users on the same network, ensuring that sensitive areas are secure and protected.

How to find bssid of wifi network