Bug 452975

Summary: "Can create hotspot" detection doesn't take into account WLAN cards that allow creating a hotspot while already connected to Wi-Fi
Product: [Plasma] plasmashell Reporter: arawat <rawat.arnav>
Component: Networking in generalAssignee: Jan Grulich <jgrulich>
Status: CONFIRMED ---    
Severity: normal CC: nate
Priority: NOR    
Version First Reported In: 5.18.0   
Target Milestone: 1.0   
Platform: Compiled Sources   
OS: Linux   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description arawat 2022-04-25 06:26:02 UTC
SUMMARY
Currently, plasma-nm does not allow a network card to run in both AP and managed modes. In order for an active connection to be shared, there must be a second wifi interface available.

Some network cards are able to do both simultaneously, such as all recent intel cards. This can be checked with iw phy | grep -A 2 "interface combinations" , which returns 

* #{ managed } <= 1, #{ AP, P2P-client, P2P-GO } <= 1, #{ P2P-device } <= 1,
                   total <= 3, #channels <= 2

with an intel ax210 card. Accordingly, plasma-nm should support configuring the network card to run in both managed and AP. This has an obvious use case, as well as an implementation in windows for precedent.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Connect to a network (must be on a device with one wifi card and no wwan, usually a laptop)
2. Hotspot button disappears
3. Can't create hotspot

OBSERVED RESULT
The hotspot button disappears, and no hotspot can be created

EXPECTED RESULT
Dependent on the hardware capabilities, the current wifi connection can be shared through a hotspot.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: 5.17.2
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: Master
KDE Frameworks Version: Master

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Comment 1 Ben Cooksley 2024-12-23 18:23:39 UTC
Bulk transfer as requested in T17796