cfg80211_bss_iter(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

🌸 NAME

okay so bestie, we are literally in the Kernel API Manual, and the function on deck is cfg80211_bss_iter(9). The whole serve is: cfg80211_bss_iter — iterate all BSS entries. periodt. 💅

✨ SYNOPSIS

here's the signature, character for character, no games:

void cfg80211_bss_iter (struct wiphy *wiphy , struct cfg80211_chan_def
       *chandef , void (*iter)(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct cfg80211_bss *bss,
       void *data) , void *iter_data );

🎀 ARGUMENTS

  • wiphy — the wiphy. yep, that's the one. 🦋
  • chandef — if it's given, the iterator function will be called only if the channel of the currently iterated BSS is a subset of the given channel. highkey important, so don't sleep on it.
  • iter — the iterator function to call. iconic behavior, honestly.
  • iter_data — an argument to the iterator function. it's giving "extra data, extra vibes." ✨

💅 DESCRIPTION

okay so here's the actual tea: this function iterates over the BSS entries associated with the given wiphy and calls the callback for the iterated BSS. literally its whole main character job. 🌈

🚨 Big rule, no cap: the iterator function is not allowed to call functions that might modify the internal state of the BSS DB. like, do not do it. that is a hard boundary, fr fr. 💀

✨ SEE ALSO ✨

okay bestie, this is the part where the page just absolutely dumps the entire extended cinematic universe on you, and honestly? iconic. it's giving "here's everyone who's ever been in the group chat." no cap, every single one is here, and you're gonna meet all of them.

starting with the mothership file and the big-picture docs:

  • Kernel file ./include/net/cfg80211.h
  • Introduction(9), Device registration(9)

then the 802.11 cast of characters — channels, rates, caps, all of it:

and now we slide into the actions-and-configuration era, which is a whole saga fr fr:

and then boom — scanning and BSS list handling takes the aux, and it does not give it back:

  • Scanning and BSS list handling(9)
  • struct cfg80211_ssid(9), struct cfg80211_scan_info(9)
  • struct cfg80211_scan_6ghz_params(9), struct cfg80211_scan_request(9)
  • struct cfg80211_match_set(9), struct cfg80211_sched_scan_plan(9)
  • struct cfg80211_bss_select_adjust(9), struct cfg80211_sched_scan_request(9)
  • enum cfg80211_signal_type(9), struct cfg80211_inform_bss(9)
  • struct cfg80211_bss_ies(9), struct cfg80211_bss(9)
  • ieee80211_bss_get_elem(9), ieee80211_bss_get_ie(9)
  • struct cfg80211_auth_request(9), struct cfg80211_assoc_link(9)
  • struct cfg80211_ml_reconf_req(9), enum cfg80211_assoc_req_flags(9)
  • struct cfg80211_assoc_request(9), struct cfg80211_deauth_request(9)
  • struct cfg80211_disassoc_request(9), struct cfg80211_ibss_params(9)
  • struct cfg80211_bss_selection(9), struct cfg80211_connect_params(9)
  • enum cfg80211_connect_params_changed(9), enum wiphy_params_flags(9)
  • struct cfg80211_pmksa(9), struct cfg80211_pkt_pattern(9)
  • struct cfg80211_wowlan_tcp(9), struct cfg80211_wowlan(9)
  • struct cfg80211_coalesce_rules(9), struct cfg80211_coalesce(9)
  • struct cfg80211_wowlan_nd_match(9), struct cfg80211_wowlan_nd_info(9)
  • struct cfg80211_wowlan_wakeup(9), struct cfg80211_gtk_rekey_data(9)
  • struct cfg80211_update_ft_ies_params(9), struct cfg80211_mgmt_tx_params(9)
  • struct cfg80211_dscp_exception(9), struct cfg80211_dscp_range(9)
  • struct cfg80211_qos_map(9)

then NAN pulls up (Neighbor Awareness Networking, the social butterfly of the list 💅):

  • Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN)(9)
  • struct cfg80211_nan_band_config(9), struct cfg80211_nan_conf(9)
  • struct cfg80211_nan_channel(9), struct cfg80211_nan_local_sched(9)
  • struct cfg80211_nan_peer_map(9), struct cfg80211_nan_peer_sched(9)
  • enum cfg80211_nan_conf_changes(9), struct cfg80211_nan_func_filter(9)
  • struct cfg80211_nan_func(9), struct cfg80211_pmk_conf(9)
  • struct cfg80211_external_auth_params(9), struct cfg80211_ftm_responder_stats(9)
  • struct cfg80211_pmsr_ftm_result(9), struct cfg80211_pmsr_result(9)
  • struct cfg80211_pmsr_ftm_request_peer(9), struct cfg80211_pmsr_request_peer(9)
  • struct cfg80211_pmsr_request(9), struct cfg80211_update_owe_info(9)
  • struct mgmt_frame_regs(9), struct cfg80211_ops(9), enum wiphy_flags(9)
  • struct ieee80211_iface_limit(9), struct ieee80211_iface_combination(9)
  • enum wiphy_wowlan_support_flags(9), struct wiphy_wowlan_support(9)
  • struct wiphy_coalesce_support(9), enum wiphy_vendor_command_flags(9)
  • enum wiphy_opmode_flag(9), struct sta_opmode_info(9)
  • struct wiphy_vendor_command(9), struct wiphy_iftype_ext_capab(9)
  • cfg80211_get_iftype_ext_capa(9), struct cfg80211_pmsr_capabilities(9)
  • struct wiphy_iftype_akm_suites(9), struct wiphy_radio_cfg(9)
  • struct wiphy_radio_freq_range(9), struct wiphy_radio(9)
  • enum wiphy_nan_flags(9), struct wiphy_nan_capa(9), struct wiphy(9)

now the wiphy lifecycle crew — birth, registration, locking, work queues, the whole glow-up arc:

utility functions section, aka the little helpers that lowkey carry everything:

data path helpers, where the packets actually get handled:

regulatory enforcement infrastructure — the rules girlies:

scanning callbacks and BSS reporting, back for round two:

MLME + management frame era:

RFkill integration:

vendor commands, going full brand-deal:

test mode, for when you're feeling experimental:

connect / roam / disconnect notifs, the emotional rollercoaster:

remain-on-channel and mgmt TX stuff:

...and the cross-refs just keep coming, bestie 😭 this page literally links to everyone. Buckle up, here's the rest of the guest list:

Like, that's sixty-four whole other pages. Sixty-four!! She's popular, she's booked, she's the main character of ./include/net fr fr 💖

ngl if you actually read every single one of those cross-refs, you're built different. Go drink some water 🍓

And that's a wrap on cfg80211_bss_iter(9), bestie 🎀 this little gem lives over in ./include/net, dated October 2026 — screenshot it, frame it, put it on the fridge, because it literally ate and left no crumbs 💅✨

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