Method _endless_loop_start_ap_mode

wifi_manager.py:808–829

Start AP mode as part of endless loop. Skipped when wardriving is enabled — wardriving needs wlan0 for scanning and AP mode (hostapd) would take over the interface.

(self)

        
        # Enable WiFi and let Linux/NetworkManager auto-reconnect to known networks
        self.logger.info("Endless Loop: Enabling WiFi mode - system will auto-reconnect to known networks")
        
        try:
            # Hand the CLIENT radio to NetworkManager. On a single-radio box
            # that is the AP interface being taken back out of AP mode; with a
            # dongle it is the dongle, and the AP interface is deliberately left
            # alone so hostapd keeps running on the built-in radio throughout.
            client_iface = self._client_wifi_interface()
            subprocess.run(['sudo', 'nmcli', 'dev', 'set', client_iface, 'managed', 'yes'],
                         capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10)
            if client_iface != self.ap_interface:
                self.logger.info(
                    f"Endless Loop: connecting on {client_iface}; AP stays up on {self.ap_interface}")

            # Enable WiFi radio (equivalent to user toggling WiFi on)
            subprocess.run(['sudo', 'nmcli', 'radio', 'wifi', 'on'],
                         capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10)
            
            self.logger.info("Endless Loop: WiFi enabled - waiting up to 60 seconds for auto-connection")
            
        except Exception as e:
            self.logger.error(f"Error enabling WiFi: {e}")
        
        # Wait up to 60 seconds for automatic connection (check every 5 seconds)
        timeout = 60  # 1 minute to connect