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I do think the lack of WPA support in OpenBSD rather strange given the apparent 'security' focus which OpenBSD is ment to have.

I'm sure they would like you to pitch in to get it done

I do believe this is of minor importance to a server OS like OpenBSD, since 'no one' would connect a server to a wireless access point or the likes, but rather through switched and cabled 100/1000 Mbit gear...

The only case I can think of is the case of setting up a secure, wireless access point by letting OpenBSD act as a radius server at the same time, but in such case I'd rather use IPsec and OpenVPN and in such case I wouldn't need WPA anyhow...

I think the OpenBSD team believe that WPA is an overly complex spec, and that you can get better and simpler security by running IPSec over your wireless link.

While I'm inclined to agree with them, I had trouble finding a wireless card that supported both 802.11a and hostap mode on OpenBSD. I also use an IPSec VPN for work, and never did figure out how to tunnel one IPSec session over another (though I guess I could have left that particular traffic unencrypted by my own network devices; my research on the topic was admittedly limited). I subsequently did find a wireless card that met my requirements at www.kd85.com, but by then I had punted and bought a standalone wireless router.

If you have OpenBSD on your laptop, you might also have trouble at your friend's homes where they had Linksys routers set up for WPA only.

As has been commented before now, the OBSD team is relatively small. They have to prioritize their development efforts, and since this problem has a solution already, they aren't expending developer effort on it. They have invited others to do it, though.

Edited 2007-05-06 18:11

What, professionals don't like playing games?
I highly doubt that.
Maybe that's why BSD is just a niche os with next to none users.
Keep up the superior attitude and you'll be left behind in the dust not just by Microsoft (just ask Novel and Sun) but also by Linux which is getting more popular unlike BSD.

>Maybe that's why BSD is just a niche os with next to none users.

No it's a niche because of FUD and a huge lack of knowledge.

>but also by Linux which is getting more popular unlike BSD.

a) you do need massive hype
b) you do need some people without knowledge to follow the hype

Quality is superior and *BSD is alive and kicking since the 70s! Tell me about Linux in maybe 10-15 years. "Linux what? It's Ubuntu merchandising ..." :o)

"Keep up the superior attitude and you'll be left behind in the dust not just by Microsoft (just ask Novel and Sun) but also by Linux which is getting more popular unlike BSD."

I'm pretty happy using an OS that cares more about doing things right than being popular.

OK kiddo that's it. You are instantly sucked by the great sucking wormhole. :-)

WHOHOOOOOOOOPPPSSSSSS !!!!

Correction:

If you want to play cool games or enjoy accelerated screensavers or want to install without having to figure out the arcane partition system or onto more than 1% of PC hardware please go and play with your favourite distro.

"If you want to play cool games or enjoy accelerated screensavers or want to install without having to figure out the arcane partition system or onto more than 1% of PC hardware please go and play with your favourite distro."

Arcane? You surely must be joking. The partitioning scheme on OpenBSD is about as straight forward as it gets. If one just takes a few minutes to read I do not see how there can be a problem. Linear and straight forward.