# iwd

> wireless daemon for Linux written by Intel

**Wikidata**: [Q113480736](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113480736)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iwd

## Summary
**iwd** (iNet wireless daemon) is a wireless daemon for Linux written and maintained by Intel. It is designed to manage wireless LAN connections and serves as a replacement for the older wpa_supplicant. The software is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1 or later.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** iNet wireless daemon.
- **Developer(s):** Marcel Holtmann and James Prestwood.
- **Maintainer:** Intel.
- **Operating System:** Linux.
- **License:** GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later.
- **Primary Function:** Wireless LAN management; replaces `wpa_supplicant`.
- **Programming Language:** C.
- **Key Dependency:** ell (Embedded Linux Library).
- **Latest Recorded Version:** 2.14 (released February 9, 2024).
- **Repository:** `https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git`

## FAQs
### Q: What does iwd stand for?
A: iwd stands for **iNet wireless daemon**. It is a background process designed to manage wireless network connections on Linux systems.

### Q: Who created and maintains iwd?
A: The software was originally developed by Marcel Holtmann and is currently maintained by **Intel**. James Prestwood is also listed as a key developer.

### Q: What is the difference between iwd and wpa_supplicant?
A: **iwd** is designed to replace `wpa_supplicant`. While both manage wireless connections on Linux, iwd is a more modern implementation maintained by Intel that aims for tighter integration with the Linux kernel.

## Why It Matters
iwd represents a modern evolution in Linux network management. As the successor to the widely used `wpa_supplicant`, it plays a critical role in how contemporary Linux distributions handle Wi-Fi connectivity. By being maintained by Intel—a major contributor to Linux wireless drivers—iwd ensures optimized performance and compatibility with current hardware.

Its significance lies in its architecture; built specifically for Linux, it relies on the Embedded Linux Library (ell) to provide a streamlined, efficient daemon. This focus allows it to integrate natively with the kernel's wireless subsystems, offering a robust alternative for desktop environments and network managers (like NetworkManager) looking for reliable wireless LAN control. Its widespread adoption is evidenced by its availability in the official repositories of almost every major Linux distribution, including Arch, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Ubuntu.

## Notable For
- **Replacing wpa_supplicant:** Acts as the modern successor to the standard Linux wireless supplicant.
- **Intel Backing:** Developed and maintained directly by Intel, ensuring high compatibility with industry hardware.
- **Simplicity:** Designed as a standalone daemon that does not rely on external libraries other than `ell` (Embedded Linux Library).
- **Broad Adoption:** Available by default or via official repositories in Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, OpenSUSE, Alpine, and Ubuntu.
- **Active Development:** Maintains a rapid release schedule, with frequent updates logged through 2022, 2023, and early 2024.

## Body
### Development and Conception
iwd is a free software utility classified as a daemon. It was primarily created by software developer Marcel Holtmann and is maintained by Intel. The project is written in the C programming language.

### Technical Architecture
The daemon runs exclusively on the Linux operating system. It is designed to manage **Wireless LAN** connections. A key technical requirement for iwd is its dependency on **ell** (Embedded Linux Library), which it uses for core library functions. It is distinct from its predecessor, `wpa_supplicant`, offering a modernized codebase focused on the Linux ecosystem.

### Release History
The project follows an active development cycle with frequent version increments. Historical release data points include:
- **Version 1.29:** Released July 15, 2022.
- **Version 1.30:** Released September 7, 2022.
- **Version 2.6:** Released June 22, 2023.
- **Version 2.9:** Released November 19, 2023.
- **Version 2.13:** Released January 12, 2024.
- **Version 2.14:** Released February 9, 2024.

### Licensing
iwd is distributed under the **GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later**. This classification allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions.

### Availability and Resources
iwd is widely supported across the Linux ecosystem. It is available through package managers under the name `iwd` in Alpine, Arch, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, and Ubuntu (Gentoo uses `net-wireless/iwd`).

*   **Source Code:** Available via Git at `https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git`.
*   **Documentation:** The official wiki is hosted by the Linux Kernel organization at `https://iwd.wiki.kernel.org/`.
*   **Mailing List:** Development discussion is archived at `https://lore.kernel.org/iwd/`.

## References

1. [Source](https://man.archlinux.org/man/iwd.8.en)
2. [Source](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tree/src/main.c)
3. [Release 1.29](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=1.29)
4. [Release 1.30](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=1.30)
5. [Source](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.6)
6. [Source](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.7)
7. [Release 2.9](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.9)
8. [Release 2.10](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.10)
9. [Release 2.11](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.11)
10. [Release 2.12](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.12)
11. [Release 2.13](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.13)
12. [Release 2.14](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.14)
13. [Release 2.17](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/tag/?h=2.17)
14. [Source](https://iwd.wiki.kernel.org/)
15. [README](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/wireless/iwd.git/about/)