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Minor but important correction: The BSSID is almost never the AP MAC address.

The BSSID is unique per SSID, per AP. The BSSID is usually derived (usually by incrementing the last octet) from the AP MAC address, however.

So an AP MAC might be 77:99:44:EE:C4:11.

It has a wireless network called "Bob's SSID". It will have a BSSID of something like 77:99:44:EE:C4:12.

Then, the AP may be broadcasting another called "Mary's SSID", and it will have a BSSID of something like 77:99:44:EE:C4:13.

Edit: More not-well-written info on BSSIDs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_set_(802.11_network)

Looks like the BSSID is derived from the AP serial number by some vendors. Never seen that myself.



I see, thanks. I've definitely seen instances where an AP is broadcasting multiple SSIDs with different BSSIDs. I suppose I just thought nothing of it... but that makes sense.




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