wireless 802.11 card for RH9

[s.hauck]

I am just begining to use Linux and have installed RH9 on my laptop. I tried installing my linksys card but I understand it is not supported. Can anyone let me know what card would be best or at least compatible?

[Cuthbert]

I use an Agere ORiNOCO Gold card:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10324157&loc=101

Works right out of the box. :) Just set up the proper wireless options (SSID, Channel, etc) by running "neat" as root.

[s.hauck]

Thanks for the input. I ordered one of the Orinico Gold Cards and will try that. I'm afraid I don't follow your last point re:running neat as root.

This is my first experience with linux. So far I have been doing everything through the GUI and menu driven options. I do see where you can choose the type of card in the wireless set up "wizard" that RH9 uses.

Once I get connected to my network I will need to learn more about entering commands and changes via these commands.

Any suggestions on a web site or book for a beginner who wants to learn more on this subject?

Thanks again

[z0mbix]

I use a Linksys WPC11 802.11b wireless card in linux. It uses the orinoco module.

[CMonster]

Cuthbert - I just ordered one of those -I hope it works.

[Cuthbert]

You'll love the card CMonster, it works great :)

s.hauck, I forget exactly where in the menus the redhat network configuration tool is. If you open up a terminal window (command line) and type the command neat, then the network config window will come up. If you ran it as a non root user you will be asked for the root password. From there you'll be able to enter any neccessary information about your wireless network... like the SSID, Channel, IP information, etc.

I started using linux back when redhat 6 was the current release and pretty much learned through my own trial and error and many, many google searches. Remember, www.google.com/linux is your friend :)

The Linux Documentation Project (http://www.tldp.org/) is another good place to look for information, its chock full of howto's, guides and FAQ's.

[CMonster]

It works! It works! It works! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! -encryption and all!

[Cuthbert]

/me does the happy orinoco dance :)

[onesandzeros]

congrats! I just downloaded the linux driver off Linksys site for the WPC11 802.11b, so I hope that works.

[s.hauck]

Cuthbert,

Thanks for your reply. I received my Agre Orinoco card and installed it. After opening neat I entered network configuartion. I entered "new" and "wireless connection".

Of the options for different wireless cards I selected the one listed as "Lucent, orinoco, and Prism II-based PCMCIA wireless (etho)"

(next screen) Mode, I chose the default "mode". Now here's something interesting in the network name (SSID) there is a "specified" network called "Michael" I know that this is a network belonging to a neighbor (no WEP by the way) My network is called Steve (WEP). So I changed the SSID to my network and entered my hexadecimal password where it called for "Key). I notice that since I have specified "managed" in the "mode" field the "Channel" field is shaded and indicates "1". My network is on channel 10 according to my router?

I have dhcp set for automatic and DNS as automatic.

Now that this is completed I am back to the original network config screen and enter "activate".

A screen indicates that it is activating the device eth0.........

I reveive the error message:

Error for wireless request "Set Encode" (8B2A)
SET failed on device eth0...iptables: No chain/target/match by that name failed.
iptables: Bad rule (does a matching rule exist in that chain?)

I did go back and tried changing "managed" to "specified" and changing the channel to 10 but no luck.

Maybe there is something simple here I'm missing? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

[TML]

Hey Buddy,

If you only have one Access Point then you might want to use the "Ad-Hoc" option.

[Cuthbert]

Yes, try using ad-hoc.

[s.hauck]

I tried changing to Ad-Hoc with no luck. I'm still getting similar errors.

[Cuthbert]

Sounds like we need someone who knows how to set up ip tables here, I can't help ya there. There must be someone who looks in this thread that can help. Anyone!?

The card will work.

[s.hauck]

Thanks for recent replys.

After the last post I thoufht I check out the forums on the Boston Linux Users Group.

Derick Atkins made the following observation ffrom BLU:

"I remember reading on the web about problems with the RH9 scripts and
wireless -- something about them setting the WEP key improperly (like
always adding an s: even when you specify a hex key). I honestly
don't remember where I saw it -- I think it was a wireless list at
samba.org (I found it via google when I was looking for info on a
different wireless problem on my Mac)."

With this information I disabled my WEP and was able to get the card to activate. I then downloaded updates to RH9.

From what I can gather WEP is not much of a barrier to those who are really determined to access a WAN.

So, now that I have access I have run up against a new issue.

When I try to access Mozilla the program begins to load "starting Mozilla Web Browser" and then.... nothing....

Any suggestons?

Steve

[TML]

Leave it in Ad-Hoc and when you are putting in the WEP keys begin with "0x" then the keys. Then do a Service PCMCIA restart.

[Icarus]

I've noticed that problem with the "S", but having WEP disabled seems to work for me.

In Red Hat 9 thay have a nice Wireless Applet that will show the connection strength. Use the applet to see if you are connected and check ifconfig to see if it has an IP through DHCP, or if static try pinging the WAP and/or your gateway to see if there is a responce.

[s.hauck]

Thanks,

Adding 0x before my hexdec. code did the trick. I am now able to access the network using WEP.

For some reason when I "click" on Mozilla it still begins to start up then quits ??

I would like to use that applet mention to monitor signal strength.

Would you explain how I acces that, pref. from GUI. (I'm really new at Linux).

Steve