Wireless

[osprey]

I have looked for it seems like a year and never found an answer. I'll cut to the chase of what I really want:

I want to purchase a wireless card that is PCI that I can install in my Fedora 7 box that will work without any additional install (no Madwifi, no NDISWrapper). Fedora includes some drivers for cards that I can't seem to purchase?

I simply want someone to post a link to a website and I can take out the old credit card and buy it. I tried an EDIMAX, which says linux right on the box, but it lied. I don't want to compile drivers or anything. If I can buy a card and it works out of the box I'll buy a dozen more for future use.

Please post something like www.somesite.com/index?card=linuxcard&blah=blah
Any discussion won't really help at this point. I just want to buy a card. I don't even care what it costs at this point. I just want a card.
Thanks.

[Dan]

*Putting phone on speed-dial mode, and warming up credit card!*

No answers here. Just posting to keep this one on the radar scope! <..:p..>


Dan

[Dangermouse]

Hello I have a mini pci and pcmcia card, which are ralink rt2500 chipset, and they both work off the shelf, but only in F7, so maybe any rt2500, chipsets work, i cant say for pci for sure as i dont have one.
http://ralink.rapla.net/

[osprey]

>>>PING<<<

Just keeping this on the RADAR... Hoping for an answer

[osprey]

This is my frustration:

Either nobody knows of a card that's available, which confirms that Linux is not really ready for the "wireless" world,
or
Nobody wants to help, which turns people off of Linux. Either way, this thread is <bumped> so I hope someone answers... I'm sticking with Linux... Death before Vista!

[rjstaaf]

Sure Linux is ready for the "wireless" world, it just isn't ready for the plug and play on every distro "wireless" world ;)

One thing people have to understand is the difficulty in getting manufacturer's, who typically like to get money for their work, to provide the source code to the drivers for their hardware for free. It is even more difficult to try and reverse engineer a driver when you don't have the manufacturer's support. It takes more vision than most manufacturer's seem to have to realize that there is a market for their devices with Linux if they will just open up their drivers.

Since Fedora is made up of only Free Open Source Software it is going to be a bit difficult until you see more of the card manufacturers open their eyes...

[osprey]

I totally understand what you said, but it misses my point that was lost in the thread...

There ARE cards supported in Fedora "out of the box". They have the drivers listed. I just need a links to a product that I can actually purchase. I am looking for ANY of the the cards that are listed. That's all.

I bought an EDIMAX with the RT61. The box said 'linux native' but the drivers won't compile on 2.6.22

I just want to buy a card. I can buy a PCI to MiniPCI adapter and put an intel wireless card in a PC but that's not cost effective... Why can't you buy the Intel card in PCI?

[Dan]

That would be a question better addressed to the various card manufacturers. I suspect if there had been an executive from one of those companies, regularly browsing this forum, who was appropriately placed and powerful enough to make those decisions, We would have long since seen change! <..:p..>


Dan

[osprey]

The question is not that hard.

There are built in drivers for Fedora. Can ANYONE tell me what card to buy so I can have wireless without tainting my kernel? I don't want madwifi nor do I want ndiswrapper. This is not a question for the manufacturers. This is a question for the Fedora Community. Those drivers wouldn't be there unless their was a card already on the market that used them. I want to use what comes with Fedora. My laptop works with it's built in INTEL card. I want to do the same thing with my desktop. I just need to know what to buy, like no doubt many thousands of Linux users have already done, or there wouldn't be drivers for WIFI already included with Fedora.

[Dan]

Hmmm.

Then if I were you, I would start by finding out what chipset is in my laptop, then start warming up the old Google search engine.

I'll give you a starting place. Anything with a PRISM54 chipset or anything with the Intel(R) PRO 2200BG wireless chipset. I believe both are now "out of the box" plug in items in fedora. (as of F7)

From the response you've gotten so far, It would appear you're going to have to do the homework yourself.


Dan

[osprey]

YES! Prism54 and Intel 2200BG...

QUESTION:
Can anyone tell me the make/model of a PCI Card using one of these chipsets so I can buy a dozen of them right now???

[JN4OldSchool]

lol, better make sure it works OK before buying a dozen. :)

[osprey]

Ok,

Here is what I surmise from all the posts:

Linux does not yet support wireless out of the box. The developers added useless drivers. Unless I have a laptop, or am willing to modify the kernel with ndis or madwifi, I am not going to be able to sell linux to my customers.

Is that the answer?
Too bad, I really am trying to move my customer base away from Vista.

[Dan]

Hmmm.

Ok. With the parameters you've established, and the effort you're willing to invest, for now that may well be the answer you've got. Not the one I'd like either, but until more hardware manufacturers release their source code, it is still going to require extra work to get the wireless up and running, and on some chipsets, it'll still be a crap-shoot.

However, I don't think Vista is a panecea either. There are enough inconsistencies there to make it a bit of a crapshoot as well. Not all drivers and apps are, "Microsoft Vista certified."

But, As you have alluded to, it's still a bottom line world. If Vista is going to be the most cost effective thing you can do for your customer base, "them's the numbers."

Sooner or later, builders, retailers, IT contractors and in-house bean counters will put enough economic pressure on hardware manufacturers to effect the changes we'd all like to see. It's just going to take some time (and continual prodding) to get it done.

I'm just not sure it'd be long-term wise, at this point, to be the last guy on the block to hang out the "We do Linux" shingle.


Dan

[osprey]

Really, I think I left the wrong impression with my last post.

1. I am in GNU/Linux for the long haul. I am trying to feed my family. Vista makes us ALL losers. I can't endorse Vista to my customers as a Consultant, because I want to do what is right, not what makes me the most money. Call me old fashioned. M$ has taken their product in immoral directions which I cannot follow.

2. Drop the price constraint. Can someone give me a link to ANY wifi card that I can buy today at ANY price that will "Just work" in my F7 install, like my Intel Mini-PCI card "Just Works" in my Laptop?

I have non problem with using madwifi nor with ndiswrapper. I just don't feel that I can make it palatable to my customers, as the method could be construed by some as "Hokey".

Please, I just wanna buy a card! I did find a PCI/Mini-PCI adapter, and you can plug an intel card into it, then plug that into the PC, but not very cost effective LOL.

[jim]

Is this for a laptop or desktop ?

Second, dont you have a wireless card in your system now if it is a laptop?

[jim]

It seemsthere is a website dedicated to wireless & linux
http://tuxmobil.org/pcmcia_linux.html

[Dan]

Hmmm.

Evening, Jim. I think he was wanting desktop/tower PCI adapters. And the sad truth is, I don't know of any single make and model of wireless card (currently in production) that will just work. I'm fairly sure there is one if not several out there. I just can't plunk make, model, vendor, price and shipping right down here in this thread.

I suppose I could roll up the sleves and start seriously searching for one, but I just don't need one. Therefore I can't really flip a terse, "Aw, just go look it up yourself!" at him. Because I imagine, with as much effort as he's extended here, he's likely already googled until his fingers are bleeding. (At least he'd better have by now.) And, be it response to attitude, just plain don't know, or maybe such a critter doesn't exist, I haven't seen anybody toss an easy answer into the thread.

So it goes.


Dan


EDIT: An Idea. But it'll involve a little keyboard time. Hit the wesites of all the manufacturers you can think of, and using a cut & paste email template, ask if they have a model of card that uses a Linux supported chipset. Shotgun approach! Let them do the leg work!


D.

[ryptyde]

Well I could highly recommend a USB wireless adapter that works "out of the box" but don't know of a pci one. I have 3 home desktops using them, 1 with Fedora 7 and 2 with F8T3. Belkin Wireless G USB adapter ver. 4000 has "zydas chipset". :)

[Dan]

Outstanding! Where did you get them?

[ryptyde]

Outstanding! Where did you get them?
Wasn't sure if the OP was interested in a usb device so was waiting for a response before saying where the purchase was made. :)

I bought them at a local WalMart outlet. The first one that I purchased was a "ver. 3000" and was a bit of a pain to get working but got it going with the drivers from "serialmonkey" site and then decided to purchase another device and the package had "ver. 4000" on the side and didn't pay any attention to it until I plugged it in another F7 box and saw that it was recognized and worked.

I then checked it and found it used the "zydas chipset" and not the "ralink" one that the "ver. 3000" had. I took the "ver. 3000" back and exchanged it for the "ver. 4000" and also picked up 2 more. There is a small label on the box that has a bar code, mac address and "ver. 4000".

[Dan]

GOtcha! As much as I hate giving money to Wal*Mart. I'll be there tomorrow.

Thanks!


Dan

[gadgetwiz]

You can find the Belkin Wireless G USB adapter on eBay but it's difficult to know whether it's V4 or not. You can always question the seller. Other versions use different chipsets.

I can confirm that this unit (http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-54Mbps-wifi-11g-USB-Adapter-Zydas-chipset_W0QQitemZ270178765102QQihZ017QQcategoryZ45 002QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) works out of the box in Fedora 7 (so I assume in F8 as well).

It has demonstrated good stability and range for such a small device. Even connected all the way across the street to the neighbors router, but don't tell him. :D

These items (http://search.ebay.com/zydas_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturnedZ300) look to be the same but I can't confirm. The use the same exact zydas chipset and look identical except for the sticker. I have one on the way..

[Dan]

OK. Thanks!

Not a fan of ebay though. I'll bite the bullet and get 'em retail.


Dan

[JN4OldSchool]

Thanks for that! With this move I will be converting 3 towers to wireless and was a bit worried to say the least. I dont mind experimenting with ndswrapper or madwifi but would rather not.

[ghostdawg]

I don't want to compile drivers or anything. If I can buy a card and it works out of the box I'll buy a dozen more for future use.
It looks like the OP doesn't want to put much effort into the Open Source movement. Even though alot of replies mention alot of the problems with hardware lies with the manufaturers. It takes some effort on the part of the users also.

Just a thought!

[JN4OldSchool]

It looks like the OP doesn't want to put much effort into the Open Source movement. Even though alot of replies mention alot of the problems with hardware lies with the manufaturers. It takes some effort on the part of the users also.

Just a thought!

Well, I wont argue your point but if you read between the lines the OP needs a seamless solution for a customer base. Not really the same as you or I fiddling with our home desktop. I dont blame him, wireless is like the last Linux frontier for me. I would rate myself as "very competent" at this point, I am a user, not a geek or a programmer and wouldnt think of myself as a "guru" but I know my way around by now. I dont want to mess with compiling drivers or using windows drivers or expending undue effort on this either. I know enough not to blame Linux, I know the situation very well. But all the OP is asking for is a chipset that will just work. Just one. I dont think that is unreasonable. Maybe a manufacturer needs to just step up to the plate here? If it can be done with laptops then there is no reason why it cant be done on a PCI card.

[ghostdawg]

Yes I understand also but this is Linux we're using. As of now, I recently switched machines and from cable internet to dsl net. Now using wireless, I can't Fedora 7 working correctly. So I'm having wireless issues myself. Luckily I was able to Debian & Slackware working on multiboot setup.

[fdalbor]

Osprey, I too am looking for a Wifi device that will work in my systems and Fedora 7. I am trying to make it as easy as possible by looking for a USB Wifi device as all computers have USB ports so while not all systems have all the different types of ports they all have USB. I believe if we can't find a USB device we are not going to have any more luck with any other ports. Good luck in your searching. Maybe we will get lucky. fdalbor

[JN4OldSchool]

Osprey, I too am looking for a Wifi device that will work in my systems and Fedora 7. I am trying to make it as easy as possible by looking for a USB Wifi device as all computers have USB ports so while not all systems have all the different types of ports they all have USB. I believe if we can't find a USB device we are not going to have any more luck with any other ports. Good luck in your searching. Maybe we will get lucky. fdalbor

Read back up a few posts, apparently your USB wireless device was found! :) I have yet to run to wally-world and see if they have them or, if not, maybe resorting to newegg or somewhere else online, but I am very close. In fact, I need one right this moment and the other two computers are a mere thought away from being hooked up.

edit: Hey Dan, did you ever do this? Do they work as advertised? Of course two members words are good enough for me but if anyone else can verify this will work?

[fdalbor]

Thank you for the answer TangledWeb, I have in my hand a Belkin USB Network Adapter Wireless G Plus MIMO. I followed the thread to the end and read the reports of a Belkin USB adapter working right out of the box. NOthing on the box that it came in says what type of chip set is used in it; but it does have a Ver. 3001 listed after the serial number. So I guest it is not the one that works (right out of the box). Ver. 4000. I assure you this one does not work out of the box. It works fine with Windows XP (only XP; not 98 or Me) I tried booting up with it hooked up and hooking up up after the system was running and Fedora 7 does not acknowledge that the divice exists.
Maybe they know something I don't. I went to five different WalMarts in Baton Rouge and none of them have a Belkin USB Wifi adapter with a Ver.4000 listed after the serial number. Maybe someone can shine a light on what the deal is. I'm sitll looking. But thanks again for the advice. fdalbor

[Dan]

... Hey Dan, did you ever do this? Do they work as advertised? Of course two members words are good enough for me but if anyone else can verify this will work? Not yet, JN4. It's been a bit of a bad week. When I'm not on crutches, I'm soaking in icewater. But I will get to it!


Dan

[fdalbor]

JN4OldSchool, I have a Belkin USB Network Adapter that works fine with XP. But it is a Wireless G Plus MIMO; so I am sure the chipset is different from the Belkin USB G they are talking about. This adapter came from Walmart and is great; but I don't think it is same as the one they are using; When I boot into Fedora it does not recognize the device at all. If I boot up and then connect it still does not recognize it. Again it may be because this device is a G Plus Mimo and Fedora does not work with it (out of the box). I am going to go by Walmart when I get a chance and see if they have a plain old USB G device (not G Plus MIMO). Do not buy the G Plus MIMO as it does not work with Linux. I would hate to have to give up the added range I get with the G PLus MIMO; but if I can at least get connected the the regular G device I would be happy to buy it. Let me know if you have success with any such device; your help and advice would be greatly appreciated. fdalbor

[Dangermouse]

Hi all, Linksys wusb54g ver4, this usb adapter has the rt2570 chipset which in my opinion is probably the best of all the ralinks, and works very well off the shelf in f7 & f8 only, reliably

[ryptyde]

JN4OldSchool, I have a Belkin USB Network Adapter that works fine with XP. But it is a Wireless G Plus MIMO; so I am sure the chipset is different from the Belkin USB G they are talking about. This adapter came from Walmart and is great; but I don't think it is same as the one they are using; When I boot into Fedora it does not recognize the device at all. If I boot up and then connect it still does not recognize it. Again it may be because this device is a G Plus Mimo and Fedora does not work with it (out of the box). I am going to go by Walmart when I get a chance and see if they have a plain old USB G device (not G Plus MIMO). Do not buy the G Plus MIMO as it does not work with Linux. I would hate to have to give up the added range I get with the G PLus MIMO; but if I can at least get connected the the regular G device I would be happy to buy it. Let me know if you have success with any such device; your help and advice would be greatly appreciated. fdalbor

Here're a couple of scans of the box mine came in. The bottom of the package by the bar code is where the "ver. 4000" is located but you probably figured that out. The usb device is NOT the "G + MIMO" that I have.

[fdalbor]

The Belkin USB Wireless G network adapter does work with Fedora 7. Just make sure you purchase one with a version 4000 or version 4001 next to the serial number on the box. I am using it right now and it works like a charm. You don't need any drivers or anything. Just plug it in and go. Thanks to all the people who suggested fixes to this problem. There is a fix and its a cheap on that is readily avialable right from your local Wal-Mart. fdalbor

[bkbroil]

Just throwing this out there. My wireless does not work either but what I did was use a bridge. My Ethernet card works fine so I just connect that to the bridge and let the bridge deal with the wireless. Works great and Fedora just sees a wired connection. I bought mine on eBay used for $40. You can get them new for about $70, some manufactures call them game adapters but they are just wireless to wired bridges.

[fdalbor]

Osprey there is a simple solution to your problem. I too was looking for a wifi hookup with Fedora 7. It is not a PCI card; but a USB device. The Belkin USB Network Adapter Wireless G. You have to find one that has a version 4000 or 4001 next to the serial number. It should not be a problem as I found them at WalMart; Bestbuy and CompUSA. Just make sure you buy a version 4000, or 4001. I found plenty of 3000, 3001, 3002 and 3003 mixed in togeather. But a member said the 3000 series (0,1,2,3) do not work out of the box. The 4000 and 4001 both do. I bought one hooked it up; booted up my system and that was it. A small icon (computer) appears next to the user name on the top left of the screen. When you click it on it shows all the wifi networks you can connect too. All you do it click on the one you want. And away you go. its also very cheap. I bought the one I got for 33.95 at WalMart. Hopes this helps you out. fdalbor

[eh|0 loco]

i'll add that atheros cards and prism II are not friends of fedora -out of the box that is--
For the original poster -(k)(x)ubuntu -done deal
Of the 1/2 dozen distros partioned on my drives -it's the fallback , always works- god I'm glad its still there distro

oh and the latest is a trendnet tew-443pci atheros 5212 a|b|g (30$ at tigerdirect)
the one before was a netgear ma311

(posted from bt2 -because fc7 doesn't understand my cards and ubuntu is rather bloated/slow)

Now off to search for the correct rpm to d/l and then restart fc7 and then hope for make make install to work

[fisho]

You can find the Belkin Wireless G USB adapter on eBay but it's difficult to know whether it's V4 or not. You can always question the seller. Other versions use different chipsets.

I can confirm that this unit (http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-54Mbps-wifi-11g-USB-Adapter-Zydas-chipset_W0QQitemZ270178765102QQihZ017QQcategoryZ45 002QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) works out of the box in Fedora 7 (so I assume in F8 as well).

It has demonstrated good stability and range for such a small device. Even connected all the way across the street to the neighbors router, but don't tell him. :D

These items (http://search.ebay.com/zydas_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturnedZ300) look to be the same but I can't confirm. The use the same exact zydas chipset and look identical except for the sticker. I have one on the way..


can you comfirm that the one on the way works out of the box fc7?

[fdalbor]

Next to the serial number on the box is a small sticker that gives a version number. I have found a number of versions at WalMart; Best Buy and CompUSA. 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 4000 and 4001. The one I am using is 4001 and it works out of the box with NO additional work. You only have to plug it in; boot up the system and go. Just make sure you get a version 4000 or 4001 as the 3000 versions do NOT work out of the box. I have seen messages from other members who had the 3000 versions and they had to do mods to get them to work. But the 4000, and 4001 versions work as they are purchased. fdalbor

[fisho]

You can find the Belkin Wireless G USB adapter on eBay but it's difficult to know whether it's V4 or not. You can always question the seller. Other versions use different chipsets.

I can confirm that this unit (http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-54Mbps-wifi-11g-USB-Adapter-Zydas-chipset_W0QQitemZ270178765102QQihZ017QQcategoryZ45 002QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) works out of the box in Fedora 7 (so I assume in F8 as well).

It has demonstrated good stability and range for such a small device. Even connected all the way across the street to the neighbors router, but don't tell him. :D

These items (http://search.ebay.com/zydas_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturnedZ300) look to be the same but I can't confirm. The use the same exact zydas chipset and look identical except for the sticker. I have one on the way..



Can any one confirm that this works out of the box on FC7?

http://search.ebay.com/zydas_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturnedZ300


i'm in australia have searched about 50 online stores here but can find any of the models above that work out of the box so want to confirm before i hit ebay for one.

[eh|0 loco]

I really want to say that my atheros card works -(IT DOES FOR ME) but i bet it doesn't (IN FEDORA_waaaaaaaaah) -it does in ubuntu / backtrack 2 (and almost every distro i can download) - i have WPA2 running with WICD in ubuntu -flawless

and a shell script for wpa_supplicant in bt2 (slax) works flawlessly for wireless w/wep WPA1/2

i'd imagine your cards must work out ofthe box mate?~ well again I'm not using fedora/.redhat -this challenge is worth the effort

[eh|0 loco]

Atheros 5212 rev1 works no problem -even injects fwitw

[JN4OldSchool]

Just thought I'd add a post date to this thread. Boy was I cussin a few of you yokels out the last couple days! I bought two of the Belkin version 4000 USB adapters (I couldnt find the third I need yet) non-mimo. Needless to say, witless networking wonderboy that I am, I couldnt get it working on a KDE F7 install. I read all the threads, considered posting more than once, and everyone kept saying "just works...just plug it in..." MY AZZ!!! Why me? Woe why me? Networking just hates my guts. Tonight I figured it out. Start a few services you dumb jerk!!! I had to start wpa and a couple others and BAM! Hahahaha, just picked it up, Whoa, I'm online dude? WTF? Hahahaha!

Yep, this Belkin USB ver 4000 does the job! Dont ask about F8 though because I dont know yet. :) :) :)

[ryptyde]

Yep, this Belkin USB ver 4000 does the job! Dont ask about F8 though because I dont know yet. :) :) :)

I have been using two of them on F8T2>F8 upgrades without a problem. I done one clean install of F8 from DVD to a laptop and have not been able to use it to connect with NetworkManager but works with "wlassistant" so overall I would say the Belkin Wireless G usb adapter ver. 4000 will work with F8. :)

I went in to a local WalMart recently and there were no more ver.4000 on the shelf. :eek:

[fdalbor]

ryptyde, the 4001 version will also work out of the box. I bought one of those. Unfortunatly I also went back to get another and could only find version 3000's, 3001's and 3002's. No 4000's or 4001's. At least we have five or more Walmarts here in Baton Rouge so I will check out the others. I still find it odd that they have so many different versions of the same adapter. If I can't find another at WalMart there is still Best buy. We have several of those here in BR also. I checked them out online; but they don't give the version number so if I can't find one at WalMart its off to Best buy for a look see. fdalbor