having trouble setting up wireless (F7, x86_64, bcm4306). Please help!

lpshark · #1 23rd June 2007, 07:18 PM

Hi everyone!

I've been using Fedora (64 bit) for only a few months now, and I love it. However, I'm having difficulty configuring my wireless card (bcm4306) and ultimately connecting to my wireless network. In FC6, I was able to use fwcutter with no trouble at all. However, I've not had the same luck after upgrading (complete reinstall) to F7 (x86_64). I've tried multiple processes (based on forum reading) and I must be missing something because I've not gotten any to work thus far. Anyway, I've undone all my failed attempts so that my laptop is now like it was right after I installed F7. Here are the steps, results, and stats that I've taken since then. Please, please help! Thanks in advance!

Fresh Installation Stats

Wireless indicator light is OFF.

Code:

[root@delta ~]# lspci | grep -i wireless
00:0c.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4306 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 03)

Code:

[root@delta ~]# ifconfig -a
eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:03:25:0D:AF:70
          inet addr:192.168.1.4  Bcast:192.168.1.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
          inet6 addr: fe80::203:25ff:fe0d:af70/64 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:1238 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:1362 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:620822 (606.2 KiB)  TX bytes:248012 (242.1 KiB)
          Interrupt:23 Base address:0x4c00

lo        Link encap:Local Loopback
          inet addr:127.0.0.1  Mask:255.0.0.0
          inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
          UP LOOPBACK RUNNING  MTU:16436  Metric:1
          RX packets:12350 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:12350 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
          RX bytes:112208472 (107.0 MiB)  TX bytes:112208472 (107.0 MiB)

Code:

[root@delta ~]# iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

Steps Taken So Far

Downloaded the BCM firmware linked in almost every thread similar to mine.

Code:

yum install bcm43xx-fwcutter
bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware ~fedora/wl_apsta.o
echo 'blacklist bcm43xx' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
modprobe -r bcm43xx
modprobe -r ieee80211softmac
modprobe -r ieee80211_crypt
modprobe -r ieee80211
modprobe -r bcm43xx_mac80211
modprobe bcm43xx_mac80211

Then I enabled Network Manager and Network Dispatcher via Service Management.

Rebooted.

Post Reboot Stats

Wireless indicator light ON

Code:

[root@delta ~]# lspci | grep -i wireless
00:0c.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4306 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 03)

Code:

[root@delta ~]# ifconfig -a
eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:03:25:0D:AF:70
          inet addr:192.168.1.4  Bcast:192.168.1.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
          inet6 addr: fe80::203:25ff:fe0d:af70/64 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:1258 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:1384 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:623770 (609.1 KiB)  TX bytes:250682 (244.8 KiB)
          Interrupt:23 Base address:0x4c00

lo        Link encap:Local Loopback
          inet addr:127.0.0.1  Mask:255.0.0.0
          inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
          UP LOOPBACK RUNNING  MTU:16436  Metric:1
          RX packets:12350 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:12350 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
          RX bytes:112208472 (107.0 MiB)  TX bytes:112208472 (107.0 MiB)

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:90:4B:86:50:CF
          UP BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:0 (0.0 b)  TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)

wmaster0  Link encap:UNSPEC  HWaddr 00-90-4B-86-50-CF-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:1258 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:1384 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:623770 (609.1 KiB)  TX bytes:250682 (244.8 KiB)

Code:

[[root@delta ~]# iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

wmaster0  no wireless extensions.

wlan0     IEEE 802.11g  ESSID:""
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Access Point: Not-Associated
          Retry min limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr=2346 B
          Encryption key:off
          Link Quality:0  Signal level:0  Noise level:0
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

Entering network configuration...

Code:

[root@delta ~]# system-network-config

only displays info on eth0's hardware (which is a VIA Rhine btw).

Code:

[root@delta ~]# lspci | grep -i rhine
00:12.0 Ethernet controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6102 [Rhine-II] (rev 74)

If I try to add a new wireless device, the generic "other wireless card" is the only available option.

Scanning for networks also failes (obviously).

Code:

[root@delta ~]# wlassistant
kbuildsycoca running...
Loaded application options.
All interfaces: eth0, wlan0, wmaster0
Wireless interface(s): wlan0
Permissions checked.
DHCP Client: dhclient
All executables found.
scan: /sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan
No networks found!
Auto connection failed: no available configured networks found.
scan: /sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan
No networks found!

So, that about sums up where I stand. If anyone can help me get going wireless-ly, I'd be very greatful.

Thanks in advance!

#2 23rd June 2007, 08:40 PM

have you tried NetworkManager either access it by menu /system/administration/services and check Networkmanager or by typing su - NetworkManager

also when you did

yum install bcm43xx-fwcutter
bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware ~fedora/wl_apsta.o
echo 'blacklist bcm43xx' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
modprobe -r bcm43xx
modprobe -r ieee80211softmac
modprobe -r ieee80211_crypt
modprobe -r ieee80211
modprobe -r bcm43xx_mac80211
modprobe bcm43xx_mac80211

this int the same as the one on my how too, try my one and dont forget its su - not just su otherwise it wont work, hope this was some help

Flash · #3 24th June 2007, 03:23 PM

I added the following line to /etc/modprobe.conf

alias wlan0 bcm43xx_mac80211

Then it appeared in network configuration.

lpshark · #4 24th June 2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

have you tried NetworkManager either access it by menu /system/administration/services and check Networkmanager or by typing su - NetworkManager

ramsees, thanks for the reply. i already have the NetworkManager service checked and started. (i mention that in my "steps taken so far" portion of my original post.). any other thoughts? why doesn't the wireless card show up when i run system-config-network? is it because its being dislayed as wlan0?

anyone???

lpshark · #5 24th June 2007, 03:56 PM

thanks flash! that helped out a lot. now i can see the device in system-config-network.

however, i still can't get an ip. on system boot up ("show details") i get this:

Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06) :
SET failed on device wlan0 ; Invalid argument.
Error for wireless request "Set Bit Rate" (8B20) :
SET failed on device wlan0 ; Operation not supported.

lpshark · #6 24th June 2007, 05:26 PM

solved the wireless request errors by editing /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-wlan0. i just commented out the lines where the attributes had no value assigned.

Code:

[root@delta network-scripts]# cat ifcfg-wlan0
# Please read /usr/share/doc/initscripts-*/sysconfig.txt
# for the documentation of these parameters.
TYPE=Wireless
DEVICE=wlan0
HWADDR=00:90:4b:86:50:cf
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
#NETMASK=
#DHCP_HOSTNAME=
#IPADDR=
#DOMAIN=
ONBOOT=yes
USERCTL=no
IPV6INIT=no
PEERDNS=yes
ESSID=MYESSID
CHANNEL=11
MODE=Managed
#RATE=Auto

but of course i still cannot obtain an IP address.

Code:

[root@delta network-scripts]# ifup wlan0

Determining IP information for wlan0... failed.

also, wireless assistant doesn't see my network.

Code:

[root@delta network-scripts]# wlassistant
kbuildsycoca running...
Loaded application options.
All interfaces: eth0, wlan0, wmaster0
Wireless interface(s): wlan0
Permissions checked.
DHCP Client: dhclient
All executables found.
scan: /sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan
No networks found!
Auto connection failed: no available configured networks found.
Application options saved.
Kernel socket closed.

lpshark · #7 24th June 2007, 06:36 PM

here is a clip from /var/log/messages:

Code:

Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0200 (RX) max used slots: 0/64
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x02A0 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0280 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0260 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0240 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0220 (TX) max used slots: 22/128
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0200 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio turned off
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to ChipCommon core, index 0
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to IEEE 802.11 core, index 1
Jun 24 12:15:38 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio turned off
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Adding Interface type 2
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to ChipCommon core, index 0
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to IEEE 802.11 core, index 1
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio turned on
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio enabled by hardware
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Chip initialized
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: 30-bit DMA initialized
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Wireless interface started
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost kernel: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost dhclient: wmaster0: unknown hardware address type 801
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost dhclient: wmaster0: unknown hardware address type 801
Jun 24 12:15:41 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 8
Jun 24 12:15:49 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 7
Jun 24 12:15:55 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 7
Jun 24 12:16:02 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 14
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Removing Interface type 2
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Wireless interface stopped
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0200 (RX) max used slots: 0/64
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x02A0 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0280 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0260 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0240 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0220 (TX) max used slots: 22/128
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: DMA-32 0x0200 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio turned off
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to ChipCommon core, index 0
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to IEEE 802.11 core, index 1
Jun 24 12:16:40 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio turned off
Jun 24 12:16:44 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Adding Interface type 2
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to ChipCommon core, index 0
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: ssb: Switching to IEEE 802.11 core, index 1
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio turned on
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Radio enabled by hardware
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Chip initialized
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: 30-bit DMA initialized
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: bcm43xx_mac80211: Wireless interface started
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost kernel: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost dhclient: wmaster0: unknown hardware address type 801
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost dhclient: wmaster0: unknown hardware address type 801
Jun 24 12:16:45 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 5
Jun 24 12:16:49 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 11
Jun 24 12:17:00 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 9
Jun 24 12:17:10 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 13
Jun 24 12:17:22 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 13
Jun 24 12:17:35 localhost dhclient: DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 10
Jun 24 12:17:45 localhost dhclient: No DHCPOFFERS received.

is this something i can overcome? should i give ndiswrapper a try? (don't really want to go this way)

anyone? bueller? please, any help would be appreciated. thanks!

lpshark · #8 24th June 2007, 11:37 PM

thanks to those whom replied!

i am happy to announce that i am posting this while connected to the Web via my bcm4306 wireless adapter. i finally gave up on fwcutter and gave ndiswrapper a try. ndis worked like a charm. (and i'm getting the full 54mbs as well.)