Hi ,
This is my first posting. I am running Mandriva 2006(kernel 2.6.12-12mdk).I have installed madwifi software from the University of colorado SOFTMAC project.
I have established an AD-Hoc network (802.11b) using DLink (DWL-AB650) with three laptops but their channel are the default channel (Ch 5) which madwifi assign to them. I am able to ping all 3 computers in the ad-hoc network.
When I change my channel to say ch 10 in two laptops using command

# iwconfig ath0 channel 10

I am successful to see all the parameter with

# iwconfig ath0

but when I do a

# iwlist ath0 scan
ath0 Scan complete
Cell 01 - Address: 00:00:00:00:00:00
ESSID:""
Frequency:2.457 Ghz(Channel 10)
Quality=0/94 Signal level=-95 dBm Noise level=-95 dBm
Encryption keyff
Extra:bcn_int=100
Can anybody please help me why I am unable to see the essid and cell.

Thanks in advance
Alex

I think you've essentially locked down your system to channel 10, and the network isn't using it. If you look at your scan output, you'll see it is looking exclusively at channel 10. Since the network is on channel 5, it doesn't see it.

Thanks for the reply.Even if I lock down my two laptop on channel 10 In adhoc mode I should be able to ping each other but alas unsuccessful

If I set all my wireless parameter except CHANNEL information in
/etc/config/network-scripts/ifcfg-ath0
and do a
# reboot or
# service network restart
The wireless card comes up in the default channel 5 mode and I am able to set up my wireless ad-hoc network.


Now in my experiment I have to vary the channel so when I try to change the channel (any channel except ch 5) in two laptop using
#iwconfig ath0 Channel 3 or
edit the file /etc/config/network-scripts/ifcfg-ath0 with added information WIRELESS_CHANNEL=3

I still see all my parameter using
# iwconfig ath0

but when I do
# iwlist ath0 scan
ath0 Scan complete
Cell 01 - Address: 00:00:00:00:00:00
ESSID:""
Frequency:2.422 Ghz(Channel 3)
Quality=0/94 Signal level=-95 dBm Noise level=-95 dBm
Encryption keyff
Extra:bcn_int=100

Can somebody please tell me how to change channel in adhoc mode and join laptops to that adhoc mode
Thanks
Alex