iwconfig mode monitor Error: "Set Mode" (8B06)
 

I am unable to chage to the monitor mode in iwconfig to monitor. The error message reads.

Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06):
Set failed on device eth0 ; Invalit argument.

I am using Slackware11. When I try booting into Backtract live distro, the command works fine. My card or antenna is not the issue: http://www.wlanparts.com/product/WDNL2511CDPLUSEXT2

I have the feeling it might be some package im missing. From what I read, anything in /etc/rc.d/rc.wireless.conf would not cause the problem.

Any help would be much appriciated.

Thanks

As I understand it, the Invalid Argument return is given when the driver does not understand the option given - in this case the monitor in "mode monitor". The fact that it works under a different distro (ie. different kernel, with different driver) indicates that your card is OK, and that it's possible to get it working(!).

Boot the kernel that works and try to find the version of the card driver that it's using. Assuming it's different to the one that doesn't work, you could try to rebuild the right driver version (a module, probably) and update yours.

Or if you're very lucky, you might be able to transplant the driver module from one system to the other (under /lib/modules/...), but the kernel version differences may not permit this.

HTH

As mentioned above, your driver is the issue.

You can display the private IOCTLs available with:
iwpriv <your_intereface>
Monitor should be listed.

I assume you're using the orinoco_cs driver. Patched drivers are available that support monitor mode.
http://airsnort.shmoo.com/orinocoinfo.html
http://www.kismetwireless.net/HOWTO-orinoco-drivers.txt