Success: Netgear WG311v3

jlinkels · 01-06-2006, 11:24 AM

I have got the Netgear WG311v3 working!

System:
Pentium 233 MMX
Debian Stable (Sarge)
Kernel 2.6.12 from kernel.org

The Netgear WG311v3 is totally different from v1 and v2! It uses a Marvell chipset.

lspci -v output:

Code:

0000:00:0e.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88w8335 [Libertas] 802.11b/g Wireless (rev 03)
        Subsystem: Netgear: Unknown device 6b00
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 5
        Memory at ffbb0000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
        Memory at ffba0000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
        Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2

and lspci -n

Code:

0000:00:0e.0 0200: 11ab:1faa (rev 03)
        Subsystem: 1385:6b00
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 5
        Memory at ffbb0000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
        Memory at ffba0000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
        Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2

Originally I had kernel 2.4.27 running, but ndiswrapper needs 2.6.x. I installed kernel 2.6.12 from kernel.org, tuned the config to my needs (no initrd) and compiled it the standard way.

Then I installed the ndiswrapper source from the Debian testing tree, and compiled it the Debian way with module assistant. This gave me a .deb package which I installed with dpkg.

The installation process of ndiswrapper is described here, minus the Debian ndiswrapper build.

I downloaded the XP drivers from netgear. You can also use:

Code:

wget ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/wg311v3_1_0.zip

This is the Windows(R) XP(R) driver with this version string:
DriverVer=02/22/2005,3.1.1.7

Until now it works perfectly, no crashes. I am able to use the ESSID and WEP, connecting to an Orinoco AP 500 access point.

jlinkels

musicman_ace · 01-08-2006, 05:48 AM

did you enter this type of info in the HCL here?

jlinkels · 01-10-2006, 05:13 PM

Of course I did!

(after you reminded me)

jimbo7 · 08-10-2006, 01:40 AM

Hi guys. Check out my mini wiki on how to install the WG311v3 Driver on Debian, i hope it can be helpful. And feel free to contribute ideas/thoughts/comments to make it better!

WG311v3 LINUX WIKI

steve-a-reno · 01-13-2009, 11:45 AM

After a long time trying ... I finally got my netgear wireless PCI adapter (wg311-v3) working under Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) so that it is able to connect to my wireless router (WGR614) using WPA+PSK2.

And I suspect it should work for other distro's too (at least as long as you use the ndiswrapper application).

First check what version of the wg311 you are using by typing the following: -
lspci
00:09.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88w8335 [Libertas] 802.11b/g Wireless (rev 03)

Turns out I have version 3 which uses the Marvell chipset so I need to download the wg311-v3 driver and save to your home directory.
ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/wg311v3_1_0.zip

Now install the driver by typing: -
sudo ndisgtk
once you point to the (windows XP) driver you saved in your home directory, click to install. Now a new directory and bunch of files should appear under the /etc/ndiswrapper directory.

ls -al /etc/ndiswrapper/wg311v3/

lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 26 2008-12-26 17:50 11AB:1FAA.5.conf -> 11AB:1FAA:6B00:1385.5.conf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 794 2008-12-26 17:50 11AB:1FAA:6B00:1385.5.conf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 794 2008-12-26 17:50 11AB:1FAB.5.conf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 21983 2008-12-26 17:50 wg311v3.inf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 265984 2008-12-26 17:50 wg311v3xp.sys

So far so good. Now we need to upgrade your firmware on your wireless router. I am using a WGR614. You will need to check the model code under the wireless router to confirm what version you are using as it will determine which firmware versions you are able to load. Mine was the WGR614v5.

You can connect to your router by entering in the following web address into your browser
http://192.168.0.1
then typing in the username of admin and a password of what ever you have set. You should be able to navigate the menus to confirm what the firmware version that your router is currently running (It turns out that mine was running an old version 1.01).

Now visit the netgear site to upgrade your firmware.
http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/wgr614v5.asp

In my case I then loaded firmware version 1.09.
Make sure you follow the netgear firmware upgrade instructions to the letter as you dont want to brick it!

Once upgraded the next step is to go into Network Manager (or equivalent) and set up your wireless interface. Just follow the menu options.

The next time I rebooted the machine the wireless network interface came straight up. Occasionally its second retry failed but it has always worked after the third (manual) retry.

Its as if it takes a while for the network to become visible. My windows XP box also has this problem.

But at least now it is far more reliable and usable.

Good Luck.
Steve-a-reno

bnhede · 06-21-2009, 11:47 PM

Hi Tux fans, Since netgear does not support 64 bit linux, there is a lack of support for 64 bit setup of WG311V3 by the above procedure.

I have written a new wrapper over latest Marvel Libertas 64 bit drivers for Netgear WG311V3 .

And the driver is available for download from here
http://sites.google.com/site/subtleg...or-linux-amd64

Additional questions on how to go about installing this driver are answered here.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...tgear_WG311_v3

This link also provides an older libertas driver for 64 bit. But it does not work as well(crashes,hangups,no WPA) as the one created by me.

dvdljns · 10-15-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo7

Hi guys. Check out my mini wiki on how to install the WG311v3 Driver on Debian, i hope it can be helpful. And feel free to contribute ideas/thoughts/comments to make it better!

WG311v3 LINUX WIKI

Ok jimbo I hate to tell you this but there is no wiki at the end of that link.
Jlinkels and steve a reno What do I do now that I followed those directions and wg311v3 still does not work.