Hi folks,

I just picked up an old Compaq Armada E500 for the specific purpose of installing Debian Linux. I'm installing the OS now but the computer doesn't have a networking card. I've had problems with no support for a wireless chipset in the past so before I go out and get a card I thought I'd ask for recommendations on a brand/model. Also, once I have the card in place how do I then install and configure all the networking software? Should I just reinstall the OS?

Thanks,

Eric

PCMCIA cards? Corega (WLBC54GL), PCi (rtl 81xx), Buffalo (could be one of the aforementioned chipsets), these are the ones that I have used. Using Debain you should have no problems. You may need to use ndiswrapper (intructions on the website). Then configure the interface through your distro's setup tools.

Can be difficult, as manufacturers have been known to change the chipset without changing the model number! Ralink have open-sourced their drivers, so cards with their chipsets should be a good bet.

If you are in the UK, contact the Linux Emporium (sorry, can't post URL). They sell Belkin WiFi cards specifically chosen to work with Linux. I've just bought one; it came shrink-wrapped, with the Linux drivers on an extra CD. In fact, I didn't have to use the CD as Ubuntu 6.06 supports this particular chipset automatically - plugged in, switched on, card recognised - no sweat.

The model number is F5D7010uk, which uses a Ralink chipset.

I was using a dlink DWL 650 and it worked fine (I had to install additional drivers though)

a good way to do this is to get an Atheros Card. i use an Atherows AWLC 4030 and it didn't cost me mmuch, US$15. i don't know how many euros, but probably cheaper. anyways, then i went out and found the madwifi rpm package online and installed it. it took some wrestling, but it was installed no problem.

I have both an Atheros card and a Ralink card. The Atheros card and it's drivers are far superior and so far more reliable. It seems to me that the rt2x00 project does not seem to be too active; there has been only two official releases since December 2005).

I'd go for the Atheros based card. It can be used in Access point mode (master mode) also, if needed.

Eric,
I'm a recently retired IT and the go-to-guy for my community's computer problems. We have a wireless internet connection available and I've plowed my way through about every wireless card made hooking people up to the system. If my Cisco 350 won't connect them, it always requires an outside antenna.

I personally use the Cisco 350 series card. I have never failed to connect to a network with it on any computer. It is the only wireless card that virtually every distribution recognizes and can set up.

I travel with my laptop and have yet to find a hotspot that I couldn't quickly connect to with the Cisco 350.

Netgear WPN511 or something like that. Maybe 311. Whichever is the pcmcia.... Use with madwifi, works like a charm, even with WPA-PSK.

i have used netgear in the past and it worked very well for me. it was all plug and play, no extra software needed.

You could take a look at some of the wifi driver sites and check their compatability lists..

madwifi the driver for Atheros cards..
http://madwifi.org/wiki/Compatibility

Linux-wlan-ng (old)
http://www.linux-wlan.org/docs/wlan_adapters.html.gz

Prism 54G
http://www.prism54.org/

Other resources, drivers, compatability lists, etc..
http://tuxmobil.org/pcmcia_linux.html
http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_...ess.html#whard

For most hardware compatibility questions you can Google for "hardware compatibility list"
with whatever other term and get a quicker, better answer. For example, try:
http://www.google.com/search?q=wirel...lity%20list%22

Intersting - the Atheros card is the one I couldn't get to work. It always seemed like Madwifi was unfinished so I gave up on it. Look much more complete now.

Thanks!

Just helped my friend setup his Atheros card in Debian this weekend.
Using Debians Module-assistant it took all of about 10 minutes to get setup and working..
So yes I would say it's a bit more refined now..