Wireless NICs with native support in Slack 10.1

Surfrider · 07-31-2005, 09:52 PM

I need a 802.11g NIC (PCMCIA/PC card) that will work right out of the box after a fresh Slack 10.1 install. Are there any cards that will work "automatically," without requiring any sort of setup or configuration by the user to provide a usable connction? Thanks.

-Surfrider

aaa · 07-31-2005, 11:31 PM

I'm guessing a Prism54 card (like the first wg511, not the later ones) since it's drivers come with the kernel. Most other cards will need you to install something, which isn't too hard if you have the right kernel source.

maginotjr · 08-01-2005, 08:08 AM

Code:

Chipset	              Supported by Linux ?

HermesI	             YES (patched orinoco driver) 

Prism2/3	     YES (HostAP or wlan-ng driver), STA firmware 1.5.6 or newer required

PrismGT	             YES (prism54 driver, FullMAC cards only!) 

Atheros              YES (madwifi driver)

RTL8180             YES (rtl8180-sa2400 driver)

Aironet	              YES (firmware 4.25.30 recommended)

Ralink	               YES (rt2400 / rt2500 / rt2570 driver)

Centrino b	   PARTIAL

Centrino b/g	  YES (ipw2200 driver)

Broadcom	  NO (compatible with ndiswrapper)

This is not a full list of pcmcia cards... but is something that may help... This shows the Chipsets that are known to be supported and the drivers that they use... if I was you I would buy a orinoco pcmcia card (im going to buy a Orinoco PCMCIA Silver or Gold ...

I found this on the net too, may be helpful:

Quote:

My favourite card is the Netgear WAG511, which is Atheros-based and has excellent sensitivity (no external antenna connector though); a cheaper version is the WG511T (PCMCIA) / WG311T (PCI). Another nice Atheros card is the Proxim 8470-WD, this one has an external MC antenna connector. Also, the DWL-G650/G650M is quite cheap (either rev. B or C, but do not buy the DWL-650+ which has a TI chipset); the PCI equivalent is the DWL-G520 (likewise, don't buy the G520+).

Ralink makes some nice b/g chipsets, and has been very cooperative with the open-source community to release GPL drivers. Injection is now fully supported on PCI/PCMCIA RT2500 cards (such as the MSI CB54G2), and should hopefully be supported in the future with USB RT2570 adapters.

Do NOT buy anything that might have a PrismGT chipset. Some time ago, Connexant decided to stop manufacturing their FullMAC chipset and released a cheap, crippled-down version known as "SoftMAC", which is totally incompatible with the prism54 driver.

Connexant has not been cooperative at all with the prism54 project, so they don't deserve any of your money. As a matter of fact, FullMAC cards are not being sold anymore -- you'll only find crappy SoftMAC in retail. In particular, do not buy the WG511 (v2 / v3), the 3CRWE154G72 (v2 / v3), the SMC2835W (v3), the SMC2802W (v2) or the ZyAIR G-300 (v2 / v3).

maginotjr · 08-01-2005, 09:27 AM

other link very complete of realtek and dlink pcmcia cards

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a

Just choose the brand and selec to see
http://linux_wless.passys.nl/

I think this is the most I can do x]

shepper · 08-01-2005, 10:20 AM

If your requirements are
1) Works out of the Box in Slackware 10.0, 10.1, 10.2
2) Native Driver
3) 54bps (g)
4) pcmcia

The prism54 based cards are the only ones that meet those all those requirements. You do have to copy the firmware file to your hard drive and edit files for your particular wireless network.

The orinco, prism2.5 lucent cards are 11bps (b) but if you can forgo 54bps they will work out of the box. The linux.wlan ng site has a list of prism2.5 pcmcia cards and purchase links.
Linux-wlan-ng hardware list (dated)
The SMC 2532, Netgear MA401 and the Microsoft pcmcia cards (versions as described on the site) should all work.

If you do not mind compiling a driver for Slackware the Atheros card seems well liked and is supported out of the box in other distros. You still need to edit your ESSID, channel, WEP etc.

Surfrider · 08-01-2005, 04:19 PM

Thank you for the prompt, imformative responces.

I am a Linux newbie and MS transplant who has decided that Slackware best fits his needs and preferences. And because I need an internet connection immediatly after installing my OS, and I (at this point) lack the skills to compile my own drivers and etc, I wanted a NIC that would make the many installs in my future a bit easier.

Thanks.