Getting wireless to work is still unfortunately a "Touch and Go" matter --might work or might not.
For SLED 10 users the Orinoco Gold card works out of the box but it's only a 11MB/s card. This card actually works also with OPENSUSE 10.2 and has been the most compatable card I've ever had. However we need the faster speed nowadays and I'm using the 55 Mb/s Linksys WPC54g card.
I can't get this card to work on OPENSUSE 10.2 because the built in kernel driver screws it all up -- One step forwards and two steps backwards.
However I'm using SLED now.
so for SLED 10
1) Install ndiswrapper -- use the version on the DVD. Don't compile one downloaded from the Net. The one on the SLED DVD works.
2)Ensure you have your windows drivers for the card. 3 Files bcmwl5.sys, lsbcmnds.cat and lsbcmnds.inf. Mine were loaded in windows/D
3) run the command ndiswrapper -i /windows/D/lsbcmnds.inf (if the directory where you have your windows drivers is different use that instead of /windows/D).
4) to see if it's loaded run the command ndiswrapper -l. This should display your driver module lsbcmnds.inf with message module loaded hardware present.
5)Issue command modprobe ndiswrapper -e.
6) in YAST chose systm ===>etc/SysconfigEditor
7)chose SYSTEM===>Kernel===>Modules loaded on boot and enter ndiswrapper.
8) In Yast again go to network devices ====> Network card
9)Select Traditional Method with Ifup. The User controlled Network manager doesn't always work so stick to the old way with ifup.
10) set up the wireless parameters (DHCP if you use it, Host name etc). I advise also setting up the device to start MANUALLY especially when testing. Switch off the firewall also while testing. Set the ESSID and other parameters. Don't enter any hardware / other names in the hardware entries. The only slection you need is the PCMCIA (or USB if you are using a USB card).
11) exit. Re-booting is probably a good idea at thi point.
12) you really need to exit KDE / GNOME (I always have my run level set to 3 so I have to start X manually. That way I can see what's happening. If you are automatically in 'X' you can drop out to a console by typing INIT 3.
13) type iwconfig to see your wireless config. It should look something like this
eth0 no wireless extensions.
wlan0 IEEE 802.11g ESSID:"Bastion-Hotels" Nickname:"greyfox"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.412 GHz Access Point: 00:14:7C:64:C9:80
Bit Rate=5.5 Mb/s Tx-Power:15 dBm
RTS thr=2347 B Fragment thr=2346 B
Encryption key
ff
Power Management
ff
Link Quality:100/100 Signal level:-66 dBm Noise level:-256 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0
sit0 no wireless extensions.
To get the card to start you need to type ifup wlan0 (or whatever the iwconfig command showed you. Ensure also that other network cards are not active at the same time as your wireless one. (At least while testing).
This should all work fine.
Ignore any messages about ndiswrapper taints kernel. It's just an "Info" type message.
I must admit I Like SLED 10 --most stable Linux I think I've ever had --wireless was the last piece in the jungle --now a happy camper.
Cheers
-K
