I want to buy a wireless card for my fedora core 3 system. I would like to get one that will work without too much fuss, as I'm not too hot on linux yet, and definatly not up to recompliling the kernal. Is there a card that wil work out the box?

There's quite a bit of discussion on this in these forums. I did some research on this a while ago and ended up getting an SMC 2802W. I didn't end up installing it on my linux box though because as far as I can tell, wireless is still a big can of worms in linux (although I haven't tried personally because it turns out that I didn't need wireless for my linux box).

I was about to ask the exact same question.

I'm thinking the Belkin F5D7000 looks like a good candidate. For me, it's probably going on a SuSE 9.1 Personal, or possibly an FC3.

In my opinion, only go for big, well-known names, and check that existing linux networking drivers support it properly before buying it.


...Just noticed this (still unsent) post in my tab. I've been doing a bit more research, and it looks like if you want native 802.11g support, your best bet is something with an Atheros chipset and the madwifi drivers.

Otherwise, you can use Linuxant's driverloader ($20) or ndiswrapper (free) to load the Windows drivers supplied with the card. There's a good page about this HERE.

I was trying to avoind ndiswrapper as have tried that with my current card.

I have a AT&T 6550G card that I picked up at CompUSA for $20 (no rebate either!).

Worked like a charm once I installed (compiled actually) madwifi. Easy and quick.

I've also used a Netgear (54G compatable, can't remember the specific model)...it worked ok, just had to install ndiswrapper.

For the linux purists (linux nazis as I like to refer to them) don't like ndiswrapper, as it makes use of the Windows, closed source drivers.


UPDATE: Just noticed that CompUSA has the same cards on clearance/sale again. $10 for a 54g PCI card, $20 for a 54G Turbo (they claim 108mb)...shipping is about $5.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DirtDart
[B]I have a AT&T 6550G card that I picked up at CompUSA for $20 (no rebate either!).



Yes works like a charm!!

I had the Dlink DWL-G520 installed in my system, I realized that it uses the same Atheros chipset as the AT&T 6550G card, I took off the DWL - G520 , I added the 6550G, kudzu pop up with new hardware config, I chose to keep the old config, and it says new card found, configured it and it works beautifully with better signal too..... I wish I did not spend all that money on the DWL-G520

I use a Dlink dwl-g630, works like a charm too with either ndis or madwifi. I use madwifi exclusively. I did try ndiswrapper though. Atheros and prism chips are the way to go.

Which cards use these chips that are available in the UK?

Lots of the cards I have seen have used those chips previously and replaced them with other cards.

I don't think people who prefer Linux-native drivers are bad - it's a good thing.

If people just settle for the windows drivers, there's no pressure on manufacturers to support Linux properly in the future.

And what with this worry about MS-Linux and it's Windows driver layer, the more native Linux drivers there are before that happens, (I'm assuming it will happen, in some form, at some point), the less it's impact will be.


I'd also appreciate a list of Linux-friendly UK cards.

There's got to be a website somewhere...?

[EDIT]
Well, I've found a page of madwifi-supported hardware:
www.mattfoster.clara.co.uk/madwifi-hw.htm

I will investigate the matter further, but I can only assume that at least *some* of the many devices listed there are available over here...

[EDIT]
...and I'm a fool - it's a .co.uk address! I'm guessing that most of the ones listed are available here then... *slaps forehead*