Ok I am new to linux, and have a laptop running mabndrake 9.1. everything is working fine, I want to install my Linksys wireless card, through reading on the forums, I downloaded the hermes.conf file and put it in the /etc/pcmcia directory. Rebooted and got the good two beeps as was told to get. I also go into the Mandrake Control Center 9.1 and under hardware detected hardware dialog window under ethernetcard it shows my built in network card as EXPRESS PRO 100 and my wireless as eth1 where it shows up as
Vendor: Linksys WPC11 Version 3
Description:
Old device file: /dev/eth1
Modulerinoco_cs
type: Network

So it seems the driver for the card is working, right?!
Ok if so, now where and what do I have to do to set up parameters to have it connect to my wireless access point?
Here are settings I have to set up in WindowsXP for same card below to connect to the WAP11:
I need to know where to add things like:
AUTHENTICATION=MUST USE SHARED...
CHANNEL=6
ENCRYPTION=128
FRAGMENTATION=2432
MAXLISTEN=3
NETWORK=INFRASTRUCTURE
POWER=DISABLED
PREAMBLE=LONG TX PREAMBLE
RTS=2432
SSID=########
TRANSMIT=FULLY AUTO
PASSPHRASE=%%%%%%%%%

these are all the settings I have to set in WinXP to get my card to connect to the access point.

If you want to set up the wireless settings in a GUI, check for a tool called kwificonfig I think its called... should be on their somewhere. Or, alternatively, use the command line, "su -" to root and check out the command "iwconfig" For instance:

ifconfig eth1 up
iwconfig eth1 essid nameofnetwork
iwconfig eth1 enc 21321312312
iwconfig eth1 (this'll just display the settings and if its seeing the AP, under access point should be a real MAC address, otherwise its going to be all 44:44:44 etc.)
dhcpcd eth1

That should grab a lease for you. One point of note is that this version of the orinoco_cs driver that shipped with Mandy 9.x has issues with WEP and sustained downloads depending on what firmware you have on that card. If you notice wireless just bogging out entirely, post back and I'll tell you where to get the newer drivers and how to compile 'em.

Cheers,

Finegan

Thanks Finegan, Im gonna look for this utility kwificonfig .

edit: I looked around, cannot find anything named kwificonfig. Anyone else know what this config program is?

Im still having trouble.
is ESSID the network name, or the SSID?
My network AP uses a passphrase for WEP encryption key, how do I add the key to ifconfig?
when I type iwconfig my AP is all 44:44:44 etc... So i think I still have to add the passphrase and SSID for the network, as well as the channel.
what is the command to add the folowing info to ifconfig?

AUTHENTICATION=Must use shared Key
CHANNEL=6
ENCRYPTION=128
FRAGMENTATION=2432
MAXLISTEN=3
NETWORK=INFRASTRUCTURE
PREAMBLE=LONG TX PREAMBLE
RTS=2432
SSID=########
TRANSMIT=FULLY AUTO
PASSPHRASE=%%%%%%%%%