I fail to connect to my wlan with a Realtek 8172 device (Lenovo ThinkPad x100e)

markush · 11-09-2010, 11:34 AM

Hello togehter,

I have a ThinkPad x100e with a wireless card

Code:

03:00.0 Network controller:
Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Device 8172 (rev 10)

my problem is that I can't connect to my wireless network with Gentoo. I've been running Slackware64-13.1 on this computer and now have Windows 7, Ubuntu and Gentoo installed. Slackware, Ubuntu as well as Windows 7 connect to the wlan without problems. I'm using the driver rtl8192se, the module is loaded r8192se_pci and is the same with Slackware and Ubuntu.
output of iwconfig

Code:

ThinkPad etc # iwconfig 
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

wlan0     802.11bg  Nickname:"rtl8191SEVA2"
          Mode:Managed  Frequency=2.442 GHz  Access Point: Not-Associated   
          Bit Rate:54 Mb/s   
          Retry:on   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=10/100 Signal level=0 dBm Noise level=-100 dBm
          Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

ifconfig

Code:

wlan0     Protokoll:Ethernet  Hardware Adresse xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx  
        UP BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
        RX packets:316 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
        TX packets:316 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
        Kollisionen:0 Sendewarteschlangenlänge:1000 
        RX bytes:42660 (41.6 KiB)  TX bytes:37288 (36.4 KiB)
        Interrupt:18 Speicher:ffffc90000370000-ffffc90000370100

Starting the wlan ends with

Code:

ThinkPad run # /etc/init.d/net.wlan0 restart
* Stopping wlan0
*   Bringing down wlan0
*     Shutting down wlan0 ...                                            [ ok ]
*     Stopping wpa_cli on wlan0 ...                                      [ ok ]
*     Stopping wpa_supplicant on wlan0 ...                               [ ok ]
* Starting wlan0
*   Starting wpa_supplicant on wlan0 ...
ioctl[SIOCSIWAP]: Operation not permitted                                [ ok ]
*   Starting wpa_cli on wlan0 ...  *   [ ok ]
*     Failed to configure wlan0 in the background *                      [ !! ]

.
When I start wpa_supplicant on the commandline I get:

Code:

 ThinkPad etc # wpa_supplicant -Dwext -iwlan0 -c/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
ioctl[SIOCSIWAP]: Operation not permitted
Trying to associate with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy (SSID='##########' freq=2442 MHz)
Associated with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy
WPA: Invalid EAPOL-Key MIC when using TPTK - ignoring TPTK
WPA: Could not verify EAPOL-Key MIC - dropping packet
Associated with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy
WPA: Invalid EAPOL-Key MIC when using TPTK - ignoring TPTK
WPA: Could not verify EAPOL-Key MIC - dropping packet
Associated with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy
ioctl[SIOCSIWENCODEEXT]: Invalid argument
WPA: Failed to set PTK to the driver (alg=2 keylen=32 bssid=yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy)
ioctl[SIOCSIWAP]: Operation not permitted
Trying to associate with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy (SSID='##########' freq=2442 MHz)
Associated with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy
ioctl[SIOCSIWENCODEEXT]: Invalid argument
WPA: Failed to set PTK to the driver (alg=2 keylen=32 bssid=yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy)
ioctl[SIOCSIWAP]: Operation not permitted
Trying to associate with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy (SSID='##########' freq=2442 MHz)
Associated with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy
WPA: Invalid EAPOL-Key MIC when using TPTK - ignoring TPTK
WPA: Could not verify EAPOL-Key MIC - dropping packet
Associated with yy:yy:yy:yy:yy:yy
WPA: Could not verify EAPOL-Key MIC - dropping packet
^CCTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING - signal 2 received
ioctl[SIOCSIWMLME]: Link has been severed
ioctl[SIOCSIWAP]: Operation not permitted
ioctl[SIOCSIWAP]: Operation not permitted

At first I used the driver from Gentoo, but today I found out that Realtek has a new driver for download from Oktober 25, so I downloaded this and installed it instead. But the problems remain the same.
I looked at the logs of my Router (the Accesspoint):

Code:

09.11.10 18:01:35 WLAN-Station
abgemeldet. Name: -, MAC-Adresse: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.

09.11.10 18:01:35 WLAN-Station angemeldet. Name: -, IP-Adresse:
192.168.178.26, MAC-Adresse: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, Geschwindigkeit 54 MBit/s.

09.11.10 18:01:28 WLAN-Station abgemeldet. Name: -, MAC-Adresse:
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.

09.11.10 18:01:28 WLAN-Station angemeldet. Name: -, IP-Adresse:
192.168.178.26, MAC-Adresse: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, Geschwindigkeit 54 MBit/s.

09.11.10 18:01:22 WLAN-Station abgemeldet. Name: -, MAC-Adresse:
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.

09.11.10 18:01:22 WLAN-Station angemeldet. Name: -, IP-Adresse:
192.168.178.26, MAC-Adresse: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, Geschwindigkeit 54 MBit/s.

09.11.10 18:01:16 WLAN-Station abgemeldet. Name: -, MAC-Adresse:
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.

09.11.10 18:01:16 WLAN-Station angemeldet. Name: -, IP-Adresse:
192.168.178.26, MAC-Adresse: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, Geschwindigkeit 54 MBit/s.

09.11.10 18:01:08 WLAN-Station abgemeldet. Name: -, MAC-Adresse:
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.

09.11.10 18:01:08 WLAN-Station angemeldet. Name: -, IP-Adresse:
192.168.178.26, MAC-Adresse: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx,

My wpa_supplicant.conf

Code:

...
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
# By default, only root (group 0) may use wpa_cli
update_config=1
ctrl_interface_group=0
eapol_version=1
ap_scan=1
fast_reauth=1
country=DE

# WPA protected network, supply your own ESSID and WPAPSK here:
network={
ssid="##########"
scan_ssid=1
proto=WPA
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
pairwise=CCMP TKIP
group=CCMP TKIP WEP104 WEP40
psk="********************"
priority=2
}
...

The most successful attempt to connect:

Code:

 netbook etc # dhcpcd wlan0
wlan0: dhcpcd 4.0.15 starting
wlan0: waiting for carrier
wlan0: carrier acquired
wlan0: broadcasting for a lease
wlan0: carrier lost
wlan0: carrier acquired
wlan0: broadcasting for a lease
wlan0: carrier lost
wlan0: carrier acquired
wlan0: broadcasting for a lease
wlan0: carrier lost
wlan0: timed out

I've read many posts and found that other people experience problems with
Realtek wlandevices as well. But I have no Idea how to get connected with
Gentoo at my wlan. It looks like that the netbook is connected for a very
short time, but when dhcpcd broadcasts for a lease the connection is already
closed.
Has someone an idea? Thanks in advance

Markus

meetscott · 11-10-2010, 10:33 PM

I have a notebook with this driver too and I have had problems with it. I also downloaded the new driver from Realtek updated on October 25th:

http://218.210.127.131/downloads/dow...Downloads=true

Everytime we install a new kernel it looks like we are going to have to recompile and reinstall the module. Wireless is better with the 10-25-2010 update but I still have to:

Code:

rmmod r8192se_pci
modprobe r8192se_pci

Wireless doesn't usually quit completely but it becomes uselessly slow. Reloading the module fixes it.

I am running kernel version 2.6.35.7 from the Slackware Current tree. I don't think it matters though. Are you able to connect without using encryption? Obviously the card is working with the other distros so it's not hardware. It just seems like you might just be having an issue with encryption configuration. Also, I use wicd and not the wpa supplicant to connect to my wireless networks, encrypted or not. I'm sure you are aware of it from the Slackware /extra area. Perhaps that might be an option on Gentoo?

One other difference I noticed, I downloaded the driver marked "RTL8192SE" on that download page. I did not use the "RTL8191SE-VA2" driver. You say you are doing the same, but the Nickname:"rtl8191SEVA2" has me questioning that statement. Just making sure you are using the same driver on Gentoo as the other distros ;-)

Good luck. Let me know if there is anymore I can do.

markush · 11-11-2010, 02:39 AM

Hi meetscott, thanks for the answer.
If tried to connect to my Wlan without encryption. I got an IP-configuration via DHCP but still can't ping the router (via its IP). A second trial ended without even a IP, dhcpcd was terminated when I tried "dhcpcd wlan0".
I've installed Archlinux instead of Ubuntu now and have copied the driversources as well as the wpa_supplicant.conf from the Gentoopartition. With Arch it works properly.

Markus

meetscott · 11-11-2010, 12:41 PM

Damn. I guess I can't help much with the Gentoo configuration issues. I love Gentoo users as a general rule but I have not used it myself. I did LFS once for the learning experience and it was great, but I just don't have time for Gentoo. Queue the Gentoo diehards who tell me it doesn't take much time to maintain :-) I believe that actually because we get the same feedback about Slackware and it doesn't take much time to maintain either. It's all about what you've learned and become efficient at using.

I just bought a Serval Professional from System 76 a few weeks ago. That is the system that is using this driver and wireless card. I have been hitting a couple of forums about the intermittent dropping. We are also hot and heavy on suspend not functioning.

I don't think it will help much for what you are doing, but (just in case you are interested) here are the two forums if you want to keep and eye on them:

http://fostergrant.ubuntuforums.org/....php?t=1578722
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1592678

I'm on there because the System 76 support guys hang out there. My handle is "pilbender" on the forum.

markush · 11-11-2010, 01:08 PM

Hi,

ok, thanks for helping me. I'll look at the links but since Arch is running properly now I've some time to look for a solution.

Quote:

...Gentoo diehards who tell me it doesn't take much time to maintain...

well, I've started with Linux back in 1994 with Slackware. For me such distros like Gentoo, Arch or Slackware are much simpler to use than Suse or Ubuntu. It's indeed a matter of experience and the tools one uses.
I'll post here when I have a solution, thanks again.

Markus

meetscott · 11-11-2010, 01:24 PM

Oh wow! I started with Slackware in 1994 as well. I couldn't agree more with the simplicity of the "power user" distros. That's the myth of Ubuntu and Suse, both of which I've tried and found they were too complicated. Those were the days waaaaay before the Penguin :-)

There's still a few of us around. I have fond nightmares of configuring Open Look and writing terrible XF86Config files. And stacks of floppies. I didn't have a CD ROM drive back then. And weeks of recompiling the kernel to get all the stuff working. Things have come a long ways since those days.

I guess you could say we chewed the same dirt :-)

markush · 11-11-2010, 01:52 PM

Well, back then Suse (formerly a startup in Germany) did not have their own distro but shipped Slackware. I got a postal package with 56 floppydisks in march 1994. Some years later they built their own distro and again some years later were bought from Novell...
With building the kernel I did not have that much difficulties back then since there was not so much hardware. Nowadays compiling is fast but configuring is much more timeconsuming. And I don't understand many of the features in a 2.6.35 kernel, thats a disadvantage (maybe).

Markus

meetscott · 11-11-2010, 03:04 PM

I started in November of 1994. So you have me beat there :-) Also, I did not know Suse started with Slackware. That's a cool bit of trivia.

I usually start with the Slackware configuration and change from there when I'm recompiling a kernel. I do this simply because doing a configuration from scratch can take a couple of days because of the daunting number of options.

markush · 11-13-2010, 03:01 PM

meetscott,

Quote:

Originally Posted by meetscott

... I did LFS once for the learning experience and it was great,...

I've another question. I'm wondering if I should try Linux From Scratch. Could you please give me a hint about what exactly was it that you learned while building LFS? I believe that it is very interesting, but will there be a useable system at the end? or is it only a system for learning purposes? I think you've a similar background with Linux as me, so I think your answer will point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance

Markus

meetscott · 11-13-2010, 11:10 PM

LFS is definitely worth doing.

What did I learn? Well, it was several years ago but I learned a lot about how the all the pieces are put together for a full working system. What does a full system require? Well, shared objects, the kernel, init scripts, and they all have to work in concert with each other to make a system usable. You probably already have a pretty good working knowledge of these things but your knowledge would be enhanced by LFS. As I think about it, it makes me want to do it again ;-)

Usable system? Absolutely, take a look at Beyond Linux from Scratch to do even more enhancements to your new LFS system. It is a manual process to be sure, so it is not that practical for general use. If you need to get a system up and running for a purpose, LFS is not a great choice.

You start with a host system and compile your initial system with statically linked libraries. Once you have this skeleton system running with static objects you move to recompiling everything with dynamically linked libraries. The great part about it is the direct exposure about what is really required to make things work. You learn about dependencies and where problems actually manifest themselves in all Linux systems.

I think it was 2002 when I did LFS, so it was a long time ago. I'm sure it is better now than it was then. Linux itself is a lot better now than in 2002.

I guess it's up to you, whether you have the time to play around with LFS. It doesn't take that much brain power. They do a really nice job laying it out for you. Just follow the instructions. You can do it in pieces over several days.

I say go for it! I will too, but I'm working 2 development jobs right now so I basically code almost every moment I'm awake right now.

markush · 11-14-2010, 04:14 PM

Hello meetscott,

thanks for your detailed replay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by meetscott

... You probably already have a pretty good working knowledge of these things but your knowledge would be enhanced by LFS...

well, but things are getting more and more complex. My knowledge is sufficient to configure a Laptop with Arch or Gentoo. But I'm interessted in learning more about udev, hal and how they work together (as an example). Todays distributions, even such lightweight and transparent systems as Arch, can be easily configured by reading the wiki and using it like a cookbook. But understanding how everything works together is (in my opinion) something completely different.

Quote:

I guess it's up to you, whether you have the time to play around with LFS. It doesn't take that much brain power. They do a really nice job laying it out for you. Just follow the instructions. You can do it in pieces over several days...

well, I've read about LFS in the forums and many of the people there take several month to get the system running. I would think about a half up to one year. One thing is that I'm doing my everyday work at the computer and I'm not able to spend my whole free time at the computer ;-)

Quote:

I say go for it!...

yes, I think i will do it. I've already printed the Handbook and left some free space on my laptop

.
Thanks again.

Markus