wireless usb adapter driver installation

Jugg · 01-29-2011, 08:38 PM

I am very new to Linux. I have Ubuntu 10.4 and I have a skylink usb wireless adapter. It came with the driver on a disc but I don't know how to install it. I looked at the README file but I don't understand what to do. I'm also not sure if it recognizes the adapter, how do I check. Thanks for any help.

reddazz · 01-30-2011, 02:01 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you click on the Network Manager icon on your the desktop panel, do you see any networks? If so, then the card works alright. If not, start a terminal and enter
[code]sudo /sbin/lspci | grep -i net [code]
and

Code:

lsusb

Post back the output and this will help determine if the card is recognised and what chipset it uses.

Jugg · 01-30-2011, 09:10 AM

when i did "sudo /sbin/lspci | grep -i net" output was:

Code:

sudo: /sbin/lspci: command not found

when I did "lsusb" output was:

Code:

Bus 001 Device 004: ID 148f:3070 Ralink Technology, Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

RockDoctor · 01-30-2011, 10:23 AM

Looks like it should be using the rt2800usb driver. If that's the case, then As root:

Code:

lsmod | grep ^rt

should show you if the driver is loaded. If not, (again as root)

Code:

modprobe rt2800usb

will load it.

Jugg · 01-30-2011, 10:37 AM

it shows up when I use that command but I still can't find or connect to my network
the driver on the cd is different it is rt2870.o/rt2870.ko according to the README file
Here is a copy of the README file, I'm not sure what it is telling me to do:

Code:

* README
*
* Ralink Tech Inc.
* 
* http://www.ralinktech.com
*

=======================================================================
ModelName:
===========
RT2870 Wireless Lan Linux Driver


=======================================================================
Driver lName:
===========
rt2870.o/rt2870.ko


=======================================================================
Supporting Kernel:
===================
linux kernel 2.4 and 2.6 series. 
Tested in Redhat 7.3 or later.


=======================================================================
Ralink Hardware:
===================
Ralink 802.11n Wireless LAN Card.


=======================================================================
Description:
=============
This is a linux device driver for Ralink RT2870 USB ABGN WLAN Card.


=======================================================================
Contents:
=============
Makefile	        : Makefile
*.c					: c files
*.h					: header files


=======================================================================
Features:
==========
   This driver implements basic IEEE802.11. Infrastructure and adhoc mode with 
   open or shared or WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK authentication method. 
   NONE, WEP, TKIP and AES encryption. 


=======================================================================
Build Instructions:  
====================

1> $tar -xvzf RT2870_Linux_STA_x.x.x.x.tgz
    go to "./RT2870_Linux_STA_x.x.x.x" directory.
    
2> In Makefile
	 set the "MODE = STA" in Makefile and chose the TARGET to Linux by set "TARGET = LINUX"
	 define the linux kernel source include file path LINUX_SRC
	 modify to meet your need.

3> In os/linux/config.mk 
	define the GCC and LD of the target machine
	define the compiler flags CFLAGS
	modify to meet your need.
	** Build for being controlled by NetworkManager or wpa_supplicant wext functions
	   Please set 'HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y' and 'HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=y'.
	   => #>cd wpa_supplicant-x.x
	   => #>./wpa_supplicant -Dwext -ira0 -c wpa_supplicant.conf -d
	** Build for being controlled by WpaSupplicant with Ralink Driver
	   Please set 'HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y' and 'HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=n'.
	   => #>cd wpa_supplicant-0.5.7
	   => #>./wpa_supplicant -Dralink -ira0 -c wpa_supplicant.conf -d

4> $make
	# compile driver source code
	# To fix "error: too few arguments to function ¡¥iwe_stream_add_event"
	  => $patch -i os/linux/sta_ioctl.c.patch os/linux/sta_ioctl.c

5> $cp RT2870STA.dat  /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/RT2870STA.dat
    
6> load driver, go to "os/linux/" directory.
    #[kernel 2.4]
    #    $/sbin/insmod rt2870sta.o
    #    $/sbin/ifconfig ra0 inet YOUR_IP up
        
    #[kernel 2.6]
    #    $/sbin/insmod rt2870sta.ko
    #    $/sbin/ifconfig ra0 inet YOUR_IP up

7> unload driver    
    $/sbin/ifconfig ra0 down
	$/sbin/rmmod rt2870sta
	
=======================================================================
CONFIGURATION:  
====================
RT2870 driver can be configured via following interfaces, 
i.e. (i)"iwconfig" command, (ii)"iwpriv" command, (iii) configuration file

i)  iwconfig comes with kernel.  
ii) iwpriv usage, please refer to file "iwpriv_usage.txt" for details.
iii)modify configuration file "RT2870STA.dat" in /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/RT2870STA.dat.
           
Configuration File : RT2870STA.dat
---------------------------------------
# Copy this file to /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/RT2870STA.dat
# This file is a binary file and will be read on loading rt.o module.
#
# Use "vi RT2870STA.dat" to modify settings according to your need.
# 
# 1.) set NetworkType to "Adhoc" for using Adhoc-mode, otherwise using Infrastructure
# 2.) set Channel to "0" for auto-select on Infrastructure mode
# 3.) set SSID for connecting to your Accss-point.
# 4.) AuthMode can be "WEPAUTO", "OPEN", "SHARED", "WPAPSK", "WPA2PSK", "WPANONE"
# 5.) EncrypType can be "NONE", "WEP", "TKIP", "AES"
# for more information refer to the Readme file.
# 
#The word of "Default" must not be removed
Default
CountryRegion=5
CountryRegionABand=7
CountryCode=
SSID=Dennis2860AP
NetworkType=Infra
WirelessMode=9
Channel=0
BeaconPeriod=100
TxPower=100
BGProtection=0
TxPreamble=0
RTSThreshold=2347
FragThreshold=2346
TxBurst=1
WmmCapable=0
AckPolicy=0;0;0;0
AuthMode=OPEN
EncrypType=NONE
WPAPSK=
DefaultKeyID=1
Key1Type=0
Key1Str=
Key2Type=0
Key2Str=
Key3Type=0
Key3Str=
Key4Type=0
Key4Str=
PSMode=CAM
FastRoaming=0
RoamThreshold=70
HT_RDG=1
HT_EXTCHA=0
HT_OpMode=1
HT_MpduDensity=4
HT_BW=1
HT_AutoBA=1
HT_BADecline=0
HT_AMSDU=0
HT_BAWinSize=64
HT_GI=1
HT_MCS=33
HT_MIMOPSMode=3
IEEE80211H=0
TGnWifiTest=0
WirelessEvent=0
CarrierDetect=0

-----------------------------------------------
*NOTE:
	WMM parameters
			WmmCapable			Set it as 1 to turn on WMM Qos support				
			AckPolicy1~4		Ack policy which support normal Ack or no Ack
								(AC_BK, AC_BE, AC_VI, AC_VO)		
	
	All WMM parameters do not support iwpriv command but ¡¥WmmCapable¡Š¡Š, 
	please store all parameter to RT2870STA.dat, and restart driver. 	

-----------------------------------------------
syntax is 'Param'='Value' and describes below. 

@> CountryRegion=value                                 
	value
		0: use 1 ~ 11 Channel
		1: use 1 ~ 13 Channel
		2: use 10 ~ 11 Channel
		3: use 10 ~ 13 Channel
		4: use 14 Channel
		5: use 1 ~ 14 Channel
		6: use 3 ~ 9 Channel
		7: use 5 ~ 13 Channel
	   31: use 1 ~ 14 Channel (ch1-11:active scan, ch12-14 passive scan)
   	 	                                      
@> CountryRegionABand=value      							
	value	
		0: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 Channel
		1: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140 Channel
		2: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 Channel
		3: use 52, 56, 60, 64, 149, 153, 157, 161 Channel
		4: use 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 Channel
		5: use 149, 153, 157, 161 Channel
		6: use 36, 40, 44, 48 Channel
		7: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 Channel
		8: use 52, 56, 60, 64 Channel
		9: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 Channel
	   10: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 Channel
	   11: use 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 149, 153, 157, 161 Channel

@> CountryCode=value
	value
		AG, AR, AW, AU, AT, BS, BB, BM, BR, BE, BG, CA, KY, CL, CN, CO, CR, CY, CZ, DK, DO, EC, SV, FI, FR, DE, 
		GR, GU, GT, HT, HN, HK, HU, IS, IN, ID, IE, IL, IT, JP, JO, LV, LI, LT, LU, MY, MT, MA, MX, NL, NZ, NO,
		PE, PT, PL, RO, RU, SA, CS, SG, SK, SI, ZA, KR, ES, SE, CH, TW, TR, GB, UA, AE, US, VE
		"" => using default setting: 2.4 G - ch 1~11; 5G - ch 52~64, 100~140, 149~165
                                                           
@> SSID=value                	
	value
		0~z, 1~32 ascii characters.
                    	
@> WirelessMode=value
	value	
		0: legacy 11b/g mixed 
		1: legacy 11B only 
		2: legacy 11A only         //Not support in RfIcType=1(id=RFIC_5225) and RfIcType=2(id=RFIC_5325)
		3: legacy 11a/b/g mixed     //Not support in RfIcType=1(id=RFIC_5225) and RfIcType=2(id=RFIC_5325)
		4: legacy 11G only
		5: 11ABGN mixed
		6: 11N only
		7: 11GN mixed
		8: 11AN mixed
		9: 11BGN mixed
	   10: 11AGN mixed	
                     
@> Channel=value
	value
		depends on CountryRegion or CountryRegionABand
                    	
@> BGProtection=value
	value
		0: Auto 
		1: Always on 
		2: Always off
                    	
@> TxPreamble=value
  	value
		0:Preamble Long
		1:Preamble Short 
		2:Auto
                    	
@> RTSThreshold=value
	value
		1~2347                                                       
                    	                                       
@> FragThreshold=value
	value       	
		256~2346
                    	
@> TxBurst=value
	value
		0: Disable
		1: Enable

@> NetworkType=value	    		
	value 
		Infra: infrastructure mode
       	Adhoc: adhoc mode
                                                                                                                                                        	                                                          
@> AuthMode=value
	value
		OPEN	 	For open system	
		SHARED	  	For shared key system	
		WEPAUTO     Auto switch between OPEN and SHARED
		WPAPSK      For WPA pre-shared key  (Infra)
		WPA2PSK     For WPA2 pre-shared key (Infra)
		WPANONE		For WPA pre-shared key  (Adhoc)
		WPA         Use WPA-Supplicant
		WPA2        Use WPA-Supplicant

@> EncrypType=value
	value
		NONE		For AuthMode=OPEN                    
		WEP			For AuthMode=OPEN or AuthMode=SHARED 
		TKIP		For AuthMode=WPAPSK or WPA2PSK                    
		AES			For AuthMode=WPAPSK or WPA2PSK                     
		
@> DefaultKeyID=value
	value
		1~4

@> Key1=value
    Key2=value
    Key3=value
    Key4=value
	value
		10 or 26 hexadecimal characters eg: 012345678
        5 or 13 ascii characters eg: passd
    (usage : "iwpriv" only)     

@> Key1Type=vaule
    Key2Type=value
    Key3Type=vaule
    Key4Type=vaule
    value
		0   hexadecimal type
		1   assic type
    (usage : reading profile only)

@> Key1Str=value
    Key2Str=value
    Key3Str=vaule
    Key4Str=vaule
    value
		10 or 26 characters (key type=0)
		5 or 13 characters  (key type=1)
    (usage : reading profile only)	

@> WPAPSK=value              	
	value
		8~63 ASCII  		or 
		64 HEX characters
																                    																		
@> WmmCapable=value
	value
		0: Disable WMM
		1: Enable WMM
        
@> PSMode=value
    value
    	CAM			    Constantly Awake Mode
		Max_PSP		    Max Power Savings
		Fast_PSP		Power Save Mode

@> FastRoaming=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

@> RoamThreshold=value
	value
		Positive Interger(dBm)

@> HT_RDG=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

@> HT_EXTCHA=value (Extended Channel Switch Announcement)
	value
		0				Below
		1 				Above

@> HT_OpMode=value
	value
		0				HT mixed format
		1				HT greenfield format

@> HT_MpduDensity=value
	value (based on 802.11n D2.0)
		0: no restriction
		1: 1/4 £gs
		2: 1/2 £gs
		3: 1 £gs
		4: 2 £gs
		5: 4 £gs
		6: 8 £gs
		7: 16 £gs

@> HT_BW=value
	value
		0				20MHz
		1				40MHz

@> HT_AutoBA=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

@> HT_BADecline
	value
		0				Disabled
		1			    Enabled <Reject BA request from AP>

@> HT_AMSDU=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

@> HT_BAWinSize=value
	value
		1 ~ 64

@> HT_GI=value
	value
		0				long GI
		1				short GI

@> HT_MCS=value
	value
		0 ~ 15
		33: auto

@> HT_MIMOPSMode=value
	value (based on 802.11n D2.0)
		0				Static SM Power Save Mode
		1				Dynamic SM Power Save Mode
		2				Reserved
		3				SM enabled
	(not fully support yet)

@> IEEE80211H=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

@> TGnWifiTest=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

@> WirelessEvent=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled <send custom wireless event>
	    
@> CarrierDetect=value
	value
		0				Disabled
		1				Enabled

MORE INFORMATION
=================================================================================
If you want for rt2870 driver to auto-load at boot time:
A) choose ra0 for first RT2870 WLAN card, ra1 for second RT2870 WLAN card, etc.
   
B) create(edit) 'ifcfg-ra0' file in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/,      
   edit( or add the line) in /etc/modules.conf:
       alias ra0 rt2870sta
   
C) edit(create) the file /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ra0  
   DEVICE='ra0'
   ONBOOT='yes'     


NOTE:
   if you use dhcp, add this line too .
    BOOTPROTO='dhcp'

*D) To ease the Default Gateway setting, 
    add the line
    GATEWAY=x.x.x.x   
    in /etc/sysconfig/network

RockDoctor · 01-30-2011, 10:53 AM

Maybe we should ask, does the network manager icon show up in your panel? If so, and you (left) click on it, can you see your wireless network?

Jugg · 01-30-2011, 10:54 AM

when I click on it it says
wireless networks
disconnected

RockDoctor · 01-30-2011, 04:19 PM

Sorry about the lspci problem - Fedora puts it in /sbin. Looking at my Ubuntu install, I see that Ubuntu puts in /usr/bin, so

Code:

sudo /usr/bin/lspci

.

When NetworkManager fails to connect, I've sometimes had better luck connecting manually, doing the following (as root):

Code:

/etc/init.d/network-manager stop
/etc/init.d/networking start
iwconfig wlan0 essid Replace_this_with_the_name_of_your_network
dhclient wlan0

On my old laptop, with an onboard Ralink wireless card, I had to use ra0 instead of wlan0.

The instructions you quoted explain how to compile the rt2870 module. Looks a lot nastier than is typical.

EDDY1 · 01-30-2011, 04:48 PM

When you installed did you check the boxes that said install third party drivers?

Jugg · 01-30-2011, 05:15 PM

when i do lspci I get

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82815 815 Chipset Host Bridge and Memory Controller Hub (rev 02)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82815 815 Chipset AGP Bridge (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801BA ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801BA IDE U100 Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 02)
01:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM/CA/CAM Ethernet Controller (rev 01)
01:0d.0 Communication controller: Agere Systems LT WinModem
02:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV5M64 [RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro] (rev 15)

Jugg · 01-30-2011, 05:28 PM

I still don't know how to install the driver that came with the wireless adapter. How do I do that? The file on the disc is a .bz2 file.

EDDY1 · 01-30-2011, 05:32 PM

Ubuntu 10.10 has a section under System>>Prefences>>Additional Drivers I think it installs for you.
Or System>>Administration>>Additional Drivers

Jugg · 01-30-2011, 08:40 PM

I don't have that button, but I do have one that says Hardware Drivers. That one tells me that there are "No Proprietary Drivers are in use on this system".

EDDY1 · 01-30-2011, 11:39 PM

You need to deal with your sources.list.
Open your software sources under System>>Administration>>Software Sources.
Check the box for 3rd party drivers and nonfree.

Jugg · 01-31-2011, 07:22 PM

it was already checked