I recently setup a fresh install of CentOS 5.5 on my Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop. Everything is working splendidly except for my built-in Broadcom BCM4312 Wi-Fi controller.

I ended up following the setup instructions here: http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Laptop...om?action=show. In a nutshell, I downloaded the updated driver source from Broadcom and compiled it myself.

At first, this failed to get my wi-fi working. Finally, I went into the /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth1 and changed it to look like this:

I rebooted and I had an IP Address and Internet access. I was happy until I realized that my laptop was connecting to my neighbor's router. So, I started the NetworkManager service. This gave me visibility of all the wireless networks in my vicinity.

At this point I discovered that my laptop would not connect to my wireless router. It would connect to my neighbor's without any problems, but not mine.

As far as I can tell, our wireless network configurations are basically the same. The SSID is being broadcast. They're both 802.11B/G. They are both unencrypted and fully unsecured.

My router is a 2WIRE 2701HG-B Gateway connecting to AT&T DSL. As for my neighbor's router, I am not sure of the details, but I am going to assume that it is a Linksys router of some sort since he has not changed the default SSID on his network.

Can someone help me figure out why my wireless card is being selective on which network it connects to?

the 2wire from att uses a wep 10 digit passphrase key and believe it is 64 could be 128 it is written on the bottom of your modem wifi . Att default wep 64 in my area.
but the key is on the bottom. No it is not unsecured. and editing the file will leave your wifi networkmanager useless at boot. when left alone the networkmanger does it all for you. You just needed to scan find your 2wire and put in the passphrase. This is called setting up a access point.
good luck let us know.