Help Again (sleep deprivation is taking its toll) maybe windows is not so bad.....

Failed attempt to load ralink rt2500 driver for wireless connection under SuSE 9.2 pro. Three (3) files have been created under
/etc/sysconfig/network/. As I understand from the documentation, I should be calling the ifcfg_ra0 file. However, I
believe the ifcfg-wlan-ra0 file is being created by the YaST configuration tool available through SuSE. See also the
calls by "wireless tools" that seem to indicate I am seeing the wireless router.

file:/etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-ra0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
MTU='
REMOTE_IPADDR='
STARTMODE=auto
USERCONTROL=no
WIRELESS_MODE=managed
WIRELESS_AP=00:0f:669:3F:F5
WIRELESS_ESSID=Brook
WIRELESS_CHANNEL=6
WIRELESS_POWER=no
WIRELESS_KEY='

file:/etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-wlan-ra0
REMOTE_IPADDR=''
STARTMODE='auto'
USERCONTROL='no'
WIRELESS_AP=''
WIRELESS_AUTH_MODE='open'
WIRELESS_BITRATE='auto'
WIRELESS_CHANNEL='6'
WIRELESS_DEFAULT_KEY='0'
WIRELESS_ESSID='Brook'
WIRELESS_FREQUENCY=''
WIRELESS_KEY=''
WIRELESS_KEY_0=''
WIRELESS_KEY_1=''
WIRELESS_KEY_2=''
WIRELESS_KEY_3=''
WIRELESS_KEY_LENGTH='128'
WIRELESS_MODE='Managed'
WIRELESS_NICK=''
WIRELESS_NWID=''
WIRELESS_POWER='no'
WIRELESS_WPA_PSK=''
_nm_name='static-0'

This is the wireless configuration available through YaST, the configuration tool in SuSE

file:/etc/sysconfig/network/wireless
## Path: Hardware/Wireless
## Description:
## Type: yesno
## Default: ""
## ServiceRestart: network
# If you have a wireless NIC and want to set some special wireless parameters
# then you can do that here in this file globally for all cards you have. But
# you can write each of these variables to the interface specific ifcfg-* files
# to handle things per card.
# The WIRELESS_* variable names match the option names of iwconfig. Have a look
# at 'man iwconfig' for details. Except WIRELESS_NICK the variables do nothing
# if empty.
#
# This variables decides if the special handling for wireless HW is used. If you
# have only one network interface card and it is wireless you can set it here to
# 'yes'. But it is much better, if you use that variable in the interface
# configuration files 'ifcfg-*', which overrides the general settings made here.
WIRELESS=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Set the operating mode of the device, which depends on the network
# topology. The mode can be Ad-hoc (network composed of only one cell and
# without Access Point), Managed (network composed of many cells, with
# roaming or with an Access Point), Mas
# master or act as an Access Point), Repeater (the node forward packets on the
# air), Secondary (the node act as a backup master/repeater) or Auto
WIRELESS_MODE=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Set the ESSID (or Network Name - in some products it may also called Domain
# ID). The ESSID is used to identify cells which are part of the same virtual
# network.
WIRELESS_ESSID="Brook"

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Set the nickname, or the station name. Most 802.11 products do define it,
# but this is not used as far as the protocols (MAC, IP, TCP) are concerned
# and completely accessory as far as configuration goes. If this variable is
# empty we use the hostname
WIRELESS_NICK="linux"

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Set the Network ID (in some products it is also called Domain ID). As all
# adjacent wireless net
# to differenciate them (create logical colocated networks) and identify
# nodes belonguing to the same cell.
WIRELESS_NWID=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Set the operating frequency or channel in the device. Value below
# 1000 are the channel number, value over this is the frequency in Hz. You
# must append the suffix k, M or G to the value (for exam
# 2.46 GHz frequency), or add enough '0'.
WIRELESS_FREQ=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Channels are usually numbered starting at 1, and you may use iwpriv(8) to
# get the total number of channels and list the available frequencies.
# Depending on regulations, some frequencies/channels may not be available.
WIRELESS_CHANNEL="6"

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Set the sensitivity threshold. This is the lowest signal level for which we
# attempt a packet recep
# is used to avoid receiving background noise
WIRELESS_SENS=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# For cards supporting multiple bit rates, set the bit-rate in b/s. The
# bit-rate is the speed at which bits are transmitted over the medium, the
# user speed of the link is lower due to medium sharing and overhead.
WIRELESS_RATE=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Used to manipulate encryption or scrambling keys and encryption mode. To
# set the current encryption key, just enter the key in hex digits as
# XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX or XXXXXXXX. You can also enter the key as an ASCII
# string by using the s: prefix. 'off' disables encryption. Additionally you
# may add 'open' or 'restricted' after the key, open set the system in open
# mode (accept non-encrypted packets) and restricted discard non-encrypted
# packets.
# Examples: "0123-4567-89"
# "sassword"
# "sassword open"
# "off" (Don't do that! No! No! No!)
WIRELESS_KEY=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# RTS/CTS adds a handshake before each packet trans
# that the channel is clear. This adds overhead, but increase performance
# in case of hidden nodes or large number of active nodes.
WIRELESS_RTS=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# Fragmentation allow to split a IP packet in a burst of smaller fragments
# transmitted on the medium. In most cases this adds overhead, but in very
# noisy environment this reduce the error penalty.
WIRELESS_FRAG=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# If you need other options for iwconfig, then write the complete option string
# as you would append it to iwconfig but without the interface name to the
# variables below. For multiple options you may (but need not) add linebreaks in
# the string.
WIRELESS_IWCONFIG_OPTIONS=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# If you need to set options for iwspy, then write the complete option string as
# you would append it to iwspy but without the interface name to the variables
# below. For multiple options you may (but need not) add linebreaks in the
# string.
WIRELESS_IWSPY_OPTIONS=""

## Type: string
## Default: ""
# If you need to set options for iwpriv then write the complete option string as
# you would append it to iwpriv but without the interface name to the variables
# below. For multiple options you may (but need not) add linebreaks in the
# string.
WIRELESS_IWPRIV_OPTIONS=""

Here is the result of calling on the Wireless tools.

linux:/home/jimbrook # iwlist ra0 scan
ra0 Failed to read scan data : Resource temporarily unavailable

linux:/home/jimbrook # iwlist ra0 scan
ra0 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:0F:669:3F:F5
Mode:Managed
ESSID:""
Encryption keyff
Channel:6
Quality:0/100 Signal level:-209 dBm Noise level:-256 dBm

linux:/home/jimbrook # iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

ra0 RT2500 Wireless ESSID:"Brook" Nickname:"linux"
Mode:Managed Frequency=2.437 GHz Bit Rate=11 Mb/s
RTS thrff Fragment thrff
Encryption keyff
Link Quality:40 Signal level:0 Noise level:0
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

eth0 no wireless extensions.

sit0 no wireless extensions

linux:/home/jimbrook # ifconfig
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:12:17:4F:A5:08
inet6 addr: fe80::212:17ff:fe4f:a508/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST NOTRAILERS MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:18 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:36
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)
Interrupt:177 Base address:0xd000

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:88 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:88 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:5768 (5.6 Kb) TX bytes:5768 (5.6 Kb)

ra0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:12:17:98:BE:92
inet6 addr: fe80::212:17ff:fe98:be92/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST NOTRAILERS RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:1023 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:40920 (39.9 Kb)
Interrupt:169 Base address:0x4000
_________________________________

Excerpts from my "Boot Log" at startup

coldplug scanning input: **done
scanning pci: *********.WWdone
scanning usb: done
hwup: Loading module 'ra0' for device '0'
done
__________________________

Starting Firewall Initialization (phase 1 of 3) done
<notice>exit status of (random isdn SuSEfirewall2_init) is (0 0 0)
<notice>start services (network)
Setting up network interfaces:
lo
lo IP address: 127.0.0.1/8
done eth0 device: Linksys NC100 Network Everywhere Fast Ethernet 10/100 (rev 11)
eth0 configuration: eth-id-00:12:17:4f:a5:08
eth0 (DHCP) . . . . . no IP address yet... backgrounding.
waiting
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
Waiting for mandatory devices: eth-id-00:12:17:4f:a5:08 wlan-ra0
7 <notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
6 <notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
5 <notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
3 <notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
2 <notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
1 <notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710

eth0 interface could not be set up
failed ra0 interface could not be set up
failed ra0 device: RaLink Ralink RT2500 802.11 Cardbus Reference Card (rev 01)
ra0 configuration: wlan-ra0
ra0 warning: using NO encryption
<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3716<notice>checkproc: /sbin/dhcpcd 3710
ra0 (DHCP) . . . . . no IP address yet... backgrounding.
waiting
Setting up service network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .failed
<notice>exit status of (network) is (7)
<notice>start services (syslog)
Starting syslog services<notice>startproc: execve (/sbin/syslogd) [ /sbin/syslogd -a /var/lib/ntp/dev/log ], [ CONSOLE=/dev/console TERM=linux SHELL=/bin/sh INIT_VERSION=sysvinit-2.85 REDIRECT=/dev/tty1 COLUMNS=158 PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin vga=0x31a RUNLEVEL=5 PWD=/ SPLASHCFG=/etc/bootsplash/themes/SuSE/config/bootsplash-1280x1024.cfg PREVLEVEL=N LINES=57 HOME=/ SHLVL=2 splash=silent SPLASH=yes _=/sbin/startproc DAEMON=/sbin/syslogd ]
<notice>startproc: execve (/sbin/klogd) [ /sbin/klogd -c 1 -2 -x ], [ CONSOLE=/dev/console TERM=linux SHELL=/bin/sh INIT_VERSION=sysvinit-2.85 REDIRECT=/dev/tty1 COLUMNS=158 PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin vga=0x31a RUNLEVEL=5 PWD=/ SPLASHCFG=/etc/bootsplash/themes/SuSE/config/bootsplash-1280x1024.cfg PREVLEVEL=N LINES=57 HOME=/ SHLVL=2 splash=silent SPLASH=yes _=/sbin/startproc DAEMON=/sbin/klogd ]
done
<notice>exit status of (syslog) is (0)
<notice>start services (SuSEfirewall2_setup)
Starting Firewall Initialization (phase 2 of 3) SuSEfirewall2: Warning: no interface active
WARNING: Error inserting ipfwadm (/lib/modules/2.6.8-24-smp/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ipfwadm.ko): Device or resource busy
SuSEfirewall2: Firewall rules successfully set from /etc/sysconfig/SuSEfirewall2
done
<notice>exit status of (SuSEfirewall2_setup) is (0)

One thing I can suggest is to check if you have multi-processor support enabled (which is standard), ralink doesn't currently support that, and it will cause problems with getting/holding a wireless connection.

Thanks. I do have SMP kernel loaded and the driver was built with that option. Should I totally blow away the directory and start over? Also, which kernel package should I ensure is installed to properly use "make/" - jim

I'm not sure what kernel version you currently run, but if you head over to kernel.org you can download the source for the lastest build, and just do a "make mrproper" then if you like a "make xconfig" which will give you a nice GUI to chose your compile options. If this isn't an option for you I'll look in my kernel config file and and find the package name, but for now, I'm lazy so yeah.

it may be the kernel...

I have the same NIC on an SMP kernel (although, it's addressed as wlan0, doubt that makes a difference), and after a recent kernel update via YaST the system began to lock up at random times sometimes once and hour other times it stayed up for days. Last night it locked up and I restarted and my network connection is no longer working.

I'm at work right now, and since my box doesn't have a connection I can't get my logs up until tomorrow. I remember when it tries to initalize wlan0 during boot, it said checkproc [cant remember the exact path]/kdm.

Looks like a ndiswrapper reconfig did the trick