I know wireless networking can be a bit difficult to set up with Slackware, simply because it can't possibly have drivers for ALL network cards. And I also know that this can be worked around with NDISwrapper, but I'd like to avoid it if that can be easily done.

So, I'd like some recommendations on a Wireless G network card that will be easy to get up and running on Slackware. I know netgear is notoriously easy to set up windowsside, but I don't know about *nix. Oh, and a tutorial for setting it up wouldn't hurt.

I've got a D-Link router, if that matters.

Thanks in advance, Slackers.

i have the Linksys WPC54gv2
it was very easy to get going (after i figured out what i was doing) but i can make it real easy for you...

you need:
ndiswrapper (package or source installed)
the wireless card
the disk that came with it (for the LSTINDS.INF file)

1. set up ndiswrapper
a. compile from source
b. install from *.tgz
2. command: ndiswrapper -l
3. command: ndiswrapper -i /path/to/LSTINDS.INF
4. command: ndiswrapper -m
5. command: modprobe ndiswrapper
6. command: dhcpcd wlan0

number 6 will get you to a dhcp server (if present) alternatively:

ifconfig 192.168.0.50 wlan0
route add default gw 192.168.0.1 wlan0

the above is -if- your gateway/dns is served up on 192.168.0.1.. and you'll need the following line added to your /etc/resolv.conf

nameserver 192.168.0.1

good luck.


<edit>
to get the card up after rebooting, you'll need to add the
modprobe ndiswrapper
dhcpcd wlan0
-or-
modprobe ndiswrapper
ifconfig 192.168.0.50 wlan0
route add default gw 192.168.0.1 wlan0

to the startup script
</edit>

Thank you muchly. I assume that that process should just about apply to most mainstream wireless cards that come with windows drivers? (i.e., I could just get a D-Link wireless card and keep things consistent)

Wireless is made more challenging by the manufactuers of wireless devices. They will change chipsets while retaining the same model number with a different version number. It is more important to choose a chipset and then buy the wireless device that has the chipset you want.

With Slackware 10.0 extra scripts have been put in place to load some wireless cards

Slackware Wireless can be roughly be divided into 3 categories.

1) Plug it in and it works: Orinco Silver and Gold Chipsets, Prism 2.0 & 2.5 Chipsets. Prism3.0 chipsets require firmware. Prism54 based chipsets in Slackware 10.1 Maybe Atmel in Slackware 10.1 (Saw the atmel driver in the kernel modules for kernel 2.4.29)
Prism54 website

2) Use third party drivers: Linux-wlan-ng good for all prism 2.0, 2.5 3.0 drivers, later versions take care of the firmware isssue for you support usb devices, BerliosAtmel drivers. acx100 drivers etc. The Linux-wlan-ng has a somewhat dated table of devices/chipsets
Linux-wlan-ng

3) Use ndiswrappers to fool you linux system into running the windows drivers. Handles more devices than any other method but some chipsets still a problem (Check the NDISwrapper website for compatible devices)
Ndiswrapper

Also check out the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) in this website.

Another vote for Orinoco cards here. Great quality.

I have to set up a wireless laptop next week.
it will connect to verizon dsl. verizon people said I need a standard "b" card. any recommendations to buy? also is a "g" card compatible with a "B" router/modem?
the person i'm setting this up for wants a linux system so I set up a separate hard drive with Slack 10.0 I could burn a copy of 10.1 if that is a better choice.

Most "G" cards will step down their tranmission to "B" speeds (54mbps ->11mbps).

Newegg has orinco gold cards in their networking products section under pc cards/pcmcia

Netgear MA401 cards are also good.

The best deal in this list appears to the prism 2.5 based microsoft card.

Wireless cards list with links to amazon dot com

REMEMBER that many manufacturers (D-Link, SMC, Linksys) change chipsets while keeping the same model number (Netgear is an exception). If you buy locally try to look at the card before purchase. If you buy online try to get some assurance of the chipset.

Same here - card was detected "out-of-the-box" during the Slackware install - just had to modify a couple configuration files to use DHCP and to use my SSID...