Linksys WMP11 wireless card

Forum: Networking
Topic: Linksys WMP11 wireless card
started by: deryk

Posted by deryk on May 06 2006,17:03

I'm trying to get a Linksys WMP11 (a pci 802.11b) (version 1 I think w/prism chipset i hope). To work on a desktop pc with a frugal install of DSL.

At the bottom of this post I have quoted directions from Linksys to get a similar device to work. These directions are for a pcmcia card, but I figure if I substitute the appropriate choice it should work for my pci card.

The different choice I did in the steps was to say no to the pcmcia card services and Yes to the native pci driver. That seemed obvoius to me. Also it says use "su" to become root. I used "sudo su" because I thought that was correct? I think it was, correct me if I'm wrong on that one too.

The problem I'm running into (so far) is when it asks me for the "Linux source directory". I don't know what this is exactly. (I'm a n00b). When I run the ./configure file in my scenario I get there and it says "linux source directory [/lib/modules/2.4.26/build]". This is of course different from the directory in the instructions I obtained, but I'm assuming this must be the default location so I just hit "enter" as the instructions indicate. This does not work. I get a..."linux source directory is incomplete or missing!"...it goes on to say.."configuration failed". I'm not exactly sure If I understand it, but I think at this step I should point it to the kernel ? I don't even know what that is or where I would find it.

Other than that I love it.

Here is an exact copy of the directions I obtained from Linksys. Keep in mind I choose not the PCMCIA card services, and instead choose the PCI driver (the third choice in the configuration script)

Thanks a million for anyone who knows what I'm talking about!

Quote

To get your WPC11 to work under Linux you must first go to < ftp://ftp.linux-wlan.org/pub/linux-wlan-ng/and > get the most current version of the linux-wlan-ng drivers.

Once you've downloaded, make sure you're in the console, not X (If you're in x you may run into problems).

You also must be logged in as root, if you're not simple do:

su - then hit Enter and you will be prompted for your root password.

Make sure the card is not inserted!!!

Once you've downloaded the file you will need to go to the directory you downloaded it to and do:

tar zxvf linux-wlan-ng*.tar.gz

This will un tar the compressed driver. After you do this go into the director that was created by typing in:

cd linux-wlan-ng, then hit [tab] and tab completion should fill out the rest.

Once you're in the directory, type in:

./Configure

This will start the configuration script. You will be prompted for:

"Build Prism2.x PCMCIA Card Services (_cs) driver? (y/n) [y]:" type y for yes, and hit Enter

"Build Prism2 PLX9052 based PCI (_plx) adapter driver? (y/n) [n]:" type n for no, and hit Enter

"Build Prism2.5 native PCI (_pci) driver? (y/n) [n]:" type n for no, and hit Enter

"Build Prism2.5 USB (_usb) driver? (y/n) [n]:" type n for no, and hit Enter

"Linux source directory [/usr/src/Linux]:" by default this should be where your kernel is located, if it's located in a different place please input the path. Else hit Enter

"pcmcia-cs source dir [/usr/src/pcmcia-cs-3.1.XX]:" by default this should be where your card services are located, if it's located in a different place please input the path. Else hit Enter

"Build for Kernel PCMCIA? (y/n) [n]:" type n for no, and hit Enter

"PCMCIA script directory [/etc/pcmcia]:" by default this should be where your PCMCIA scripts are located, if it's located in a different place please input the path. Else hit Enter

"Alternate target install root directory on host []:" hit Enter

"Module install director [/lib/modules/2.*.**]:" this will depending on where your module directory is, and the *.** depends on what kernel you're running, if you've got another install directory please input it. Else hit Enter

"Target Architecture? (i386, ppc, arm, or alpha) [i386]:" this prompt is for the type of processor you use, i386 is Intel/AMD based systems (IBM Clones). If you're running a IBM clone, just hit Enter, else input the type of Architecture you're using and hit Enter

"Prefix for build host compiler? (rarely needed) []:" just hit Enter here unless you're sure

"Compiling with a cross compiler? (y/n) [n]:" Type n and hit Enter unless you're compiling with a cross compiler.

"Build for debugging (see doc/config.debug) (y/n) [n]:" Type n and hit Enter

Then you should get a message saying "Configuration Successful"

Once you're back at a prompt, type in:

make all and hit Enter, this will cause the drivers to compile.

Once the compiler is done, do make install or checkinstall (check install is an optional download that makes allows you to remove packages vi the Package Tool).

Once this is done, type:

cd /etc/pcmcia

then vi wlan-ng.opts

Once the file comes up in vi hit esc then i to start insertion

First you will need to change the option WLAN_ENABLE=n to WLAN_ENBLE=y (Note some times this is listed twice)

Scroll down and look for "SELECT STATION MODE", make sure that IS_ADHOC= is set to n, so it would be IS_ADHOC=n

Now configure "INFRASTRUCTURE STATION START"

set the desiredSSID="" (By default this is set to linux-WLAN) to what ever the SSID is set to on your network.

If you're using WEP the options for WEP are listed above, however you will need to enter your key manually. Read the instructions under "WEP" for more information.

Once you've done this hit esc then : then x then Enter to save and exit. If you want to exit with out saving hit esc then : then q! then Enter

Now that you have that done, restart your system, (When LILO comes up insert the WPC11).

Once linux has loaded, you will need to log in as root again.

If you have an internal NIC, you will need to disable it. To do this type:

ifconfig eth0 down

Once that is done type:

ifconfig wlan0 up

Once that is done you can configure the wireless connection with a static IP or you can use DHCP by doing:

dhcpcd wlan0

Once that is done you should able to communicate wirelessly.

[B][/B]

Posted by roberts on May 06 2006,17:29

According to the Wiki, all versions except 4 should work with the Prism2 GUI which is located in the control panel.
Try that method first. Version 4 should work with ndiswrapper.

Posted by deryk on May 07 2006,22:09

Thanks, for your help. After trying this and the card still didn't work I decided perhaps it would be wise to test the card under another OS to make sure it was operational. I determined that there must be something wrong with the card becasue it wouldn't detect any networks under, dare i say it, windows xp. I'll have to try another card.