Dell Wireless Cards - Linux compatibility?

Question

I am thinking about getting a Dell laptop, and I'd like to know what compatibility, if any, the wireless card choices have with Linux. I know the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 doesn't have drivers, the PRO/Wireless 2100 has drivers but they don't support rfmon, which I would like to have for Kismet. I'd like to know what compatibility the Dell cards themselves have, and if it would just be easier for me to buy a separate wireless card. It seems like a waste of money, but sometimes with Linux, getting the real thing (i.e. a PCI video or sound card, or a PC Card wireless networking adapter) is better than motherboard or integrated stuff.

Thanks,

Thomas Tuttle

jmwills · Answer

Don't take this wrong, but I thought the whole idea of open source was the ability for you guys to write your own drivers, etc and not rely on Dell and the OEM;s for everything? Am I wrong?

I have seen some Linux drivers for DEll products but it may have been for MOBO NIC's. I have enough problems keeping my SBS box locked down and secure to worry about learning a new system now.

mattcowger · Answer

There are no native drivers. The Dell cards are rebranded Broadcom cards, and have no decent Linux support. If you want linux support, you need to either use the Intel cards (which, as you suggest, doesn't work with rfmon) or you need to install an aftermarket card like I did.

ThinkingInBinar · Answer

That is a nice idea in concept, but only works if the equipment manufacturers will release their specifications to the public so people can write drivers. Open source is simply the idea of sharing; it's not the idea of doing everything yourself. In fact, many companies do write Linux drivers for their hardware, and by depending on them for the drivers, consumers can get a better experience out of their computer. Some manufacturers make it necessary to reverse-engineer their products so you can use them, but that's not the preferred method of getting drivers.

Anyone else know of drivers?

--Thomas

ThinkingInBinar · Answer

Any suggestions on good aftermarket cards? I have heard good things about Orinoco cards... anything that's good, cheap, and compatible? (802.11a/b/g would be great, but all I *really* need is 802.11g)

mattcowger · Answer

Any Atheros based card (which uses the MadWifi driver) will work well.

Jerry Park · Answer

@mattcowger wrote:
There are no native drivers. The Dell cards are rebranded Broadcom cards, and have no decent Linux support. If you want linux support, you need to either use the Intel cards (which, as you suggest, doesn't work with rfmon) or you need to install an aftermarket card like I did.

Broadcom does not supply specs or provide linux drivers. However, you can use the broadcom cards in linux with ndiswrapper. I have the 1180 card in my system. Works fine with ndiswrapper.

(ndiswrapper uses the Dell bcmwl5.inf and the bcmwl5.sys files in linux).

ThinkingInBinar · Answer

Atheros cards: Do you know any major brands that use Atheros chipsets?

Combo a/b/g cards: Is it true you can't attach external antennae to 802.11a cards? I'm probably getting an 802.11a since I think that's what my (odd) school has, but I'm just curious for later wardriving possibilities.

--Thomas

mattcowger · Answer

Dell cards with NDISWrapper: yes it works, but I said no NATIVE drivers. I dont consider ndiswrapper to be a native driver. Atheros cards: Most Senao cards, netgear 108MBit cards, Engenius cards, etc.

kenan82 · Answer

Greetings,

I just joined in and would like to add a link to the discussion that follows the NDIS wrapper notion:(http://weblog.cemper.com/a/200311/22-linux-ndiswrapper-for-broadcom-cards.php) that Broadcom cards can be used with "translater" apps. Atheros cards as well... I too have looked about for Linux wireless connectivity ,using Mandrake 10.1, and see just about every card suppoorted but Broadcom.

Cheers!

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Dell Wireless Cards - Linux compatibility?

Was this post helpful?