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.
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.
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.
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 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).
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.
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.
jmwills
2 Intern
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12K Posts
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June 1st, 2004 12:00
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
2.6K Posts
0
June 1st, 2004 15:00
ThinkingInBinar
6 Posts
0
June 1st, 2004 15:00
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
6 Posts
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June 1st, 2004 18:00
mattcowger
2.6K Posts
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June 1st, 2004 20:00
Jerry Park
695 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2004 20:00
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
6 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2004 21:00
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
2.6K Posts
0
June 3rd, 2004 21:00
Atheros cards: Most Senao cards, netgear 108MBit cards, Engenius cards, etc.
kenan82
2 Posts
0
January 20th, 2005 14:00
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!