[ltp] Re: Wireless on A30 (2652 3CU)

[Daniel Pittman]

On 28 Sep 2004, Jay Strauss wrote:
> From: "Daniel Pittman" <daniel@rimspace.net>
> To: <linux-thinkpad@linux-thinkpad.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 11:28 PM
> Subject: [ltp] Re: Wireless on A30 (2652 3CU)
>
>> On 28 Sep 2004, Jay Strauss wrote:
>>> I'm trying to get my wireless card working on a model A30. It has
>>> the Harris Prism 2.5 card, and I'm running Debian/Sarge, Kernel
>>> 2.6.7
>>
>> Lucky you, you have a card that is pretty easy to support. :)
>>
>>> I really don't know how to begin. I'm reading the docs for the
>>> linux-wlan-ng modules but, I feel like I'm reinventing the wheel.
>>
>> I wouldn't recommend bothering with the linux-wlan-ng modules at all.
>>
>> The 'orinoco_pci' driver in the kernel distribution will work just
>> fine with the card, although it didn't[1] support scanning or
>> software AP mode.
>>
>> Alternately, grab the 'hostap' driver and follow their instructions to
>> get it installed and running.
>>
>> Er, using the in-kernel driver is definitely the easiest path to
>> follow, though. :)

[...]

> I'm not sure I follow exactly.  Are you saying I can use 3 different
> modules to run the wireless card:
>
> orinoco_pci
> hostap
> linux-wlan-ng

Yes, that is correct.  All three of these drivers will work correctly
with the Prism 2.5 wireless chipset, as I understand things.  

I never used the wlan-ng code, but have seen others report success with
it.  I have certainly used the others with success.

> Which of these is the "in-kernel" driver to which you refer?

The driver supplied in the kernel distribution.  Specifically, the
orinoco_pci driver, as I mentioned above.  Perhaps I was not clear
enough about that, though.

> Also, what is "software AP"?

AP stands for "Access Point".  You probably know what a wireless access
point is;  the "software AP" allows your Linux system to act as an
access point.

> What are the advantages/disadvantages of one module over the other

hostap supports scanning, allowing kismet, airsnort, and related tools
to scan for wireless networks in the area.

hostap supports "software AP" mode, allowing your laptop to act as a
wireless access point, etc.

orinoco_pci is supplied with the kernel, so you don't need an external
patch.

        Daniel
-- 
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