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

[Jay Strauss]

Daniel Pittman wrote:
> 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

Thanks Daniel,

I've got the card running using the orinoco_pci driver.  Not too hard 
either.  I'm not sure what kismet and airsnort, but I'll go read about them.

Jay