WiFi 802.11b or g setup

[Lloyd Hayes]

My software is configured to reply with a 'Top Posted'. I got used to 
this 25 years ago, and have used this format ever since. I usually 
remember what I wrote and am simply looking for answers or responses. I 
sort through previous information only when I need to. Usually my memory 
is adequate. (Now, if I could only type....)

 >The first step you have to take is to establish what chipset the 
wireless card(s) you have are using.

The Linksys 802.11b card is a 2 month old card, model WPC11 ver.4. It 
uses the RealTek 8139 chipset. (One piece of software on a Linux system 
reported this as having a RealTek 8180 chipset.)
I've read too many messages about problems with the 'G' card. I haven't 
even tried the 'G' card on any UNIX type system in months.
The Netware card kept coming up with Un-known chipset.
And the generic un-known wifi card, which came free with one wifi 
service provider, is simply what it says. Generic un-known Wireless Lan 
PC Card from Taiwan R.O.C. It works with Windows.
I actually have the Linux "How-To" for this exact Linksys card, which is 
why I purchased it. But the docs are dated and don't work with the 
current Linux kernels. And compiling new kernels for any system is a 
project that I've been putting off.

I am running FBSD v5.2.1.

When I go to configure an Internet connection over a network, I seem to 
be getting the same errors with FreeBSD and the wifi card that I got 
with Linux. I am probably approaching it wrong, someway. Trying to do 
something (?) that I shouldn't, or not doing something that I should.

Lloyd Hayes

Email: lloyd545220-trucker at yahoo.com
URL: http://TalkingStaff.bravehost.com 
E-FAX Number: (208) 248-6590




Luke Kearney wrote:

>
>On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 11:31:13 -0700
>Lloyd Hayes <lloyd545220-trucker at yahoo.com> spake thus:
>
>  
>
>>Somehow or someway, my approach to this problem is completely wrong. 
>>Using the various network connection programs, all respond that there is 
>>no network connector attached.
>>
>>I put FBSD (for a day) on this box a couple of months ago. The light on 
>>the PCMCIA WiFi card did come on then. (Linksys card.) But a network 
>>scan still said that there was no network connector attached or present. 
>>This time, the light doesn't even come on. I'm beginning to think that 
>>the SSH program is a problem source. But I'm am also sure that I am 
>>approaching this wrong  and need some direction. (I've tried all of the 
>>options in the sysinstall network menu.)
>>
>>(100% of my Internet connection is through WiFi services. I travel all 
>>year long. When I sometimes go home to Wyoming, my cell phone normally 
>>doesn't work there. No phone lines. A wind generator and a gas generator 
>>for electricity. Snow gets over 10 feet deep during a normal winter. 
>>Travel in the winter is by snowmobile. Antelope, moose, and elk get in 
>>my way during the day and wake me up in the night. Usually I don't want 
>>to leave there...)
>>
>>
>>Lloyd Hayes
>>
>>Email: lloyd545220-trucker at yahoo.com
>>URL: http://TalkingStaff.bravehost.com 
>>E-FAX Number: (208) 248-6590
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Dick Davies wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>* Lloyd Hayes <lloyd545220-trucker at yahoo.com> [1057 19:57]:
>>> 
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>>>I have several wifi modems. I've read where the Linksys 802.11b seems 
>>>>the most compatable with UNIX type systems. I bought this one recently. 
>>>>I also have the US Robodics 802.11g, Netware 802.11b, and a generic 
>>>>wavelan 802.11b PCMCIA card. I have yet to get any of these to work 
>>>>under a UNIX type system. Obviously there is something here that I don't 
>>>>understand.
>>>>
>>>>Anyone have some step-by-step instuctions for this idiot?
>>>>   
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>What have you tried, and what didn't work?
>>>      
>>>
>
>It's generally advised not to top post. 
>
>The first step you have to take is to establish what chipset the
>wireless card(s) you have are using. From there you can go on to work
>out the driver and the steps from that point are well published. I
>believe the prism and orrinoco chipsets are well supported but
>unfortunately not all board makers use them. For 802.11g it seems to me
>the best bet is to upgrade to 5.x and make use of cards with the Atheros
>chipset which appears to be natively supported by FBSD.
>
>HTH
>
>LukeK
>
>  
>