[Cialug] Wireless over Linux recommendations?

Theron Conrey cialug@cialug.org
Sat, 30 Apr 2005 08:23:46 -0500


Note previous PCI wireless thread.




Anthony Jeffries wrote:

>On Sat, April 30, 2005 0:20, Tony Bibbs said:
><snip>
>  
>
>>This is probably as good a time to upgrade routers and nics.  What
>>routers can any of you recommend and which linux friendly nics should I
>>consider (mixing brands doesn't bother me).
>>
>>The cheaper the better.
>>
>>--Tony
>>    
>>
>
>Tony,
>
>Sorry to hear about the dead router. I've used recent Netgear, D-Link and
>Linksys routers with Linux with no problem, including configuration. All
>three allow configuration via web browser through one of the LAN ports,
>and I think you'll find that most wireless routers do that now.
>
>My advice for the new router is to look at whatever's on sale at Best Buy,
>CompUSA, the local office superstores and other computer supply places,
>and then google for ratings and reviews of @STUFFONSALE. I happen to like
>the Netgear WGR614 I have at home, and the D-Link something-or-other I
>have at church. YMMV. I don't have enough experience with Linksys routers
>to offer a reliable review. It's kind of hard to go wrong, though. MSRP on
>most routers is in the $50 to $70 range, but with sales and rebates you
>might get 50% off.
>
>As for new NICs, spend a *lot* of time in research. I have a Netgear
>WG511T, and it took a while to figure out a good way to run it. I started
>out with ndiswrapper, tried a free trial of Linuxant DriverLoader, and
>eventually ended up with the madwifi drivers, which have worked really
>well. Other cards are more readily supported by Linux, and as you know
>some are not supported at all, so do your research here. In the meantime,
>your old 802.11b NICs should work just fine with your new router, as the g
>routers are almost always backwards-compatible with b (they share the same
>set of channels). The new routers also offer additional encryption
>options, particularly WPA.
>
>Well, I hope that this made sense. It's way too early on Saturday morning.
>The following sites may also be of help to you:
>
>http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/
>http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php
>
>  
>