Wireless LAN Interface


This interface is a bit quirky, with unexplained error messages, but it basically works...!

NOTE: All commands in this section assume you are logged in as root. If you are "su root", some of the commands will need to be preceded by /sbin/


1. Check module loaded by pcmcia manager:

# modprobe -l | grep pcmcia
     .....
     /lib/modules/2.4.18-14/kernel/drivers/net/pcmcia/wvlan_cs.o
     .....

but should really be orinoco.o - anyway, seems to work - wvlan_cs.o is an earlier version of the driver.

2. Make sure your PC's wireless interface is switched ON (left side of keyboard, near front). Run network interface configuration

# neat

ignore error messages about versions 12 and 13 of wireless extensions

Set wireless interface IP addresses (static) or DHCP (assigned) and enter ESSID and encryption key: use "neat" with correct options for your wireless AP: check with network administrator.

3. Check that wireless interface is receiving signal

# iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

eth1      IEEE 802.11-DS  ESSID:"***********"  Nickname:"myhostname.mydomain"
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.462GHz  Access Point: 00:04:76:A7:9F:E7
          Bit Rate=11Mb/s   Tx-Power=15 dBm   Sensitivity:1/3
          RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:****-****-**
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality:38/92  Signal level:-48 dBm  Noise level:-86 dBm
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:339   Missed beacon:0

Note: ESSID and Encryption key have been concealed with "***" for security reasons.

4. Change Gateway device to "eth1"

# cd /etc/sysconfig/
# vi network

press i to enter insert mode

change GATEWAYDEV from eth0 to eth1

press (Esc) to exit, :wq! to write modification and quit

5. Restart network service:

# service network restart
Shutting down interface eth0:                              [  OK  ]
Shutting down interface eth1:                              [  OK  ]
Shutting down loopback interface:                          [  OK  ]
Setting network parameters:                                [  OK  ]
Bringing up loopback interface:                            [  OK  ]
Bringing up interface eth0:                                [  OK  ]
# ifdown eth0
# ifup eth1
Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06) :
    SET failed on device eth1 ; Invalid argument.
Error for wireless request "Set Frequency" (8B04) :
    SET failed on device eth1 ; Operation not supported.

the above errors can be ignored - it still works

6. Test your wireless LAN interface:

# ping www.ukonline.co.uk
PING www.ukonline.co.uk (195.40.113.2) from ***.***.***.*** : 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from www.ukonline.co.uk (195.40.113.2): icmp_seq=1 ttl=244 time=13.2 ms
64 bytes from www.ukonline.co.uk (195.40.113.2): icmp_seq=2 ttl=244 time=10.4 ms
64 bytes from www.ukonline.co.uk (195.40.113.2): icmp_seq=3 ttl=244 time=10.5 ms


That's it!



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