wireless card recommendation

[James Gray]

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 08:32 pm, Jochen Kächelin wrote:
> hello,
>
> i'am looking for a pcmcia-wireless-card,
>
> Speed:  54 Mbit
> Security: WEB 128 and WPA encryption
> Chipset: Atheros or Prism54
>
> should work with airsnort, aircrack .....
>
> Price: does not matter
>
> I run Hoary und kernel 2.8.12

I'm running a bog standard Hoary (Kubuntu) lappy.  My wifi card is a Dlink 
DWL-G650 (*NOT* the 650+).  It's an Atheros 802.11b/g chipset and works 
perfectly with WEP, WPA and other encryption schemes (the DWL-AG650 is the 
same chipset with 802.11a support added).  The only fly in the ointment is 
that support for the newer firmware and hardware revisions (the "SuperAtheros 
108" cards) is only available from the Madwifi source - the Madwifi driver 
bundled with Ubuntu is a few point-versions behind.

Also, I've had the occasional kernel panic when removing the card after 
running kismet/airsnort etc (and other tools that put the card into a 
scanning mode).  The sequence I've found that prevents this is:
1. close kismet/airsnort etc.
2. modprobe -r ath_pci
3. remove card

If you do #3 before #2 you will either get the system locked solid or a kernel 
panic.  If the card has just been participating in a standard Wifi network, 
the problem doesn't occur, unless the kernel modules didn't unload and then 
you plug the card back in.  In this case the sequence goes:
1. normal wifi activity
2. ifdown ath0 (shutdown the interface)
3. remove card, but modules remain loaded (they eventually unload, but it
   takes a little while).
4. insert card again - system may lock, or wont be able to bring up ath0.
5. remove card
6. modprobe -r ath_pci
7. reinsert card (hotplug will load the kernel modules for you).

Other than these two minor annoyances, the card works flawlessly and fast.  My 
DWL-G650 cost about USD$60, the DWL-AG650 is about USD$80.

Cheers,

James
-- 
BOFH excuse #333:
A plumber is needed, the network drain is clogged