IBM Thinkpad R50p and Dapper => How do I get a functional WPA-WLAN connection?

[Miles Lane]

On 7/6/06, Christian Brodbeck <christian.brodbeck at gmx.ch> wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have a IBM Thinkpad R50p and Dapper stable.
> The problem is that I can only get access to open WLANs.
> How can I get this thing working?
>
>
> Network Adapter:
> http://thinkwiki.org/wiki/IBM_11a/b/g_Wireless_LAN_Mini_PCI_Adapter

Read this:
http://madwifi.org/wiki/Compatibility
http://madwifi.org/wiki/Compatibility#AtherosAR5001X
http://madwifi.org/wiki/MadWifi
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=82936&package_id=85233

Apparently, the MacBook Duos use an Atheros chip, too.  Read this:
http://desrt.mcmaster.ca/macbook.xhtml
This section:
     Wireless:
     The wireless chipset is the Atheros AR5006EX (aka AR5424).  It appears
     to be a PCI Express device which supports 802.11a/b/g.  It requires the
     madwifi-ng drivers but by default does not work at all.  You need to
     manually load the new_wlan_scan_sta module in order to be able to see
     any networks.  You'll also need the new_wlan_ccmp or new_wlan_tkip
     drivers to join your WPA network.  See
     Launchpad #47137.
            https://launchpad.net/bugs/47137
     Update: Adam Conrad (infinity) has fixed this issue.
     Additionally, if you want WPA to work you'll need to compile your own
     version of wpa_supplicant.  The version in Dapper was built against
     the old madwifi drivers and will not work with madwifi-ng.  To rebuild
     it, download the latest version of the source and edit the .config file
     to point it at a copy of the madwifi-ng build tree.  See
     Launchpad #47144.
           https://launchpad.net/bugs/47144
     There are pages all over the place telling you you need to utter fancy
     incantations involving iwpriv and wlanconfig.  This is not true in
     Dapper.
     With the two above fixes wireless works pretty much flawlessly.  The
     card appears to be well-supported by NetworkManager (including signal
     strength indication, etc).

Thus, it appears that you should be able to get WPA/WPA2 to work on
your wireless adapter.

Good luck,
          Miles