This how-to was written to help users get the Linksys WPC11 (v3) (and WEP) working in Debian.
This how-to doesn't explain every option or command, nor does it explain how to configure your Wireless Access Point (for that you'll have to read the manual). Please read the relevant README files with all the software noted in this how-to. If you can't get your linksys card working first time, try setting up your card WITHOUT WEP, then add WEP later when your ready.
A good source of information of everything wireless: http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/
In this how-to I will be using kernel version 2.4.21, pcmcia-cs 3.2.4 and linux wlan-ng 0.2.1-pre10.
(These are the latest stable version's at the time of writting)
(you can get these packages by apt-get)
kernel-package (if you don't have this all ready)
wireless-tools
Now that you have the software, it's time to recompile your kernel.
Remove all pcmcia support from you kernel, EXECPT Hermes chipset (Orinoco/Prims2).
This is under:
Network Device Support --->
Wireless LAN (non-hamradio) --->
<*> Hermes chipset 802.11b support (Orinoco/Prism2/Symbol)
(You'll need this for your wireless tools to work later)
(I will assume that you know how to compile a kernel, but here is just a little recap for those people who havent yet compiled the kernel the debian way)
After saving your kernel make you can make the .deb file
make-kpkg clean
then
make-kpkg --revision=pcmcia.1.0 kernel-image
You can change pcmcia.1.0 to what ever you want, as long as it has a full point (.) and a number (1), like .1 and make sure that it doesn't have a hyphen ( - )
Now after installing your new kernel
dpkg -i
and successfully rebooted. You can now start installing the pcmcia-cs modules.
Uncompressing the pcmcia-cs tar file. I uncompress this in my /usr/src/ directory as this is the default. Now cd into the directory /usr/src/pcmcia-cs-3.2.4/ you can now start the config:
make config
(you will probably only need the default settings for this, if you want more info about these settings, read the PCMCIA-HOWTO and the README, in the same directory
make all
make install
This will make & install all the modules that you need.
Then reboot
At this point you should have your pcmcia setup, but you'll still need to install the linux-wlan-ng modules to get you WPC11 card working with the prism2_cs module.
After uncompressing the linux-wlan-ng tar file into /usr/src/ you can now proceed configuring it.
cd into the directory /usr/src/linux-wlan-ng-0.2.1-pre10
make config
(as with the pcmcia-cs modules you'll probably only need the default options)
make all
make install
reboot
Now you have successfully installed your pcmcia card, all you have to now is configure the relevent files.
First, you'll need to edit you modules.conf file. As debian uses modutils, make a file in /etc/modutils/
echo "alias wlan0 prism2_cs" > /etc/modutils/wlan
then update your modules:
update-modules
Now you'll setup your linksys wpc11 card with the right network settings. The files you'll need to edit are as follows:
/etc/wlan/wlan.conf
/etc/wlan/wlancfg-DEFAULT (we won't edit this file, but you'll need to copy it)
/etc/pcmcia/network.opts
/etc/pcmcia/wireless.opts
First edit your wlan.conf
Change WLAN_DEVICES to (if not already wlan0)
WLAN_DEVICES="wlan0"
Change your SSID to whatever your SSID is on your access point (for this how-to we'll use "linux-wlan")
SSID_wlan0="linux-wlan"
ENABLE_wlan0=y
Now to bind to your SSID, copy your /etc/wlan/wlancfg-DEFAULT file to /etc/wlan/wlancfg-linux-wlan
If you don't plan to use WEP you don't have to edit this file! (but you'll still have to copy it). If you do what to use WEP here the setting's you'll need to change:
These are the only setting you'll need if you are connecting too a wireless access point.
Next edit your network.opts file. If you want to use DHCP change the DHCP option to y (DHCP="y"). We'll be setting up a up a static network in this how-to. Change to your network settings to.
These are examples:
IPADDR="192.168.1.7"
NETMASK="255.255.255.0"
NETWORK="192.168.1.0"
BROADCAST="192.168.1.255"
GATEWAY="192.168.1.1"
(if your network setting as 192.168.0.0 then change these settings accordingly)
Next edit your wireless.opts file. I put my settings at the start, like this.
case "$ADDRESS" in
# NOTE : Remove the following four lines to activate the samples below ...
# --------- START SECTION TO REMOVE -----------
*,*,*,*)
INFO="Linksys WAP11"
ESSID="linux-wlan" (put your SSID in here, i'm using "linux-wlan" as an example for the earlier wlan.conf)
MODE="Managed"
CHANNEL="6" (change to your channel)
RATE="auto"
KEY="" (this option is not important, as your "wlancfg-linux-wlan" takes care of WEP)
;;
# ---------- END SECTION TO REMOVE ------------
Now you should have you Linksys card ready to work. First insert the pcmcia card. You should hear 1 beep, then after about 5-10 seconds you should hear another beep (if you have your sound volume turned up). You will know if has worked by the "link" LED light staying ON.
If you have not setup your Wireless Access Point, now is a good time to do this. Activate WEP, change you SSID etc, etc.
To check if your WPC11 is working type:
ifconfig
You should be able to see your WPC11 setup as "wlan0". You can also use the iwconfig command, but you will see this:
"Warning: Driver for device wlan0 has been compiled with version 15
of Wireless Extension, while this program is using version 16.
Some things may be broken..."
wlan0 IEEE 802.11-b ESSID:"linux-wlan" ........ (and the rest of your settings)
Don't worry, most of the wireless-tools work, but to use version 16 you'll need a kernel 2.5.* or higher. For more info please read the README file.
Finally you will need to disable your eth0 connection. After doing this you will be able to connect to the internet via your gateway. To do this type:
ifdown eth0
This will disable your eth0, and you now should be able to connect to the internet or ping other machines on your network.
Registered Linux user #230403! Since March 2001! YAY.
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