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#1 2008-05-12 21:48:29

pogeymanz
Member
Registered: 2008-03-11
Posts: 1,020

What wireless device should I buy?

I'm getting a new desktop and I need a wireless device. I connect to a WPA-encrypted 802.11g network.

Please don't point me to a wiki or some other site. I just need someone to post here that they bought *blank* wireless device and use WPA and it works perfectly.

I don't care if it's USB or PCI or Witch-Craft interface. I cannot stand the frustration of wireless internet in Linux. I want a card that will work with just the Arch 2008 core iso. If you withhold any information, you are a bad, bad person.


Thank you! tongue

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#2 2008-05-12 22:22:28

Aaron
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From: PA, USA
Registered: 2007-12-19
Posts: 108
Website

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

Slightly off topic, but I would recommend a switch to WPA2, it is much more secure with little effort.

An explanation of the differences between wpa and wpa2 is here:
http://arstechnica.com/guides/tweaks/wi … rity.ars/2

Sorry I don't have a recommendation on a wireless card though.

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#3 2008-05-12 22:41:49

.:B:.
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Registered: 2006-11-26
Posts: 5,819
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Re: What wireless device should I buy?

Atheros is a good bet, just make sure it's supported by the present drivers (some versions seem unsupported). Most people using atheros cards are very happy with it, and Intel cards aren't available unless you use miniPCI.


Got Leenucks? :: Arch: Power in simplicity :: Get Counted! Registered Linux User #392717 :: Blog thingy

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#4 2008-05-13 11:32:03

UnplayedNamer
Member
Registered: 2007-04-06
Posts: 15

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

Atheros + madwifi works great. Just remember that madwifi currently doesn't support USB devices.

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#5 2008-05-13 12:37:15

eox425
Member
From: Ukraine vinnitsa reg Ladyzhin
Registered: 2008-05-11
Posts: 18

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

As for me, you should use ASUS or NETGEAR cards.
I have no problems with them.
If there any problems with drivers installation you can use NDISWRAPER
But don't use D-LINK 'cause original schematic of impulse power suply is "unstable" and it can burn out
your card or AP. This caused by using btm-like components which are unstable on higher frequencies. (higher than 2 ghz and we have 2.4 ghz) And TP-link cards is "Chinese modified" D_LINK and it is more stable.

I think that the best way to power up your linux with wireless device is to use Atheros or Prism chipsets.
If you want "much powerfull" connection you should use Orinoco Gold card. This thing will blow up all the chanells.

There are nice Planet cards and AP's supported by wireless-ng. Why Planet?
Planet ARM's (CPU's) on AP's are about 166-233 mhz, but there are a lot of stuff on them.
And they've got much power - about 850 mW
As for me, if you don't whant to play with drivers you should use AP's.
Greatest AP that I've ever seen is Senao Deluxe. This series of AP's is about 1W of power!!! But there are some problems with their inner stuff.


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#6 2008-05-13 14:43:50

heinz
Member
From: Germany
Registered: 2008-05-11
Posts: 5

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

Same here!

I'm using and recommending

Allnet ALL0281a PCI
Atheros 5212
802.11b and 802.11g
54 Mbit/s
64/128 Bit WEP, WPA-PSK, NO WPA2

Last edited by heinz (2008-05-13 14:44:08)

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#7 2008-05-13 16:45:38

pogeymanz
Member
Registered: 2008-03-11
Posts: 1,020

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

Thank you for the suggestions. Sounds like I will be going with an Atheros chip, probably.

But how do I find out what kind of WPA I have? I didn't even know there were different kinds! This router wasn't very expensive, so if there is a better kind of WPA, this probably isn't it...

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#8 2008-05-13 19:35:35

.:B:.
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Registered: 2006-11-26
Posts: 5,819
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Re: What wireless device should I buy?

If a chip supports WPA then it's powerful enough to support WPA2. If it's handled by wpa_supplicant then what your driver supports should not matter - wpa_supplicant takes care of it.


Got Leenucks? :: Arch: Power in simplicity :: Get Counted! Registered Linux User #392717 :: Blog thingy

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#9 2008-05-14 02:42:23

Aaron
Member
From: PA, USA
Registered: 2007-12-19
Posts: 108
Website

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

pogeymanz wrote:

Thank you for the suggestions. Sounds like I will be going with an Atheros chip, probably.

But how do I find out what kind of WPA I have? I didn't even know there were different kinds! This router wasn't very expensive, so if there is a better kind of WPA, this probably isn't it...

If the router was made in the last 2 or 3 years, it should have WPA2.  And if it wasn't, there should be a firmware update available if it supports WPA.

To find out which kind you have, just check the security tab on your browser's user interface (Most general consumer routers have a simple web interface)

For more information, refer to the ARS Technica article I linked to in my previous post, start at the beginning, it explains how to set it all up.

Last edited by Aaron (2008-05-14 02:43:30)

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#10 2008-05-14 03:21:13

.:B:.
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Registered: 2006-11-26
Posts: 5,819
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Re: What wireless device should I buy?

A firmware update doesn't just get you WPA. There's lots of hardware out there that will never support it, because it's not up to spec to even parse WPA encryption. So don't bet your money on it.

Last edited by B (2008-05-14 03:22:36)


Got Leenucks? :: Arch: Power in simplicity :: Get Counted! Registered Linux User #392717 :: Blog thingy

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#11 2008-05-14 03:41:02

Aaron
Member
From: PA, USA
Registered: 2007-12-19
Posts: 108
Website

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

B wrote:

A firmware update doesn't just get you WPA. There's lots of hardware out there that will never support it, because it's not up to spec to even parse WPA encryption. So don't bet your money on it.

He's already using WPA, I suggested upgrading to WPA2.

More likely than not, a simple firmware update WILL grant access to WPA2 for him. Most Netgear and Linksys routers that don't support WPA2 out of the box but support WPA will have a firmware update available.

I don't believe it's a hardware limitation for the most part, seeing as how simply switching to an alternative firmware such as DD-WRT often enables WPA2 along with other security measures.  The major determining factor is whether or not the vendor decides it's worth it to add WPA2 support to the device.

Sorry, I seem to have taken the thread off topic.:(

Last edited by Aaron (2008-05-14 03:46:27)

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#12 2008-05-14 20:04:47

eox425
Member
From: Ukraine vinnitsa reg Ladyzhin
Registered: 2008-05-11
Posts: 18

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

pogeymanz
As for me the best cards that I've ever used are Proxim Orinoco ComboCard gold adapters
You should buy it!
They are supported by madwifi

Last edited by eox425 (2008-05-14 20:06:04)


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#13 2008-05-21 00:53:44

learntheblues
Member
Registered: 2007-11-22
Posts: 7

Re: What wireless device should I buy?

After reading this tread & many more on the net I have decided on two cards to pick from >>>

How does the Orinoco Gold 8470 WD with a 7.5 dBi MC magnetic antenna

compare with a >>>

500mw Alfa Network AWUS036H USB with the default antenna

looking at the specs the Orinoco Gold is rated at 60/80mw & the Alfa Network AWUS036H is 500mw, What will that mean in terms of range? Does higher mw mean greater range? Will the 7.5 dBi antenna on the Orinoco Gold help much?

This will be my first wireless card not sure which to get.

ps...my internet is getting cut off on Thursday midnight, might take me sometime to respond to any feedback after that time.

Thanks

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