linux.oldcrank.com:
Configuring the Linksys WPC11
Wireless Ethernet Card in Linux

©2003, 2004 Loran T. Hughes
All Rights Reserved

Note: The following instructions are specific to the WPC11 v2.0, 2.5, and 3.0. The procedure will NOT WORK with the WPC11 v2.7 or 4.0. See http://www.linuxvoodoo.com/resources/howtos/linksysv4/ to set up a v4.0 card. Additionally, I've received a report of success with the v2.7 card using NdisWrapper with the WCIIV27.inf and WCIIV27.sys files from the Linksys setup CD.

After upgrading my Dell Latitude CPt S500 Notebook to Red Hat Linux 8.0, I found that the then-current wlan-ng drivers - which I normally use to configure my el cheapo Linksys WPC11 (Intersil Prism II chipset) wireless card - refused to compile. After some frantic research via google.com, I was able to get my Linksys wireless card working without the wlan-ng drivers.

As of December 2004, the WPC11 continues to work under Fedora Core 3 - even after my Dell Latitude was knocked off a desk and landed squarely on the protruding card.

Which procedure should you use? That depends on your Linux experience and wireless needs.

• Section A: Enabling the WPC11 Without wlan-ng
  Pros - easy, will get you up and running quickly with minimal script editing
  Cons - WEP may not work properly, not able to use wireless sniffers such as Kismet
  
• Section B: Enabling the WPC11 With wlan-ng
  Pros - monitoring capabilities for wireless sniffers
  Cons - tougher to set up, requires editing of several scripts

Section A: Enabling the WPC11 Without wlan-ng

This basic procedure may work with other current distributions and other versions of the WPC11. It is known to work with Red Hat 8.0-9.0 and Fedora Core 1-3. Additionally, Mandrake 9.0+ may be set up by using the instructions in Parts I & IV only.

Note: In case you have a 'flakey' orinoco module with your stock kernel, the most current orinoco drivers can be downloaded at http://ozlabs.org/people/dgibson/dldwd. If you have problems maintaining a connection, try installing the latest module.

Part I: Get the WPC11 Functional

1. Power up the notebook. After Linux boots, insert the WPC11. You'll likely get a high-beep/low-beep, indicating that the card was not recognized. Open a terminal and log in as root:
   
   $ /sbin/cardctl ident

Look for manfid: 0x..., 0x... (take note of these addresses). It should appear in the 'Instant Wireless Network PC Card' information.
   
   
2. Create /etc/pcmcia/hermes.conf with your favorite editor and place the following lines in the file:
   
   device "orinoco_cs"
class "network"
module "hermes", "orinoco", "orinoco_cs"
# LinkSys WPC11
card "Instant Wireless Network PC Card"
manfid 0x0274, 0x1612 #substitute your addresses from step 1 here
bind "orinoco_cs"


3. Restart pcmcia services:
   
   $ /etc/rc.d/init.d/pcmcia restart

You should now hear two high-beeps as the system recognizes your card.
   
   
4. If it didn't work, check the installed kernel modules:
   
   $ /sbin/lsmod

Make sure the following modules are listed:
   
   orinoco_cs
orinoco
hermes

If these drivers are missing, install them with the modprobe command, then go back to step 3:
   
   $ /sbin/modprobe orinoco_cs orinoco hermes



Part II: Set Up Wireless Networking with RedHat 8.0-9.0 GUI

1. From the desktop, click on the menu and select: System Settings | Network
   This will open the Network Configuration utility. Make sure the 'Devices' tab is on top, then click the 'Add...' button.
   
   
2. 
   Select Device Type dialog. Select Wireless Connection and click 'Forward.'
   
   
3. 
   Select Wireless Device dialog. Highlight Other Wireless Card and click 'Forward.'
   
   
4. 
   Select Ethernet Adapter dialog. Select Lucent Orinoco and Prism II-Based PCMCIA Wireless. Also select your desired device (eth0-7) and click 'Forward.'
   
   
5. 
   Configure Wireless Connection dialog. If you are not using WEP (encryption), simply click 'Forward.'
   Otherwise, enter your key settings using the format xx:xx:xx:xx ...etc. (note: this needs to match the first key setting on your access point)
   
   
6. 
   Configure Network Settings dialog. This is self explanitory. Select DHCP or add your static IP settings and click 'Forward.'
   
   
7. 
   Create Wireless Device dialog. Review your wireless network settings and, if correct, click 'Apply.' Otherwise, go back and make the appropriate changes.
   
   
8. 
   From the Network Configuration utility / Devices tab, click 'Edit...' This will bring up the Wireless Device Configuration dialog. In the General tab, make sure the checkbox labelled "Activate device when computer starts" is unchecked, then click 'OK.'
   
   
9. 
   At this point, you'll be back in the Network Configuration utility / Devices tab and should see your new device listed. Make sure the device is highlighed and click 'Activate.' After a few seconds, you should see your device show an 'Active' status.
   
   

Part III: Non GUI Setup

Red Hat's network configuration GUI creates a file named ifcfg-eth0 and saves it in three directories:

/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/
/etc/sysconfig/networking/devices/
/etc/sysconfig/networking/profiles/default/

If you're not using Red Hat, download my sample ifcfg-eth0, configure as needed, and save it in the above locations. If you want your Linksys card to be a device other than eth0, rename the file with the appropriate device name (e.g., ifcfg-eth1).

Your distribution may not require this file in all three directories. For example, Mandrake 9.0 & 9.1 only reqires ifcfg-eth0 in the first directory listed above.

Part IV: Final Setup

To prevent some non fatal (yet agrivating) errors on boot, the boot order for pcmcia needs to be changed. From the terminal as root:

$ cd /etc/rc.d/rc.5
$ ls

Now, look for a directory entry that looks something like S24pcmcia@. The number indicates boot order. We want to move this to a lower, available number, around S09 Again, from the command line:

$ mv S24pcmcia S09pcmcia





Section B: Enabling the WPC11 With wlan-ng

The wlan-ng drivers work great and are well documented. wlan-ng source may be downloaded from linux-wlan.org.
RedHat/Fedora Core 1 specific RPM binaries may be downloaded from prism2.unixguru.raleigh.nc.us/.

Questions or Comments?

Hopefully, this outline gave you enough information to get you going. Still having problems? Try the absolute best site on Linux/Linksys wireless setup for desktops and laptops: http://www.saragossa.net/LinuxG3/ls-wlan.shtml. In any case, you can address your comments or questions to . I'll try to answer as time allows.

"How the heck did this get in my nest?"

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