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Linksys AP/Routers Not Supporting Non-Microsoft OSs?
Multispin asks: "This isn't exactly new, but Linksys has a nifty little router/firewall/switch/802.11b Access Point box for sale. The only problem is that the wireless interface seems to only work with windows. I've put together a little page about this issue, here. I'd like to try to put together a larger group of interested people. Linksys makes good stuff, I just want to help them solve this problem, not boycot them! I think the problem problem due to the device not sending Ethernet II type however I'm not quite sure." Has anyone else tried fixing this problem?
Has anyone else tried fixing this problem? Ummm...
No. But don't worry, i'll make a note about it and put it in my "Things to do" folder.
(Note to self: either recycle the paper notes on that folder more often, or get a bigger folder)
Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I
Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I
Learning to fly, Pink Floyd.
that's kind of curious. i've been using linksys switches and 10/100 network cards for about six months with no hitches.
before that a 10Mbit hub for about two years.
the primary reason i started purchasing their products, was the fact they were displaying a "tested with linux" sticker on their boxes.
i try to support "early adopters" of linux tested hardware. i think it's a strategy some of the other manufacturers might consider picking up.
my first question with new hardware purchases is always, "does it work with linux?" if the manufacturer doesn't take the effort to supply this information, i don't buy it.
it's also helpful to give the vendor some positive feedback regarding their "linux testing" efforts.
I've had the Barricade (7004WBR) for about 6 months now. Has all the cool stuff: NAT, 3 10/100 ports, LPR-compliant parallel port, DB-9 serial for analog modem failover, and 802.11b (64 bit WEP).
The cool thing about it is that the Barricade is pretty OS-agnostic. The only real requirement is a browser with javascript to configure it. Once configured, you can update the BIOS from the web, FTP, or through a windows app. SMC keeps releasing new versions of the BIOS, and it's worked pretty well for me the entire time.
Cost at the time was ~$350US, but I think it's dropped some.
I have one of the Linksys AP (just the AP) and it works great.
Does it work without WEP?
Does it work with other brands of cards? (with my Cisco Aironet 340 I cannot set the speed manually, only works with auto)
Come to think of it, mine changes its management IP to a random one sometimes. And I do have the latest code running on it.
I talked with the reps from Linksys at CeBIT this year and they seemed nice. But another thing that annoys me with them is their PCI card. All of them have the same name, but 4 different chip sets and drivers for each. Also don't buy the Linksys PCMCIA wireless card, the range sucks. I got my Aironet 340 from wirelesscentral.net for $140
Linksys??? Care to comment?
hmm... for fun I enjoy launching DDoS attacks against 127.87.42.5
First of all, here's a link to the Linksys BEFW11S4 product information page.
I installed one of these the other day on a mostly-Mac network, and got it to work with Apple's Airport cards. Granted, I don't know whether the Airport is using SNAP or EthernetII, but I did find out that the Airport does not support standard WEP. Apparently, they use their own encryption using a password rather than a 128-bit key. Not sure how auth works on the Airport. Anyway, right now it's running unencrypted, so I'll have to put in a separate firewall and an Airport WAP. Bleah.
Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
my first question with new hardware purchases is always, "does it work with linux?"
i'm in a bit of a tougher situation... though the drones at the local compusa have gotten used to me asking if stuff works with netbsd or not.
"well, shit, it works with SCO. _nothing_ ought to do that. i'm sure it's fine."
--saint----
Linksys released a firmware update on May 30th. Version 1.37.2b. They're really vague on what they changed ("Optimized Wireless sessions for stability" -- which could apply), but you can get it here if you don't have it already.
QLITech has a nice line of Linux laptops. I bought the Amethyst 20U from Tuxtops, now the King System, and I'm very happy with it. IBM also sells laptops running linux if you look around. Don't pay the Microsoft tax!
I've got a Linksys BEFSR11 (Single Port CableModem router) - I've even gotten it to work with Lynx (Gotta send a space as the user name, other than that, no problem).
If you are using bleeding edge kernels with the Alan Cox patches, this has already been taken care of for you, close to a month ago now. The problem is a funky encapsulation that they are using.
Would you do it for some scoobie crack?
if you read the page linked to above, it says it's only been fixed for one brand of wireless cards.
Problems so far:
It's a cute little box, but Linksys needs to work on manageability.
It adds a fairly sophisticated set of tweakable parameters for the radio as well.
I'm not running Linux, but I can't use my Checkpoint VPN software over wireless, probably because of the same issue. Robert
--- If it's worth doing, it's worth doing in Perl!
1) Get something cheap
2) get something old
Most of the new funky stuff does not work, because the manufacturers are building everything for the windows market. The older and cheaper stuff is, the better it works IMO, because the brave pioneers have had more time hacking on device drivers.
Look at network cards. Those 3com cards costs a leg and a half, and it can be right out messy to get them working. On the other hand, you can get NE2000 clones for 10 bucks or less. NE2000 clones don't even implement the ethernet specs properly, but because they're so cheap and widely used, they work like a charm for linux.
Same with video and sound cards. New stuff in general sucks. Don't get it unless you're planning on writing the device drivers yourself.
I much prefer linux to other operating systems, and I am a really big cheapskate. I don't cry if I can't get my hands on the latest 5 dimensional video cards, and quadrophonic sound monsters. New stuff is for suckers.
-- Another senseless waste of fine bytes.
Same issue; I just upgraded the AP to firmware 1.37.9a and it works fine. Available from http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark%2c910510%3b root=equip%2c16%3bmode=flat#975379
This is an unofficial alpha firmware -- if it breaks your AP I would assume you own both pieces.