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FreeBSD 802.11a/g Support

Posted by michael on from the look-ma-no-wires dept.

ByTor-2112 writes "If you are like me, you feel like the "next generation" 802.11 technology was leaving the group of people who got the revolution started in the first place -- the Linux/BSD network enthusiasts -- out in the cold. Well No more. With help from Atheros Comunications, Sam Leffler has built a new 802.11 layer for BSD and drivers for the Atheros chipsets (which are found on many of your 11a/g cards). A Linux version of the driver is here. I will certainly make sure to recommend these supported cards to all my friends."

22 of 61 comments (clear)

  1. airport extreme by seann · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Which chipsets do the Airport extreme Mini PCI standard use?

    I'd kill to be able to use my 12" PB on a linux based system ocasionaly with 802.11g.

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    1. Re:airport extreme by zonker · · Score: 1, Informative

      broadcom i believe...

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      Large print giveth, and the small print taketh away

  2. Informative links by Mensa+Babe · · Score: 2, Funny

    good job folks. makes me even happier to plunk down my cash for the FreeBSD DVD. now, where can I find a list of products that use this chipset? as I understand it, the broadcom chips are the ones to avoid?

    You can find everything here. (And please, for the love of god, before anyone make this old and completely unintelligent joke with Atheros/uterus pun -- it is not funny!)

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    1. Re:Informative links by tarius8105 · · Score: 1

      Hey are you working for SCO? You're claiming fact when you have lack of proof, much like the SCO vs Linux case. Netcraft doesnt mention that BSD is losing Market Share. I will not listen to a psychic because thats bullsh!t. And you're telling me the only users who use BSD are on Usenet!?! I'm a BSD user and I dont use usenet. FreeBSD did not go out of business, you have to have a business in the first place to go out of business. BSDI maybe on life support, thats about the only accurate claim you had made. Get proof before you post your little crappy "BSD is Dying" posts.

  3. Semi-closed driver by Fluffy+the+Cat · · Score: 5, Informative

    Note that the author claims that the manufacturers will only allow the release of the code that actually interfaces with the hardware in binary form. It looks like he's happy to provide modules for different architectures so it ought to be possible to run one of these things in an Alpha (for instance), but as-is it's i386 only. This is supposedly due to FCC regulations forbidding radio devices being entirely under user control, so manufacturers outside the US may be a better bet for a driver that can be integrated into the OSs.

  4. for linux too! by andrewl6097 · · Score: 5, Informative

    There is a linux port of these drivers. I've tested them and they work with an Orinoco a/b combo card. http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/madwifi

    1. Re:for linux too! by andrewl6097 · · Score: 1

      Oops, I fail. Didn't see that in the submission. (though I /did/ submit this yesterday. grr.)

    2. Re:for linux too! by jo42 · · Score: 4, Funny

      If *BSD dies, from where will Linux steal its drivers??

    3. Re:for linux too! by zdzichu · · Score: 2, Funny

      SCO ?

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      :wq
  5. No need to ask by Mensa+Babe · · Score: 2, Informative

    Which chipsets do the Airport extreme Mini PCI standard use?

    There is no need to ask. You can find it here.

    I'd kill to be able to use my 12" PB on a linux based system ocasionaly with 802.11g.

    I wish you good luck with porting. We need more people like you.

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  6. 802.1x and Dynamic WEP by riclewis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We still won't be really caught up in the corporate business world until 802.1x and Dynamic WEP are supported by BSD and Linux. Without these security measures, wireless connections are too insecure to be used for anything other than the "oooh cool!" factor. Ric

    1. Re:802.1x and Dynamic WEP by Brian+Feldman · · Score: 1

      Do a search for xsupplicant. For 802.1x authentication servers, check out hostapd which I've made work for OpenBSD and will for FreeBSD when I get the scratch computer up.

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      Brian Fundakowski Feldman
  7. Re:cool! by tigga · · Score: 5, Informative
    now, where can I find a list of products that use this chipset?

    From ath(4) manpage:

    D-Link DWL-AB650 AR5211 Cardbus
    D-Link DWL-AG520 AR5212 PCI
    D-Link DWL-AG650 AR5212 Cardbus
    Linksys WMP55AG AR5212 Cardbus
    Linksys WPC51AB AR5211 Cardbus
    Linksys WPC55AG AR5212 PCI
    Netgear WAB501 AR5211 Cardbus
    Netgear WAG511 AR5212 Cardbus

    there should be other of course.

  8. also this other linux driver - "ar5k" by Splork · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://team.vantronix.net/ar5k/ is a linux driver for these chipsets as well.

    1. Re:also this other linux driver - "ar5k" by jforman · · Score: 1

      Have you seen the support? So far they have the card initialized and can flash the LED's. i wouldnt exactly call that support yet. I have this card and have to boot into windows to use it. Thankfully I've kept my Orinoco Gold 802.11b card in the interim.

  9. I'm IN HEAVEN!! by zbowling · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Just downloaded and it works GREAT! I hated being forced to use windows on my wireless boxes because that is all that was supported. I love this now. Ironicly like most thinks in Linux/BSD that have to do with networking, it runs so much faster!

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    No.
    1. Re:I'm IN HEAVEN!! by lwbecker2 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Ironicly like most thinks in Linux/BSD that have to do with networking, it runs so much faster!

      No... it ISN'T ironic

  10. I'd have thought this would be on the front page by edhall · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Given that there have been a lot of complaints that 802.11{a,g} wasn't available for Linux & BSD and that this announces both FreeBSD and Linux drivers for 802.11{a,g}, I'd have expected this to appear on the front page. Not that this driver is a perfect solution -- part of the driver is closed due to "legal requirements" -- but that hasn't kept, say, Nvidia's drivers from being Big News.

    Curious...

    In any case, Thanks, Sam!

    -Ed
  11. How hard is it anyway by Znonymous+Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    for companies to release open source drivers for BSD and GNU/Linux? I'm always seeing drivers disks that have NT, DOS, and OS/2 drivers. You would think that they could scrap DOS and OS/2 development and switch to Linux. /Rant

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  12. Hopefully now Intel will follow suit... by salimma · · Score: 3, Informative
    ... Ever since the Centrino platform was released, Intel has had a Linux driver for the wireless chipset tested in-house, but it has not been released 'awaiting market demand'.

    I might actually settle for a semi-closed driver rather than having to plug a battery-hogging PC Card get wi-fi connectivity...

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    Michel
    Fedora Project Contribut
  13. What about the Orinoco a/b/g combo card? by Mistah+Blue · · Score: 1

    Does it work with the a/b/g combo card? I too, am using an Orinoco Gold b card in the interim, until I can use my a/b/g card.

  14. Re:also this other linux driver - "ar5k" [LOUSY] by Splork · · Score: 2, Informative

    yes, as those who've tried "it" have found, it apparently doesn't deserve to be called a driver at all.

    i guess when you use google to search for something that doesn't exist and it returns the vapor.