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    AS3003LCi + Fedora Core 5 + Wireless

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by i386, Aug 22, 2006.

  1. i386

    i386 Newbie

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    After doing some research and lots of trial and error, I got wireless working on FC5 without ndiswrapper.

    Here's how.

    I installed FC5 with the Office and Software Development option. I chose the Software Development option just in case I need to compile something.

    Ok once you've got the system installed, it's time to upgrade the kernel. The bcm43xx driver that ships with the default kernel doesn't work well at all.

    So upgrade the kernel. I used kernel-2.6.16-1.2129_FC5.i686.rpm. Anything >= to that version should work.

    Install Package:
    # rpm -Uvh kernel-2.6.16-1.2129_FC5.i686.rpm

    Now reboot so you're running the new kernel!


    To get the wireless working you need the firmware and firmware cutter packages. I got mine here:

    fwcutter:
    $ wget http://download.berlios.de/bcm43xx/bcm43xx-fwcutter-004.tar.bz2
    firmware:
    $ wget http://users.atw.hu/bervi/tmp/bcmwl5.tar.gz

    To extract the firmware one should:
    1. Download both files.
    2. Unpack bcm43xx-fwcutter to anywhere, then enter the folder
    3. Build the tool:
    # make
    4. Unpack the firmware files (in the same folder is the simplest)
    4. Print out firmware information in order to see whether the firmware is OK
    and is expected to work (and it should with 3.100.46.0):
    # bcm43xx-fwcutter -i FILE
    5. If so, extract it:
    # bcm43xx-fwcutter FILE
    6. Install the firmware
    # make installfw


    Get the module to load automatically:
    1. edit /etc/modprobe.conf and after the eth0 line, add:
    alias eth1 bcm43xx

    2. Save and exit

    3. depmod -a

    Configure the wireless network connection:

    1. In the X-Windows Session go to System -> Administration -> Network
    2. On the Deivices tab do New -> Wireless Connection. It's pretty straight forward.



    I didn't figure this out all on my own, but from bits and pieces here and there...

    http://doube.net/3023wlmi.html
    Search Google for "bcm43xx FC5" and look at the cached page.


    I have not tested a connection that requires encryption. I have read that WEP works and WPA might work if you install the wpa supplicant.


    Read your man pages on iwconfig and iwlist. The gui works fine for configuring the connection, but these are still good troubleshooting tools.

    For example, to look for wireless networks:

    # /sbin/iwlist eth1 scan



    Knowing how to use ifconfig up/down can be helpful.

    ifup/ifdown eth1 also works on "redhat" systems.
    Understand how the stuff in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts works too.

    Good luck!
     
    i386, Aug 22, 2006
    #1