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diff --git a/abs/core-testing/wlan-ng26-utils/tmp/trunk/FAQ b/abs/core-testing/wlan-ng26-utils/tmp/trunk/FAQ new file mode 100644 index 0000000..83358fd --- /dev/null +++ b/abs/core-testing/wlan-ng26-utils/tmp/trunk/FAQ @@ -0,0 +1,468 @@ +********************** Linux-wlan-ng FAQ ************************** +For additions, corrections, and clarifications, send mail to +solomon@linux-wlan.com with FAQ in the subject. +******************************************************************* + +Q: When will linux-wlan-ng be merged into the mainline kernel? + + Short answer: Never. + + First, the linux-netdev people will soundly reject this driver. + I don't begrudge them for this; indeed in their position I'd do + exactly the same. It's a sound engineering decision. + + linux-wlan-ng is obselete, and effort spent fixing it is better + spent elsewhere. You can't even buy the hardware any longer. + + The original design for linux-wlan-ng was to separate the 802.11 + stack from the actual hardware driver. This added a lot of + complexity, but would greatly ease the pain of supporitng + multiple hardware types. Unfortunately, the implementation was + turned out to be somewhat flawed, and hardware manufaturers went + away from the thick-mac model, leaving linux-wlan-ng overly + complex for what it did. + + (Ironically, the linux kernel is adopting a similar + separation model, but it is a long way off from being ready) + + So why not rewrite linux-wlan-ng to be more suitable, the + enterprising reader may ask? + + The kernel already has two drivers for prism2 (cs/pci/plx) + hardware -- hostap and orinoco. linux-wlan-ng basically + has three features not present in kernel drivers: + + 1) USB support + 2) nearly complete implemettion of the 802.11 MIB/MLME + 3) Firmware-based AP support + + (3) requires an expensive license that isn't even available any + longer, as the hostap mode works far better -- and is already + supported by in-kernel drivers. + + (2) would need to be removed or completely rewritten in order to + be merged, as it does not fit within existing kernel APIs, and + it would be effectively merging new kernel APIs. + + (1) Is the only truly unique thing that linux-wlan-ng does that + is generally needed any more. + + To merge it into the kernel, we'd need to strip out (2), which + would necessitate a complete rewrite -- to the point where + writing a new driver from scratch is easier. + + Basically, it would take far less effort to add USB + support to the in-kernel drivers than it would to make + linux-wlan-ng acceptable to be merged. + + In other words, the short answer is: Never. + +Q: It doesn't work/compile/sing/dance! + + First, make sure you're using the latest linux-wlan-ng release + from http://www.linux-wlan-ng.org. New releases are infrequent, + but tthey happen for a reason. + + If you are using the latest release, you may want to obtain the + latest development sources via subversion: + + svn co svn://svn.shaftnet.org/linux-wlan-ng/trunk + + Questions and problems with the developement code should be sent + to the development mailing list, at: + + linux-wlan-devel@lists.linux-wlan.com + +Q: What devices does the linux-wlan-ng driver support? + + Currently, the linux-wlan-ng driver supports the Intersil + Prism2/2.5/3 chipsets. These chipsets are used in a wide + variety of PCMCIA, PCI, and USB products. If it has a Prism + chip in it, linux-wlan-ng should support it. + +Q: Will linux-wlan-ng support some feature or funkiness in + the <pick one> Linux distribution? + + Our development target always consists of stock kernels from + kernel.org and stock pcmcia_cs. If a given distribution + chooses to do something funky, we rely on users of that + distribution to contribute patches to deal with their + funkiness. + + The quickest way to get some action on this kind of item is to + communicate with any users of the same distribution that you + can find on the linux-wlan-[devel|user] lists about working up + a patch. If it's reasonably sane and doesn't break things for + our development environment or for other distributions, we'll + be more than happy to roll that patch into the next release. + +Q: What does "resultcode=implementation_failure" mean? + + Complicated Answer: + Each command that can be issued with wlanctl-ng returns a status + called "resultcode". Resultcode is something that we picked up + from the 802.11 MLME definition. In the standard, resultcode + is an enumeration with a fixed set of values. To be able to + report failures that a driver detects that are outside the + context of the 802.11 standard set of resultcode values, we + invented the "implementation_failure" value. + + Simple Answer: + Go look in your kernel log for more detailed error information. + +Q: I'm trying to use the HostAP/orinoco/aironet/wvlan driver and it + won't work! + + That has nothing to do with the linux-wlan-ng driver. Go ask + those responsible for those drivers. + +Q: Can I get Debian packages of linux-wlan-ng? + +A: Packages of linux-wlan-ng are now available in the Debian stable + tree. + +Q: Where do I find some RPMS for linux-wlan-ng? The ones on + the ftp are dreadfully out of date! + + http://prism2.unixguru.raleigh.nc.us/ + + (Maintained by Tim Miller) + +Q: I installed the RPMs/compiled the driver and installed it and it + won't work when I try to run 'ifup wlan0' or whatnot. + + First, ensure you're running the most up-to-date version of + the driver. Many problems have been fixed in newer releases. + + 802.11 wireless networks are much more complex than wired + ethernet networks. They require much more configuration than + an ip address. If you are using pcmcia, edit the file + /etc/pcmcia/wlan-ng.opts to set the network parameters. For + PCI, PLX, or USB adapters, you need to edit /etc/wlan.conf. + + You also need to make sure you have the correct settings in + /etc/modules.conf (alias wlan0 prism2_usb). + + Might we suggest you read the README file? + +Q: When I try to load the driver, I get a whole bunch of errors about + unresolved symbols. + + The running kernel does not match the kernel the driver was + compiled for. If you downloaded a RPM, make sure you + downloaded the correct version for your kernel. This should not + happen if you compiled the driver from source -- if it does, the + kernel configuration you compiled against does not match the + running kernel. Probably a screwed-up distro kernel. + +Q: I have a DWL-520 and it won't work! + + The DWL-520 claims to require a PCI 2.2 compliant motherboard. + Only fairly new machines support this. Yes, the box lies. :) + Check the documentation for your system and/or motherboard to see if + it is PCI 2.2 compliant. + + NOTE: We have some reports of the DWL-520 working on PCI 2.1 + motherboards; your mileage may vary. See the following URL: + + http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/DlinkDwl520 + + NOTE: The Linksys WMP11 v2.7 is NOT prism-based, and + thus not supported by this driver. The Actiontec PCI board is + still known to be prism based; you may want to try that instead. + +Q: All I see is "Tx attempt prior to association, frame dropped" + + You are not associated with an access point. Double-check the + settings in /etc/wlan.conf (USB, PCI, PLX) or /etc/pcmcia/wlan-ng.opts + (for PCMCIA users). If all of these settings are correct (you + did check with your admin, right?) make sure the access point + doesn't have a MAC filter installed or has different WEP settings. + + If all of this is verified correct, and are using a PCMCIA + card, try setting the "irq_mode=0" option. See the + documentaiton in the pcmcia-cs sources. + +Q: I installed the modules, performed a 'wlanctl-ng wlan0 lnxreq_autojoin' + command, and it still won't work! + + You did read the README, didn't you? You need to perform a + "wlanctl-ng wlan0 lnxreq_ifstate ifstate=enable" in order to + torn on the radio. The pcmcia scripts and the /etc/init.d/wlan + script do this for you. + +Q: I have a XXX USB 802.11b device, will it work with this driver? + + Most 802.11b USB devices use the ATMEL AT76C503A chipset, which + is not supported by the linux-wlan-ng project. However, there + are some prism2.5-based USB adapters, most notably the Linksys + WUSB v2.5. The other versions (1.0, 2.6, 3.0) are based on + ATMEL chipsets. Another supported USB device is the Actiontec + 802UI3. + +Q: My prism2.5-based USB adapter won't work! + + An excellent guide can be found at: + + http://www.fuw.edu.pl/~pliszka/hints/prism2.html + +Q: My prism2.5-based USB adapter won't come up if it's plugged in at boot! + + Thanks to buggy firmware, it is often necessary to perform a + device reset on initialization. You can perform this by adding + "options prism2_usb prism2_doreset=1" in your /etc/modules.conf + + Intersil has released Primary firmware 1.1.2, which seems to + have resolved this problem, at least on our test machines. + +Q: My PC crashes when the USB device is plugged in! + + This is a result of the port reset necessitated by buggy firmware. + + You are probably using the 'usb-uhci' driver with an intel + chipset. Unfortunately, the crashes happen deep within the USB + core, so there's nothing the linux-wlan-ng driver can do. + + In the mean time, try using the 'uhci' host controller driver + instead ("alias usb-controller uhci" in /etc/modules.conf), or + plug the USB device into a hub. + + Linux kernel 2.4.19 is known to improve the situation somewhat, + but the right way to fix it is to turn off the port reset + (options prism2_usb prism2_doreset=0). The current firmware + from Intersil alleviates the need to perform the reset. + + UPDATE: if you're using linux-wlan-ng 0.2.1-pre6 or newer and + kernel < 2.4.22-pre, the 'uhci' driver will NOT work without a + kernel patch! See: + + http://lists.linux-wlan.com/pipermail/linux-wlan-devel/2003-May/002369.html + +Q: How come I can't transmit when in monitor mode? + + You can't. It's a fundamental "feature" of the hardware. + +Q: How come the /proc/net/wireless info isn't updated when in monitor mode? + + The definition of "signal quality" refers to the quality of the + link to the associated access point. When you're in monitor + mode, you're not associated, so this information is by defintion + irrelevant. + + And regardless, the hardware doesn't update the registers we poll to + obtain this information while in monitor mode. + +Q: What do the various monitor mode options do? + + enable=[true/false] Turn it on and off. required. + channel=[1-14] Sniff channel. required. + prismheader=[true/false] Optionally preppend a special + radio header on the packet. + Defaults to off. + keepwepflags=[true/false] If you had WEP configured correctly + the card will perform WEP decoding. + Defaults to off. + stripfcs=[true/false] When true, the 802.11 FCS is not + stripped from incoming packets. + Defaults off. + truncate=[number] Truncates the captured frame. + +Q: How come iwconfig/iwspy/[random other wireless tool] doesn't work? + + linux-wlan-ng only supports a subset of the wireless + extensions; generally read-only things. However, you won't + need any of those tools as wlan-ng comes with its own set of + tools that closely mirror the 802.11 spec. Have a look + through the documentation and supplied scripts. + + That said, if more complete (ie read/write) wireless extension + support is really important to you, you're more than welcome to + implement it and submit a patch. + + As of 0.1.16-pre1, the wireless extension plumbing has been + re-written, and further support is much easier now. And many + more bits are hooked up now than before. + +Q: How do I know exactly what prism variant is on my card? + + When you load the driver, you see a line which reads like: + + ident: nic h/w id=0x8008 1.0.0 + + 1.0.0 is the hardware revision. Below is a (partial) list of IDs. + + 0x8003, 0x8008 : Prism2 PCMCIA + + 0x800b, 0x800c : Prism2.5 PCMCIA + 0x8012, 0x8013 : Prism2.5 PCI + 0x801a, 0x801b : Prism3 PCMCIA + 0x8021, 0x8022 : Prism3 PCI + + 0x800f, 0x8010 : Prism2.5 USB (3863) + 0x801e, 0x801f : Prism2.5 USB (3861B) + 0x8025, 0x8026 : Prism3 USB + +Q: How do I know what firmware my card has? + + After the driver is loaded and brought into ifstate=enable, you + will see the following lines in the kernel log: (eg dmesg |grep ident) + + ident: pri f/w: id=0x15 0.3.0 + ident: sta f/w: id=0x1f 1.7.1 + + In this case, the card has primary firmware 0.3.0 and secondary + firmware 1.7.1. + + Or, if you are using 0.2.1-pre17 or newer: + 'cat /proc/net/p80211/wlan0/nsd' with the card running. + +Q: How can I update my firmware under Linux? + + Use the 'prism2dl' utility. While it does its utmost to ensure + you don't fry your card, use it at your own risk. Even the + Intersil-supplied tools fail occasionally. + +Q: Where can I download updated firmware for my Prism2/2.5/3-based card? + + As of linux-wlan-ng 0.2.1-pre21, the ram download firmware for + all supported card types is bundled with the driver. These + images cannot be flashed. + + A general FAQ on firmware updating is here: + http://linux.junsun.net/intersil-prism + + It includes links to some sites with firmware images. + + We strongly recommend against flashing a new image, instead one + should use the ram-download images that are loaded when the + driver starts, much like the Windows drivers do. + + See the instructions below for getting this to work. + +Q: What's this about "ram downloading"? + + This means the driver loads up a firmware images directly into + card RAM, instead of using the firmware stored in the card's + flash ROM. This lets us ensure we are using the lastest available + code without risking ruining the hardware due to a bad flashing. + + linux-wlan-ng will automatically perform a RAM download if you have + the necessary firmware images. + +Q: Okay, I have new ram download firmware images, where do I put them? + + copy the *hex files into linux-wlan-ng-XXXX/src/prism2/ + then build and install the driver per usual. + +Q: Can I use my 802.11b card as an AP under Linux? + + Yes, and in the true free software fashion, there are several + ways: + + a) linux-wlan-ng supports AP operation by using special tertiary + firmware on prism devices. This firmware is not generally + available, however. Contact Intersil for licensing terms. + + b) The Prism2 HostAP driver uses the special HostAP mode of the + prism chipsets. http://people.ssh.com/jkm/Prism2/ + +Q: I have a PCI adapter, and upon resuming from a suspend, the device is not + responsive. + + Much like you need to run some commands to bring the card to life + when the PC is first booted, you also need to perform similar + steps when the card comes out of suspend. Run '/etc/init.d/wlan start' + and all should be well. + + You'll need to be running 0.1.15-pre3 or newer for this to work + properly. + + The prism2.5/3 chipsets do not support PCI power management, so + this is the best we can realistically do. + +Q: I have a Linksys WMP11, and under moderate to heavy traffic, I get + errors like "unknown port number" and "invalid frame type" + + Make sure you're using the latest firmware avaliable from + Linksys's web site. According to the firmware release notes: + + "Changes were made to prevent erroneous data from being + transferred over the PCI bus" + + Note that this problem has also beeen confirmed on the D-Link + DWL-520. You will need firmware 1.3.5 or newer to resolve this. + +Q: I have a D-Link DWL-650/650+/520+ card, why doesn't it work with + this driver? + + The DWL-650 comes in at least three flavors; older ones have grey + antennae, with no revision number on the back. + Second-generation has a black antenna and the back reads + "H/W J3 F/W 1.x.x". Both of these will work. The third- + generation, with a grey antenna, has "H/W A1, F/W x.x", and + will NOT work; It has the same hardware as the "plus" series + of cards. + + The "plus" series of cards from D-Link use the Texas Instruments + ACX100/TNETW1100 chipset. TI has not been forthcoming with + programming information. Politely ask TI and D-Link for Linux + drivers and/or docs. + + We've been told that TI will be releasing binary-only Linux + drivers sometime in December. In the mean time, return the + card and buy one that works with Linux. + +Q: I have a Linksys WMP11 v2.7 card; why doesn't it work with this driver? + + Linksys, in their grand tradition, likes to introduce completely + new cards but re-use the model number. The WMP11 v2.7 utilizes the + Broadcomm chipset, and is not supported by linux-wlan-ng. Politely + ask Linksys and/or Broadcomm for Linux drivers and/or docs. + +Q: What other resources are there for Wireless LANs under Linux? + + http://www.fuw.edu.pl/~pliszka/hints/wireless.html + + http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/Linux.Wireless.drivers.html + +Q: I'm using RedHat 8.x+ (or Fedora Core), and I get this error when + trying to ifup wlan0: + + Error for wireless request "Set Encode" (8B2A) : + SET failed on device wlan0 ; Function not implemented. + Error for wireless request "Set ESSID" (8B1A) : + SET failed on device wlan0 ; Function not implemented. + + + You can safely ignore this; it is there because linux-wlan-ng + does not currently use the wireless extension commands for + configuration. + +Q: When the prism2_cs module loads, I see the message "RequestIRQ: + Resource in use" and the load fails! What's going on? + + Is your card a 16-bit PCMCIA card? If it is, you may need to + recompile your kernel with ISA bus support enabled (CONFIG_ISA=y). + The PCMCIA core uses ISA bus support to help determine what IRQs + are available for the card. Without it, the PCMCIA core may not be + able to select an IRQ. + +Q: After installing linux-wlan-ng on my RedHat 9 system, pcmcia no + longer works! + + This is due to a bug in the RedHat 9 pcmcia startup scripts. + On or about line 105 in /etc/init.d/pcmcia, remove all of the + '.o' suffixes on the modprobe command lines. It should read + something like this: + + if [ -d $PC ] ; then + echo -n " modules" + /sbin/modprobe pcmcia_core $CORE_OPTS + /sbin/modprobe $PCIC $PCIC_OPTS + /sbin/modprobe ds + elif [ -d $KD ] ; then + /sbin/modprobe pcmcia_core + /sbin/modprobe $PCIC + /sbin/modprobe ds + else + |