Baslinux mailing list

[James Miller <jamtat AT mailsnare.net>]

A quick reply with some hopefully pertinent info I've managed to pick up 
about wireless. For sniffing out wireless 
networks kismet is a great tool. It's console. Used for wardriving. It shows 
channel, SSID (if one is being 
broadcast), whether network is secured and address range. The more recent the 
version you get, the better. I doubt 
you'll find any old Slack packages.

For configuring your wireless card from the command line, you need iwconfig. 
For example, once you find the E/SSID of 
the network you want to join, issue iwconfig ra0 essid network_name channel # 
(ra0 is what my ralink wireless card 
gets named by the kernel; you may use wlan0 or some other, depending on 
card). Once you've bound that info to the 
interface, just run your dhcp client: under Debian ifup -a, under Slack, I 
believe rc.inet restart, and BL probably 
udhcpc ra0 (or relevant interface name). If the network is not encrypted and 
you've entered the info right, you 
should get an IP offer and your card should get configured with it. You're on 
the network after this.

On Fri, Dec 15, 2006 at 10:44:10PM +0000, sindi keesan wrote:
> 
> 1.  Cisco Airo model 340 with 2 antennas, pcmcia wireless card (won't tell 
> cardmgr product info but should be airo.o), serial and RJ-45 ports in 
> back, no manual.  Cisco's online manual said to communicate with the setup 
> program via a terminal emulator, which I tried but it wants username and 
> password.  Or via ethernet and browser.

If you don't end up using this router, please pass it along to me :)

> 3.  Linksys Wireless-B Network kit with 2 antennas, one cardbus WPC11 ver 
> 4 pcmcia wireless card, no pcmcia slot, no serial port or parallel port, 
> $90 new, manual only tells you how to install Windows software, got a lot 
> of bad ratings.  From another friend.  The software left bits in registry 
> that interfered with booting when uninstalled and also left about 10MB in 
> My Documents and some icons and shortcuts.  This has one RJ-45 for 
> Internet and four acting as hub, into which I plugged the straight cable.

Please give the model number for this router. Sounds alot like the WAP11, 
which is 802.11b. I have one of these. The 
rj45 jack is for the signal from the WAN, which the router distributes to 
wireless clients. You can administrate it 
via a web page (router runs a mini http server). Crossover cable from your 
NIC to the jack on the back of this, 
ifconfig to the right address range (192.168.0.x if memory serves), then try 
to bring up 192.168.0.30 (or some such) 
in a graphical browser and you should get the login window. username should 
be blank and the password is admin if 
factory settings were left on it. You don't necessarily need to do this to 
use the router, only if you want to change 
settings.

> Could I use a router to pick up an external wireless signal and then plug 
> several computers into the Linksys built-in hub or into a hub plugged into 
> Maxgate Hub port?  Using Managed not Ad-Hoc mode.  And use the laptop only 
> at the public library to get more than 84Kbps.

I can't really understand what you're asking here. I'm really swamped with 
other work right now, but may be able to 
post more after Tuesday. Hope this helps.

James