Wireless Network With Windows, Linux, Dlink ..

Okay. To start off let me, please, declare that I am an absolute beginner to Linux. I've been spoon fed my entire life by Microsoft, and have finally become fed up. Not only that, but I've also decided to get a bit more .. "in tune" with how computers and operating systems work. Linux seemed good, so I started my journey. I now have Ubuntu 5.10 ("Breezy Badger) up and running, and running darn good! Except, a little (actually, major) problem. I can't get my wireless connection to work. Which isn't surprising seeing as how it normally takes me several hours with Windows, but whatever .. moving on.

 

I need it to co-exist with 2 other computers, which both run Windows XP (one Home and one Pro). I have a DLink DI-614+ Router with a DLink DSS-5+ Switch. The XP Pro computer is plugged directly into the router, and is set up so that it does not know any other computers are on the network, because of company policies. The XP Home computer is using a DLink DWL-G520+ Rev. A wireless card, works great. The Ubuntu computer is using a DLink DWL-520+ Rev. B wireless card. It doesnt work so great. It functioned properly in my old windows setup, so I know the card is good. I just need to get it configured.

 

I really dunno where to even start. So, if anyone is able to even nudge me in the right direction I'm willing to get crackin'. As stated above I'm interested in actually learning, not just getting it up and running. In-depth instructions are pretty nice, but they're almost worthless if you just put 'em without any how/why/where stuffs. Thanks in advance!

Edited October 24, 2005 by microscopic^earthling (see edit history)

It doesnt work so great.

there are a million levels of "not working so great"
so before we can even start diagnosing the problem, we need to know the symptoms.

What have you managed to do with the card ?

Does Ubuntu detect the wireless card ?
If so, are you able to start the network interface ?
uf so are you able to ping other computers ?

I have done a quick google for a driver.

It seems that D-Link does not support its cards under Linux.
And Linux does not support D-Link cards.

However, there are 3rd party open source projects on source-forge working on developing a linux driver for these wireless cards.

http://support.dlink.com/ErrorPage.htm

Unless UBUNTU have integrated these drivers into there distribution (un-likely) then you will need to install the yourself.

This includes installing kernel source code, patching the source, configureing the patched kernel, compiling, and installing.

This is not too difficult, but its somthing you will have never even heard of under windows.

You said your card is a DLink DWL-520+ Rev. B
i assume you meant either a

DWL-250 Rev. B or a DWL-250+

The driver for the 250 Rev B is currently in version 0.2 (use at your own risk)
The driver for the 250+ is still an Alpha, not even released yet, but un0finished source code is available.

install instrutons for the Rev B are at http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/

if you have the 250 Rev B card then it seems its possable to get working under linux to a limited capacity.

But my advice would be to buy a Wireless card that [ supports / is supported by ] Linux.

ANYWAYS....

If you have the 250 Rev B card, have a look at the install instructions i posted, if you get stuck anywhere, post back here and someone will help you.

But my advice would be to buy a Wireless card that [ supports / is supported by ] Linux.

I agree with that point : If you are not really familiar with compiling driver for porting under Linux, it's faster to buy a device which is known as working with your Linux distro.By the way, how does the card react to Linux ?
Do you see something when typing "ifconfig -a" or "iwconfig -a" ?

No .. I did not mean a 250, I meant a 520, exactly as posted.

Typeing error, my mistake.But my post still stands.On the D-Link support website, there is no DLink DWL-520+ Rev. Bbut there is a DLink DWL-520 Rev. B and a DLink DWL-520+One of them has a driver in progress.One does work, but its only in version 0.2.which do you have ?If you have a 520 Rev B, Someone will be able to help you install it.like the read me i posted says.. getting the device working in linux involvs1) getting the linux source code2) patching the linux source code3) configureing the linux source code4) compiling the linux source code5) Installing Linux kernel6) Compiling 3rd party, un-supported driver7) Installing 3rd party un-supported driver8) Configureing 3rd party un-supported driver.Its not easy. but I, and others here could do it, so possably talk you through it.The easy option would be to buy hardware that supports linux, or is supported by linux. That way, the device will fully work.

I have the 520 Revision B. As for buying a new card .. not really an option at the moment. I'm sorta cash strapped and would rather not buy a new card. I guess I could look into it, but I'd really prefer not to. I'll take another look at the Read Me, then, and get back to ya's with any questions ..

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I need it to co-exist with 2 other computers, which both run Windows XP (one Home and one Pro). I have a DLink DI-614+ Router with a DLink DSS-5+ Switch. The XP Pro computer is plugged directly into the router, and is set up so that it does not know any other computers are on the network, because of company policies. The XP Home computer is using a DLink DWL-G520+ Rev. A wireless card, works great. The Ubuntu computer is using a DLink DWL-520+ Rev. B wireless card. It doesnt work so great. It functioned properly in my old windows setup, so I know the card is good. I just need to get it configured.

 

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Unfortunately, those D-LINK cards are very squirrely. Even for Windows the D-Link drivers are very flaky and D-LINK does not release the information necessary for anyone else to write drivers. I have had to give up on my card for Windows 2000, let alone the Linux install on the same box. They also tend to be extremely touchy with what routers they will talk to.

 

I have played with the in development linux drivers, but, unless you have a good deal of technical knowledge and a lot of patience, I would recommend not trying it. You have the advantgage of a working Windows install on the same box with the same card which will make it a bit easier, but I would still recommend against it. For one thing, the custom software breaks most of the auto-update tools so you end up doing a lot of other things manually at the same time. As I said, I have given up on mine under both linux and windows and have just run cat-5 to plug it straight into the switch.

 

The windows driver sorta works, but every few days the card stops working until I re-install. I have gotten the linux driver to mostly almost work, but have had a lot of trouble recompiling for the wireless driver and not screwing up all the other devices on the system. I am going to put FC-4 on the system in a few days and may try again. I have a much older D-Link card which I know someone else has had success with and may just swap it out.

 

Either way, good luck.

have just run cat-5 to plug it straight into the switch.

good ol cat 5 !

even the cheapest of the cheap ethernet ards are faster than wireless, And more reliable, and secure.

cat-5 cable is dirt cheap.

Wireless is good for coonnecting a large number of machines, or for laptop computer than move around, but not really needed for stationary home computers.

I run 25 meters of cat 5 that goes through a hole in my bedroom wall, to outside, round the wall to the opposite side of the house, down to ground level, then through anouther wall into the room with my broad-band box

In that Read-Me you gave me, it says I need to use the "make config" command. When I open terminal and type that it says "Make is not a recognized command."

you can actually use the Windows XP drivers to install it into linux thru the NDisWrapper technology. No compilation required.

Plus, for the make thingy, you need to install the make software. Since you're using Debian based distro, do this sudo apt-get install make gcc

xboxrulz

Alrighty, just want to say that this is posted on my new linux OS computer! Woohooo! I dunno how I really got it working .. mostly messing with the sudo iwconfig ath0 commands and playing around with some other interfaces. Point is, it's up and running and I just wanna say thanks to all the folks here. You'll probably be seeing a lot more newb questions in the short future.

Well, im a noob too and i have the same card... Its hard to install it on Fedora Core 4... On other, I dont Know...Look for axc100... and good luck

I got it up and working okay after some fooling around, Tadex .. but I guess thanks for the advice anyways. I still am having troubles getting it to start up when I login. I have to toy around with it a bit before it decides to pop up. Annoying, but whatever. I've been too busy the past weeks to even spend a little bit of time toying with it, but with Thanksgiving break coming up hopefully I'll have a day to sit down and delve a little deeper.