Q: I am looking for the cheapest way to access my desktop to my WiFi network (instead of an Ethernet cable that runs through half of my apartment). I want fully supported by Linux, but (I think it forces me to search for Atheros-based hardware or PrismGT)
Any suggestions?
Re:crap compared to fully open GPLed, but much nicer then ndiswrappered windows drivers
Not really, they're about the same. For Atheros the translation layer is the GPL'd Atheros driver and in for ndiswrapper the translation layer is the GPL'd ndiswrapper driver.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Originally posted by: guy
I think Atheros requires some binary bits (HAL, not firmware), so I generally recommend not using them.
Yea, it does. Instead of having firmware that's loaded onto the card (or maybe in addition to, I'm not sure) they require a binary-only kernel module which is crap.
crap compared to fully open GPLed, but much nicer then ndiswrappered windows drivers 
Either way it's totally unnecessary when there are chips from Taiwan that can be fully supported. 
Re:I have the DWL-G122 and its a d-link usb wireless device (802.11g) that's based off of a ralink chipset. I'm happy. B)
edit: Check out this list. It should let you know how well each adapter is supported it seems.
clicky (http://linux-wless.passys.nl/query_alles.php?SHOWALL=Complete+listing)
I'm also glad that my pci card (Trendnet TEW-423PI) is being worked on by a community so I have linux drivers for that too.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
My D-link DWL-G520 is Atheros based, and fully supported by the madwifi drivers. It has worked beautifully. I believe it is revision B.
Same here, except I have the G510 (rev b).
Re:Originally posted by: guy
I think Atheros requires some binary bits (HAL, not firmware), so I generally recommend not using them.
Yea, it does. Instead of having firmware that's loaded onto the card (or maybe in addition to, I'm not sure) they require a binary-only kernel module which is crap.
crap compared to fully open GPLed, but much nicer then ndiswrappered windows drivers
Re:I think Atheros requires some binary bits (HAL, not firmware), so I generally recommend not using them.
Yea, it does. Instead of having firmware that's loaded onto the card (or maybe in addition to, I'm not sure) they require a binary-only kernel module which is crap.
Re:I think I have a couple of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833315041) running under OpenBSD and Windows. They're RALink based. I've also used an RALink USB device under Mac OS X.
I think Atheros requires some binary bits (HAL, not firmware), so I generally recommend not using them.
Re:RaLink cards are well supported and don't require any futzing with firmware. Most of Intel's offerings are also well supported, the driver is in the main kernel you just have to put the firmware where the driver expects it.
Re:My D-link DWL-G520 is Atheros based, and fully supported by the madwifi drivers. It has worked beautifully. I believe it is revision B.
But yes, you will be looking for one of those two chipsets for ease of installation.
Re:not sure about USB based atheros cards…there should be a few PCI ones. The main ones I work with are Cisco, which might be a bit out of your range….
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