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| compatible_cards [2009/08/14 18:56] – use dokuwiki internal links mister_x | compatible_cards [2009/09/25 21:07] – Fixed typos darkaudax |
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| ====== Tutorial: Is My Wireless Card Compatible? ====== | ====== Tutorial: Is My Wireless Card Compatible? ====== |
| Version: 1.07 May 17, 2009 \\ | Version: 1.08 September 25, 2009 \\ |
| By: darkAudax | By: darkAudax |
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| * Which operating system you plan to use | * Which operating system you plan to use |
| * Your prefered hardware format (PCI, PCMCIA, USB, etc.) | * Your preferred hardware format (PCI, PCMCIA, USB, etc.) |
| * Which features you require (listening, injection) | * Which features you require (listening, injection) |
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| The second manufacturer is who makes the wireless chipset within the card. This is the most important company to know. Unfortunately, it is sometimes the hardest to determine. This is because card manufacturers generally don’t want to reveal what they use inside their card. However, for our purposes, it is critical to know the wireless chipset manufacturer. Knowing the wireless chipset manufacturer allows you to determine which operating systems are support, software drivers you need and what limitations are associated with them. | The second manufacturer is who makes the wireless chipset within the card. This is the most important company to know. Unfortunately, it is sometimes the hardest to determine. This is because card manufacturers generally don’t want to reveal what they use inside their card. However, for our purposes, it is critical to know the wireless chipset manufacturer. Knowing the wireless chipset manufacturer allows you to determine which operating systems are support, software drivers you need and what limitations are associated with them. |
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| It is a very important to realize that the difference between the two manufacturers. Just knowing the card manufacturer and model does not allow you to proceed. What you really need to know is the chipset. The next step provides information about how to determine the chipset in your card or the card you are planning to purchase. | It is very important to realize that the difference between the two manufacturers. Just knowing the card manufacturer and model does not allow you to proceed. What you really need to know is the chipset. The next step provides information about how to determine the chipset in your card or the card you are planning to purchase. |
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| ===== Determine the chipset ===== | ===== Determine the chipset ===== |
| If this is not the case, then you first need to determine what wireless chipset your card uses. This can be done by one or more of these techniques: | If this is not the case, then you first need to determine what wireless chipset your card uses. This can be done by one or more of these techniques: |
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| *Search the internet for "<your card model> chipset" or "<your card model> linux". Quite often you can find references to what chipset your card uses and/or other people's experiences. This is by far the easiest and most successful way of determing the chipset. Be sure to check a number of search entries to ensure they are consistent. | *Search the internet for "<your card model> chipset" or "<your card model> linux". Quite often you can find references to what chipset your card uses and/or other people's experiences. This is by far the easiest and most successful way of determining the chipset. Be sure to check a number of search entries to ensure they are consistent. |
| *Search the [[http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/|Forum]] | *Search the [[http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/|Forum]] |
| *You may also have a look at windows driver file names, it's often the name of the chipset or the driver to use. | *You may also have a look at windows driver file names, it's often the name of the chipset or the driver to use. |
| * [[http://www.qbik.ch/usb/devices/search.php|USB Product ID lookup]] For USB devices, obtain the device id via the linux lsusb command and then look it up via the product id. This is the first half of the device id before the colon. E.g. 0bda:8187. Use "0bda" then match the "8187" to entries found. | * [[http://www.qbik.ch/usb/devices/search.php|USB Product ID lookup]] For USB devices, obtain the device id via the linux lsusb command and then look it up via the product id. This is the first half of the device id before the colon. E.g. 0bda:8187. Use "0bda" then match the "8187" to entries found. |
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| Card manufacturers add to the confusion by keeping the same card model number yet changing the chipset inside them. This is where you will hear the term "card revision" or "card version". D-Link seems to do this a lot. So first determine if this applies to your card. The version is typically found stamped on the card and located near the serial number or MAC addess. See this [[http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=11&sec=0#drivers|D-Link page]] for an example of the same card with different revisions. | Card manufacturers add to the confusion by keeping the same card model number yet changing the chipset inside them. This is where you will hear the term "card revision" or "card version". D-Link seems to do this a lot. So first determine if this applies to your card. The version is typically found stamped on the card and located near the serial number or MAC address. See this [[http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=11&sec=0#drivers|D-Link page]] for an example of the same card with different revisions. |
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| So when you are determining the chipset for your card, make sure to include the revision/version when doing a search. For example, search for "DWL-G650 C1 chipset" and not just "DWL-G650". The revision/version is extremely important. | So when you are determining the chipset for your card, make sure to include the revision/version when doing a search. For example, search for "DWL-G650 C1 chipset" and not just "DWL-G650". The revision/version is extremely important. |
| ===== Verify the chipset capabilities ===== | ===== Verify the chipset capabilities ===== |
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| Using the [[compatibility_drivers#compatibility|Compatibily Section]] determine what features the chipset provides for the particular operating system that you will be using. | Using the [[compatibility_drivers#compatibility|Compatibly Section]] determine what features the chipset provides for the particular operating system that you will be using. |
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| If this matches your requirements, great. If not, the consider using another operating system or using a different card. | If this matches your requirements, great. If not, the consider using another operating system or using a different card. |
