[ILUG] Laptop wireless card

[Tony Vroon]

David wrote:
> Netgear WG111 802.11g USB Wireless WiFi Network Adapter
If you could doublecheck the version number on that one please?
The v2 is a Realtek 8180 chipset, which should be supported by this
driver: http://rtl8180-sa2400.sourceforge.net/
I can't find out what the v1 is, probably something different.
> Netgear MA521 802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Laptop PC Card
Realtek 8180 chipset with Philips radio, listed as supported:
http://rtl8180-sa2400.sourceforge.net/
> NETGEAR WAB501 802.11A & 802.11B Wireless Notebook Card
Atheros based, for as far as I can tell. You want the madwifi drivers.
The important part (HAL) is closed, but as this is x86 hardware this
is not a major issue for you.
> Netgear WPN511 RangeMax Wireless 802.11g Notebook Card
Marvell chipset. I can't tell if this is supported, but some strong
'do not buy' advise here:
http://forums.lugradio.org/viewtopic.php?t=2014&start=15&
>       Am I best going for an 802.11G specific card?
Yes, I would advise to buy a well-supported 802.11G-capable card.
After all, these are fully compatible with 802.11B access points.
> Any views on the card versus the USB key.
All USB pheripherals that I have seen are "soft" devices. Most of the
functionality is left to the driver. As you are talking about a
VIA686B-chipset based Duron 900MHz machine I would not bog it down
with a "winmodem"-like device.
>   The presario is USB1 and I have no preference over card or usb as
> I will not be using any other perpherals with the pc
I would advise CardBus hardware for the reason outlined above.
However, please check details of the card very carefully and supply
them here for a doublecheck. In the end it is the chipset that matters
to us. The vendor type numbers are nearly meaningless as vendors
somehow like to change chipsets without changing the type number. At
times they helpfully add a v2 (or up) suffix on the card exterior or
box, but at other times they neglect to do that. As long as they keep
the same radio it is not necessary to apply for a new FCC ID either (!)
>
> Cheers
>
> D
Regards,
Tony V.