> > I'd like to get a built-in 802.11g card for this new laptop and I'd be
> > running Linux on it. Any recommandations / cautions as to which card I should
> > buy?
>
> As to Linux compatibility, I haven't a clue.
>
Fortunately, I do.
When you are shopping for the cards you will need to do some research
beforehand and find out which chipset it is built with.
For MiniPCI in Linux, you got the Centrino-Gs, and you got the
Intersil/Conexant PrismGT chipset with chipset manufacturer supported
drivers. That's the Intel Pro 2200G cards, or the Xterasys XG600 cards.
Both should have drivers from ipw2200.sourceforge.net and prism54g.org,
respectively.
The Prism54G has nitro mode and runs for around $40 a card, while the
Intel is cheaper and more proimnent. Dell has one for around $26 or so.
Both will do RFMon for Kismet and whatnot, and either one is well
supported with the standard Linux wireless-tools.
As for the other chipsets, things gets hairy.
There is the Atheros AR500x series drivers from MadWifi, but MadWifi
depends on a binary HAL so it might not be happy with some kernels, and
Atheros runs an almost "winmodem" like setup with their chipsets, so it is
not all that CPU efficient. Also, the newest AR5004 is not supported
(yet).
There is the TI ACX111 alpha drivers from acx100.sourceforge.net, but
since TI never opened their register specs the drivers are not exactly
100% trustworthy and support for them depends on reverse engineer, which
takes a long time.
Oh yeah, there's Broadcom, which is supposedly very popular. Not support
for them in Linux at all.
Well, if you want to run Windows Wifi drivers for any Wifi cards, you can
try LinuxAnt, but you know what, you better not. LinuxAnt is fairly
flaky.
In summary: For MiniPCI Wifi-G, Intel 2200BG card, or Xterasys XG600.
That's practically your reliable choice.
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Received on Sun Aug 29 02:17:51 2004
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