Wireless Networking with Linux?

**EGS** · 03-29-2008, 11:40 PM

How can I go about setting up wireless networking with Linux?

I have an external antenna attached to my PC (not sure what the name for it is, connects to my PC - looks like a router antenna) that gives me wireless internet access (transmits wirelessly to my router).

How can I set up wireless networking with Linux? It's possible, right?

**TcM** · 03-30-2008, 01:46 AM

What you mean by wireless networking? You mean like file sharing, or internet sharing?

**Tor** · 03-30-2008, 07:17 AM

Yes, it is possible. On many of the new installations it is automatic. It sounds what you are describing is a Wireless AP (Access Point) that you computer connects to via a wireless card. Is that correct?

**EGS** · 03-30-2008, 12:10 PM

I am not sure what you guys mean. I just want to continue having wireless internet service because I have a router; just wondering if that's still a "go" with Linux.

**TcM** · 03-30-2008, 04:07 PM

Well I tried Ubuntu livecd and wireless internet worked just fine. detected my wifi card with no problems and no configuration.

**EGS** · 03-30-2008, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by TotalPenguin

Well I tried Ubuntu livecd and wireless internet worked just fine. detected my wifi card with no problems and no configuration.

So is Ubuntu the only Linux distro that automatically detects wireless network cards or will other ones as well? I have a wireless network adapter card, it looks like this:

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/h...essadapter.htm

Except it is not a card , it's a wire and an antenna that I connect to the back of my PC; maybe the wire connects/plug into the card? I just want to have internet access while on Linux - very important to me.

**EGS** · 03-31-2008, 03:49 PM

So I botted Ubuntu from its installation CD today. It turns out that the operating system did not automatically detect my wireless network adapter.

I read while browsing the OS that it can use Windows drivers for hardware that may not be functioning properly with Linux. Does this mean I can just insert the hardware's installation CD to install the driver properly and have it work properly with Linux?

Thanks for your help.

**TcM** · 03-31-2008, 04:14 PM

Hmm that's kinda ugly. Yeah you can install windows binary drivers, although they can't guarantee that the drivers will work 100%. I have no idea on how to install them, maybe you should create another thread about that.