forum.excito.org

There are two main ways to make Bubba wireless. Both ways have their pros and cons.

Ethernet-WiFi bridge



We have tested using the D-LINK DWL-G700AP, works like a charm. They aren't too expensive either, available in Sweden for something like 50 EUR. Installation is easy, just put it in "repeater" mode, enter your wireless network encryption settings and it's running. No changes at all are required in Bubba's setup.

There used to be smaller devices available, made for laptops without built in WiFi, but they don't seem to be manufactured anymore.

Summary:
+ Fast
+ Easy to install
- Physically large

USB dongle



This is the neatest since the devices are quite small, but the downside is that it occupies your USB host connector. However, if you need to run something else simultaneously, maybe a printer, it's just to place a standard USB hub in between.

Make sure that Linux drivers are available for the USB dongle you select before purchasing. Note that this requires driver installation on Bubba, and Linux knowledge.

Summary:
+ Small
- May be tricky to install
- Occupies the USB connector
- Slow (max ~10 Mbit/s)

Edit: According to this the transfer speed will be something like 5 Mbit/s, including routing. I guess 10 Mbit/s was a bit optimistic.

Can you suggest any USB-dongle that have Linux drivers?

...and how do you install it? Shouldn't the driver be ready before installing Bubba? Or is it built in in the image?

Hi Niclas,

Maybe i should start by mentioning that this is nothing we have done any deeper tests of. And this is not very easy to get up and running. Thus we usually recomend using an ethernet/wifi bridge instead.

But to start of you need the kernel modules package installed, http://excito.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452 for more info.

This package contains the following modules for usb networking, wired and wireless.

./lib/modules/2.6.16.16/kernel/drivers/usb/net/rtl8150.ko
./lib/modules/2.6.16.16/kernel/drivers/usb/net/rndis_host.ko
./lib/modules/2.6.16.16/kernel/drivers/usb/net/plusb.ko
./lib/modules/2.6.16.16/kernel/drivers/usb/net/pegasus.ko
./lib/modules/2.6.16.16/kernel/drivers/usb/net/kaweth.ko
./lib/modules/2.6.16.16/kernel/drivers/usb/net/gl620a.ko

You now have the somewhat tough task in finding a usb dongle that matches one of those. A good source of information can be http://www.qbik.ch/usb/devices/.

With those pieces solved it should "only" be a matter of load the correct module, if its not autodetected which it hopefully should be. Install wireless tools, http://packages.debian.org/sarge/wireless-tools Add a valid config as done in ordinary Debian Sarge. Cross your fingers and i hopefully should work.

If anyone has a working setup they would like to share that would be great.

/Tor