Gigafast wireless G bundle comes with linux driver

[rarsa]

This is not Spam. This is honest advise:

Futureshop (Canada) has an offer of One Gigafast wireless G router plus two USB addapters for 139.97 + taxes - 110 mailin rebate = 50.97.

The only thing is that the offer ends tomorrow (March 2nd). I bought it just yesterday.

It includes native Linux drivers with instructions on how to compile it. It is working with Puppy flawlessly connected to my Linksys WAP. Latter today I will try the Gigafast router.

The only thing I noticed is that i think it requires a static address but that's no problem because that's what I use. (I didn't pursue the DHCP any more)

I actually tried it in Windows XP, Windows 98 and Puppy 1.0.8.

The addapter chipset is a ZyDAS ZD1211.
The addapter model is WF748-CUI
The router's model is WF719-CAPR

Here is something for you to laugh about:

I hadn't heard the brand (Gigafast) so I just bought it to have another addapter to try with Puppy expecting that I would need ndiswrapper or I would have endless hours of fun trying to make it work. If it didn't work I would have just returned it for a full refund.

So, I tried ndiswrapper and the computer froze, tried different things and it kept freezing on me, until... I had a better look at the CD and saw that there was a linux folder. (cue, here you laugh)

I hurried and followed the instructions to compile... Remember I said hurried? well, I skipped an step and the 'make' didn't work, I downloaded the Kernel source, I built the kernel, built the modules, I did all kinds of silly things until I had to go to bed with it not working. (cue, here you laugh again)

I googled the error today and found a German forum where someone pointed to the obvious: The skipped step. Good thing that I have not completelly forgoten my German.

I finally followed the steps without skipping any and voila! It worked the first time.

I should have bought this before I highly recommend this bundle offer. If you don't live in Canada, check your electronic stores to see if you can find a similar offer for this brand.

[tempestuous]

rarsa
I can't imagine that Gigafast wrote their own Linux driver for the ZyDAS chipset, so they probably just provided the open source driver from http://zd1211.ath.cx/
This is the same driver I provided at http://mymirrors.homelinux.org/puppy/wireless/ It consists of a single module, zd1211.o, and a setup utility, /sbin/apdbg.
If you tried my ZyDAS driver at an earlier stage, I'm certain this would have failed because I accidentally provided an outdated version of the driver from http://sourceforge.net/projects/zd1211/
I just recently updated this package, and I would be interested to learn if this package works with your adaptor.

[rarsa]

I can't imagine that Gigafast wrote their own Linux driver for the ZyDAS chipset

Oh, I didn't say they wrote it. I said they include it on the CD, that's way more than most wireless vendors do.

Actually hadn't it included the Linux driver I would have had a tougher time trying to find the driver as nowere on the package/documentation/website says what chipset the USB addapter uses.

I just recently updated this package, and I would be interested to learn if this package works with your adaptor.

I will test it later today.

Actually that they used an Open Source driver is great. I am also installing it on a Fedora box with kernel 2.6.14 where one definitions has been removed. I just had to go to a header file and define it. It finished the 'make' correctly. Now it's failing on the last step of the "make install". I'll try to figure it out later today too.

[edoc]

It includes native Linux drivers with instructions on how to compile it. It is working with Puppy flawlessly connected to my Linksys WAP.

The USB adapter model is GigaFast WF748-CUI

Ordered one today ... sure hope it works as well for me as it did for you!

Thanks! doc

[rarsa]

I tried it in four computers and five different OSs with many different combinations of computer + OS. I only had trouble with one combination

Dell Laptop + puppy where I think the problem is the USB as I've had trouble with other adapters.

Under Fedora I did a small modification when compiling on kernels 2.6.14 and 2.6.15 (The most recent ones) as one definition had been removed from the kernel.

I've sent the patch to the original developers and they will include it on their next version.

[edoc]

OK, I am confused ... again.

The link in a prior post in this thread produced only a xxxx.o file.

When I unzip the file on the CD it creates a folder and install makefile and config and a whole bunch of xxxx.z files.

It does not look as though this will require ndiswrapper, correct?

How do I then proceed as the standard wireless directions specify the
standard ndiswrapper proceedure.

Thanks! doc

[tempestuous]

It does not look as though this will require ndiswrapper, correct?

Yes. Hooray!

How do I then proceed as the standard wireless directions specify the
standard ndiswrapper proceedure.

- modprobe your (Linux) driver
- ifconfig wlan0 up ## sometimes necessary
- now use WAG, or manually ...
- iwconfig to set up wifi parameters
- dhcpcd to obtain an IP address

See http://mymirrors.homelinux.org/puppy/wi ... 211_README for more thorough instructions.

[rarsa]

It does not look as though this will require ndiswrapper, correct?

I will try to clarify the confussion:

ndiswrapper is not the standard linux way, it is only a workaround for network cards that don't have native linux drivers.

Native linux drivers are usually the preferred approach.

[edoc]

See http://mymirrors.homelinux.org/puppy/wi ... 211_README for more thorough instructions.

I started the process a couple of days ago and ran into this:

depmod: *** Unresolved symbols in /lib/modules/2.4.29/net/wireless/zd1211/zd1211.o

Should I be concerned or just ignore it?

Thanks! doc

[tempestuous]

Just ignore it ... but I have just discovered that there is a B version which requires a slightly different driver. Try to find out which version you have, and see my other post here - http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?p=43286#43286

[edoc]

Just ignore it ... but I have just discovered that there is a B version which requires a slightly different driver. Try to find out which version you have, and see my other post here - http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?p=43286#43286

I have the Gigafast and it came with a Linux driver zd1211-4715.tar.gz

When I try to install this using PupGet Alien I get an error re. installing to the wrong directory.

What would be the workaround and is it a simple matter to stuff this into a DotPup?

Thanks! doc

[tempestuous]

I have the Gigafast and it came with a Linux driver zd1211-4715.tar.gz

That's probably driver source code, you would need to compile it ... but why bother, I have already done this:
for Puppy 1.0.4-1.0.9 http://mymirrors.homelinux.org/puppy/wireless/
for Puppy2x http://www.dotpups.de/dotpups/Wifi/wireless-drivers/

[edoc]

I have the Gigafast and it came with a Linux driver zd1211-4715.tar.gz

That's probably driver source code, you would need to compile it ... but why bother, I have already done this:
for Puppy 1.0.4-1.0.9 http://mymirrors.homelinux.org/puppy/wireless/
for Puppy2x http://www.dotpups.de/dotpups/Wifi/wireless-drivers/

I wasn't sure what to do with the provided script in
/root/my-applications/bin/zd1211-connect so I executed the commands manually in rxvt

Then I ran WAG and this is the result:

not using PCMCIA
no module loaded
dhcpcd running
wifi-beta not installed
wlan0 enabled
no IP assigned to wlan0
access point acquired
no wireless networks detected
error when scanning
Connected to:
wlan0 802.11b/g NIC ESSID:""
Encryption key:off
Link Quality:28 Signal level:93 Noise level:0

I do not know why ESSID:"" as I did enter it.

I do no know why Encryption key:off as I did enter it.

??? Thanks! doc

[tempestuous]

See /root/my-applications/zd1211_README.txt
This takes you through the steps to get your driver loaded and a wifi connection established.
rarsa reported that dhcpcd does not work well with this driver http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?t=6973 ... and I mentioned this in the README, so try a static IP address.
Once it's working, modify the "zd1211-connect" script with your SSID and WEP key, and run it whenever you want to connect.

[edoc]

See /root/my-applications/zd1211_README.txt
This takes you through the steps to get your driver loaded and a wifi connection established.
rarsa reported that dhcpcd does not work well with this driver http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?t=6973 ... and I mentioned this in the README, so try a static IP address.
Once it's working, modify the "zd1211-connect" script with your SSID and WEP key, and run it whenever you want to connect.

The latter is my dumb pill, "running" the script.

Do I just open rxvt and enter the path and file name and hit Enter/Return or is it "run" via
another means?

Also, I am not sure how I "try a static IP address". I am used to just having DHCP acquire
an address, what is it that I need to do for this step?

May these two, "running the script" and "using a static IP address" be automated?

Thanks! doc

[tempestuous]

Do I just open rxvt and enter the path and file name and hit Enter/Return

Yes.

Consult your wifi router's manual for what IP addresses are valid. Typically the router will be 192.168.0.1, so clients can have 192.168.0.2 and up. Be careful, if there are other computers already connected (either wired, or wireless) these will already be taking an IP address.

See the README for commands to use to assign a static IP address. Actually, the "broadcast" and "netmask" settings are not usually required, so your commands might be -

ifconfig wlan0 192.168.0.2 ## this is the IP address you want to take
route add default gw 192.168.0.1 wlan0 ## this is the IP address of your wireless router

And /etc/resolv.conf must be modified to include the IP addresses of your ISP's name servers. This information is usually listed in the setup/support section of your ISP's website.

[edoc]

Do I just open rxvt and enter the path and file name and hit Enter/Return

Yes.

Consult your wifi router's manual for what IP addresses are valid. Typically the router will be 192.168.0.1, so clients can have 192.168.0.2 and up. Be careful, if there are other computers already connected (either wired, or wireless) these will already be taking an IP address.

See the README for commands to use to assign a static IP address. Actually, the "broadcast" and "netmask" settings are not usually required, so your commands might be -

ifconfig wlan0 192.168.0.2 ## this is the IP address you want to take
route add default gw 192.168.0.1 wlan0 ## this is the IP address of your wireless router

And /etc/resolv.conf must be modified to include the IP addresses of your ISP's name servers. This information is usually listed in the setup/support section of your ISP's website.

OK, so it is much more complex that a non-geek could do. As awkward as I am at it I
enjoy the challenge. Will print this and start punching in numbers until something either
works, cries uncle, or I have to plead here for more help!

Thanks again and again and ... doc