Wireless LANs with SuSE Linux

Support knowledgebase (wavelan)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 8.0

Situation

You want to use a Wireless LAN PCMCIA, PCI, or USB card with SuSE Linux version 8.0 or higher.

Remark

The purpose of this support database article is merely to provide some guidelines on how to setup a wireless LAN with SuSE Linux. Some basic system knowledge is required. For example, how to execute commands as root user, how to start YaST, or what an IP address is. If you do not know this, maybe you should find out more about your SuSE Linux system before trying to setup a wireless LAN.

Overview

  1. Basic Approach - Hardware
  2. Basic Approach - Wireless
  3. Basic Approach - Network

  4. Detailed Setup - Hardware
  5. Detailed Setup - Wireless
  6. Detailed Setup - Network

  7. Troubleshooting - Hardware
  8. Troubleshooting - Wireless
  9. Troubleshooting - Network

  10. Security

Basic Approach

Where to begin when setting up a wireless LAN under SuSE Linux? Basically, all you need is two wireless LAN cards, some system knowledge, and some time to understand the connections. Wireless LANs are often described as the networks of the future. However, this is only possible with a stable operating system, a good network stack, and a capable administrator.

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Detailed Setup

If you have basically understood how a wireless LAN works, you can proceed to setup the SuSE Linux system.

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Troubleshooting

If your wireless LAN does not run smoothly, you might find the cause among the following ones. As compared to an "ordinary" network, a wireless LAN also includes an additional level: the radio level. This means, there are again three areas where you can search for the problem.

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Security

Since wireless LANs are per se insecure networks, we provide you with some tips to make your wireless LAN more secure. Security problems depend on the protocol, encryption method, and the structure.

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See also:
o Laptops and Notebooks (PCMCIA) under Linux

Keywords: WLAN, PCMCIA, WAVELAN, RADIO, PRISM_2, ORINOCO, AP, CARD, IFUP, IWCONFIG, WIRELESS

Categories: Documentation

SDB-wavelan, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 29. Nov 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 23. Jun 2003 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)