Wireless network problems - Dell Inspiron 1501

[R. G. Newbury]

 > > Frank Cox wrote:
 > >
 > > I also tried setting this up directly with system-config-network 
instead of
 > > Network Manager.  I keep getting told "Check cable?" no matter what 
options I
 > > try.
 > >

 >Sounds like system-config-network is using eth? while the wireless 
 >driver uses something different.

 >Dell laptop I'm playing with uses wlan0 instead of eth0 for the 
 >wireless.  Other wireless cards use other designations.  See what you 
 >have in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/

 >iwconfig from the command line in a terminal window will let you see 
 >the wireless setup and change some parameters.  Getting the encryption 
 >keys just right between an F8 laptop and many routers seems to be a 
 >problem.  Anything beyond 64bit WEP has me stumped so far.

I had problems getting my system working. I wrote a script and there 
were 4 things which helped.
First, I do an 'ifdown eth0' *and* 'ifdown eth1' and start 
NetworkManager and NetwordManagerDispatcher
Second, I do a modprobe to load the driver
Third, I use a series of calls using iwconfig to set the mode, rate, 
channel and key.
Fourth, and apparently quite important, the 'iwconfig eth1 essid 
whatever' call MUST BE LAST.
Finally, 'ifup eth1'

I have no idea if NetworkManager etc are actually doing anything...It 
does not look like it. I get the same result even if I do not start them.
HTH
Geoff

-- 
       Tux says: "Be regular. Eat cron flakes."