USB Wireless family (Driver) selection
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I would like advise as to selection of a USB 2.0 Wireless G interface so as to get one that #1 work with the least (no) trouble, and (2) Works reliably. I don't need to wring the last drop of speed out of it, I just need something that functions. Cheap is highly desirable, but third on the list. I can read directions and set it up as required, but I don't want to have to fiddle and coerce it into working.
This would be for a 2.0 box, unless 2.1 comes out soon!
I am assuming that this translates into using the best implemented and best supported driver. Reading what is available for the five drivers (rum, uath, upgt, ural, urtw) I don't see any comments about how well they work etc.
The also all only mention wep 64 bit and for some, web 128 on their man page. Does this imply that this is all they support, or is this just a brief example? I want to run WPA2-PSK. Do these support this?
I have two applications:
#1 is to create a new subnet, much like I would (have) with a wired Ethernet controller. It would not be connecting to an existing wireless network, rather it would be creating one. What "Mode" does this need?
#2 is to create an access point bridged to an existing (wired) subnet. This also would not be connecting to an existing wireless network, rather it would be creating one. What "Mode" does this need?
Am I on the right track in selecting a driver, then picking a device? If so, which driver or drivers would be the best choice?
I would also appreciate any suggestions of specific products, both good ones to get, and bad ones to avoid.
Thank you.
–Ray
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Reading what is available for the five drivers (rum, uath, upgt, ural, urtw)
You left out run which isn't documented on the FreeBSD man pages. The other drivers are documented on FreeBSD man pages at http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi As best I remember uath, upgt and urtwdon't support AP mode. Of the others I suspect you will be able to purchase only used ural and rum devices. The TP-Link TL-WN321G can be purchased retail where I live for less than the local equivalent of US$13. This model had (and still has as far as I know) a chipset supported by the run driver. run driver supports WPA2-PSK. If you use a run device you will need to apply a tweak to get the firmware to load at boot time. A search of the pfSense forums for runfw should turn up the details.
I have two applications:
#1 is to create a new subnet, much like I would (have) with a wired Ethernet controller. It would not be connecting to an existing wireless network, rather it would be creating one. What "Mode" does this need?
#2 is to create an access point bridged to an existing (wired) subnet. This also would not be connecting to an existing wireless network, rather it would be creating one. What "Mode" does this need?
Access Point in both cases. A number of posts over the last couple of years give details of configuring a wireless network bridged with a wired network.
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Thank you, that is what I was looking for! They are a little more where I am, $20~25 USD, but that's OK.