Newbie - PCI express wifi adapter compatibility

jbtiemann · Jan 15, 2013, 10:43 PM

Dear All,

I have set up several pfSense boxes now and have continually used mini itx boards from supermicro which seem to work great. More recently, I need to add wifi capabilities to some of these systems. The motherboards all have PCI express slots and not old style PCI or mini PCI which would be very convenient right about now…

I have done my best to read and search Google and this forum, to include the supported hardware list, but perhaps I am missing something.

Essentially, my question/need is this:

Is there a supported PCI express WiFi adapter for pfSense, and if so, can anyone make any specific recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your valuable input.

AhnHEL · Jan 16, 2013, 3:02 AM

Never tried one but there are adapters for sale like these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158307&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords--pla--Add-On+Cards-_-N82E16815158307&gclid=CP7X_dHw67QCFUOK4Aodi0QAIQ

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Network-Mini-PCI-E-to-PCI-E-Converter-Adapter-/400320671705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d34f8afd9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-PCI-E-to-PCI-E-Wireless-Adapter-w-3-Antenna-WiFi-/130501831715?pt=US_Internal_Network_Cards&hash=item1e6283ec23

jbtiemann · Jan 17, 2013, 8:22 PM

Onhel,

Thank you so much for your reply… While those adapters look like a feasible option, they will not work with mini-PCI (non express) cards, which I happen to have on hand. Not all is lost however, I am sure there are other mini-PCIE wifi cards which can do the job just fine, it is now a matter of finding one which is congruent with pfSense's short list of supported WiFi modules. Again, thank you, and if anyone out there knows of a solution, or compatible adapter / card, I am open to suggestions.

AhnHEL · Jan 17, 2013, 10:17 PM

Woops, my apologies for not reading more closely.

I dont recall the exact model of the mini pcie card I'm using on my pfSense that uses an ATOM board because its at my remote site but this is what comes up at boot (dmesg)

ath0: <atheros 2424="" 5424="">mem 0xfe9f0000-0xfe9fffff irq 16 at device 0.0 on pci1
ath0: [ITHREAD]
ath0: AR2425 mac 14.2 RF5424 phy 7.0</atheros>

It works flawlessly at 802.11g, pfSense does not support 802.11n just yet.

This should be the same one if you want to go the mini pcie route

http://www.amazon.com/ATHEROS-AR5BXB63-AR5007EG-AR2425-PCI-E/dp/B005HMZ97A

jbtiemann · Jan 18, 2013, 4:58 PM

Onhel, thanks again…

I am looking into the link you provided... It may possibly be best for me to reconsider my entire approach and go with an ALIX configuration and construct stand-alone WiFi boxes. The initial goal in my project was/is to establish line of site bridges between several campuses for increased throughput and failover. I thought it would be easier to manage everything from the primary pfsense boxes at each campus, but perhaps it is best to segment the WiFi components for the sake of using the same types of mini PCI cards which are found in more robust WiFi equipment. My thinking could be off kilter, but I appreciate you assistance nonetheless!

J

Clear-Pixel · Jan 18, 2013, 9:26 PM

@onhel:

I dont recall the exact model of the mini pcie card I'm using on my pfSense that uses an ATOM board because its at my remote site but this is what comes up at boot (dmesg)

ath0: <atheros 2424="" 5424="">mem 0xfe9f0000-0xfe9fffff irq 16 at device 0.0 on pci1
ath0: [ITHREAD]
ath0: AR2425 mac 14.2 RF5424 phy 7.0</atheros>

It works flawlessly at 802.11g, pfSense does not support 802.11n just yet.

This should be the same one if you want to go the mini pcie route

http://www.amazon.com/ATHEROS-AR5BXB63-AR5007EG-AR2425-PCI-E/dp/B005HMZ97A

I would love to get this cleared up and chiseled in stone.

Searching Ebay using ( AR5007EG ) turned up many cards with same chipset as your suggesting you should have in your remote installation of Pfsense.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=AR5007EG&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Can anyone else back this up?

jbtiemann · Jan 19, 2013, 2:46 AM

Thanks Clear-Pixel!

"can anyone back this up?" This would be some great news if these adapters could get the job done…

AhnHEL · Jan 19, 2013, 5:21 AM

I'm re-reading this thread and want to point out that I'm using a AR2425 Mini PCI-E wireless adapter on my Jetway NC9C-550-LF. It has a Mini PCI-E socket so it plugs in directly.

I have no experience using one of the above links for an adapter for PCI-E to Mini PCI-E and cant say whether this would help anyone or not.

Just wanted to make sure that was clear.

With that being said, I believe Atheros chipsets come recommended by most BSD users for wireless much like Intel NICS are recommended for ethernet.

FreeBSD 8.1 Release Hardware Compatibility Notes state the following

The ath(4) driver supports all Atheros Cardbus and PCI cards, except those that are based on the AR5005VL chipset.

Any of those cards you linked to Clear-Pixel on eBay should work just fine as it seems AR2425 is the same as AR5007EG but I would stay away from any card featuring 802.11n.

Clear-Pixel · Jan 19, 2013, 6:29 AM

Sorry, I missed the most important question to address onhel …... Are you using the card as a Access Point? I assumed this was the function the card was being used for.

The problem with most cards is, they do not support AP mode. The most useful aspect of WIFI in a Pfsense box, would be for the use as a Access Point.

wallabybob · Jan 19, 2013, 7:41 AM

The supported Atheros PCI, PCMCIA, Cardbus and PCI Express cards all support AP mode. Check in the FreeBSD man page for ath (driver for Atheros PCI etc WiFi cards).

AhnHEL · Jan 19, 2013, 8:18 AM

Yes, I'm using it in AP mode

Clear-Pixel · Jan 19, 2013, 6:06 PM

Funny….... pfBlockerbt_ads is blocking freebsd.org and related links

http://www.freebsd.org/
http://wiki.freebsd.org/dev/ath%284%29

Clear-Pixel · Jan 26, 2013, 5:52 AM

I'm going to give the card (AR5007EG) a shot in AP mode in my HP laptop Tuesday when it arrives. Will let everyone know Wednesday how it went.

Note:
Running Pfsense 2.1 Beta1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-HP-dv5-dv6-dv7-C700-Atheros-Wireless-WIFI-Card-AR5BXB63H-/160916248187?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=UICP3b2WsCbckaPfuPDI2IyG3dQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Clear-Pixel · Jan 28, 2013, 9:35 PM

It's a no Go for my HP EliteBook 8530p Notebook and Atheros Wireless WIFI Card AR5BXB63H
The particulate card I purchased is a OEM HP part for dv5 dv6 dv7 C700. Maybe a Non OEM part would work ???

System refuses to boot with this card ….. Bios tells me to remove the unsupported card.

Smells like the same Corporate BS of bios only booting with hardware that HP is payed to support!

AhnHEL · Jan 28, 2013, 11:07 PM

Sorry to hear that, at least it was only a $2.64 experiment.

I found this for you to remove the HP WIFI whitelist but sadly, again, there is no BIOS mod for a HP 8530p.

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Forum-Wifi-WWAN-Whitelist-Removal

AhnHEL · Jan 28, 2013, 11:09 PM

Actually, read this thread, second post down says the 8530w uses the same BIOS as 8530p and that there is a whitelist removal BIOS for it. Maybe you can get this to work if you do some reading.

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-REQUEST-HP-Elitebook-8530p-whitelist-removal-F-20-sp55640

http://www.sendspace.com/file/eeduqc

Clear-Pixel · Jan 28, 2013, 11:23 PM

Thanks ohel ….. I was planning on looking around to see if I could find a modded bios.

It really ticks me off when a manufacture cock blocks Your hardware!

How much longer before all freedoms are eradicated?

Clear-Pixel · Jan 29, 2013, 5:09 AM

It seems Bios F.20 was a HP Trap!

For the time being the word is it would require a system board swapped out (warranty call with hopefully an older bios on the replacement), or remove the bios chip and get it programmed with an older BIOS so you can flash what ever you wish… EXCEPT F.20!!!

Eventually someone will break it down in the future......until than ...... I'm Trapped ...... It's a horrid feeling knowing your hardware has been Cock Blocked by a Dick (HP)

Clear-Pixel · Feb 1, 2013, 6:22 AM

It seem as though someone has worked on the F.20 bios

Last post by sovem
http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-REQUEST-HP-Elitebook-8530p-whitelist-removal-F-20-sp55640?page=2

A bit paranoid about flashing a anonymous source file…..What do you guys think guys?

I've searched around and it seem as though sovem shoots the OEM's between the Eyes!