Wireless USB dongle

[jmknapp]

I got 802.11g wireless up and running using a USB dongle, Trendnet TEW-424UB. These cost $23 or so from Amazon. I got one from MicroCenter for $20 that had a $10 mail-in rebate, so only $10 effectively. It relies on the rtl8187 chip.

I'm using the 2.6.30 rc3 kernel & the following kernel modules were required:

eeprom_93cx6
rtl8187

Then it's just a matter of setting up the interface in /etc/network/interfaces. In my case (for WEP) adding these lines:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wireless-essid <ESSID>
wireless-key <hex key>

I tried a file transfer over ssh (scp) and got 1.5 MB/sec.

A kill-a-watt power meter (resolution 1 watt) shows the power consumption rises from 4W to 6W with the interface active. I think that's still within spec for the plug's power supply.

[jlpoole]

Good bird-dogging with all the relevant information -- especially like the watt usage report.

[jmknapp]

Good bird-dogging with all the relevant information -- especially like the watt usage report.

In the reviews for this particular device on Amazon, several people complain that it runs hot. Indeed it is rather warm compared to a Belkin USB dongle I have on a Windows media center. So probably there are better options available, power-wise. This one does have the advantage of at least working--I haven't tried the Belkin device.

Joe

[Gothnet]

Must admit I'm quite tempted to try one of these -

http://www.amazon.com/Spectec-SDW-821-802-11b-802-11g-Wireless/dp/B000RLBDIA/

Wireless b/g SDIO card But I have no idea of the state of the linux drivers for it.