No Wireless Connection, Wireles connection problem

Hello

Could anyone advise on how to get wireless up on SL?

I have Scientific Linux 6 with a Gnome desktop running on a pc with AMD Athon 11 x2 250 processor. I see that SL has already installed NetworkManager, wpa_supplicant and wireless-tools, so I should be able to get online, if SL NetworkManagerwould only use the drivers in /lib/firmware.

My Wireless USB Adapter is a Tenda W322U V2.0 whch works with Ralink drivers. The correct driver(s) have been installed into /lib/firmware and still no sign of a wireless connection. These drivers are known to work with other Linux distros.

No wireless connection shows in the launcher in the panel.

the terminal info given is:

# lsusb

Bus 001 Device 006: ID 148f:3072 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT3072 Wireless Adapter

# ifconfig

eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:25:22:6F:E9:77
inet addr:192.168.1.68 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::225:22ff:fe6f:e977/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:4720 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:4417 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:3069654 (2.9 MiB) TX bytes:619472 (604.9 KiB)
Interrupt:24 Base address:0xe000

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:12 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:12 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:720 (720.0 b) TX bytes:720 (720.0 b)

# lspci | grep -i wire

No Response, Nada, Zilch

# dmesg | grep -i wifi

No Response

# dmesg | grep -i firm

No Response

# lsmod | grep -i iwl

No Response, Nada, Zilch

I tried in a terminal:

# service network stop
# chkconfig network off
# chkconfig NetworkManager on
# service NetworkManager start

as I saw in a forum post and nothing changed.

I have been into System/Preferences/Networks Connections and given all details necessary and clicked apply.

So now the moment, I am unsure how to proceed. I am used to Debian way of working but not Red Hat. Searching the web and the forum here has given no clues. Hmmm.

Am I missing a basic setting? Any advice welcomed by this newcomer to SL.

Hi,
well, at least now we know what wifi adapter you have. For the future, you should start with this information (i mean that it is USB dongle).

I'd recommend you now to go to:
ralink linux drivers
and download respective firmware and driver and store it onto you HDD.

I dont know exactly the type you have - so pick your driver yourself :-)
After that read the procedures 'readme' (if any) and report back with Q...

cheers,

Hello Helikaon

Thank you for replying.

@helikaon For the future, you should start with this information (i mean that it is USB dongle).

Point taken. Put the basics first, I agree.

Re your reply, sound advice from a professional but I don't know how to build from source.

The beginning of the Build Instructions is given a some 20 lines below, and you will see that it's not for a novice.

Anyway, what I have tried so far:

When my wireless didn't work, I removed the old drivers from Add/Remove Software:

Firmware for Ralink RT28xx/RT30xx series for USB network adapters
rt2870-firmware-22-1.el6.elrepo(noarch)

There were no rt3072 drivers at the Ralink website at:

http://www.ralinktech.com/support.php?s=2

The nearest to 3072 may be rt3070 in the package:

Firmware RT28XX/RT30XX USB series (RT2870/RT2770/RT3572/RT3070) version 22

which is dated 03/31/2010

and which looks to be the same package that I removed from the SL repositories.

So then I installed the drivers that I Do know work from:

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/oneiric/+source/linux-firmware/1.53/+files/linux-firmware_1.53.tar.gz

and extracted the file in Downloads. I know this is an Ubuntu package but they are the latest Ralink drivers in a tar.gz file.

I then copied and pasted the Ralink drivers from this collection into /lib/firmware. They remain .bin files
I am not sure if they need to go through any kind of special SL processing to work, such as conversion to .rpm file but I guess not.

Anyway, these drivers that I do know work with this USB Adapter do not work in SL so far.

So back to square one.

I returned to the Ralink site and this time found:

RT8070/RT3070/RT3370/RT5370/RT5372 USB

which is dated 05/11/2011, version 2.5.0.2

I downloaded the package but unfortunately these are not drivers that I can use, as I have no idea of the meaning of the instructions, see below:

= ==================== =

Build Instructions:

1> $tar -xvzf DPB_RT2870_Linux_STA_x.x.x.x.tgz
go to "./DPB_RT2870_Linux_STA_x.x.x.x" directory.

2> In Makefile
set the "MODE = STA" in Makefile and chose the TARGET to Linux by set "TARGET = LINUX"
define the linux kernel source include file path LINUX_SRC
modify to meet your need.

3> In os/linux/config.mk
define the GCC and LD of the target machine
define the compiler flags CFLAGS
modify to meet your need.
** Build for being controlled by NetworkManager or wpa_supplicant wext functions
Please set 'HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y' and 'HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=y'.
=> #>cd wpa_supplicant-x.x
=> #>./wpa_supplicant -Dwext -ira0 -c wpa_supplicant.conf -d
** Build for being controlled by WpaSupplicant with Ralink Driver
Please set 'HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y' and 'HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=n'.
=> #>cd wpa_supplicant-0.5.7
=> #>./wpa_supplicant -Dralink -ira0 -c wpa_supplicant.conf -d

4> $make
# compile driver source code
# To fix "error: too few arguments to function ¡¥iwe_stream_add_event"
=> $patch -i os/linux/sta_ioctl.c.patch os/linux/sta_ioctl.c

= ==================== =

and so forth, the paragraphs of gibberish flow on as far as the eye can see.


The instructions of what to write in the terminal i.e. the syntax of the actual commands is not given and if I tried to configure the drivers based on Ralink's build instructions I would be like a chimpanzee at a keyboard hitting keys at random whilst hoping to write a Shakespeare play.

What is needed is up-to-date drivers in Scientific Linux Add/Remove Software repository but I fear the drivers there are out-of-date, and are last year's models. Hmmm, a problem situation.

One of these day I will try this build-thingummy procedure but at this stage the jargon(and the knowledge underpinning it) is beyond me.

Thanks for your advice, anyway.

Hi,
just for clarification:
1. what is exactly the type of USB dongle you have? I mean what is the 'marketing' name of the device you bought?
2. the rtlxxxx is the name of chip, but the marketing name can differ from this of course
3. to get it working - you need two things:
- firmware, which is binary file that you just copy the /lib/firmware folder (if you do install by hand - if you install *.rpm package, the package does it for you)
- kernel module (or lets say driver) its again file with extention *.ko and you can manually load / unload it via 'modprobe' command

4. the firmware you dont compile or anything - you just as i said above place to /lib/firmware, so basically the *rpm package you removed was probably OK, so you can install it back, or simply put the downloaded firmware there by yourself.
If you're curious, what files the rpm package contains and more importantly where those files be installed - use:
rpm -qlp packagename.rpm

5. the kernel module you need to compile - that is what you downloaded and has that lines of 'gibberish' you say, and without it it wont work
When i have time, i'll have look on the driver you downloaded (RT8070/RT3070/RT3370/RT5370/RT5372 USB)

for example on my laptop (built in wifi card):
[root@orionis firmware]# dmesg | grep -i wire
iwlagn: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27k-1
iwlagn: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN REV=0x4

I have this detected upon system boot, because i have corresponding kernel module:
[root@orionis firmware]# lsmod | grep -i iwl
iwlagn 120768 0
iwlcore 123717 1 iwlagn
mac80211 152769 2 iwlagn,iwlcore
cfg80211 158217 3 iwlagn,iwlcore,mac80211

and also i have corresponding firmware in /lib/firmware:
[root@orionis firmware]# pwd
/lib/firmware
[root@orionis firmware]# ls
iwlwifi-4965-2.ucode

cheers,

ok:
they have the download file a bit messed - its actually *.tar file, but it doesnt say so - do this:

in the end it will create
/lib/modules/2.6.32-71.el6.x86_64/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt5370sta.ko file

try:

If you get any error, about license read this
http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/wireless-internet/161550-rt3070sta-module-license-unspecified-taints-kernel-solved.html


Ok,
because the driver failed to load for me (because of lic) - base on link i provided above do :

save and run again:

reboot and see if in dmesg we have any mention of the stick .. .

This post has been edited by helikaon: Jul 15 2011, 01:05 PM

@helikaon
just for clarification:
1. what is exactly the type of USB dongle you have? I mean what is the 'marketing' name of the device you bought?
2. the rtlxxxx is the name of chip, but the marketing name can differ from this of course
3. to get it working - you need two things:
- firmware, which is binary file that you just copy the /lib/firmware folder
- kernel module (or lets say driver) its again file with extention *.ko
4. the firmware you dont compile or anything - you just as i said above place to /lib/firmware
5. the kernel module you need to compile .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hello Helikaon

Thanks for you reply.

(1) My USB Wireless Adapter dongle is a Tenda 300Mbs Wireless USB Adapter W322U V2.0

(2) My USB Wireless Adapter dongle has wireless chipset: rt3072

(3) The kernel module that drives it looks to be: rt2870sta

(4) On installing Scientific Linux 6, there was no Ralink firmware in /lib/firmware (no directories & no README) except one file which is 2870.bin

(5) I have now re-installed the firmware "Firmware for Ralink RT28xx/RT30xx series USB network adapters" whose file is actually called rt2870-firmware-22-1.el6.elrepo (noarch), as per your recommendation

(5) Besides firmware and kernel modules, are there any other tasks that are necessary first? Do I need to configure any internal files?

(6) In Ubuntu and Peppermint, the very fact of removing the existing set of Ralink .bin firmware files from lib/firmware and replacing them with the updated Ralink .bin set which included rt2870.bin immediately caused Network Manager in the panel to display "wireless available", I could then click on “wireless” and put in my ISP wireless connection and WAP password and get online. I was hoping for the same in SL. However after replacing the old rt870.bin with the new binary file, wireless availability is still not found.

(7) I have guests for a week but shall try to sneak time to get back to my computer and to follow your recommended steps as soon as possible :-)

and report back.

Your help has been much appreciated, thanks helikaon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

More Information

(1) My USB Wireless Adapter dongle is a Tenda 300Mbs Wireless USB Adapter W322U V2.0
(Manufactured December 2009 by Shenzhen Tenda Technology, website:
http://www.tenda.cn/
My model is the same as or may have now been superseded by Tenda 300Mbs Wireless N USB Adapter W322U V2.0 as sold on Amazon etc.)

(2) My USB Wireless Adapter dongle has wireless chipset: rt3072

($ lsusb
$ Bus 001 Device 003: ID 148f:3072 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT3072 Wireless Adapter )

(3) A puzzling thing

The contents of /lib/firmware/ do not show any Ralink directories.

So it looks as if other directories are involved in this firmware business.

In Add/Remove Software/Files/Installed/ and selecting only "installed" by ticking that box alone, the Add/Remove program shows the following firmware installed when I input "firmware" into the search bar:

(a) Firmware for Ralink RT2561/RT2661 A/B/G Network Adapter
rt61pc1-firmware-1.2.7.el6 (noarch)

(b) Firmware for Ralink RT2571w/RT2671 A/B/G Network Adapter
rt73usb-firmware-1.8-7.el6 (noarch)

( c) Firmware for Ralink RT28xx/RT30xx series USB network adapters"
rt2870-firmware-22-1.el6.elrepo (noarch

and yet these Ralink directories or files do not show up in /lib/firmware (except the file rt2870.bin)

Their absence rather puzzles me but may be of little importance.

If you want to see exactly what package contains and where the files would go - download the package and store it locally:

And besides the kernel module and driver, you dont need to configure other OS files


cheers,

Hi Helikaon

This post now closed, Problem Solved.

I have been rather struggling with the code and getting error reports such as: No such file or directory
but luckily in the meantime I ordered another dongle from Amazon.co.uk for a tenner and Wonder of Wonders, it works out of the box.

It arrived 20 minutes ago and I am posting this using it, make & model is:

LogicPro 802.11g High Speed Linux /Ubuntu Wireless Internet USB Adapter Wifi

Thanks for all your kind help and advice

Best wishes

Hi,
i'm glad you've solved your wifi troubles. The new dongle you have probably has the realtek chip => different kernel module usage.
Sorry we didnt get to first one working, i really wanted to see it go
I think we were close .. anyway, at least you put some exp. under your belt (same as me regarding that ralink drivers)

cheers,

Helikaon,
Just wanted to thank you for your help getting my ZyXel 3070 usb wireless thumb card going. I followed the suggestions of the link you provided as well as your "Please set 'HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y' and 'HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=y" before I ran make. As soon as I insmod rt5370sta.ko the interface came up (I already had my home wireless info saved in Network Manager). It's been a battle the last day but then I found your posts and now it's over.

Once again, thanks. .

Bob

Wow,
i see the topic still lives, it's good to hear, that it was not in vain, hehe

cheers,

Not in vain at all, you just gave some else internet.

Many Thanks

thanks! this helped me as well.
after doing the make install and modprobe
i tried to go into the network tool and click activate but still got not found
however, on the top right of the desktop after a few minutes the wireless icon appeared

not sure why the network tool didn't work but have wireless now!