Suggestion about USB wireless adapter

fikiz · Apprentice Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 282 Location: Italy

Hi all.

I'm going to buy a USB wireless network adapter for my Gentoo desktop box.
I'm looking for a suggestion about some good adapters, fully working with linux, with no
troubles about its configuration.
I know nothing about wireless networks, I'm going to learn... I would like to connect my
Windows notebook to my Gentoo machine, sharing internet connection and stuff... Both in
encrypted and unencrypted way.

Could you tell me some brands and models for a good purchase?

thanks.

P.S.: hope this is the right forum section :-)

davidjneff · n00b Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 47

If it is a desktop system, I really suggest getting a WiFi to Ethernet bridge rather than a USB adapter. Will cost a bit more, but requires no Linux drivers apart from the Ethernet, and they are configured by a web browser. Its also nice for temporary access by guests as you just give them the bridge and they are on the network.

There is actually open source code from many locations that replaces Linksys router firmware with open source, and these have options to use routers as wireless repeaters/bridges or routers. This is what I am using now.

I have a netgear WiFi to Ethernet bridge which works OK, but it has lower signal strength than the Linksys approach.

I tried to do what you want to do and gave up after hours of fiddling. I had two different USB WiFi adapters and I could not get either to work.

albright · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject:

fikiz · Apprentice Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 282 Location: Italy