How do I avoid wpa_supplicant backgrounding [solved]

[Jykke]

I have this problem when trying to use wpa_supplicant that it backgrounds and is not "up" fast
enough. So consequently network dependent services mysql (mainly) fail to start.
RC_PLUG_SERVICES="!net.*" in /etc/conf.d/rc is of no help since it also seems to get ignored
by backgrounded supplicant with iwconfig I have no such probs but I'd like to use that WPA...

Am I the only one having this problem?

[PaulBredbury]

One option is to create a custom service, like mine. I have a udev script to rename the interface to wlan.

/etc/init.d/net.wlan

[Jykke]

Ok this sounds all fine and so on but
1) I don't get why I should "rename" the interface ath0 is ok for me

2) I tried to chance it to ath0 but not much of a success there...

I got something like:

#!/sbin/runscript

opts="start stop restart"

depend() {
need net.lo
}

start() {
ifconfig ath0 up
ifconfig ath0 192.178.168.22
iwconfig ath0 mode managed
iwconfig ath0 channel 1
iwconfig ath0 essid 1 || eend 1

# WPA
/sbin/wpa_supplicant -B -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf -i ath0 -D wext
local timer=0
while [[ -n $(iwconfig ath0 | grep "Not-Associated") ]] ; do
timer=$[${timer}+1]
if [[ ${timer} -gt 25 ]] ; then
echo
eerror "Timed out."
return 1
fi
echo -n "."
sleep 2
done
echo

eend 0
}

stop() {
ebegin "Stopping ndiswrapper wireless"
ifconfig ath0 down
killall wpa_supplicant

eend 0
}

restart() {
svc_stop
echo "Sleeping before restarting, for udev."
sleep 10
svc_start
}

# vim:ts=4


Don't need the ndiswrapper bits I suppose - should replace with modprobe
ath_pci and ath_hal and maybe ath_rate_sample...

Does this also ignore contents of /etc/conf.d/net ?
I am not sure about the channels and essid and that
ip you have in the beginning?

I suppose your essid is not "1" and it gets later assigned in wpa_supplicant.conf?

I have to admit I am a bit lost...

[Jykke]

Ok added few modprobes for atheros but and now I got this when trying to start

./net.ath0 start
ctrl_iface exists and seems to be in use - cannot override it
Delete '/var/run/wpa_supplicant/ath0' manually if it is not used anymore
Failed to initialize control interface '/var/run/wpa_supplicant'.
You may have another wpa_supplicant process already running or the file was
left by an unclean termination of wpa_supplicant in which case you will need
to manually remove this file before starting wpa_supplicant again.

./net.ath0: line 9: 11852 Segmentation fault /sbin/wpa_supplicant -B -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf -i ath0 -D wext
.........................
* Timed out.



Now my script start part:
start() {
modprobe ath_hal || exit 1
modprobe wlan || exit 1
modprobe ath_rate_sample || exit 1
modprobe ath_pci || exit 1
ifconfig ath0 192.168.178.22 netmask 255.255.255.0 up
route add default gw 192.168.178.1
iwconfig ath0 essid "myEssid" key "s:my_wep_key" || eend 1
# WPA
/sbin/wpa_supplicant -B -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf -i ath0 -D wext
local timer=0
while [[ -n $(iwconfig ath0 | grep "Not-Associated") ]] ; do
timer=$[${timer}+1]
if [[ ${timer} -gt 25 ]] ; then
echo
eerror "Timed out."
return 1
fi
echo -n "."
sleep 2
done
echo

eend 0
}



in wpa_supplicant.conf I have:

# This is a network block that connects to any unsecured access point.
# # We give it a low priority so any defined blocks are preferred.
# # The below line not be changed otherwise we refuse to work
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
# #
# # # Ensure that only root can read the WPA configuration
ctrl_interface_group=0


network={
ssid="myEssid"
key_mgmt=NONE
wep_key0="my_wep_key"
wep_tx_keyidx=0
priority=5
}


I am trying to get wpa_supplicant to run with wep first...should be possible, right?

[PaulBredbury]

"ath0" is a meaningless name. The zero is meaningless. "wlan" would actually mean something. But whatever.

WEP is pathetic, so concentrate your efforts on WPA.

[Jykke]

WPA is actually my goal but I have two machines running and I am only able to use
iwconfig reliably at the moment. Before I switch router to WPA I want to have a working
solution ready for the remote machine for getting wpa running on it with wpa_supplicant
on one shot.

[Jykke]

I am still struggling with this crap - I am not one inch close of getting it to run.
I can't believe I am only one having this issue. It is simply that with wpa_supplicant
the start of net dependent services fail (regardless WEP or WPA).

Later once the machine is up I can manually bring up mysql or mythbackend or stuff
and then it runs - only during the boot the starting fails. With iwconfig it works
just right...

[Jykke]

I've been banging my head on the wall with this issue for
a fairly long time...Finally today NightKhaos pointed me to the right direction on IRC...

I already tried adding net.ath0 to boot (of course removing it from "default")
Problem with mysql was solved but network died after awhile.
Adding net.ath0 simultaneously to boot AND default gave a working solution with
wpa_supplicant (and consequently wep).

This works and I get no warning about netmount or other stuff anymore...