Simple install guide for the edimax wireless 802.11b/ adpater (ralink rt73) Fedora 7

jonathonp · #1 2nd July 2007, 09:25 AM

Instructions for using the ralink rt73 chipset for the Wireless 802.11b/g Turbo Mode USB2.0 High-Gain Adapter EW-7318USg in fedora 8.

http://www.edimax.com/en/support_det...p%3D1&pd_id=8:

See post2 for additional comments and updates to this guide:
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showpo...57&postcount=2
_____________________________
ralink modules included in fedora 8 kernel update:

/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00lib.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00pci.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00usb.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt61pci.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt73usb.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2400pci.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2500pci.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2500usb.ko

When i upgraded the kernel and rebooted wlan0 worked as usual however on the second reboot with the new kernel i received a lot of errors. Blacklisting the other modules is sufficient and is reliable and trouble free.

To blacklist the modules from start up type at the prompt:

Code:

su -
gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

insert the following:

Code:

blacklist rt2x00lib
blacklist rt2x00pci
blacklist rt2x00usb
blacklist rt61pci
blacklist rt73usb
blacklist rt2400pci
blacklist rt2500pci
blacklist rt2500usb

save and exit
Next type at the prompt

Code:

su -
depmod -a

If you want to delete the modules instead of open a terminal and the type at the prompt: It is not required but i have the left the step here for interest sake.

Code:

su -
rm -rf /lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt73usb.ko

depmod -a

NOTE

Do not plugin your adapter until you have finished compiling the driver and REBOOTED your machine. Always insert your adapter before you boot up and remove it after you have shutdown. i had to do a complete re-installation of fedora because as i inserted the wireless adapter straight after i compiled the driver.

Update: if the wireless adapter is no longer detected i believe the problem is with the daily driver module from serialmonkey. Download version rt73-cvs-2007070309 from the link at the bottom of this post as it is reliable and has never failed on me once. Other driver versions have failed at times. Compile and the module as usual. and you will be back online in no time at all.

To update module:
a). Copy the serialmonkey rt73 driver to the home directory
b). Open a terminal and type at the prompt:

Code:

cd /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2007070309/Module
make clean
make

c).Now do the make install command:

Code:

su -
cd /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2007070309/Module
make install

d). You need to create 'network-script' if you have not done so before:

Add the following information with the 'Hdwaddr'. To find the 'hdwaddr' for the card type at the prompt:

Code:

su
ifconfig -a

Code:

su
gedit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-wlan0

Code:

# rt73
DEVICE=wlan0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
HWADDR=00:0E:2E:CE:72:D1
ONBOOT=yes
TYPE=wireless

save and exit.

reboot
_______________________
Installation guide starts here. See update above for removing or blacklisting modules from the new kernel.

1. The first step is to update Fedora 8 and reboot.

Note you can install gcc during the fedora 7 installation which will also give you the kernel-devel and kernel-headers as well which are needed to compile the kernel module.

Code:

yum -y install kernel kernel-headers kernel-devel gcc

2. Next you need to blacklist the rt drivers that come your current kernel to prevent it from loading at the boot (see update above for blacklist)

After you have deleted the module type at the prompt:

Code:

su -
depmod -a

3. Next download the rt73 (USB) driver from http://rt2x00.serialmonkey.com/rt73-cvs-daily.tar.gz

4. Unpack the folder and install the rt73 driver using the instructions in the 'README' file.

Example:

[jonathon@localhost ~]$

Code:

cd /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module

[jonathon@localhost Module]$

Code:

make

make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.23.9-85.fc8-i686'
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtmp_main.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/mlme.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/connect.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtusb_bulk.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtusb_io.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/sync.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/assoc.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/auth.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/auth_rsp.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtusb_data.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtmp_init.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/sanity.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtmp_wep.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtmp_info.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rtmp_tkip.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/wpa.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/md5.o
CC [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rt2x00debug.o
LD [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rt73.o
Building modules, stage 2.
MODPOST 1 modules
CC /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rt73.mod.o
LD [M] /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rt73.ko
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.23.9-85.fc8-i686'
!!! WARNING: Module file much too big (>1MB)
!!! Check your kernel settings or use 'strip'
*** Module rt73.ko built successfully
[jonathon@localhost Module]$

Code:

su -

Password:
[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

cd /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module

[root@localhost Module]#

Code:

make install

*** Install module in /lib/modules/2.6.23.9-85.fc8/extra ...
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.23.9-85.fc8-i686'
INSTALL /home/jonathon/rt73-cvs-2008010205/Module/rt73.ko
DEPMOD 2.6.23.9-85.fc8
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.23.9-85.fc8-i686'
/sbin/depmod -a
*** Update /etc/modprobe.d/ralink alias for wlan*
*** Install firmware in /lib/firmware ...
*** Check old config ...
[root@localhost Module]#

5. The next step is to configure the wlan0 settings as stated in the 'README' file. Unfortunately it does not tell you the ipconfig and iwconfig commands so you can connect online.

Open a terminal or continue on and INSERT your own Internet configuration into the following commands:

(A tip for newbies; type 'ipconfig /all' in the 'command prompt' in windows xp while testing your wireless card to obtain the internet configuration details eg internet address, default gateway and DNS server configuration.)

[jonathon@localhost ~]$ su -
Password:
[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

modprobe rt73

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

ifconfig wlan0 up

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

iwlist wlan0 scan

wlan0 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:1A:70:E5:53:59
ESSID:"aroon"
Mode:Managed
Channel:5
Encryption key:off
Bit Rates:0 kb/s

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

iwconfig wlan0 ap 00:1A:70:E5:53:59

or could use the following command instead:

Code:

iwconfig wlan0 ap any

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

 ifconfig wlan0 192.168.1.102  netmask 255.255.255.0

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

echo nameserver 192.168.1.1 > /etc/resolv.conf

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

echo nameserver 203.121.130.39 >> /etc/resolv.conf

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

echo nameserver 203.144.255.72 >> /etc/resolv.conf

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

cat /etc/resolv.conf

nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver 203.121.130.39
nameserver 203.144.255.72
[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

 route add default gw 192.168.1.1

[root@localhost ~]#

Code:

ifconfig -a

wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:0E:2EE:721
inet addr:192.168.1.102 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::20e:2eff:fece:72d1/64 Scope:Link

6.Now to enable wlan0 to start on boot you need to create a network script. Open a terminal and type the following:

Add the following information with the 'Hdwaddr'. To find the 'hdwaddr' for the card type at the prompt:

Code:

su -
ifconfig -a

Code:

su
gedit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-wlan0

Code:

# rt73
DEVICE=wlan0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
HWADDR=00:0E:2E:CE:72:D1
ONBOOT=yes
TYPE=wireless

save and exit.

Now if you want to assign a static ip address then use the following layout with your own internet configuration:

Code:

# rt73
DEVICE=wlan0
BOOTPROTO=static
ONBOOT=yes
HWADDR=00:0E:2E:CE:72:D1
IPADDR=192.168.1.102
NETMASK=255.255.255.0
GATEWAY=192.168.1.1
BROADCAST=192.168.1.255

When you reboot wlan0 (rt73) will automatically start. You can also start your wireless connection in

System>Network> and click to activate wlan0 if the connection stops. Network manager does not work for some reason so you have to it manually.

Great job serialmonkey cheers johnny
rt73-cvs-2007070309

jonathonp · #2 2nd July 2007, 09:30 AM

You might find on occasion that yum has an update bug where you can't update the kernel, kernel-devel and kernel-headers until you uninstall the old kernel and kernel-devel. To compile the rt module you need to have the corresponding kernel-devel and kernel-headers. I have not found this problem with fedora 8 so it is only relevant with fedora 7.

An easy way to resolve the problem with kernel updates is by removing your oldest kernel and kernel-devel with 'yumex'and then updating to the new version. You will need to have the livna repository enabled if you have proprietary drivers that need updating.

By the way my d-link g122 (c1 revision) adapter failed for some reason and is now collecting dust in my hardware museum...))

http://support.dlink.com/prod_img/r...-G122_revCv.jpg

It flashes like it's working but it does not pick up any connection, luckily i have an edimax adapter for backup. It is a bit awkward to have at work and could easily be knocked down. I've been searching for a new wireless adapter that is more compact.

I found a helpful list of wireless cards but it is limited.

http://aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=c...bility_drivers

You might want to open the xp driver at the shop and see what chip is listed. I purchased a tp-link tl-wn321g ver: 2.0 USB wireless adapter with an rt73 chip just today.

http://www.tp-link.com/products/product_des.asp?id=47

It comes with a lifetime warranty and is relatively cheap to other products on the market. The warranty could be useful!

__________
How to use ndiswrapper from the livna repository. As far as i know always choose the xp drivers first. You can check the list here for cards that are reported to be working.

http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/...mid,33/id,list/

setup up the livna repository and open a terminal and type the following:

Code:

su 
yum install kmod-ndiswrapper

Code:

su - 
mkdir /ndiswrapper_drivers

now copy your .inf and .sys files from your xp drivers to your home directory and then move them to the /ndiswrapper_drivers directory you just created.

example:

Code:

mv /home/jonathon/WlanUZG.inf /ndiswrapper_drivers/ mv /home/jonathon/WlanUZXP.SYS /ndiswrapper_drivers/

now cd to the ndiswrapper directory where your xp drivers are now located :

Code:

cd /ndiswrapper_drivers

Load the xp driver with the next command and remember to choose the name of your driver and not the example here:
Code:

ndiswrapper -i WlanUZG.inf ndiswrapper -l modprobe ndiswrapper

Code:

ndiswrapper -ma

example ouput:

module configuration information is stored in /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper

to check information:

Code:

gedit /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper

(output: alias usb:v0586p3410d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip* ndiswrapper)

Code:

echo "alias wlan0 ndiswrapper" >> /etc/modprobe.conf

Code:

su -c 'system-config-network'

The zyxelg-202 usb wireless adapter works very well with ndiswrapper. I have used quiet a lot of wireless adapters and this one is my favorite as it is easy to configure with the fedora network gui.

johnny

wh0rd · #3 13th July 2007, 04:58 AM

/rt73-cvs-2007071222/Module/rtmp_def.h:819: error: expected identifier or ‘(’ before ‘{’ token

wh0rd · #4 13th July 2007, 10:36 PM

The Fix: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...&postcount=410

ryptyde · #5 15th July 2007, 05:09 PM

johnnylinux thanks for the info and all but I've been down this "rt73 road" and have had varying results on several different Fedora installs using a Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter.

I have recently picked up another Belkin usb wireless adapter and this one did not have the "rt73 chip" and I thought "oh crap, here I go again chasing down drivers". Well I started searching and found that the "zd1211" is already supported in the kernel and all I had to do was download 1 tarball,unpack it and copied the contents to a directory "/lib/firmware/zd1211",rebooted,logged in,plugged in the usb wireless device,window opened asking for "passphrase" entered it and I'm connected.

No disabling of Network Manager or screwing around with other stuff either. I have done the same to 3 computers now and they all work fine. I will be going to town shortly to purchase 3 more of these Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapters. The Belkin part # F5D7050 is somewhat generic but the upc sticker that has "ver. 4000" and the last seven digits "FB04747".

Here's a partial from the readme:

Quote:

This distribution contains the firmware files for the
ZD1211 chip, which is used in WLAN USB sticks. Copy these files to
/lib/firmware/zd1211, where it can be loaded by the rewritten
zd1211 driver.

The files are generated from C header files distributed in the
original ZyDAS ZD1211 driver under the GNU Public License.

.

#6 15th July 2007, 06:10 PM

brilliant could of done with this a year ago i think it took me a week to work it out back then when i was a noob with a million oooo,s now i think im a noob with 999,999 ooo,s

jonathonp · #7 31st July 2007, 12:30 PM

Hi ryptyde!! I updated my guide. Thanks for the information on the Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter. I'm keeping my eye out for one. I've noticed that the edimax adapter has better range than the d-link adapter although the d-link adapter has a different ralink chip. Handy though that the serialmonkey driver works with both. Cheers johnny

stavrosg · #8 29th September 2007, 07:17 PM

Hi!
I have a Linksys USB adapter (WUSB54GC) which did not work with the included drivers when I first installed F7, so this guide was *really* useful.
USB ID :
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 13b1:0020 Linksys

However, with a recent kernel update, I removed the blacklist from the included drivers, and it works! No more compiles with every kernel update

I confirmed this with 2.6.22.9-91.fc7 (i686)

jonathonp · #9 30th September 2007, 08:41 AM

hi stavrosg. Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the guide was helpful. I put a lot of work into it. cheers johnny

premudriy · #10 27th January 2008, 06:32 AM

Hey, johnnylinux, it is such a great tutorial. I've looked up to your tutorial many times during last couple of months or so. I think it would be nice if you would make the same tutorial just for Fedora 8 as well. Or... does this tutorial is still valid for Fedora 8?

Thank you very much!

jonathonp · #11 27th January 2008, 01:18 PM

Hi premudriy. thanks for letting me know the guide was helpful and i have now updated everything My new project now is connecting to the net via bluetooth on my mobile phone. maybe i will write a guide on this once i get it sorted. cheers johnny