Fedora 10 iwconfig error: Error for wireless request "Set Encode" (8B2A) :SET failed

[mishkind]

Fedora 10 iwconfig error: Error for wireless request "Set Encode" (8B2A) :SET failed
Hi All,

Just installed fedora 10 on my Gigabyte laptop. (Dual boot with Win XP).
I am trying to configure my wireless network for some time, unfortunately with no real success.
First some details:
[root@localhost devices]# uname -a
Linux None 2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686 #1 SMP Tue Nov 18 12:19:59 EST 2008 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
[root@localhost devices]# lspci |grep -i wire
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR242x 802.11abg Wireless PCI Express Adapter (rev 01)
[root@localhost devices]# lsmod | grep -i ath
dm_multipath 17164 0
ath5k 112520 0
mac80211 173668 1 ath5k
cfg80211 23816 2 ath5k,mac80211
[root@localhost devices]# ifconfig wlan0
wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1D:7D:4E:36:EA
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:104 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:73 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:10692 (10.4 KiB) TX bytes:19480 (19.0 KiB)

[root@localhost devices]# iwconfig wlan0
wlan0 IEEE 802.11bg ESSID:"GorbageWLAN"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.462 GHz Access Point: Not-Associated
Tx-Power=27 dBm
Retry min limit:7 RTS thrff Fragment thr=2352 B
Encryption keyff
Power Managementff
Link Quality:0 Signal level:0 Noise level:0
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0


As you can see in the last command, my card can find the desired WLAN (iwscan), but when I try to associate a Key (iwconfig wlan0 key s:"My Key"), I get the following error:
[root@localhost devices]# iwconfig wlan0 key s:{My Key}
Error for wireless request "Set Encode" (8B2A) :
SET failed on device wlan0 ; Invalid argument.

I have googled this problem, but could not resolve it. Please help.

Thanks in advance.

[bbfuller]

Hello mishkind

Welcome to the Forum.

Have you tried using NetworkManager to control your wireless access. It's one of the icons in your System Tray area.

In Fedora that is the default for controlling wireless cards and can prevent other methods getting a look in.

[mishkind]

Yes I did. Even tried to configure a new wlan with NM, but still receive the same error when trying to activate.

[mishkind]

And thanks for the "welcome"

[bbfuller]

Hello mishkind

Don't want to labour the point, but there are at least three ways of controlling wireless cards in Fedora and people often make the mistake of confusing them.

If you were using NetworkManager, you wouldn't see any error messages you would just get a standard window box repeatedly asking you for your key. My belief is that if you see error messages you may not be using NetowrkManager.

The three methods available are, the command line, which you are describing above.

system-config-network from the root command line will bring up a graphical interface whch is the same as accessing "Network Configuration" from the administration menu. This is not NetworkManager but will probably show error messages when you try to connect.

NetworkManager is the icon in the syatem tray which when you left click on it should show available wireless networks to be selected by clicking on them.

If you are doing that last then apologies.

Have you tried / can you try making a connection without encryption to check where the problem lies.

[mishkind]

You are right. I was trying to use the network configuration tool.

For some reason NetworkManager is not started on boot.
Tried to start it with: /usr/sbin/NetworkManager and now I have the icon.
When I leftclick the icon, both wireless and wired networks are disabled. a message says that the devices are not managed.
Right click on the icon show that networking and wireless are enabled.
I tried to create a new connection. right click -> edit, but it still does not help.

Maybe I should reinstall the network manager? I did an upgrade from fedora 8 to 10 and it is possible the NM was disabled in the previous installation.

[mishkind]

I think I got it!!!

Added the following in the /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-wlan0 file:
NM_CONTROLLED=yes

And I have can connect to my WLAN.

Now I have to see what will happen when I reboot.

[mishkind]

OK. Configure NM to start with system-config-services. Now the WLAN connects automatically after boot.

Thanks for your help bbfuller .

[bbfuller]

Hello mishkind

You worked that out pretty well.

I think you'll find that system-config-network gives the opportunity to have you card "Controlled by NetworkManager". I think that has the same effect as your:

NM_CONTROLLED=yes

Enjoy your wireless.