Difference between revisions of "Wireless Network Adapters"

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(→‎"Unauthorized" MiniPCI network card)
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This document covers IBM integrated (MiniPCI), Cardbus and PC Card (PCMCIA) Wi-Fi devices.
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{| width="100%"
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|style="vertical-align:top;padding-right:20px;width:10px;white-space:nowrap;" | __TOC__
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|style="vertical-align:top" |
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This document covers IBM/Lenovo integrated (MiniPCI), Cardbus and PC Card (PCMCIA) Wi-Fi devices.
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|}
  
 
== Finding out which adapter you have ==
 
== Finding out which adapter you have ==
 
For MiniPCI or Cardbus adapters run the command:
 
For MiniPCI or Cardbus adapters run the command:
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  lspci -n | grep "Class 0200"
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:{{cmdroot|lspci -n <nowiki>|</nowiki> grep -e "0200" -e "0280"}}
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And compare the PCI IDS with the ones below.
 
And compare the PCI IDS with the ones below.
  
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Note: This will also return the PCI IDS of any Ethernet adapters, as Ethernet adapters and Wireless adapters share the same PCI Class ID.
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{{NOTE| This will also return the PCI IDS of any Ethernet adapters, as Ethernet adapters and Wireless adapters share the same PCI Class ID.}}
  
 
== MiniPCI adapters ==
 
== MiniPCI adapters ==
 +
 
=== Atheros ===
 
=== Atheros ===
 
*[[IBM Dual-Band 11a/b Wi-Fi Wireless Mini PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:0012)</tt>
 
*[[IBM Dual-Band 11a/b Wi-Fi Wireless Mini PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:0012)</tt>
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*[[IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:1014)</tt>
 
*[[IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:1014)</tt>
 
*[[IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:1014)</tt>
 
*[[IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:1014)</tt>
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*[[ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini Express Adapter]]
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*[[ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini Express Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:1014)</tt>
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*[[ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini Express Adapter]] (AR5BXB72) <tt>(PCI-ID: 168c:0024)</tt>
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=== Broadcom ===
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*[[Broadcom BCM4312 802.11b/g]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 14e4:4315)</tt>
  
 
=== Cisco ===
 
=== Cisco ===
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*[[Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 8086:4220)</tt>
 
*[[Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 8086:4220)</tt>
 
*[[Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Mini-PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 8086:4224)</tt>
 
*[[Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Mini-PCI Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 8086:4224)</tt>
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*[[Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI Express Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 8086:4227)</tt>
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*[[Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Mini-PCI Express Adapter]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 8086:4230)</tt>
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*[[Intel Wifi Link 5100 (AGN)]]
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*[[Intel Wifi Link 5300 (AGN)]]
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*[[Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150]]
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*[[Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350]]
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*[[Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000]]
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*[[Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200]]
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*[[Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250]]
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*[[Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300]]
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*[[Intel Wireless-N 7260]]
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*[[Intel Wireless-AC 7265]]
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=== Prism ===
 
=== Prism ===
 
*[[IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Adapter with Modem]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 1260:3873)</tt>
 
*[[IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Adapter with Modem]] <tt>(PCI-ID: 1260:3873)</tt>
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*[[IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Adapter III]]
 
*[[IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Adapter III]]
  
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=== "Unauthorized" MiniPCI network card ===
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=== Realtek ===
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Although the MiniPCI slot is an industry standard and can accept any MiniPCI adapter, the IBM BIOS is set to only allow you to boot with an 'authorized' adapter installed. Attempts to install an unsupported card will result in the following message:
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*[[ThinkPad 11b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter II]]
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 +
=== Error 1802 - "Unauthorized" MiniPCI network card ===
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Attempts to install an unsupported card will result in the following message:
  
 
   1802: Unauthorized network card is plugged in - Power off and remove the miniPCI network card.
 
   1802: Unauthorized network card is plugged in - Power off and remove the miniPCI network card.
  
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This is because the cards ID(s) (what ''lspci'' uses) are checked against a [[Wikipedia:Whitelist|whitelist]] in the BIOS. IBM's reasoning for this is that the combination of MiniPCI card and the integrated antenna in the ThinkPad needs to be certified by the US FCC (Federal Communications Committee).
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For a resolution, see the [[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card]] page.
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Several people say that it is not necessary to switch off the computer after receiving the error message. It seems to be possible to press F1 to enter the BIOS and deactivate the WLAN card. -- This does not work on my t43.
 
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There is a tool in the internet called "no-1802". It is used to set a certain bit in the CMOS memory which overrides the whitelist. This does not work on my t43.
 
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I had the same problem with my T41p and a new wireless card. Doing some research on the internet
 
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I found the C-code below (which worked for me):
 
  
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#include <stdio.h>
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=== Hardware Transmitter Switch ===
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#include <sys/types.h>
 
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#include <unistd.h>
 
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#include <sys/stat.h>
 
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#include <asm/fcntl.h>
 
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int main(void)
 
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{
 
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  int fd;
 
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  unsigned char data;
 
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  fd=open("/dev/nvram", O_RDWR);
 
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  if (fd < 0) {
 
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    fprintf(stderr, "Error\n");
 
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  }
 
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  lseek(fd,0x5c, SEEK_SET);
 
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  read(fd, &data, 1);
 
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  printf("index: 0x5c 0x%02x", data);
 
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  data |= 0x80;
 
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  lseek(fd,0x5c, SEEK_SET);
 
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  write(fd, &data, 1);
 
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  printf("-> 0x%02x\n", data);
 
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  close(fd);
 
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}
 
  
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As far as i can tell this is very similar to the code used in no-1802, only the
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Operating a radio transmitter is not permitted in aircraft, and there are times where security requires that your wireless connection be shut down.  Some ThinkPads with internal MiniPCI wireless cards have a hardware switch that disables the wireless network. Here it is on the '''on''' position:
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byte index in NVRAM has changed, and the above code is designed to work from within a running
 
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linux system. Just compile it with gcc and run the resulting binary as root.
 
  
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Additional Information about "Unauthorised" MiniPCI adapters can be found at: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/
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[[Image:Wireless-switch.png|(ThinkPad R60 radio switch in the ON position)]]
  
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Also see [http://www.paul.sladen.org/thinkpad-r31/wifi-card-pci-ids.html Paul Sladens and Matthew Garretts detailed page on IBM BIOS hacking].
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To be certain that your wireless connection is not transmitting, turn the switch '''off'''. Just remember to turn it back '''on''' when you once again need wireless access. If the switch is '''off''', you might encounter a message like the following Log-Message on Startup:
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  ipw3945: Radio Frequency Kill Switch is On:
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  Kill switch must be turned off for wireless networking to work.
  
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The BIOS hack described in the above links does not seem to apply to the t43.  It seems that IBM has changed the way that the PCI ID's are stored in the BIOS code in the later Thinkpads.
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Also, when you try to activate (iwconfig) your wireless connection with the switch '''off''' you may see the error,
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  Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06)
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The number 8B06 merely represents the wireless mode (auto, ad-hoc, managed, master), none of which will work with the wireless switch '''off'''.
  
 
== Cardbus adapters ==
 
== Cardbus adapters ==
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Users Guide: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-51959 MIGE-51855]<br>
 
Users Guide: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-51959 MIGE-51855]<br>
 
Service Parts: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-51874 MIGR-51874]
 
Service Parts: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-51874 MIGR-51874]
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Looking for a reverse PCI to cardbus (ie - want to fit a PCI card into a cardbus slot)
  
 
=== IBM 802.11a Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter ===
 
=== IBM 802.11a Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter ===
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Supported wireless modes: 802.11b
 
Supported wireless modes: 802.11b
 
=== IBM High Rate Wireless LAN PC Card ===
 
=== IBM High Rate Wireless LAN PC Card ===
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Chipset: Prism 2.5<br>
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Chipset: Hermes I<br>
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Drivers: [[orinoco|orinoco_pci]] or [[hostap]]<br>
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Drivers: [[orinoco|orinoco_cs]]<br>
 
Supported wireless modes: 802.11b
 
Supported wireless modes: 802.11b
  
 
[[Category:Components]]
 
[[Category:Components]]

Latest revision as of 14:11, 22 January 2021

This document covers IBM/Lenovo integrated (MiniPCI), Cardbus and PC Card (PCMCIA) Wi-Fi devices.

Finding out which adapter you have

For MiniPCI or Cardbus adapters run the command:

# lspci -n | grep -e "0200" -e "0280"

And compare the PCI IDS with the ones below.

NOTE!
This will also return the PCI IDS of any Ethernet adapters, as Ethernet adapters and Wireless adapters share the same PCI Class ID.

MiniPCI adapters

Atheros

Broadcom

Cisco

Intel

Prism

Realtek

Error 1802 - "Unauthorized" MiniPCI network card

Attempts to install an unsupported card will result in the following message: 

  1802: Unauthorized network card is plugged in - Power off and remove the miniPCI network card.

For a resolution, see the Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card page.

Hardware Transmitter Switch

Operating a radio transmitter is not permitted in aircraft, and there are times where security requires that your wireless connection be shut down. Some ThinkPads with internal MiniPCI wireless cards have a hardware switch that disables the wireless network. Here it is on the on position:

(ThinkPad R60 radio switch in the ON position)

To be certain that your wireless connection is not transmitting, turn the switch off. Just remember to turn it back on when you once again need wireless access. If the switch is off, you might encounter a message like the following Log-Message on Startup: 

 ipw3945: Radio Frequency Kill Switch is On:
 Kill switch must be turned off for wireless networking to work.

Also, when you try to activate (iwconfig) your wireless connection with the switch off you may see the error, 

 Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06)

The number 8B06 merely represents the wireless mode (auto, ad-hoc, managed, master), none of which will work with the wireless switch off.

Cardbus adapters

Cardbus is a 32bits bus that runs at 33MHz, and is in many ways simular to the PCI bus. In fact under Linux Cardbus adapters are handled by the PCI subsystem.
You can differentiate a PC Card adapter from a Cardbus adapter as the later has a gold coloured grounding strip

IBM 11 a/b/g Wireless Cardbus Adapter

Chipset: Atheros
Driver: madwifi
Supported wireless modes: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g

Specifications: MIGR-51855
Users Guide: MIGE-51855
Service Parts: MIGR-51874 Looking for a reverse PCI to cardbus (ie - want to fit a PCI card into a cardbus slot)

IBM 802.11a Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter

Chipset: Atheros
Driver: madwifi
Supported wireless modes: 802.11a

Specifications: MIGR-42209
Users Guide: MIGR-42233
Service Parts: MIGR-42231

PC Card (PCMCIA) adapters

PC Card or PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) as it used to be called, is an 8 or 16bits bus limited to 8MHz, in many ways simular to the old ISA bus and not suitable for highspeed devices.

Cisco Aironet 350 802.11b wireless PC card with 128bit

Chipset: Cisco
Driver: airo_cs
Supported wireless modes: 802.11b

IBM High Rate Wireless LAN PC Card

Chipset: Hermes I
Drivers: orinoco_cs
Supported wireless modes: 802.11b

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