Introduction
This topic covers the configuration of Apple brand AirPort 802.11b wireless cards. Please note that these details cover AirPort usage with Yellow Dog Linux 2.0 or 2.1's shipping 2.4.x kernels only. If you are using the default kernel 2.2.19, please see this page.
Additionally, this topic does not cover PC Card based Lucent WaveLAN/Orinoco 802.11b wireless adapters.
Preparing your system for AirPort Wireless Networking
First, you need to access a root ("Super User") command prompt via the console or through a terminal application in XFree86. At the command prompt, type the following:
cd /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts [ENTER]
This directory is where your system stores scripts that handle the various network interfaces such as ethernet, dialup, and airport. For this topic, we assume you have already configured ethernet. If you haven't, please do so now (run 'netconfig' at the command prompt).
You are going to use the configuration file for your ethernet port as the basis for our airport configuration. At the prompt, type:
cp ifcfg-eth0 ifcfg-eth1 [ENTER]
This copies the file 'ifcfg-eth0' to a new filename 'ifcfg-eth1' that will contain your airport network information. Next, you need to edit this newly created file. Due to its simplicity, we recommend using the 'pico' text editor to do this.
pico ifcfg-eth1 [ENTER]
In this file, you should see several lines that contain the values configured for your ethernet adaptor. If you intend to use different network values, such as IP address, for your AirPort card, go ahead and change the values in this file now. If your AirPort Base Station is set to offer DHCP service, then set the valueas as follows:
NAME=(name) DEVICE=eth1 IPADDR= BOOTPROTO=dhcp ONBOOT=yes NETMASK= GATEWAY= DNS1=(provide IP address if required) DNS2=(provide IP address if required)
Also, it is imperative that you change the line 'DEVICE=eth0' to 'DEVICE=eth1'. Once you have done that, you can save your changes and exit pico by typing CONTROL-X and following the onscreen directions.
Loading the AirPort driver
Before you continue, please verify that your system has the 'Wireless-tools' package installed. You can do this by typing the following at the command prompt:
rpm -qi wireless-tools [ENTER]If you see a lot of information output to your terminal describing wireless-tools, then you do infact have that package installed. If you simply returned to a command prompt, then you will need to install wireless-tools before proceeding.
Finally, it is time to load the AirPort kernel module (driver) and configure AirPort for use with your base station's (optional) encryption key.
For this step, you will need to know your AirPort network's name. This is configured via Apple's Base Station Software. With that information, type:
/sbin/modprobe airport [ENTER]
If you have encryption activated on your Base Station, then you will need to find the hexidecimal key of your AirPort network password. You can get this key using Apple's Base Station admin tool. There's a menu option to get the "Network Equivalent Password" in the "Base Station" menu. Then run:
/sbin/iwconfig eth1 essid "My Network Name" enc ABCD123456 [ENTER]
(replace "My Network Name" with your network name and replace "ABCD123456" with the key value you just found)
Testing AirPort
Now you are ready for the moment of truth. Restart your system's networking with:
/etc/rc.d/init.d/network stop [ENTER]
/etc/rc.d/init.d/network start [ENTER]
Now, unplug your ethernet connection (if you have it connected). Assuming you are on the Internet, now is the time to open a web browser and give it a test.
Loading the AirPort driver on system boot
The last thing you should do to complete your setup of AirPort, is to make sure it starts automatically when your boot Yellow Dog Linux. To do this, run:
echo "/sbin/modprobe airport" >> /etc/rc.d/rc.local [ENTER]
These commands creates new lines in /etc/modules.conf and /etc/rc.d/rc.local respectively with the text inside the quotes. You may also use 'pico' (or text editor of your choice) to add these lines interactively.
Lastly, if you ran 'iwconfig' above to setup AirPort for use with your encrypted network, you need to add the entire 'iwconfig' command line from above to the end of your /etc/rc.d/rc.local file. To do so run the command:
echo "/sbin/iwconfig eth1 essid \"My Network Name\" enc ABCD123456" >> /etc/rc.d/rc.local [ENTER]
(replace "My Network Name" with your network name and replace "ABCD123456" with the key value you found above)
Still doesn't work? Try cleaning the route tables ...
It is possible that your routing table needs to be cleaned up a bit to allow AirPort to function. If after running iwconfig (above), you are not able to ping outside of your local machine, try the following:
netstat -rn [ENTER]... this displays the route table. If there are any 0.0.0.0 routes other than the AirPort, remove them, as follows:
route del default gw (IP address) [ENTER]... then run the netstat command again to make certain that all is well.
That's it! Enjoy your new freedom from wires!!
This HOWTO was written by Dan Burcaw, Terra Soft Solutions, Inc.
