Intel ipw3945 on Fedora 7

http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?p=805589#post805589
http://fedoramobile.org/Members/ops…45-on-fedora-7/

This howto will show you how to blacklist/remove iwl3945 / mac80211 in Fedora 7 and install / use the “known working” ipw3945 kernel module / driver, microcode firmware, regulatory daemon and startup init script. For this you will need to have root privileges and have roots path/environment.

Applicable to Fedora Versions

* Fedora Core 7

Requirements
Explanation of requirements.

1. kernel-devel (kernel development files for building modules against the running kernel)
2. gcc (C++ compiler)
3. ipw3945-1.2.1.tgz (driver / kernel module)
4. ipw3945-ucode-1.14.2.tgz (microcode / firmware)
5. ipw3945d-1.7.22.tgz (regulatory daemon)
6. ipw3945 (startup init script)

Doing the Work

Basic description of what will be done and what is expected. Learn to become root here.

1. Blacklisting the offending modules:

#nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

add these exact lines at the bottom then save and exit:

# iwl3945  blacklist iwl3945    blacklist mac80211

2. Reboot the system:

#] reboot

3. Create a temp directory on your desktop called ‘ipw3945’ and download the following files into it:

 $] mkdir /home/$user/Desktop/ipw3945 (replace $user with your username)

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/….1.tgz?download
http://bughost.org/ipw3945/ucode/ip…code-1.14.2.tgz
http://bughost.org/ipw3945/daemon/ipw3945d-1.7.22.tgz
http://fedoraos.org/ipw3945/ipw3945

4. Install kernel development packages and gcc compiler:

#] yum install kernel-devel gcc

5. Unpack the gzipped tarballs into the directory on your desktop called ‘ipw3945’ that we created earlier:

$] tar xvfz ipw3945-1.2.1.tgz     
$] tar xvfz ipw3945-ucode-1.14.2.tgz     
$] tar xvfz ipw3945d-1.7.22.tgz

6. Copy ucode firmware and regulatory daemon to their respective locations:

cp ipw3945-ucode-1.14.2/ipw3945-ucode /lib/firmware
cp ipw3945d-1.7.22/ipw3945d /sbin

(or choose the version for x86_64 if necessary)

7. Compile and copy the resuling kernel module to the correct location (for more options here see ‘more information’ below):

 $] cd ipw3945-1.2.1 && make    
$] su --login     
#] cp /home/$user/Desktop/ipw3945/ipw3945-1.2.1/ipw3945.ko /lib/modules/2.6.21-1.3212.fc7/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/     
#] chmod 744 /lib/modules/2.6.21-1.3212.fc7/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/ipw3945.ko
#] depmod -ae

8. Install startup init script:

#] cp /home/$user/Desktop/ipw3945/ipw3945 /etc/init.d     
#] chmod +x /etc/init.d/ipw3945     
#] chkconfig --add ipw3945 && chkconfig ipw3945 on

9. Reboot the system:

#] reboot

Troubleshooting
How to test
Explanation troubleshooting basics and expectations.

1. Configure the device:

 #] system-config-network

new –> wireless connection –> Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection –> forward

2. Restart the network:

Once you have disabled all other network cards, configured your ip address, gateway, DNS, subnet mask,
SSID, wifi channel, and encryption key:

 # service network restart

Common problems and fixes

Many laptops with built in wireless have a WLAN switch that is a toggle switch for enabling/disabling the wireless radio.

Please make sure you check this is on, or your ipw3945 wireless adapter will not detect correctly or work at all.

Also, disable all other network cards before attempting to use the ipw3945.
More Information

Special Notes:

If you’d like Monitor Mode, Promiscuous Mode or RadioTap enabled for this device you will need to edit the Makefile in

Step 7 before compiling the kernel module uncomment the corresponding line(s):

 CONFIG_IPW3945_MONITOR=y
CONFIG_IEEE80211_RADIOTAP=y
CONFIG_IPW3945_PROMISCUOUS=y 

Added Reading

* http://fedoraos.org