Ubuntu

DSL Hardware Compatibility Questions

Asked by Daniel Brumbaugh-Keeney

I am looking at setting up a DSL connection and wireless home network. Basically, before I actually buy everything, I want to make sure it will work with Ubuntu. I am looking at

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1148435315453&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1545339789B12
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Adapters/GWirelessAdapters/WG111.aspx
http://www.shentech.com/wusb54gscdh.html

My computer is a Dell e510 bought in December 2006, originally preinstalled with WinXP.

I am very new to ubuntu and GNU/Linux, so really have no idea if any of this will work. Thanks.

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John Bruno (jbalaska) said : 		#1

The Linksys router is a fine choice and you should have no problems with it in Ubuntu.

The Netgear WG111 USB adaptor can be made to work with ndiswrapper, Since you have not purchased this unit yet you may want to go with a unit that is more compatible with Ubuntu.

Here is a wireless USB adapter that works well with Ubuntu (Out of the box);
ZyxelG-220 USB 2.0 802.11G Wireless Adapter (About $35.00 on Amazon)

Here's the Ubuntu supported wireless card list:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported#head-603c9481d6c6288b6b674cc50132d21f6d539c53

*Warning* this not my main area of expertise, so if another member has a better suggestion for a wireless adapter please make it.

Hope this helps.

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Daniel Brumbaugh-Keeney (db-keen) said : 		#2

On the chart at
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported#head-603c9481d6c6288b6b674cc50132d21f6d539c53
it lists Netgear WG111v2 as "Supported in installed system" and "Works out of the box", shouldn't that be fine? "Works out of the box" is really what I am hoping for given my lack of experience with Ubuntu, GNU/Linux, Wifi, and Home Networks. I'm not really sure what "Supports network install" means, but I'm guessing I don't need it.

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Daniel Brumbaugh-Keeney (db-keen) said : 		#3

Also, the ZyxelG-220 isn't on the ubuntu list of wireless cards, are you saying from experience that the Zyxel works "out of the box"?

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John Bruno (jbalaska) said : 		#4

Yes a good friend of mine is using the ZyxelG-220 with Gutsy and loves it. The reason I advised caution with the Netgear WG111 is the amount of problem threads it seems to generate. Again I have to say that USB adapters are not my main area of expertise.

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John Bruno (jbalaska) said : 		#5

Yes a good friend of mine is using the ZyxelG-220 with Gutsy and loves it. The reason I advised caution with the Netgear WG111 is the amount of problem threads it seems to generate. Again I have to say that USB adapters are not my main area of expertise.

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Daniel Brumbaugh-Keeney (db-keen) said : 		#6

I ended up getting the 2Wire 2701HG-B that came with the DSL and have ordered the ZyxelG-220. The 2701 works without doing anything or seeing any messages.

Relevant pages for the 2Wire 2701HG-B (for future reference)
http://www.2wire.com/?p=106
http://store.att.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.asp?ProductId=1000-401047-000
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=product&id=1165610667220

Thanks!