Hi I’m Back… with a new computer loaded with openSUSE 42.1 + Gnome. Things seem to work much better, however to set up the wifi adapter it is still telling me that I need it install ‘iw’ I have it on a usb stick plus I have copied it to my download directory. I have drilled down to the iw-3.11 directory where the readme file is plus several others I have tried to install a few with …> sudo ./Makefile and …> sudo ./version.sh , because I thought these looked like the install file to me, But obviously not cos it didn’t install. Please can anyone help me…how do i install ‘iw’ from a file on my system? Thank you in advance. Jon
You don’t need to be compiling things. You can use a package manager (YaST > Software > Software Management or zypper command line utility) to install the necessary. Assuming you have wired ethernet connection, do
sudo zypper in iw
These basic guide may be of help to you
http://opensuse-guide.org/installpackage.php
More in-depth here
Thank you for the links… very helpful.
Here is were I am up to… The other day I ditched my old compaq computer, I am now using a 64 bit desktop with openSUSE leap 42.1 Gnome.
It is plugged in to my broadband router via a 10 meter Ethernet cable. All works fine. However, I still want to be cable free, as the cable has to run across stairs and two doorways. I have installed ‘iw’ as the system requested and am using ‘wicked’…still no joy with this Netgear N300 WNA3100M wifi adapter. I have also spotted that I have a wireless pci board complete with aerial…RT2561/RT61 802.11g PCI. I have gone into network settings and swapped them both to dynamic address - DHPC. and scanned for the router and entered the router encrypted key. I have re booted just to see if it has an effect but still no joy with either. I’m just about ready to give up on these but do want to connect wirelessly. Can you recommend a (or a few) USB wifi adapter that I can get in the UK that do/does work?. If you or anyone out there has any other ideas I can still try to get my existing adapters working before I give up, I would be most grateful. Thank you so much Jon
The RT2561/RT61 device should be supported by the kernel ‘rt61pci’ driver. It does require firmware, but you should already have the ‘kernel-frimware’ package installed which includes firmware for this device. You can check with
rpm -qa|grep kernel-firmware
If not found (I don’t know why it wouldn’t be already installed), then install with
sudo zypper in kernel-firmware
Once complete, reboot and see if the device can connect with the AP.
For the Netgear N300 WNA3100M device, chipsset details would be useful, although a quick search suggest no Linux driver available. (I’ve seen references to some using ndiswrapper with a Windows driver but that is not a good solution really.) Anyway, use the lsusb command to get that info
lsusb
The hwinfo command can be useful to get useful inforation on a variety of devices including network hardware
/usr/sbin/hwinfo --netcard
Hi again Deano,
I did all that you suggested, found that the pci wifi adapter was running on rt61pci driver and seems to be installed with all the firmware already. I logged into window xp to look at it and found it not working there either so it must be faulty I guess. There was a very extensive support programme that I looked at, it said signal 100%, strength 100%, noise 70%. It must be faulty Hu. I’ve taken it out for now.
As for the usb wifi adapter, I followed your instructions too and got the following info…
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~> /usr/sbin/hwinfo --wlan
23: USB 00.0: 0282 WLAN controller
[Created at usb.122]
Unique ID: POWV.6qCRzhfkxaE
Parent ID: k4bc.OqydEZZ981A
SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb1/1-9/1-9:1.0
SysFS BusID: 1-9:1.0
Hardware Class: network
Model: "NetGear WNA3100M(v1) Wireless-N 300 [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Hotplug: USB
Vendor: usb 0x0846 "NetGear, Inc."
Device: usb 0x9021 "WNA3100M(v1) Wireless-N 300 [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Revision: "2.00"
Serial ID: "00e04c000001"
Driver: "rtl8192cu"
Driver Modules: "rtl8192cu"
Device File: wlan0
Features: WLAN
Speed: 480 Mbps
HW Address: dc:ef:09:0d:55:b6
Link detected: no
WLAN channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
WLAN frequencies: 2.412 2.417 2.422 2.427 2.432 2.437 2.442 2.447 2.452 2.457 2.462
WLAN encryption modes: WEP40 WEP104 TKIP CCMP
WLAN authentication modes: open sharedkey wpa-psk wpa-eap
Module Alias: "usb:v0846p9021d0200dc00dsc00dp00icFFiscFFipFFin00"
Driver Info #0:
Driver Status: rtl8192cu is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe rtl8192cu"
Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
Attached to: #21 (Hub)
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~>lsusb
Bus 001 Device 101: ID 0846:9021 NetGear, Inc.
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 05e3:070e Genesys Logic, Inc. USB 2.0 Card Reader
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0d8c:0201 C-Media Electronics, Inc. CM6501
Bus 002 Device 018: ID 093a:2510 Pixart Imaging, Inc. Optical Mouse
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~>
I’m still open to suggestions to get this one working, but I thing it will be (or may be not) easier to just go get another. Please can you suggest one that should work with Leap 42.1 + Gnome on a 64bit PC, Don’t mind if it is PCI or USB , Thank you so much, Jon
Hello,
I went shopping, I bought a new wifi adapter, I talked to the tech guy in the computer shop. He didn’t know much about linux but asured me that this adapter supported linux. It’s a ASUS USB-N10 nano for 802.11 g/b/n wireless networks. The asus website for this device says it supports linux os too. It also says it on the box. There is no mention of linux in the quick start guide nor the on line downloaded manual. There is a linux driver on the asus website, so I downloaded it and extracted it. There seems to be two of them…rtl8188c and rtl8129cu. I plugged the device in, and tried to add it to the network services fields. I re booted and looked for it via the command line ‘hwinfo --wlan’ see results below.
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~> /usr/sbin/hwinfo --wlan
22: USB 00.0: 0282 WLAN controller
[Created at usb.122]
Unique ID: 2UT6.e+2UowDGOOB
Parent ID: k4bc.OqydEZZ981A
SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb1/1-3/1-3:1.0
SysFS BusID: 1-3:1.0
Hardware Class: network
Model: "ASUSTek N10 Nano 802.11n Network Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Hotplug: USB
Vendor: usb 0x0b05 "ASUSTek Computer, Inc."
Device: usb 0x17ba "N10 Nano 802.11n Network Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Revision: "2.00"
Serial ID: "00e04c000001"
Driver: "rtl8192cu"
Driver Modules: "rtl8192cu"
Device File: wlan0
Features: WLAN
Speed: 480 Mbps
HW Address: f8:32:e4:b4:ed:f9
Link detected: no
WLAN channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
WLAN frequencies: 2.412 2.417 2.422 2.427 2.432 2.437 2.442 2.447 2.452 2.457 2.462
WLAN encryption modes: WEP40 WEP104 TKIP CCMP
WLAN authentication modes: open sharedkey wpa-psk wpa-eap
Module Alias: "usb:v0B05p17BAd0200dc00dsc00dp00icFFiscFFipFFin00"
Driver Info #0:
Driver Status: rtl8192cu is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe rtl8192cu"
Config Status: cfg=no, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
Attached to: #21 (Hub)
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~>
It glows a nice blue colour but thats about all!
I’m obviously missing something out in trying to install these adapters, please can some one help me install this one. Thank you Jon
It’s the chipset details that count rather than the name of a device, since manufacturers often change chipsets while keeping the same name. Anyway, the output from your Netgear N300 device shows that it is supported by (and using) the rtl8192cu driver
Model: "NetGear WNA3100M(v1) Wireless-N 300 [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Hotplug: USB
Vendor: usb 0x0846 "NetGear, Inc."
Device: usb 0x9021 "WNA3100M(v1) Wireless-N 300 [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Driver Info #0:
Driver Status: rtl8192cu is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe rtl8192cu"
The other device (ASUSTek N10 Nano) is also supported by the same driver
Model: "ASUSTek N10 Nano 802.11n Network Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Hotplug: USB
Vendor: usb 0x0b05 "ASUSTek Computer, Inc."
Device: usb 0x17ba "N10 Nano 802.11n Network Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU]"
Driver Info #0:
Driver Status: rtl8192cu is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe rtl8192cu"
BTW, there was no need to download the driver and install, as the rtl8192cu driver is part of the kernel in use with openSUSE 13.2. When you plug in either device, you should see the network interface ‘wlan0’ present.
/sbin/ifconfig -a
The you should be able to configure using YaST.
Hi Deano,
Thanks for replying, I’ve been reading up and trying a few things in the last few hours, but no luck. I have also realised that I downloaded the rtl8192c driver but not installed it with this new adapter, So hopefully it is already there like you say.
I did the /sbin/ifconfig -a and got this…
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~> /sbin/ifconfig -a
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:18:F3:80:D6:FB
inet addr:192.168.1.87 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe70::208:f3ff:fe70:d6fb/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:17610 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:11306 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:22570845 (21.5 Mb) TX bytes:809435 (790.4 Kb)
lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:65536 Metric:1
RX packets:1101 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:1101 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:99308 (96.9 Kb) TX bytes:99308 (96.9 Kb)
wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr F7:32:E4:B4:ED:F9
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~>
I’ve no idea what it means though, does it help? Any advice on what to do now? thanks Jon
It is, otherwise wlan0 would not exist 
Now ‘/sbin/ifconfig -a’ reports all available network interfaces, whereas
/sbin/ifconfig
(no -a option) will report only the active interfaces.
I’ve no idea what it means though, does it help? Any advice on what to do now? thanks Jon
As above, the device is working. Did you not manage to configure the wireless device using YaST yet?
https://en.opensuse.org/SDB:WiFi#How-to_connect_to_WiFi_without_the_NetworkManager
Some notes on network configuration using YaST
https://doc.opensuse.org/documentation/leap/reference/html/book.opensuse.reference/cha.basicnet.html#sec.basicnet.yast
https://doc.opensuse.org/documentation/leap/reference/html/book.opensuse.reference/cha.basicnet.html#sec.basicnet.nm.comparison
Hi Deano, To answer your previous question…Yes I configured the wifi adapter in Yast. Listed below are all the YaST2 tabs plus all info selected (anything not mentioned can be considered as a blank box/not selected or no info entered.
Yast2 - Network Settings
**Global Options
**
General Network settings - Network Setup Method - **Wicked Service
IPv6 Protocol Settings - Enable IPv6 - Tick
DHCP Client Options - DHCP CLient Identifier - ** blank
- Hostname to Send - AUTO
- Change Default Route via DHCP - **Tick
Overview
[size=2]Name** - [/size][size=2]CK804 Ethernet Controller IP Address - DHCP Device - eth0**
N10**[/size]** Nano 802.11n Network Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU] DHCP wlan0
info box below(no selections available)
[size=2]N10[/size]** Nano 802.11n Network Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU] (Not Connected)
MAC: **f7:32:e3:b3:ed:f8
BusID: 1-3:1.0
-
Device Name: wlan0
-
Started automatically at boot
-
IP address assigned using DHCP
**
**Hostname/DNS
**Hostnameand Domain Name- Hostname - **linux-n3i8 Domain Name - suse
- Change Hostname via DHCP - Tick
** - Assign Hoastname to loopbak IP - Blank
**
Modify DNS Configuration - Use Default Policy
***all other fields in this tab - ***blank
Routing
***all other fields in this tab - *****blank
OK - clicked
****Yast then goes through a list and everything gets automatically ticked in decending order and the service settings green bar at the bottom moves to 100% so all is configured, then YaST2 disapears.****I usually unplug the ethernet cable at this point and swich off completely and switch back on, then go to firefox with fingers crossed only to see connection problem messages - try again!
I have read all the links you suggested + others. I have stuck with ‘wicked’ as it seems to be the one I should use. The adapter still has a nice blue light. The info in the reference guide gets very technical when changing the ‘wicked’ settings in comand line. I am not compitant to do any of this without personal guidance. But will give anything ago if there is a chance it will get me connected.Is there anything esle I should be doing? trying? I thought about starting a new thread as the heading on this one isnt really relavent anymore. What do you think? thanks again for your help, and thanks to anyone else who wishes to contribute. Kind regards, Jon
I’m using laptops and in different network environments, so always use Network Manager, but in an effort to assist further, I’ve just switched to using wicked a spare laptop I have with openSUSE 13.2 installed. I’ve just configured my wireless device to connect to my home network via YaST.
Anyway, after studying your last post I think I see what you need to do. Under the ‘Overview’ tab, you need to click ‘Edit’ then follow the prompts given ie choose ‘Dynamic Address’ then ‘Next’, select network and authentication mode, encryption key etc, ‘Next’ then ‘OK’. If your wireless network settings are correct, you should get associated. Check with
/usr/sbin/iwconfig wlan0
Here’s what the wireless network card configuration window should look like…
https://doc.opensuse.org/documentation/html/openSUSE_122/opensuse-reference/images/yast2_wlan.png
Hi Deano, Thank you for your continued support, I have followed your latest instructions.The only difference is that I scanned for the ESSID and found my router, then entered the wireless key clicked ok/next then rebooted. then did the /usr/sbin/iwconfig wlan0 and got the following results.
jonthemaker@linux-n3i8:~> /usr/sbin/iwconfig wlan0
wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:off/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry short limit:7 RTS thr=2347 B Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off
It is still not workin, lighting up but not connecting… Just as a note, I’m so grateful that you have been to so much trouble in installing on your own machine etc. I did upgrade to 42.1 with gnome last week as I wasn;t getting anywhere with this problem, It is mentioned way back in the posts, I don’t think this would make a difference though Hu?
Don’t know where to go now? thanks jon
Are you sure you selected the correct encryption protocol? Double check passphrase etc. If all is correct, it should connect in a few seconds. There should be no need to reboot either.
Hi Deano,
Operating Mode - Managed
Authentication mode - WEP shared key
Key input type - Passphrase - green dot
Network name - BTHUB3- blah
Encryption key - **(not telling but wireless key entered)
enter/ok clicked
**Then it goes through an update setting sequence and disappears
It doesn’t connect! I wish it would?
And you’re absolutely certain that WEP encryption is being used, as opposed to WPA?
Yes, I am sure as I can be, is there any way to check? apart from looking into YaST?
I’ve checked and re checked, tweeked and re tweeked settings and then put them back to how you suggested a few posts ago. Still nothing. I had the idea! that if wicked wouldn’t connect me, then why not try swapping to Network Manager. I have used >* sudo systemctl stop wicked* and >sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager.service then >*sudo systemctl start NetworkManager.service. I now have the option to tweek the settings and see what is doing what, in the box in the top left instead of YaST. I can see 4 AP’s (one that I pay for, one that is free and two others, probably from close by routers.) I still don’t actually get a connection though although everything looks like I do…That is… NM can see my AP and show I am connected after asking for the encryption key. AND also! although this seems the closest I have gotten to connecting wirelessly, it keeps loosing my AP from the list completely. I have tried this with the new wifi adapter (Asus nano) and the first one (Netgear n300) both the same result. The only thing that I can think of now is that the driver is corrupt, can this happen? I have three wifi adapters now and they all seem to use the same driver and they all don’t connect. I even think the PCI card which I took out used it too. Is it worth removing the driver rtl8129cu and re installing a new one? or shall I try (what are we upto) plan G.
At least I am more back nline with the post title ( except it looks like it is running, just not connecting) ( and I’m using 42.1 now). Any advice on any of this? thank you in advance Jon *