[CentOS] CentOS 5 and Broadcom wireless

Thu May 10 14:56:45 UTC 2007
Mogens Kjaer <mk at crc.dk>

Mogens Kjaer wrote:
...
> I have a notebook with a bcm43xx card with FC6, it works
> without problems. NetworkManager takes care of prompting
> for WPA keys, etc. Actually, it is easier to use than
> when booted in Windows.

I took a compaq evo n610c from the shelf.

Found a Linksys WPC54G ver 3.1 card on another shelf.

Installed FC6, yum update, installed bcm43xx-fwcutter,
cut firmware from the driver CD,

chkconfig NetworkManager on
chkconfig NetworkManagerDispatcher on

reboot, unplug network cable, log in, and I could
see available wireless networks, select one, enter
WPA-PSK password, and I'm on the net.

Install Centos 5 instead, bcm43xx-fwcutter (not
in centos, need to get source and recompile),
else as above.

The machine panics when NetworkManager starts.

If I reboot the machine without the PCMCIA card
installed, NetworkManager can start, and I can log in.
If I then insert the card I can see the networks in NetworkManager,
however, I can't connect with the WPA password.

In the beginning I had problems in FC6, some kernels worked and some
didn't. The last kernels seem to work.

Mogens

-- 
Mogens Kjaer, Carlsberg A/S, Computer Department
Gamle Carlsberg Vej 10, DK-2500 Valby, Denmark
Phone: +45 33 27 53 25, Fax: +45 33 27 47 08
Email: mk at crc.dk Homepage: http://www.crc.dk