i386 vs i686 was Configured kernel source code ... What is it

[Eric "Shubes"]

Have no fear, George. I think most of the USB problems were related to 
early 2.4 kernels. I'm thinking that with hotplug baked into the 2.6.n 
kernel, things should go fairly smoothly.

 From what I can tell in the readme, I'd try this:

1) Install kernel development packages
This may or may not be necessary, as much of the necessary "build chain" 
(stuff you need to build kernel modules from source) is installed by 
default in CentOS. Do a "rpm -q kernel-devel" on a command line. If it 
shows you a kernel-devel version, you're probably good to go. If it 
doesn't, add the development packages using Applications->System 
Settings->Add/Remove Applications, then check Development Packages and 
click Update, which will install what you need from CDs.

2) The makefile for your driver expects the kernel source to be at 
/usr/src/linux. Yours is somewhere else, so create a symbolic link to 
point to yours:
ln -s /usr/src/kernels/`uname -r` /usr/src/linux
Alternatively, you can:
export KSRC=/usr/src/kernels/`uname -r`
before doing the make commands, but I think the symbolic link is easier 
since you only have to do it once (the export KSRC variable is only good 
for the terminal window, or shell instance that you issue it from). Just 
be sure to change the link if/when you rebuild the driver for a newer 
kernel.

3) Copy the kernel configuration file to your source tree:
cp -p /boot/config-`uname -r` /usr/src/kernels/`uname -r`/.config

Note, `uname -r` in the examples above are back-quotes (or back-ticks). 
They tell the shell to execute what's contained in them and put the 
results in its place. In this case, the uname -r command fetches the 
kernel version that's currently running.

Follow the rest of the readme instructions, and you'll probably be good 
to go.

Other observations:
1) You might be able to use the gui on CentOS to configure your wireless 
parameteres (as long as you're not using WPA). I've done so with Fedora 
and CentOS, but that was with PCI, not USB. YMMV.
2) You might want to take notes as you go, and write a more detailed 
CentOS-centric HowTo for the device driver. That would be useful to 
others who proceed down this path. I presume that it would also be 
user-friendlier than the readme. Don't blame the readme writer though, 
as configuration for wireless varies among the distros, and they need to 
stay distro-independent.

Let us know how you `make`. :)

G Gambill wrote:

<snip>
> 
> Thanks for the feed back.  I am still somewhat in a fog.
> 
> I have chased the PCMCIA rainbow for several weeks now.  Haven't found one
> in my price range.
> 
> Then I found http://linux_wless.passys.nl/AirLink_Tech.html
> 
> I already have an Airlink AWLL3025/NA (USB) which I believe uses the ZyDAS
> ZD1211 chip.
> 
> I plugged it in and booted.  Nothing to talk about.
> 
> In hopes it will help, I include the entire 2 page README associated with
> the sf_zd1211_20050315_src.tar.gz download
> 
> *****************
> README
> ZD1211 - linux driver for ZyDAS ZD1211 based USB 2.0 WLAN adapters
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Reqirements:
> ------------
> - Kernel 2.4.x. I am developing the driver on 2.4.24, but it
> reportedly also works on 2.4.x. If your kernels version is less than
> 2.4.22 (for example Red Hat 9.0 is 2.4.20-8), suggest to upgrade kernel
> for better support on USB 2.0.
> - Kernel 2.6.x. This driver has been verify on 2.6.6 and 2.6.7.
> - To build zd1211 you will need: Configured kernel source code for the
> kernel you are running. Ideally, Configured means that you have at
> least run 'make config', 'make menuconfig', or 'make xconfig'. If your
> platform is not SMP system, please don't config SMP supported, because
> when module loaded, this will make unresolved symbol..
> - Make sure your kernel usb 2.0 support is running
> - Use lsmod to check "ehci-hcd" module is loaded.
> - If host is not support usb 2.0, zd1211 will run under pure-b mode.
> Building zd1211:
> ------------
> 1) untar the package using the command:
> tar zxvf zd1211-XXXX.tar.gz
> 2) cd into the new directory and use "make" and "make install"
> to make and install driver.
> Be sure to have your configured kernel source at /usr/src/linux
> or type make KSRC=[my kernel], replacing [my kernel] with the
> directory the kernel you want the driver to be compiled for.
> Running:
> --------
> - If you have hotplug installed, the drivers should now be loaded. If not,
> load them by hand: modprobe -v zd1211
> (or Under zd1211-XXXX/zdsta directory use "insmod zd1211.o" for kernel
> 2.4.x,
> "insmod zd1211.ko" for kernel 2.6.x)
> - Check if the modules are loaded with lsmod. It should look like this:
> ...
> zd1211 183576 0 (unused)
> ...
> - Run 'ifconfig <iface> <your IP address>'
> - Run 'iwconfig <iface> ' to configure the wireless setting, here are
> some examples, more detail information please check with 'man iwconfig'.
> Example:
> iwconfig <iface> essid "My Network" //Set essid
> iwconfig <iface> channel 1 //Set channel
> iwconfig <iface> mode Managed (Station mode) //Set operation mode
> iwconfig <iface> mode Ad-Hoc (Ah-Hoc mode)
> iwconfig <iface> rts 512 //Set rts threshold
> iwconfig <iface> frag 512 //Set fragment threshold
> iwconfig <iface> key s:password [2] //Set encryption key
> iwconfig <iface> power on/off //Set power-save mode
> ......
> Private Parameters:
> ------------------
> In addition to the parameters of iwconfig, some can be set by iwpriv:
> - open system authentication: iwpriv <iface> set_auth 0
> - shared key authentication: iwpriv <iface> set_auth 1
> Be aware that shared key authentication requires a WEP key.
> - long preamble: iwpriv <iface> set_preamble 0
> - short preamble: iwpriv <iface> set_preamble 1
> - iwpriv <iface> get_preamble //will display the current preamble type
> - List current BSS information:iwpriv <iface> list_bss
> You can use "dmesg" to check the result.
> Note:
> ----
> Page 1
> README
> - You can modify the script file "sta" to enable Station function.
> "sta en" Enable STA function
> "sta dis" Disable STA function
> - I have tested the driver under Red-Hat 9.0, It's unstable than kernel
> 2.4.24.
> So please update the kernel.
> Version:
> --------
> -5000
> - a lot of code cleanups
> - Support kernel 2.6.10
> - Support Big Endian architectures (experimental)
> - new cleaner Makefile
> -4715
> -Support kernel 2.6.x
> -Fixed bug: DHCP will hard to get IP problem.
> -Support iwpriv command
> iwpriv <iface> set_mac_mode mac_mode //1: Mixed Mode
> //2: Pure G Mode
> //3: Pure B Mode
> iwpriv <iface> get_mac_mode //display current Mac Mode
> -4630
> -Fixed Ad-Hoc mode can't work problem.
> -Support Roamming.
> -Support iwlist <iface> scan(ning) command.
> -Support iwpriv command
> iwpriv <iface> connect cell_number //the cell_number can be get
> //from the result of
> //iwlist <iface> scan(ning) command
> iwpriv <iface> dbg_flag //set debug level, default is 0
> -Fiexd Chairot multicast can't work problem.
> -Fixed Ack timeout problem.
> -4621
> -First release version.
> -WPA, 802.1X with dynamic key exchange are not supported.
> -Watchdog function was not fully implementated.
> -Apdbg.c provides basic debug command for driver development.
> -Airoha RF chip is not verified.
> -Support basic wireless extension setting.
> -Fixed iwconfig will show wrong essid information.
> -Roaming is not fully verified.
> Known Bugs:
> -----------
> Page 2
> 
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
-Eric 'shubes'
"There is no such thing as the People;
  it is a collectivist myth.
  There are only individual citizens
  with individual wills
  and individual purposes."
-William E. Simon (1927-2000),
     Secretary of the Treasury (1974-1977)
  "A Time For Truth" (1978), pg. 237

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