ejohansson.se

Thanks to the work of a few, hardworking individuals the only thing stopping me from running linux full-time on my ibook has finally been swept away: the wireless network card (AirPort Extreme) is now working. This blog entry is the proof!

Steps to reproduce (assuming you’re using the precompiled debian kernel):

# apt-get install bcm43xx-fwcutter bcm43xx-modules-2.6.15-1-powerpc

If you’re not presented with an option to install the firmware, execute

# dpkg-reconfigure bcm43xx-fwcutter

Then load the module and bring up the interface

# modprobe bcm43xx
# ifconfig eth1 up

The following command should give you the necessary information about your network

# iwlist eth1 scan

Then configure you wireless interface with your specific settings. I did

# iwconfig eth1 channel 11
# iwconfig eth1 rate 11M
# iwconfig eth1 enc <secret password>
# iwconfig eth1 essid "Erik"

The last step, getting an ip address

# dhclient eth1

Surf!

Links to more information:

• http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-409194.html
• https://lists.berlios.de/pipermail/bcm43xx-dev/