List: Linux Compatible USB Wireless Adapter (WUSB)

A regular question from my mailbag:

I am in the process of up grading my computer. Where can I get a list of the WUSB for Linux?

Wireless USB adapters are pretty popular for desktop and laptop usage in home. It is capable of sending 480 Mbit/s at distances up to 3 meters and 110 Mbit/s at up to 10 meters. Newer N series can work at 270Mbit/s at up to 300 meters. However, 50-100 meters are acceptable ranges. Unfortunately, finding Linux compatible USB wireless adapter is a big challenge due to driver issues. Over a past few years, I've used and installed various USB wireless adapters and created my own small HCL for it. In this quick blog post I will list all working USB wireless adapter.

Buffalo's Wireless-N WLI-UC-G300 compact USB 2.0 adapter is fully compatible with Linux. Currently I'm using this device with Ubuntu Linux 10.4 and it works out of box. No driver installation is required. Simply add your wireless WPA2 password and you will be hooked up to wireless network. The driver in latest version of Ubuntu kernel is broken and you need to install the driver from source code. (Driver Link for RT2870)

Asus USB-N13 802.11n/g/b network adapter supports USB 2.0 wireless and speed up to 300Mbps Wireless data rates. I get superb connection speed upto 270Mbps and it was auto detected by Linux. (Driver Link for RT2870)

Belkin F5D8053 version 3 also works with Linux. It supports USB 2.0 wireless and speed up to 300Mbps at up to 300 meters. I've tested this one with Fedora Linux. (Driver Link for RT2870)

AboCom WU-5204 is another compact adapter which is fully compatible with Linux. It complies with IEEE 802.11n draft 3.0 and IEEE 802.11 b/g standards and works with USB 2.0/1.1. interface. This one worked and detected, however after some time it started to drop traffic for multimedia stuff. If possible avoid this one due to poor performance.

The D-Link RangeBooster NUSB Adapter (DWA-140) is a 802.11n compliant wireless client for your Linux desktop or notebook PC. I've tested this one with Fedora and Debian Linux. Like all other adapter it supports WPA and WPA2 security features. (Driver Link for RT2870)

EW-7718Un complies with 802.11n draft 2.0, the next generation wireless standard. With the advanced MIMO technology, it can support the data transmission rate up to 300Mbps. EW-7718Un stable wireless connection and high bandwidth enable you enjoying the network applications without any interruption with Linux based systems. (Driver Link for RT2870 #2 # 2 link)

TEW-664UB is 300Mbps dual band wireless N USB adapter. It is compliant with IEEE 802.11n standard and backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11a devices. It supports both WPA and WPA2 security.

The EZ Connect N 150Mbps Wireless USB2.0 Adapter (SMCWUSBS-N3) enables wireless connectivity to your desktop or notebook computer and provides improved throughput and range while maintaining full backwards compatibility with the Wireless-G (802.11g) and Wireless-B (802.11b) standards.

ZyXEL NWD-211AN and NWD-270N both works with Linux operating systems. It complies with 802.11n (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g. It supports wireless security transmission with WPA/WPA2 and 802.1x.

Sparklan WUBR-501 use USB 2.0 interface and speed up to 300Mbps. It support WPA and WPA2 security.

AWLL6090 Wireless 300N USB Adapter delivers speeds up to 300Mbps. This USB adapter is fully backward compatible with 802.11b/g and RoHS compliant.

ConnectGear WU260N Wireless N USB Adapter 802.11n/g/b supports speed upto 300Mbps with USB 2.0 or 1.1 ports. It's also backward compatible with the existing IEEE802.11g and 802.11b standards for existing wireless networks. Both WPA and WPA2 are supported by this device.

Most of the above devices are automatically installed. If not try updating your kernel version. I hope this post will save some time for readers while purchasing USB wireless adapter for Linux operating systems.

The list is for information and ready references only. Please do your own research before purchasing any device listed here.

Ubuntu Linux: Install RT2870 Chipset Based USB Wireless Adapter

This blog post listed Linux Compatible USB wireless adapters. It seems that many new Linux users frequently have problems learning how to install RT2870 driver under Linux. I also received email requesting installation instructions for the same device. This quick tutorial will explains how to install RT2870 based chipset device with WPA2 authentication and TKIP wireless encryption.

The following instructions are tested on:

Ubuntu Linux 10.04.1 LTSKernel - Linux 2.6.32-24-generic-pae i686 (32 bit)WPA2 with Linksys 160N router

The main problem is conflicting driver which are shipped with default kernel. WPA2 is a method of security wireless networking with optional PSK for home users. The default driver only recognizes driver but always failed to join WPA2 based network. The solution is to install RT2870 driver from the vendor site.

Type the following command to black list default drivers:
$ sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Append the following driver names:

blacklist rt2800usbblacklist rt2x00libblacklist rt2x00usb

Save and close the file. Use the rmmod command to remove current drivers or just reboot the system:
$ sudo modprobe -r driverName
# you need to remove all of the above drivers one by one:
$ sudo modprobe -r rt2800usb
OR simply reboot the systems:
$ sudo reboot

Type the following command to install required packages so that you can compile source code:
$ sudo apt-get install build-essential fakeroot dpkg-dev
Finally, install Linux kernel headers so that you can compile kernel device drivers:
$ sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r)

Visit this page and download USB drivers [RT2870USB(RT2870/RT2770)].

Type the following command:
$ tar -jxvf 2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1.tar.bz2
$ cd 2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1

First, edit config.mk file as follows so that Network Manager can be used to set WPA2 auth info:
$ vi os/linux/config.mk
Set it as follows:

# Support Wpa_SupplicantHAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y# Support Native WpaSupplicant for Network MangerHAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=y

Save and close the file. To compile the driver, enter:
$ make
Sample outputs:

make -C toolsmake[1]: Entering directory `/tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/tools'gcc -g bin2h.c -o bin2hmake[1]: Leaving directory `/tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/tools'/tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/tools/bin2hcp -f os/linux/Makefile.6 /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/Makefilemake -C /lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic-pae/build SUBDIRS=/tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux modulesmake[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.32-24-generic-pae' CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/crypt_md5.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/crypt_sha2.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/crypt_hmac.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/crypt_aes.o......... CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/rtusb_io.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/rtusb_bulk.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/rtusb_data.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/cmm_data_usb.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/ee_prom.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/rtmp_mcu.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../common/rtusb_dev_id.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../os/linux/rt_usb.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../os/linux/rt_usb_util.o CC [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/../../os/linux/usb_main_dev.o LD [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/rt2870sta.o Building modules, stage 2. MODPOST 1 modules CC /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/rt2870sta.mod.o LD [M] /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux/rt2870sta.komake[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.32-24-generic-pae'

Note: You may see a LOTs of warnings during the compilation, and this is *normal* so don't panic.

Type the following command:
$ sudo make install
Sample outputs:

make -C /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux -f Makefile.6 installmake[1]: Entering directory `/tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux'rm -rf /etc/Wireless/RT2870STAmkdir /etc/Wireless/RT2870STAcp /tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/RT2870STA.dat /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/.install -d /lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic-pae/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/install -m 644 -c rt2870sta.ko /lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic-pae/kernel/drivers/net/wireless//sbin/depmod -a 2.6.32-24-generic-paemake[1]: Leaving directory `/tmp/2010_0709_RT2870_Linux_STA_v2.4.0.1/os/linux'

Again visit this page and download "Firmware RT28XX/RT30XX USB series (RT2870/RT2770/RT3572/RT3070)". Unzip and install the firemware:
$ unzip RT2870_Firmware_V22.zip
$ cd RT2870_Firmware_V22/
#### Make a backup of existing old firmware ####
$ mkdir -p $HOME/backup/lib/firmware
$ cp /lib/firmware/rt2870.bin $HOME/backup/lib/firmware
#### Install the firmware (for 64 bit Linux systems, you may have to use /lib64/firmware) #####
$ sudo cp rt2870.bin /lib/firmware/
##### **** backup and move existing driver, do NOT SKIP this STEP ****######
$ sudo mv /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rt2870sta.ko $HOME/backup/

Type the following commands:
$ mkdir -p $HOME/backup/var/lib/usbutils
$ cp /var/lib/usbutils/usb.ids $HOME/backup/var/lib/usbutils
$ sudo wget -O /var/lib/usbutils/usb.ids http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids

Connect your USB device and type the following command to verify that Wireless USB LAN adapter is detected:
$ lsusb
Sample outputs:

Bus 002 Device 007: ID 0411:00e8 MelCo., Inc. Buffalo WLI-UC-G300N Wireless LAN AdapterBus 002 Device 006: ID 05ac:0220 Apple, Inc. Aluminum Keyboard (ANSI)Bus 002 Device 005: ID 05ac:1006 Apple, Inc. Hub in Aluminum KeyboardBus 002 Device 004: ID 413c:2513 Dell Computer Corp.Bus 002 Device 003: ID 413c:2513 Dell Computer Corp.Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching HubBus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hubBus 001 Device 007: ID 413c:8160 Dell Computer Corp.Bus 001 Device 006: ID 413c:8162 Dell Computer Corp.Bus 001 Device 005: ID 413c:8161 Dell Computer Corp.Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0a5c:4500 Broadcom Corp. BCM2046B1 USB 2.0 Hub (part of BCM2046 Bluetooth)Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0a5c:5800 Broadcom Corp. BCM5880 Secure Applications ProcessorBus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching HubBus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

You need to edit /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/RT2870STA.dat file, enter:
$ sudo vi /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/RT2870STA.dat
Set SSID (nixcraft is my SSID):

SSID=nixcraft

Set country (IN = INDIA, US = USA, etc):

CountryCode=IN

Set authentication information (do not skip this if you want WPA2 based authentication):

AuthMode=WPA2EncrypType=TKIPWPAPSK=YOUR-PASSWORD-HERE

See README_STA for other detailed information about each field. Save and close the file.

Type the ifconfig command and you should see ra0:
$ ifconfig ra0

ra0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1d:73:bc:e4:6e inet6 addr: fe80::21d:73ff:febc:e46e/64 Scope:Link UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1 RX packets:5157 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0 TX packets:206 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0 collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 RX bytes:1093810 (1.0 MB) TX bytes:16772 (16.7 KB)

You can now connect to the Internet by clicking on Network manager ( The network-manager is the one which is found in the systray. The icon of two computers, one below to the other on the left-side). Clicking on NM-applet will give you the types of connection/hardware you have available > Select Wireless Device > Select nixcraft SSID (or scan of SSID) > Make sure you set "WPA2" as wireless security. Once connected you can browse the Internet or verify IP info:
$ ifconfig ra0
Sample outputs:

ra0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1d:73:bc:e4:6e inet addr:192.168.1.103 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0 inet6 addr: fe80::21d:73ff:febc:e46e/64 Scope:Link UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1 RX packets:6711 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0 TX packets:271 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0 collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 RX bytes:1420879 (1.4 MB) TX bytes:22312 (22.3 KB)

Verify gateway or just ping to public ip:
$ route -n
$ ping google.com
$ ping cyberciti.biz

You need to reinstall the driver using the above steps.

List: Linux Compatible USB Wireless Adapter (WUSB)

A regular question from my mailbag:

I am in the process of up grading my computer. Where can I get a list of the WUSB for Linux?

Wireless USB adapters are pretty popular for desktop and laptop usage in home. It is capable of sending 480 Mbit/s at distances up to 3 meters and 110 Mbit/s at up to 10 meters. Newer N series can work at 270Mbit/s at up to 300 meters. However, 50-100 meters are acceptable ranges. Unfortunately, finding Linux compatible USB wireless adapter is a big challenge due to driver issues. Over a past few years, I've used and installed various USB wireless adapters and created my own small HCL for it. In this quick blog post I will list all working USB wireless adapter.

Buffalo WLI-UC-G300N

Buffalo's Wireless-N WLI-UC-G300 compact USB 2.0 adapter is fully compatible with Linux. Currently I'm using this device with Ubuntu Linux 10.4 and it works out of box. No driver installation is required. Simply add your wireless WPA2 password and you will be hooked up to wireless network. The driver in latest version of Ubuntu kernel is broken and you need to install the driver from source code. (Driver Link for RT2870)

Asus USB-N13

Asus USB-N13 802.11n/g/b network adapter supports USB 2.0 wireless and speed up to 300Mbps Wireless data rates. I get superb connection speed upto 270Mbps and it was auto detected by Linux. (Driver Link for RT2870)

Belkin F5D8053 N Wireless USB Adapter (ver 3)

Belkin F5D8053 version 3 also works with Linux. It supports USB 2.0 wireless and speed up to 300Mbps at up to 300 meters. I've tested this one with Fedora Linux. (Driver Link for RT2870)

AboCom WU-5204

AboCom WU-5204 is another compact adapter which is fully compatible with Linux. It complies with IEEE 802.11n draft 3.0 and IEEE 802.11 b/g standards and works with USB 2.0/1.1. interface. This one worked and detected, however after some time it started to drop traffic for multimedia stuff. If possible avoid this one due to poor performance.

D-Link DWA-140

The D-Link RangeBooster NUSB Adapter (DWA-140) is a 802.11n compliant wireless client for your Linux desktop or notebook PC. I've tested this one with Fedora and Debian Linux. Like all other adapter it supports WPA and WPA2 security features. (Driver Link for RT2870)

EDIMAX EW-7718Un

EW-7718Un complies with 802.11n draft 2.0, the next generation wireless standard. With the advanced MIMO technology, it can support the data transmission rate up to 300Mbps. EW-7718Un stable wireless connection and high bandwidth enable you enjoying the network applications without any interruption with Linux based systems. (Driver Link for RT2870 #2 # 2 link)

TRENDNET TEW 664UB

TEW-664UB is 300Mbps dual band wireless N USB adapter. It is compliant with IEEE 802.11n standard and backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11a devices. It supports both WPA and WPA2 security.

SMC WUSBS-N3

The EZ Connect N 150Mbps Wireless USB2.0 Adapter (SMCWUSBS-N3) enables wireless connectivity to your desktop or notebook computer and provides improved throughput and range while maintaining full backwards compatibility with the Wireless-G (802.11g) and Wireless-B (802.11b) standards.

ZyXEL NWD-211AN and NWD-270N

ZyXEL NWD-211AN and NWD-270N both works with Linux operating systems. It complies with 802.11n (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g. It supports wireless security transmission with WPA/WPA2 and 802.1x.

Sparklan WUBR-501

Sparklan WUBR-501 use USB 2.0 interface and speed up to 300Mbps. It support WPA and WPA2 security.

AirLink101 AWLL6090

AWLL6090 Wireless 300N USB Adapter delivers speeds up to 300Mbps. This USB adapter is fully backward compatible with 802.11b/g and RoHS compliant.

ConnectGear WU260N

ConnectGear WU260N Wireless N USB Adapter 802.11n/g/b supports speed upto 300Mbps with USB 2.0 or 1.1 ports. It's also backward compatible with the existing IEEE802.11g and 802.11b standards for existing wireless networks. Both WPA and WPA2 are supported by this device.

Notes

Most of the above devices are automatically installed. If not try updating your kernel version. I hope this post will save some time for readers while purchasing USB wireless adapter for Linux operating systems.

The list is for information and ready references only. Please do your own research before purchasing any device listed here.

See also:HowTo Install Device Driver Under Ubuntu Linux.Featured Articles:20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know20 Linux Server Hardening Security TipsMy 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop