[talk] USB Wireless Recommendations

[Jim B.]

* Jim B. <jpb at jimby.name> [2015-04-12 13:59]:
> * Jim B. <jpb at jimby.name> [2015-03-21 22:20]:
> > 
> > Hello gang,
> > 
> > I'm looking for recommendations for reliable USB wireless
> > adapters that work with FreeBSD.  I've bought several
> > that don't work (apparently no driver support) and before
> > I shell out more cash I figured someone on this list
> > will know.
> > 
> > 
> > Any advice much appreciated!
> > 
> > Jim B.
> > 
> 
> 
> So, I ended up searching for the specific chipset (RT5370) that
> is known to work with FreeBSD.  Amazon URL for this item was
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ABD4AXO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> 
> Dru and I both placed orders at the same time for the same item.
> 
> Hers arrived first, and didn't work.
> 
> Mine arrived and did work.  The packaging was very, very similar, but
> when I closely examined the back of the package for both they were different.
> 
> One specifically says "Chipset  Ralink", the other does not.
> 
> See the attached image.  Since mine did work and I need more of them,
> I place another order for a larger quantity and sent a note to the
> seller (JM Electronics) stating that I needed the "Chipset Ralink"
> version. I also included the same image.
> 
> We will see what happens.  Hope they follow my request.
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Jim B.
> 


In case anyone is interested, here are the usbconfig dumps for both:

This one does not work:


  [jpb at pcbsd-6404 ~]$ usbconfig -u 0 -a 2  dump_device_desc
  ugen0.2: <product 0x7601 vendor 0x148f> at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (160mA)

    bLength = 0x0012 
    bDescriptorType = 0x0001 
    bcdUSB = 0x0201 
    bDeviceClass = 0x0000 
    bDeviceSubClass = 0x0000 
    bDeviceProtocol = 0x0000 
    bMaxPacketSize0 = 0x0040 
    idVendor = 0x148f 
    idProduct = 0x7601 
    bcdDevice = 0x0000 
    iManufacturer = 0x0001  <retrieving string failed>
    iProduct = 0x0002  <retrieving string failed>
    iSerialNumber = 0x0003  <retrieving string failed>
    bNumConfigurations = 0x0001 


This one does work:


  [jpb at pcbsd-6404 ~]$ usbconfig -u 0 -a 2  dump_device_desc
  ugen0.2: <802.11 n WLAN Ralink> at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (450mA)

    bLength = 0x0012 
    bDescriptorType = 0x0001 
    bcdUSB = 0x0200 
    bDeviceClass = 0x0000 
    bDeviceSubClass = 0x0000 
    bDeviceProtocol = 0x0000 
    bMaxPacketSize0 = 0x0040 
    idVendor = 0x148f 
    idProduct = 0x5370 
    bcdDevice = 0x0101 
    iManufacturer = 0x0001  <Ralink>
    iProduct = 0x0002  <802.11 n WLAN>
    iSerialNumber = 0x0003  <1.0>
    bNumConfigurations = 0x0001 


$ uname -a
FreeBSD pcbsd-6404 10.1-RELEASE-p17 FreeBSD 10.1-RELEASE-p17 #0: Wed Feb 25 19:37:57 UTC 2015     root at amd64-builder.pcbsd.org:/usr/obj/usr/src/sys/GENERIC  amd64


Cheers,
Jim B.