[talk] USB Wireless Recommendations

[George Rosamond]

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

So it said "Ralink" and the vendor ids are both 0x148f... which comes up
as Plant Equipment, which I assume is a subcon manufacturer for Ralink?

But again, same vendor ID...

If I see you in June, I'll bring you a run(4) or two... it's the Tenda
w311m1 with rt5390.

g