I use wireless 802.11b networking on my IBM ThinkPad T30 notebook computer. This essay describes how I set it up, and how I use it.
For now, there are few supported cards for 802.11b networking under OS/2 and eComStation. I have two of them, an AmbiCom WL1100B, and a Cisco AIR-PCM350. While both cards work, only the AmbiCom can be used on WEP encrypted networks.
The AmbiCom is supported by the GenPrism driver. This driver supports many of the Prism wireless chipsets, so you can browse a list of the supported cards for this driver.
The Cisco is supported by a Cisco driver. This driver supports a few Cisco 350 and Cisco 340 cards. This driver does not support WEP encrypted networks.
Obtain the appropriate drivers, and copy them to the \IBMCOM\MACS directory. Start MPTS, or "Adapters and Prototcols", and add the driver or drivers to your netorking stack. Add the IBM TCP/IP protocol to each one. When you are done, your screen should look something like this.
Note: please ignore the Innotek Virtual Switch Protocol in the above, bound to my wired NIC. The important configuration here is to have your wired and your wireless adapters all supported by MPTS at the same time. You need to save the changes and reboot.
Install the Wireless Lan Monitory, or XWLAN, by Christian Langanke. I use the XCenter widget. In the properties for XWLAN, it is necessary to configure the Device and TCP/IP tabs. Pick the appropriate interface for the wireless card. In my case, I used LAN1 for my Ambicom card and LAN2 for my Cisco card.
With the computer so configured, you will be able to insert your wireless card and attempt a connection. The first time you run the wireless card, you'll need to select your wireless device, and create a profile.
The profile I created has a name, and nothing else. With the SSID left blank, the Wireless LAN Monitor seems happy to find the strongest signal and connect to it. I kept DHCP, because this is what providers in my area seem to expect. This set up works in many locations.
The Wireless LAN Monitor will run a script when it makes or breaks a connection. I am providing a script to it, although wireless networking would work fine without it. The script merely turns off the File and Print client on connect and restarts DHCP on the wired connection on disconnect.
This section has the links referred to in this article.
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Wireless Lan Monitor home page has details about the software and links to download the latest version. |
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OS/2 and Wifi LAN page is part of the OS/2 Compatible Hardware web site. It lists all know compatible WiFi cards with OS/2 drivers. |
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XWLan Script is the script I run with the Wireless Lan Monitor. It turns the File and Print client off as the card is inserted and restarts the wired interface when the card is ejected. |