Should I use an unsupported card?

WiFi Guy · 10-26-2004

What is the difference between a supported card and an unsupported card that seems to work? If I went to a supported card what would I get over my Airlink that picks up APs around me?

I was thinking of modding my Airlink card to take an external antenna but if it is not worth it why bother. The Airlink seems to work but if a supported card gets me more I might as well go that direction.

wrzwaldo · 10-26-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiFi Guy

What is the difference between a supported card and an unsupported card that seems to work? If I went to a supported card what would I get over my Airlink that picks up APs around me?

I was thinking of modding my Airlink card to take an external antenna but if it is not worth it why bother. The Airlink seems to work but if a supported card gets me more I might as well go that direction.

Looks like you may have answered your own question... With an "unsupported card" you take your chances. It may work today, tomorrow, next week, but then just quit for no reason. Cards that are 100% supported report noise correctly, unsupported cards may or may not report it at all.

Thorn · 10-26-2004

If it works, then fine. However, if it does unexpected things or gives unusual readings, then you'll know where the problem lies.

WiFi Guy · 10-26-2004

So what I am getting from your replies is that NS works the same with supported and working unsupported cards but there is a reliability issue with the unsupported cards. My Airlink card has been working reliabily for a week now. I will just keep watching it for now.

jrcsnet · 10-26-2004

Actually, NS may not work at all with an unsupported card. Hence why its unsupported. If your lucky you might get it to work partially, or intermitently.

Madhadder · 10-26-2004

Get what you want, but if it's not a "SUPPORTED" card then don't come back
here complaining about it.....

wrzwaldo · 10-26-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiFi Guy

So what I am getting from your replies is that NS works the same with supported and working unsupported cards but there is a reliability issue with the unsupported cards. My Airlink card has been working reliabily for a week now. I will just keep watching it for now.

No they do not work the same. Did I mention the noise data? Yes I did in post #2...

WiFi Guy · 10-27-2004

Ok,
Now you force me to ask a really basic question. How is noise reported correctly or incorrectly and why should I care? If you know of a web site that can answer my basic questions, by all means, please post it in your next reply.

I do have a tiny bit of RF knowlege but I just don't know how the software handles it. By noise I know you mean other transmissions. I know that even an electric motor transmitts noise all over the place. Even the car's engine can produce noise. I am aware that I have to move up the learning curve to be able to understand the rest of the forum. I wish I had a dictionary of WiFi terms and buzz words.

Thanks

wrzwaldo · 10-27-2004

I posted a fairly large answer to this a while back. Do a couple searches and see if you can find it. I'll look for it when I get home this evening.

WiFi Guy · 10-28-2004

Boy, I hope it's not this thread.

Aire - WinXP WiFi discovery software

If it is, I'm going to need some translating.

wrzwaldo · 10-28-2004

Thats it!

WiFi Guy · 11-03-2004

Ok, for the sake of this dummy and all the other dummies that read this could you please translate this. It is just going right over my head. I can understand things like noise will give netstumbler a false reading that will result in showing a hotspot in the wrong position. Could you please put it in terms like that.

I did go ahead and get the Enterasys card is an Orinoco clone.

Thank you

King_Ice_Flash · 11-03-2004

You don't get the noise values, so the signal strength/quality reading will be wrong.

WiFi Guy · 11-07-2004

Beautiful that’s all I needed. I did get the Enterays card with the MC connecter. I just need the pigtail and antenna setup at this point.

King_Ice_Flash · 11-07-2004

http://www.fab-corp.com
When you place the order, mention you are a member of the NetStumbler forums in the comments section. You may receive a discount!

BTW, Fab-Corb is closing out the WarDriving: Drive, Detect, Defend for under $20!

10-26-2004	#1 (permalink)
WiFi Guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	Should I use an unsupported card? What is the difference between a supported card and an unsupported card that seems to work? If I went to a supported card what would I get over my Airlink that picks up APs around me? I was thinking of modding my Airlink card to take an external antenna but if it is not worth it why bother. The Airlink seems to work but if a supported card gets me more I might as well go that direction.

10-26-2004	#3 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,084	If it works, then fine. However, if it does unexpected things or gives unusual readings, then you'll know where the problem lies. __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

10-26-2004	#6 (permalink)
Madhadder General "Noob Basher" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 1,620	Get what you want, but if it's not a "SUPPORTED" card then don't come back here complaining about it..... __________________ Legends may sleep, but they never die!!!!

11-03-2004	#13 (permalink)
King_Ice_Flash Alien Paranoid Stumbler Join Date: May 2003 Location: WI Posts: 2,625	You don't get the noise values, so the signal strength/quality reading will be wrong. __________________ "Yeah," said a voice from under the table, "you go to pieces so fast people get hit by the shrapnel."

11-07-2004	#15 (permalink)
King_Ice_Flash Alien Paranoid Stumbler Join Date: May 2003 Location: WI Posts: 2,625	http://www.fab-corp.com When you place the order, mention you are a member of the NetStumbler forums in the comments section. You may receive a discount! BTW, Fab-Corb is closing out the WarDriving: Drive, Detect, Defend for under $20! __________________ "Yeah," said a voice from under the table, "you go to pieces so fast people get hit by the shrapnel." Last edited by King_Ice_Flash : 11-07-2004 at 11:43 AM.

10-26-2004	#4 (permalink)
WiFi Guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	So what I am getting from your replies is that NS works the same with supported and working unsupported cards but there is a reliability issue with the unsupported cards. My Airlink card has been working reliabily for a week now. I will just keep watching it for now.

10-26-2004	#5 (permalink)
jrcsnet Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 76	Actually, NS may not work at all with an unsupported card. Hence why its unsupported. If your lucky you might get it to work partially, or intermitently.

10-27-2004	#8 (permalink)
WiFi Guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	Ok, Now you force me to ask a really basic question. How is noise reported correctly or incorrectly and why should I care? If you know of a web site that can answer my basic questions, by all means, please post it in your next reply. I do have a tiny bit of RF knowlege but I just don't know how the software handles it. By noise I know you mean other transmissions. I know that even an electric motor transmitts noise all over the place. Even the car's engine can produce noise. I am aware that I have to move up the learning curve to be able to understand the rest of the forum. I wish I had a dictionary of WiFi terms and buzz words. Thanks

10-27-2004	#9 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,127	I posted a fairly large answer to this a while back. Do a couple searches and see if you can find it. I'll look for it when I get home this evening.

10-28-2004	#10 (permalink)
WiFi Guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	Boy, I hope it's not this thread. Aire - WinXP WiFi discovery software If it is, I'm going to need some translating.

10-28-2004	#11 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,127	Thats it!

11-03-2004	#12 (permalink)
WiFi Guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	Ok, for the sake of this dummy and all the other dummies that read this could you please translate this. It is just going right over my head. I can understand things like noise will give netstumbler a false reading that will result in showing a hotspot in the wrong position. Could you please put it in terms like that. I did go ahead and get the Enterasys card is an Orinoco clone. Thank you

11-07-2004	#14 (permalink)
WiFi Guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	Beautiful that’s all I needed. I did get the Enterays card with the MC connecter. I just need the pigtail and antenna setup at this point.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode