From: Bruce Best \(CRO\) (bestb_at_lao.on.ca)
Date: 2002-04-12 13:49:54 UTC
I have a D-Link DWL-520 installed on my linux router/gateway, which is also
connected to a DSL line and to a wired 10baseT network. I have no AP, but
was wanting to use this machine to allow wireless clients to connect to the
wired network and internet.
I have been fiddling around with the linux-wlan-ng v. 0.1.14pre2 driver, which operates in adhoc mode only. The signal strength was fine, but there are issues with numerous frame errors, apparently caused by some weird and unknown way D-Link implemented the firmware on this card. I was able to access the machine from anywhere in my house, though because of these errors the connection would be sporadic. When it was up and running, however, it was fine.
After seeing Nil Alexandrov's recent post, I decided to try the host ap driver to see if this would get around the problems with the linux-wlan driver. I installed the 2002-02-13 version of the host ap driver, with Nil's patch, and it seems to be working well.
However, signal strength is now terrible. I can't get more than 15 feet, with line of sight, if I want to get a connection. Sitting in different rooms, on different floors, where I was able to connect without any problem using the linux-wlan driver and get 60-80% signal strength, I now get 5-10% signal strength.
Any thoughts on why the signal strength would be lower using the host ap driver?
Bruce