TUTORIAL: Installing drivers RTL8187, r8187, RT2800usb on UBUNTU 8.10/9.04

[Jano]

                                 

* ALFA-­AWUS036H & ALFA-­AWUS050NH *
INSTALLING/UPDATING DRIVERS RTL8187, r8187, RT2800usb on UBUNTU 8.10 & 9.04
 (Kernel 2.6.28-11)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Tutorial partially not necessary on Ubuntu Karmic.

Driver RTL8187/Stacks-­mac80211 (for ALFA-­AWUS036h)
­- These drivers are particularly suited for connections to the Internet, (more stable of r8187), and fully compatible with Network-Manager 0.7 installed by default on Ubuntu 9.04.
­- Supports all encryption without problems. (open, WEP and WPA/WPA2)
­- With Compact­-Wireless, the "injection" and all "attack" of Aireplay-ng, are already supported without installing any "patch".

Driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211 (for ALFA-AWUS036h)
- This driver is recommended for use with the Suite of Aircrack-ng, but not particularly suitable for Internet connections, as less stable and discontinuous at regular intervals.
- The r8187 is compatible with Network-Manager 0.7, installed by default on Ubuntu 9.04, and supporting the encryption OPEN and WEP (no WPA/WPA2)
- To establish links with WPA/WPA2 encryption, require a manual setup.
- The "injection" and all "attacks" of Aireplay-ng, are supported after installing the appropriate "patch".
- For other info read the Wiki: http://aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=r8187

Driver RT2800/Stacks-­mac80211 (for ALFA­-AWUS050NH)
­- Excellent stability of connection even with the lowest signals, and fully supported by Network­-Manager with all encryption. (open, WEP and WPA/WPA2)
­- With Compact-­Wireless, the "injection" and all "attacks" of Aireplay-ng, are already supported natively without installing any "patch".
­- For "spoffing" the mac­-address with "macchanger" is needed the driver rt2800usb. (not possible with the driver rt2870sta installed by default on Ubuntu 9.04)

Update your OS and install these packages before continuing

Code:

sudo dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get install -f && sudo apt-get update

Code:

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential make patch gettext gcc python-psyco autoconf subversion tcl8.5 libssl-dev libnl1 libnl-dev

Upgrading the package "IW" (suggested for both models of ALFA card)

Code:

sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://wireless.kernel.org/download/iw/iw-0.9.17.tar.bz2
sudo tar jxvf iw-0.9.17.tar.bz2
cd iw-0.9.17
sudo make
sudo make install

- Step ONLY for ALFA-AWUS050NH - If NOT present, installing the RT2870 Firmware.
For check Firmware:

Code:

jano:~$ ls -l /lib/firmware/rt2870.bin
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4096 2009-04-02 23:46 /lib/firmware/rt2870.bin

For Installing Firmware:

Code:

cd /usr/src/drivers/
sudo wget http://www.jano.netsons.org/wardriving/driver-patch/RT2870_Firmware_V8.zip
sudo unzip RT2870_Firmware_V8.zip
sudo cp RT2870_Firmware_V8/rt2870.bin /lib/firmware/$(uname -r)

Installing the Compact Wireless on UBUNTU 9.04
(necessary for both models of ALFA card)

­

Code:

sudo rmmod rtl8187
sudo rmmod mac80211
echo "blacklist rtl8187" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo "blacklist r8187" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo "blacklist rt2870sta" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo "blacklist rt3070sta" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo "blacklist mac80211" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://download.aircrack-ng.org/drivers/compat-wireless-aircrack-alfa036h-050nh.tar.bz2
sudo tar jxvf compat-wireless-aircrack-alfa036h-050nh.tar.bz2
cd compat-wireless-aircrack-alfa036h-050nh
sudo make
sudo make install
sudo make unload

­- At this point, to use the driver RTL8187 with ALFA-­AWUS036H, load the appropriate module with this command:

Code:

sudo modprobe rtl8187

­- While, for use of the new ALFA-­AWUS050NH, load driver RT2800usb:

Code:

sudo modprobe rt2800usb

TEST ALFA-AWUS036H driver RTL8187/Stacks-mac80211


TEST ALFA-AWUS036H driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211


TEST new ALFA-AWUS050NH driver RT2800usb/Stacks-mac80211


UPDATE (15/Jul/09)
Ref. ALFA-AWUS050NH on Ubuntu Jaunty -
­ It was released Kernel 2.6.30 and 2.6.31, and at the moment there are some Bug for same Ralink
drivers for Internet connections.
­ The injection work fine, but for surfing in Internet, at the moment use the Utility of Ralink
(Ralink Wireless Station use RT2870sta driver)

UPDATE (03/Nov/09)
Ref. ALFA-AWUS050NH on Ubuntu Karmic -
- For surfing in Internet use New driver RT3070sta. (already included)
- For use with Aicrack-ng load RT2800usb driver.  (already included)

Ref. ALFA-AWUS036H + RTL8187/Stacks-mac80211 on Ubuntu Karmic -
- For use Aicrack-ng and surfing in Internet, load driver RTL8187. (already included)

INSTALLING DRIVER r8187/Stacks-ieee80211 on UBUNTU 8.10 & 9.04
(only for ALFA-AWUS036H)

­Installing driver r8187

NOTE: Do not make any changes to the package/driver. (is already changed)
IMPORTANT NOTE:Ref. ALFA-AWUS036H + r8187/Stacks-ieee80211 on Ubuntu Karmic -
- The driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211at the moment is not compilable. (error with "make" command)
http://trac.aircrack-ng.org/ticket/650

Code:

cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://repository.wifi-ita.com/src/rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty.zip
sudo unzip rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty.zip
cd rtl8187_linux_26.1010.0622.2006/
sudo tar xzf drv.tar.gz
sudo tar xzf stack.tar.gz
sudo patch -Np1 -i rtl8187_2.6.27.patch
sudo make
sudo make install

­
For loaded/use your ALFA-AWUS036H, use this command:

Code:

sudo modprobe r8187

Alternative link for download driver:
http://www.jano.netsons.org/wardriving/driver-patch/rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty.zip

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THE PROPER USE

­- The drivers RTL8187 and r8187 used by ALFA-AWUS036H, works using different Stacks, (mac80211 and ieee80211) CAN NOT be used in the same time. (cause System CRASH or Kernel PANIC)
­- Remove and insert the "modules" with the appropriate commands.

For unload driver RTL8187/Stacks-mac80211

Code:

sudo rmmod rtl8187
sudo rmmod mac80211

For unload driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211

Code:

sudo sh /usr/src/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010.0622.2006/wlan0rmv

(make sure the file "wlan0rmw" is "executable", if it is not use this command)

Code:

sudo chmod +x /usr/src/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010.0622.2006/wlan0rmv

For unload driver RT2800usb, used only by ALFA­-AWUS050NH

Code:

sudo rmmod rt2800usb

Tips & Tricks
- For convenience, I suggest you to create command "aliases"

Code:

sudo gedit .bashrc

And copy&paste this text to end of file:

Code:

alias remn='sudo rmmod rt2800usb rt2x00usb rt2x00lib mac80211 cfg80211'
alias remh='sudo rmmod rtl8187 mac80211 cfg80211'
alias remhr='sudo sh /usr/src/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010.0622.2006/wlan0rmv'
alias upn='sudo modprobe rt2800usb'
alias uph='sudo modprobe rtl8187'
alias uphr='sudo modprobe r8187'

- Now you can use these shortcuts (alias) to remove or load the drivers

Code:

remh
remhr
upn
uph
uphr

File PDF - English -
http://www.jano.netsons.org/wardriving/tutorial/alfa-awus036h-awus050nh-installing-drivers.pdf
File PDF - Italian -
http://www.jano.netsons.org/wardriving/tutorial/alfa-awus036h-awus050nh-installazione-driver.pdf

Enjoy !!!
j4n0  ^_°

[darkAudax]

Jano,

Thanks for taking the time to document everything so well.

d.

[Jano]

Thanks darkAudax,
- I hope that is clear. (for prevent post about this argument)
- Sorry for my English. 
- Please, if it is not correct this board, move the topic in the "Tutorial".

Bye Jano

[alacrityathome]

Jano,

Your tutorials are always very clear, thorough, and professional.  I feel lucky to be using Ubuntu 9.04 and the Alfa rtl8187/r8187.........I always look for your guidance.

Good work.

A

[macnet]

Hello

this didn't work for me...

I cant do sudo modprobe rt2800usb...

can you please help??

thank you!

[Jano]

Hello
this didn't work for me...
I cant do sudo modprobe rt2800usb...

- Hi macnet,
- I tested this tutorial on Ubuntu 8.04 (with ALFA-AWUS036H) and Ubuntu 9.04 (Kernel 2.6.28 with model "036H" and "050NH"), at least six times before publish it in the Forum.
- Many users have already used without problems.
- For now, only one error is reported in this post, about latest version of the Compact-Wireless. (probably for new Kernel 2.6.30)
http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=5770.msg30778#msg30778

- If your error is different, post the exact error that you receive from your Shell/Terminal.

Bye Jano

[macnet]

i tried to install it on BT4 and after a lot of commands trying to assign to my AP the card light went red.

is it normal?

I'm going to try again tomorrow on Ubuntu 9.04 and I'll post here my comments.

[Jano]

i tried to install it on BT4 and after a lot of commands trying to assign to my AP the card light went red.
is it normal?
I'm going to try again tomorrow on Ubuntu 9.04 and I'll post here my comments.

macnet,
- The procedure is similar on BT4.
- If you have errors/problems about installation on Ubuntu 9.04, post here for suggestion.

- For generic question about ALFA-AWUS050NH, this Topic is most appropriate.
http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=5278.new;topicseen#new

Bye Jano

[rashwan]

Works well under BT4 , But in ubuntu 9.04 each time i try to load the rt2800usb module i get:

Code:

WARNING: Error inserting mac80211 (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/net/mac80211/mac80211.ko): Invalid module format
WARNING: Error inserting led_class (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/kernel/drivers/leds/led-class.ko): Invalid module format
WARNING: Error inserting rt2x00lib (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00lib.ko): Invalid module format
WARNING: Error inserting rt2x00usb (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00usb.ko): Invalid module format
FATAL: Error inserting rt2800usb (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2800usb.ko): Invalid module format

also when i try to repeat the process i cannot even "make clean" , "make"

Code:

compat-wireless-2009-07-17# make clean
test: 1: -le: unexpected operator
test: 1: -ge: unexpected operator
test: 1: -le: unexpected operator
test: 1: -le: unexpected operator
test: 1: -le: unexpected operator

any tips ?

[Jano]

Hi rashwan,
- Please, why not do as is written in the tutorial?
- Download this version tested and working:
http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/compat-wireless-aircrack-alfa036h-050nh.tar.bz2
-

Works well under BT4 , But in ubuntu 9.04 each time i try to load the rt2800usb module i get:

Code:

WARNING: Error

compat-wireless-2009-07-17# make clean

- You have installed the release "Compat-wireless-2009-07-17", and this version not working.
- I repeat today the procedure with my version of Compact-Wireless suggested in the Tutorial, and work fine on Ubuntu 9.04

Jano

[macnet]

Hello,

First I did a fresh install of Ubuntu 9.04.

With the card connected Ubuntu recognizes it and install the drivers.

I did the first 2 commands you wrote and afterwards upgraded the system using the Update Manager.

Right after I rebooted the system. Now I have Linux 2.6.28-13-generic kernel release.

I managed to introduce all commands except sudo rmmod rtl8187 and sudo rmmod mac80211

ERROR: Module rtl8187 does not excist in /proc/modules.

The same thing for mac80211...

what do I need to do?

OUTPUT:

macnet@marbella:/usr/src/drivers/iw-0.9.15$ sudo rmmod rtl8187
ERROR: Module rtl8187 does not exist in /proc/modules

macnet@marbella:/usr/src/drivers/iw-0.9.15$ locate rtl8187
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtl8187.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/drivers/staging/rtl8187se
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/drivers/staging/rtl8187se/rtl8187se.ko
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/drivers/staging/rtl8187se
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/drivers/staging/rtl8187se/Kconfig
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/drivers/staging/rtl8187se/Makefile
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/rtl8187.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/rtl8187se.h

macnet@marbella:/usr/src/drivers/iw-0.9.15$ locate mac80211
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/net/mac80211
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/net/mac80211/mac80211.ko
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/include/net/mac80211.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/net/mac80211
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/net/mac80211/Kconfig
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11/net/mac80211/Makefile
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/debugfs.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/leds.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/mesh.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/rc
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/rc/default
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/rc/default.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/rc/minstrel.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/rc/pid.h
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic/include/config/mac80211/rc/default/pid.h

macnet@marbella:~$ sudo cat /etc/network/interfaces
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

I have the Alfa card and my pc internal card connected to the wireless network

macnet@marbella:~$ iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

ra0       RT2870 Wireless  ESSID:"macnet"  Nickname:"RT2870STA"
          Mode:Managed  Frequency=2.462 GHz  Access Point: 00:1C:10:0B:67:DD   
          Bit Rate=54 Mb/s   
          RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Link Quality=100/100  Signal level:-37 dBm  Noise level:-71 dBm
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

eth1      IEEE 802.11g  ESSID:"macnet" 
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.462 GHz  Access Point: 00:1C:10:0B:67:DD   
          Bit Rate:54 Mb/s   Tx-Power=20 dBm   Sensitivity=8/0 
          Retry limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=97/100  Signal level=-28 dBm  Noise level=-92 dBm
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

pan0      no wireless extensions.

Please help...

[Jano]

Hi macnet,
- This because have NOT followed the Tutorial, and put your ALFA-AWUS050NH without installing the Compact-Wireless.
- Yor Kernel, when put your card, load in "modules" the driver RT2870sta (not RT2800usb)

Jano

[rashwan]

well from the beginning I've compiled successfully but the issue started when loading the module i get

Code:

WARNING: Error inserting mac80211 (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/net/mac80211/mac80211.ko): Invalid module format
WARNING: Error inserting led_class (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/kernel/drivers/leds/led-class.ko): Invalid module format
WARNING: Error inserting rt2x00lib (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00lib.ko): Invalid module format
WARNING: Error inserting rt2x00usb (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2x00usb.ko): Invalid module format
FATAL: Error inserting rt2800usb (/lib/modules/2.6.28-13-generic/updates/drivers/net/wireless/rt2x00/rt2800usb.ko): Invalid module format

after that i wasn't able to compile it again it gives error as shown previously , should i also use the old module ?

Thanks for your efforts

[macnet]

Hi macnet,
- This because have NOT followed the Tutorial, and put your ALFA-AWUS050NH without installing the Compact-Wireless.
- Yor Kernel, when put your card, load in "modules" the driver RT2870sta (not RT2800usb)

Jano

PLease check my post update.
which commands should I do now?

[Jano]

UPDATE 19/Jul/09
- I tested the tutorial yet, and I noticed that there are some bugs in recent Compat-Wireless.
- This latest versions (after the release of new kernel 2.6.30) do not work well on Ubuntu 9.04 Kernel 2.6.28 (this for card ALFA-AWUS050NH)

- For now, use this  version of drivers, and follow step by step the tutorial:
- Please if possible, hosting these drivers on the site of Aircrack-ng, because my personal server is NOT always on-line.
http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/compat-wireless-aircrack-alfa036h-050nh.tar.bz2

TEST ALFA-AWUS036H driver RTL8187/Stacks-mac80211


TEST ALFA-AWUS036H driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211


TEST new ALFA-AWUS050NH driver RT2800usb/Stacks-mac80211


Bye Jano