TUTORIAL: Installing driver RTL8187, r8187, rt2800usb on Ubuntu Jaunty and Lucid

[Jano]

                                 

ALFA-­AWUS036H - ALFA-­AWUS050NH
Installing drivers RTL8187, r8187, rt2800usb on Ubuntu Jaunty and Lucid
 (Default Kernel and fresh installation)

Note for Jaunty:
- For surfing Internet with ALFA-AWUS050NH with rt2870sta driver, you must use the Kernel "2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu", without change or updates the drivers modules.
Note for Ubuntu Lucid:
- For surfing Internet with ALFA-AWUS050NH on Lucid you must use the RT2870sta.

Driver RTL8187/Stacks-­mac80211 (ref. ALFA-­AWUS036h)
­- These drivers, for surfing Internet, are more stable than r8187, and fully compatible with Network-Manager installed by default on Ubuntu 9.04/9.10 and 10.04.
­- Supports all encryption without problems. (OPEN, WEP and WPA/WPA2)
­- With Compat-Wireless, the "injection" working, but for support “Fragmentation attack” (opt. -5) you need to install mac-80211 fragmentation patch.
- The RX sensitivity and packets injection is less, related to drivers r8187.

Driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211 (ref. 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 9.04/10.04, and supporting the encryption OPEN and WEP (not WPA/WPA2)
- To establish links with WPA/WPA2 encryption, require a manual set-up.
- 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)
IMPORTANT NOTE related to Ubuntu Lucid: at the moment a new bug does not allow Internet connections; when acquired the IP address the System freezes. (for surfing Internet use RTL8187 driver)

Driver rt2800usb/Stacks-mac80211 with Kernel 2.6.28-11-generic (ref. ALFA-AWUS050NH)
­­- This driver is NOT fully supported but with Compat-­Wireless, the "injection" work partially and supported 4 "attacks" of Aireplay-ng.
­- Compatible with "Macchanger".
- The RX sensitivity and packets injection is less, related to ALFA-AWUS036H.
- The rt2800usb at the moment do not allow Internet connection. (for this purpose use latest RT2870sta driver)

Update your OS and install these ESSENTIAL and recommended package BEFORE proceeding

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 python-psyco autoconf subversion tcl8.5 openssl libssl-dev libnl1 libnl-dev cracklib-runtime python-scapy macchanger-gtk tshark

Upgrading/installing tool "IW" (necessary for use Stacks-mac80211 interface management)

Code:

sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://wireless.kernel.org/download/iw/iw-0.9.20.tar.bz2
sudo tar jxvf iw-0.9.20.tar.bz2
cd iw-0.9.20
sudo make
sudo make install

Step ONLY for ALFA-AWUS050NH NOT present the RT2870 Firmware.
(not necessary on Jaunty/Karmic/Lucid because is already installed)
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:

sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
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 Compact-Wireless + patch mac-80211 on Ubuntu Jaunty
(for use ALFA-AWUS050NH with rt2800usb and ALFA-AWUS036H with RTL8187 driver)

­
NOTE: this version of Compat-Wireless is compatible only on Ubuntu Jaunty or BackTrack 4.

Code:

echo "blacklist rtl8187" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo "blacklist mac80211" | 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 rt2800usb" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sudo rmmod rtl8187 mac80211
sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /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 wget http://patches.aircrack-ng.org/mac80211_2.6.28-rc4-wl_frag+ack_v3.patch
cat mac80211_2.6.28-rc4-wl_frag+ack_v3.patch | patch -p1
sudo make
sudo make install
sudo make unload

New package already patched for Ubuntu Jaunty:
(for drivers rtl8187, zd1211rw, iwl3945, ath5k, rt73usb, partially injection for rt2800usb)
http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/compat-wireless-aircrack-jaunty-patched.tar.bz2
Here are the tests: http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=5755.msg38387#msg38387

Code:

sudo rmmod rtl8187 zd1211rw mac80211 cfg80211
sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/compat-wireless-aircrack-jaunty-patched.tar.bz2
sudo tar jxvf compat-wireless-aircrack-jaunty-patched.tar.bz2
sudo make
sudo make install
sudo make unload

Installing Compact-Wireless patched on Ubuntu Lucid
(for drivers rtl8187, zd1211rw, iwl3945, ath5k, rt73usb, rt2800usb)

­
New package already patched for Ubuntu Lucid:
(for drivers rtl8187, zd1211rw, iwl3945, ath5k, rt73usb, partially injection for rt2800usb)
(include the patch to fix the problem in Airodump-ng --> "mon0 fixed channel: -1")
http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/compat-wireless-aircrack-lucid-patched.tar.bz2
Here are the tests: http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=5755.msg39141#msg39141

Code:

sudo rmmod rtl8187 zd1211rw mac80211 cfg80211
sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/compat-wireless-aircrack-lucid-patched.tar.bz2
sudo tar jxvf compat-wireless-aircrack-lucid-patched.tar.bz2
sudo make
sudo make install
sudo make unload

­- At this point, to use the driver RTL8187 with [b]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 for use Aircrack-ng.
 

TEST new ALFA-AWUS050NH and driver rt2870sta for Internet connections.


UPDATE (15/Jul/09)
Ref. ALFA-­AWUS050NH on Ubuntu Jaunty -
- It was released Kernel 2.6.30 and 2.6.31, and when there are some bugs related to the Ralink driver.
- The injection works well, but if you can not surf the Internet, you can alternatively use the Ralink utility.
(Ralink Wireless Driver Station RT2870sta use)
UPDATE (03/Nov/09)
­Ref. ALFA­-AWUS050NH on Ubuntu Karmic­
­For surfing in Internet use New driver rt3070sta or rt2870sta. (already included in Lucid)
UPDATE (04/Jul/010)
­Ref. ALFA­-AWUS050NH on Ubuntu Lucid­
- The driver rt2800usb, at the moment NOT supports more correctly Aircrack-ng. (the injection not work fine)

Intalling driver r8187/Stacks-­ieee80211 on UBUNTU
(only for ALFA­AWUS036H)

 ­Installing driver r8187

NOTE: Do not make any changes to the package/driver downloaded because is already modified and patched.

Step for Ubuntu Jaunty - (or until kernel 2.6.30)

Code:

sudo rmmod r8187 rtl8187 mac80211 cfg80211
sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://jano.homelinux.net/wardriving/driver-patch/rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty.zip
sudo unzip rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty.zip
cd rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty
sudo make
sudo make install

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

Step for Ubuntu Karmic and Lucid - (Kernel 2.6.31 or higher)

Code:

sudo rmmod r8187 rtl8187 mac80211 cfg80211
sudo mkdir /usr/src/drivers
cd /usr/src/drivers
sudo wget http://dl.aircrack-ng.org/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010.zip
sudo unzip rtl8187_linux_26.1010.zip
cd rtl8187_linux_26.1010.0622.2006/
sudo wget http://patches.aircrack-ng.org/rtl8187_2.6.27.patch
sudo wget http://patches.aircrack-ng.org/rtl8187_2.6.32.patch
sudo tar xzf drv.tar.gz
sudo tar xzf stack.tar.gz
sudo patch -Np1 -i rtl8187_2.6.27.patch
sudo patch -Np1 -i rtl8187_2.6.32.patch
sudo make
sudo make install

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

Code:

sudo modprobe r8187

IMPORTANT NOTE related to Ubuntu Lucid: at the moment a new bug does not allow Internet connections; when acquired the IP address the System freezes. (for surfing Internet use RTL8187 driver)

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/Kernel panic)
­- Remove and insert the "modules" with the appropriate commands.

For unload driver RTL8187/Stacks-mac80211

Code:

sudo rmmod rtl8187 mac80211 cfg80211

For unload driver r8187/Stacks-ieee80211

Code:

sudo sh /usr/src/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty/wlan0rmv

NOTE: Before using the script make the file executable with this command, making sure to indicate the correct name of the folder and version --> "Jaunty" or "Lucid".

Code:

sudo chmod +x /usr/src/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty/wlan0rmv

For unload driver RT2800usb, used only by ALFA­-AWUS050NH

Code:

sudo rmmod rt2800usb rt2x00usb rt2x00lib mac80211 cfg80211

TIPS & TRICKS

SET SHORTCUTS
- For convenience, I suggest you to create command "aliases"

Code:

sudo gedit .bashrc

And copy&paste this text to end of file:

Code:

alias nup='sudo modprobe rt2800usb'
alias nstaup='sudo modprobe rt2870sta'
alias hup='sudo modprobe r8187'
alias hrtup='sudo modprobe rtl8187'
alias ndown='sudo rmmod rt2800usb rt2x00usb rt2800lib rt2x00lib crc_ccitt mac80211 cfg80211'
alias nstadown='sudo rmmod rt2870sta'
alias hdown='sudo rmmod r8187'
alias hrem='sudo sh /usr/src/drivers/rtl8187_linux_26.1010-intrepid-jaunty/wlan0rmv'
alias hrtdown='sudo rmmod rtl8187 mac80211 cfg80211 eeprom_93cx6'

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

Code:

nup
nstaup
hup
hrtup
ndown
nstadown
hdown
hrtdown

Additional documentation for management the Tx-Power with drivers mac-80211
http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=7177.0

Enjoy, Jano

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

[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