Wireless ExpressCard adapters Compatibility thread

[@tomX]

Hello Everyone!

I'm currently searching for a decent wireless express card for my Alienware laptop, and during my searches of manufacturers and forums, came up with some infos that might help other user or people who want to buy such cards.

I'm also considering upgrading my intel 3495 a/b/g wireless card to a more recent Intel 5300 b/g/n wireless card.

This thread is a follow up of my previous thread for BT4 beta here:

http://forums.remote-exploit.org/bt4...-thread-2.html

Just trying to build a small database here, feel free to add what you know, i will try to update the thread..

A very good wireless adapter database is found here, but seems it's not updated very often and there are no expresscard adapters on it.
http://linux-wless.passys.nl/index.php?lang=english

For each card fill in the following:

Name of product:
Manufacturer:
Product reference number:
Manufacturer link to product:
Chipset:
Works (detected) in Backtrack 4 Pre-final? in Backtrack 4 beta?
Works in Backtrack 3 or previous distros?
With what drivers?
Packet injection / monitor mode works?
interesting links on the adapter?

Ok. here goes the 4 i know of...

update 07/23/2009 - DWA-643

Confirmation that the DWA-643 works "out of the box" with BT3 final and BT4 Beta, Madwifi-ng drivers.

Monitor mode, packet injection, all good. The card says H/W#= A1 and F/W#= 1.00. Just in case they update the hardware or firmware, that might be of use.

I have but one problem with it, packet injection can be spotty. It will inject really well for about 30 seconds, then stop.... for about 5 seconds... then go again. It's not a really big deal, but worth noting.

update 02/18/2009 - DWA-643
+ link http://customerproducts.atheros.com/...sPageBasic.asp
(doesn't have any expresscard at all yet)
+ link http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?...85cf56b11342e1
(only has the D-link DWA-643 + Belkin F5D8071)
+ link http://madwifi-project.org/wiki/Compatibility/D-Link
(only has the DWA-643)

Belkin

Name of product: N1 Wireless ExpressCard
Product reference number: F5D8071
Manufacturer: Belkin
Manufacturer link to product: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=299617
Chipset: atheros (to be confirmed) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16839314007
Works (detected) in Backtrack 4 beta? it seems yes
Works in Backtrack 3 or previous distros? ?
With what drivers? madwifi ?
Packet injection / monitor mode works? it seems yes
interesting links on the adapter?
http://forums.remote-exploit.org/sho...?t=9621&page=2

Name of product: N Wireless ExpressCard
Product reference number: F5D8073
Manufacturer: Belkin
Manufacturer link to product: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=372146
Chipset: Ralink 2860 ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16839314011
Works (detected) in Backtrack 4 beta? ?
Works in Backtrack 3 or previous distros? ?
With what drivers? ?
Packet injection / monitor mode works? ?
interesting links on the adapter? ?


D-link

Name of product: Xtreme N Notebook Expresscard
Product reference number: DWA-643
Manufacturer: D-link
Manufacturer link to product: http://dlink.com/products/?model=DWA-643
Chipset: Atheros 5008, more precisely AR5418
Works (detected) in Backtrack 4 beta? yes
Works in Backtrack 3 or previous distros? ?
With what drivers? Works with latest SVN, doesn't work with madwifi 0.9.4 (stable)
Packet injection / monitor mode works? ?
interesting links on the adapter?
http://forums.remote-exploit.org/sho...d.php?p=120740
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkP...xpress_Adapter
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/How_to...ver_for_ar5008


ubiquiti

Name of product: SuperRange Xpress
Product reference number: srx 300 ?
Manufacturer: Ubiquiti
Manufacturer link to product: http://www.ubnt.com/products/srx.php
Chipset: Atheros 5006 (5006 EG)
Works (detected) in Backtrack 4 beta? ?
Works in Backtrack 3 or previous distros? it seems yes
With what drivers? madwifi?
Packet injection / monitor mode works? to be confirmed
interesting links on the adapter?
http://forums.remote-exploit.org/sho...ht=Expresscard
http://forums.remote-exploit.org/sho...t=ubiquity+srx

Greets

@tomX

[Lucifer]

I feel like commenting on the dlink DWA-643, before anyone else buys it. let me tell you this: IT'S CRAP. I bought one, brought it back after a few hours. ok, monitor mode and injection works out of the box. the atheros chipset is ok, remarkable sensibility. (compared to RTL8187 alfa ) but it's range is really poor. most of want a card that's great for pentesting, but also want to use it for everyday internet use. my internal wireless in my laptop works at least 3 times better. I was really dissapointed in it's speed/range since this is a 'N' (300 mb/s ) card. DO NOT BUY THIS CARD. you're way better off with a usb device.

Cheers,

.L