topic Re: WiFi Dongle advice in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

WiFi Dongle advice

gleneagles — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:24:56 GMT

Looking for a WiFi dongle for Linux.

Using Linux Mint 20 if that’s of any relevance.

Plenty of such devices advertised that claim to work with Linux but feedback from some users of the TP Link AC1900 claim that it only works with older versions of Linux and the Linux drivers supplied on CD or downloaded from the TP website do not work.

So advice please, in particular from anyone who uses Linux Mint or latest versions of Linux who use a recently purchased WiFi dongle within a reasonable price range.

Thankyou.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

jab1 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:36:39 GMT

@gleneagles I'm no Linux expert - at all - just struggling to understand it at the moment, but do you mean an extender?

As I have been advised, for something which is Linux specific, the best place to look is on the various Linux forums -there are often work arounds or geeks that have found solutions, although I struggle to understand Linuxese at times.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

Baldrick1 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 15:16:44 GMT

@gleneagles

Why not get a MiFi unit? I have a Huawei E5575 but there are many alternatives. Being a mobile network wireless/USB router they will work over wireless if there are any USB issues.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

gleneagles — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 15:48:15 GMT

@Baldrick1

You have lost me on that one, the Huawei E5575 sounds like some mobile device....I just want a simple dongle that goes into a USB port on a desktop computer, sorry if I omitted to include that point in my post.

@jab1

Yes that the best idea to have a look through the various mint Linux forums,

Thanks for the replies.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

jab1 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 15:54:10 GMT

Ah - so you want to convert the desktop from cable to wireless connection. Again, sorry I can't help with that. I do have an (old) desktop, but it is only used as a repository for things I 'might need' but don't want to clutter my current machines or externals with. It hasn't been 'on line for about 5 years, but still functions as a storage medium.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

Baldrick1 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 16:07:09 GMT

@gleneagles

Sorry, I assumed that you wanted a dongle to connect to the mobile network, not your main router.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

MisterW — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 16:07:46 GMT

@gleneagles very few USB Wifi dongles will be supplied with Linux drivers. The best approach is to try and find a dongle which specifies the chipset that it is based on, then check to see if there is Linux support for that chip. You'll very likely have to build and load an additional driver ( see this for an example https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/realtek.html ).

Assuming your desktop has an ethernet port, have you considered getting a wireless bridge ? That way you don't have a problem with linux drivers. If you dont need super fast speed then something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridge-Convert-Ethernet-Wireless-Repeater/dp/B07TND8849/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=wireless+bridge&qid=1615824339&sr=8-6 ought to work ( but I've never used one! )

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

Baldrick1 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 16:35:17 GMT

@gleneagles, @MisterW

If it's for use in the home why not simply us a wireless extender that includes an Ethernet port? Obviously no good for a poratble device that you want to use out and about.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

MisterW — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 16:40:00 GMT

why not simply us a wireless extender that includes an Ethernet port? i.e a wireless bridge!

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

Baldrick1 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 16:58:34 GMT

Because a Wireless bridge 'ought to work' I was looking to removing the uncertainty.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

MisterW — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:18:22 GMT

@Baldrick1 Ah! thanks I wasn't clear, I meant that the cheap and cheerful one I linked should work.

Actually if dual band speed isn't needed and mains is available this this https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1286627 at £14.99 will work just fine.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 20:33:10 GMT

Hi @gleneagles

I use a TL-WN823n successfully on Mint20, Raspberry OS and Debian 10.

'lsusb' output details Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8192CU 802.11n WLAN Adapter

I can confirm that a TP-Link AC600 does not work even though lsusb show the device as TP-Link AC600 wireless Realtek RTL8811AU [Archer T2U Nano] I can configure it but it just doesn't work.

Hope this helps.

Dan.

Re: WiFi Dongle advice

gleneagles — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 20:34:42 GMT

Thanks will have a read of those links, also posted the question on Linux mint forums.