News
Alfa AWUS036NHR is Backtrack 5/Linux compatible
Alfa’s AWUS036NHR is Linux
compatible. It also works with Backtrack 5 (BT5), but is not plug and play. Driver
installation is needed (note: at this time it does not appear to be possible to
get AWUS036NHR into monitor mode AND have 802.11n capabilities at the same
time, see Alfa’s AWUS036NH or Rokland’s n3 for 802.11n and monitor
mode capability in Backtrack 5).
The following is a quick-install
guide for Linux users. This should allow you to use your AWUS036NHR for Wi-Fi
access in most recent Linux distributions running kernel 2.6.38, but as noted,
monitor mode does not appear to be supported by this driver. Further down we
have a link to a driver that is reported to allow you to use AWUS036NHR in
monitor mode, but the corresponding web page notes the device will only have
802.11g functionality.
To install your Realtek RTL8188RU based AWUS036NHR in Linux, first download the driver here. The following steps were taken on an HP laptop running Backtrack 5, but the steps should be similar for other recent Linux distros.
*If you are not able to unzip the driver download file in Linux, you will need to download the file to a Windows computer to unzip and then copy the contents to your Linux computer via flash drive or another method.
1. When you have the files
extracted on your Linux machine, open a terminal window and navigate to the
location of the drivers.
2. Type ./install.sh to install
the driver package
3. If installation completes
successfully, then you can connect the Alfa adapter to the computer and open
“Wicd Network Manager” from the Internet menu to connect to networks. Inside
Wicd, click Preferences and change the network device to the AWUS036NHR
adapter. If you are not sure of the device name, in a terminal window type
“iwconfig” without quotes and it will list it there. Commonly the device will
be called wlan0, wlan1, or wlan2 depending on whether you have other wireless
cards installed on the computer.
4. If you receive a makefile
error about “no rule to make target modules”, you may need to prepare kernel
headers. As root, at the command line run these commands (you will need to have
Internet access on the computer already):
prepare-kernel-sources
cd /usr/src/linux
cp -rf include/generated/* include/linux/
5. Upon completion, repeat step number 2 above to complete driver installation. Then connect the adapter to the computer and proceed to step 3.
URTWN Driver:
There is a driver called urtwn which specifies compatibility with RTL8188RU chipset-based devices, and allows for them to be put into monitor mode. The documentation for the driver explains that 802.11n functionality is not supported, so RTL8188RU devices will only operate in B/G mode. Rokland has not yet tried to use this driver with AWUS036NHR and is not able to offer installation assistance or support. You can visit this site for download information and more details:
http://resin.csoft.net/cgi-bin/man.cgi?section=4&topic=urtwn
The Rokland n3: now just $34.97 with free shipping!
Our popular n3 wireless USB adapter from Rokland is now just $34.97 with free shipping. The n3 offers 802.11n functionality and an external RP-SMA antenna port for use with both indoor and outdoor external antennas.
Alfa AWUS036H 1000mW USB plug and play in Backtrack 5 (BT5)
Just a quick note to let people know that Alfa's AWUS036H long range 1000mW USB Wi-Fi adapter has tested plug and play in Backtrack 5. This means that no messy Linux driver installation was needed to use the device to hook up with our office AP and go online. We have not done any advanced testing with any programs included in BT5, but as the RTL8187L Linux driver it uses has been around for some time there is no reason to think it will not work with the same programs it works with in BT3 or BT4.
Alfa AWUS036NHR now in stock!
If you snoozed on our pre-order deal, grab your AWUS036NHR now for just $34.97 with FREE SHIPPING within the US!
Alfa's AWUS036NHR is the long-awaited successor to their popular AWUS036NH long range 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter. What's different? Even...longer...range...to both N and G access points! Based on the sensitive Realtek RTL8188RU chipset, AWUS036NHR gives you the fast speeds of 802.11n and stronger signals than most existing 802.11n Wi-Fi products. Not convinced? Check out this range comparison test vs. Alfa's AWUS036NH model:
Alfa Network's AWUS036NHR coming next week, pre-order now and save 10%
Alfa Network's newest 802.11n long range Wi-Fi USB adapter, model AWUS036NHR, launches next week. To see how it compares to Alfa's current long range N model, AWUS036NH, check out this video:
Then you can pre-order AWUS036NHR directly from our web site and save 10% by using coupon code "AWUS036NHR" during checkout.
Check out our 'Discussions" section on Facebook
Head over to our "Discussions" section on Facebook to find information on various topics ranging from Wi-Fi output power (and how much it really matters) to the importance of antenna cable shielding.
You can comment, ask questions, or get suggestions from Rokland staff and other Facebook users. We will be adding new discussion topics every few weeks.
Introducing Alfa Tube-U outdoor long range Wi-Fi receivers
One of the many new products we have on our web site this month is Alfa Network's new Tube-U series of long range outdoor Wi-Fi adapters. They are great for use on boats or RVs. There are two flavors- Tube-U(N), which is an 802.11n model, and Tube-U(G) which of course is an 802.11g model. Tube-U features a high-powered Wi-Fi receiver in weather proof casing, as well as a special shielded 16' USB cable designed to prevent against signal loss. It also comes with mounting ties and features an N-male antenna connector. Check out this video:
Come visit us on Facebook!
Timed with the launch of our new web site, we have also jumped onto Facebook.
Don't worry, you won't have to endure constant status updates regarding what our staff members ate for lunch or where they happen to be at any given moment.
Instead you can view our Facebook page to read about new product announcements, see Rokland videos, join a discussion board on a Wi-Fi related topic, or compare product experiences with other people. Studies show more than 1/8 of the time the average web user spends online is at Facebook. Ideally you'd have our blog open in one browser tab and our Facebook page open in another, but we'd settle for either one!
Our new website and blog...
Welcome to the new Rokland.com. We've updated our web site in June 2011 to bring you more products, high resolution product photos, coupon codes, and many other features. We are also incorporating our company blog, RokBlog, directly into our new site. In fact, this would qualify as the inaugural post at RokBlog's new home.
We use our blog for more
than just marketing purposes. While we do announce new products and
features here, we also post new support information relevant to our
product line such as driver updates, Wi-Fi range tests, or demonstration videos.
