Wardriving w/ Macbook & Linux

Hello.

I've been searching for weeks for information on a wifi USB dongle that would fit all (or at least most) of my desired features. I've managed to dig up enough information on what (should) work to give a clear idea of what I'm looking for, but I'm totally open to suggestions.

SYSTEM SPECS
-Macbook Pro 17'', dual-booted with OS X and Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake (though any linux distro compatibility is fine).
-Because it's a Macbook Pro, it utilizes the ExpressCard configuration... Thus, typical notebook wifi adapters are off-limits to me. This leaves me with USB devices only, unless someone has a clever workaround.

INTENDED USES
-Monitoring wireless traffic using software like Kismet, which thus permits wardriving, etc. The key hardware capability here being monitoring/passive mode (something my built-in Airport Extreme cannot do).
-Full features in the above; that is, packet injection, channel hopping, etc. This seems to make the Prism chipset optimal. Correct me if I'm wrong. (Also, 802.11a/b/g support preferred)
-This also means NO NDISWRAPPER. As far as I've found, Kismet et al are incompatible (at least as passive scanning goes) with any cards requiring ndiswrapper to function.

RECAP
-USB wifi dongle.
-Prism chipset (or other Kismet-compatible chipset), 802.11b or better.
-external antenna or mount*
-Full functionality for Kismet/airsnort/etc (NO NDISWRAPPER).

Any and all input is greatly appreciated. Price is irelevant.

*That is, a USB 'card' with an external antenna (WUSB54g, for ex.) or the ability to DIY

I'm not an expert on this subject and it's been ages since I did any wardriving with Kismet, etc. but my current preference is for Atheros based adapters using the MadWiFi driver. They have RF performance that is hard to beat and aren't too much trouble to get going for passive monitoring from memory.

Take a look at the Senao SUB-362 EXT for example, it is a USB adapter with a detachable antenna and a decent -96dBm maximum receive frequency. The only problem is it doesn't support 802.11a. I personally shy away from USB adapters as I don't think the overall selection is that fantastic. It's a shame you dont have a Cardbus slot as there are some very fine PCMCIA/Cardbus adapters out there.

Does the Macbook Pro have a miniPCI slot? Most laptops do nowdays and these provide another excellent method of getting a high performance cards inside if Cardbus is not an option.

__________________
Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project

Hello, I have a new Intel based macbook pro.

Has anyone here since these posts found more info on this ? I would like to attach an external antenna, to pull in wifi over 1-3 miles. I am happy to either buy or build one. I would like to be able to use it in OSX. If absolutely necessary, I can run it through Parrallels, but I prefer direct through OSX.

Thanks !

Hello all,

I hope this threat isn't dead because I could use some help. I've come accross what I thought was the solution to all our problems. Deul Systems has come up with a Express Card slot adapter.

(See Duel Systems)

I thought when I installed this that my problems were solved and I was on my way to Kismet happiness. But after OS X crashed, yes crashed, frooze, what ever you want to call it, I gave up. I think the problem is with the Duel Systems adapter driver. I tried both my Cisco Aeronet Card and Oranoco PCM cards. No luck. So I think it comes down to drivers at this point.

Please help spread the word about this adapter because the more folks who don't want to give up on there old PCMCIA cards and who want this solution to work the better chance there is that someone who is skilled in writing drivers will post something. (Hopefully for Tiger and the upcoming Leopard) I think the hardware is here to hook up yours (and mine) MacBook Pro to legacy PCMCIA cards but the software is lacking.

I am hanging on to my Deul Systems adapter in the hopes that someone will come up with stable drivers; including the OEM.

BTW I ordered direct from Deul and it took 4 days with standard shipping, over a weekend mind you, but the packing was clean and the product from a hardware perspective was good qaulity. The data cable though could use some work as it is extreamly stiff and difficult to move into position with my MacBook on my lap. I don't see any problems using it on a desk or table.

I also suspect that this being the first generation of the adapter that many improvements are to come; given that folks like us demand it from Duel.

Cheers,

Halon

PS Pics to be posted shortly.

I did some searching and there were some comments in a review of that DuelAdapter that referenced a driver update.

I've been considering the purchase of a new laptop and the MacBook (non-pro) is near the top of my list, but I want to be able to do some wardriving with an external antenna. So the one large downside of the MacBook for me is the lack of a PC Card slot. Other than that one Atheros-based USB adapter, is my real only option to go with a PC Laptop like a ThinkPad that has a PC Card slot?