How to buy a wireless card that's 100% Linux compatible (as well as Windows-all and Mac), and is USB, available locally.

I wrote this for those people who might potentially be frustrated in trying to locate and buy that "perfect wireless network adapter", one that covers all bases in one shot! By this I mean, trying to locate the perfect do-all wireless adapter that can run on any platform (linux, unix = all *nix, windows, mac) and MORE IMPORTANTLY: one that can run in any *mode* whether it is : managed, ad-hoc, monitor + other modes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• $39.95 + tax (sometimes less when it's on sale or has a rebate)
• That insatiable thirst for knowledge.
• A need to satisfy an intense curiosity of how things truly work in the RF world.
• Desire to audit your own wireless network, monitor the air for all/any activity.
• x86-compatible PC (386, 486, P5, or higher)
• Linux boot CD for PCs, or MS-Windows 9x/Me/2K/XP/2003+. But it doesn't have to be a PC, a Mac or a Sparc, or other
• nix platform hardware will work.

1. It's true that there are many other ways of locating an rt2570 chipset-based USB wireless network adapter, but I write this only because I found it to be the easiest method for anyone who wants one now (as in 'on-the-fly, & TODAY). If you are one of those people, simply browse to the website -- http://www.radioshack.com -- and search for the exact terms: d-link dwl-g122 (exactly as shown on the left), then just call the store that has one and verify that it is h/w revision B1 or C1. If you find one like this, then you might as well have saved weeks or months of frustrations (continue reading if you've wasted a lot of time and energy searching for this particular device. (WHY?) For the same esoteric reasons why I am deeming it important enough to post about it. Then again, if not, you'll appreciate the power of this card - the versatility and flexibility factors later if/and/or when you need it!
2. So upon getting the search result for: 'd-link dwl-g122' (quotes not included) you will probably be looking at the result that looks like: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2118076&cp
3. Yes, the the catalog # is = 25-3320 (a USB wireless adapter :
   D-Link DWL-G122 -HOWEVER, it must be hardware revision B1 or C1 -- marked on near UPC label on the side of the box as such: h/w rev B1 (or it can be C1) but be warned that h/w rev A-of-anything will not contain the desireable chipset!!!
4. Click on where it says "may be available near you" and it will present you with a zip-code to enter. Then it will tell you which stores have it in stock. You call the nearest store and ask them if they have the catalog number 25-3320 item in stock, and if they do, you politely ask them if they can check the outside box to see if it as h/w rev B1 (located near the UPC sticker). If it's a rev B1 (or C1) you are in luck. If it's A-something, you call another store.

Tips & Warnings

• h/w rev B1 - f/w rev 2.02 is a solid 100% genuine rt2570 chipset made by RaLinkTech.com that will work for all of your esoteric RF project needs.
• According to -- http://linux-wless.passys.nl , h/w rev C1 should work also, as it is listed officially as having the RaLink rt2570 chipset inside.
• The h/w rev A, A2, A02 (A-anything) is totally NOT the one you want (in the context of the message here), but as an anecdotal info, I must mention that the h/w version A02 cards have a nice power output of 500mW, thus you can get some serious range, but in Windows 2K/XP/2003-only, only in the 'managed' mode (regular mode).
• I am not affiliated with Radio Shack in any way and do not have any personal interests in giving them more or less business than any other place. The sole reason why I recommend this route is because I personanlly found it to be the fastest and easiest -- after months of searching for that right chipset (rt2570) if you know what I mean.. or if you've also been through the hassles like I have... So if you live in the U.S., it is very easy to get a hold of this unique and supberbly versatile wifi adapter by using the simple www.RadioShack.com method, as you can drive to a local store and pick one up KNOWING that it'll work for all of your standard needs (and/or) any research projects!
• D-Link is phasing out its older packaging and model numbering schemes (and these are included in the phase-out) They are being replaced with the black and orange packaging. Just like back in 2004 when Microsoft bailed out of the wireless networking business altogether, the b-speed USB MN-500 (prism usb) cards and the high-powered b/G usb MN-710 were being sold in abundance for cheap, it might happen with these D-Link DWL-G122 rev B1/C1's too. Radio Shack seems to have bought out the remaining inventory and most stores seem to stock the rev B1 but who knows, they might just run out one day. But for now it seems to be attainable without a great deal of running around. I hope this bit of info helps the ones who know why the rt2570 is a really versatile and handy chipset to have around. (Although these may not be as seamless and robust as the Atheros chipset-based cards, it can do everything that (ath0) does, as well as the Prism2/2.5/3 (wlan0) - in one card.
• Apologies to those who got confused by the jargon and the purpose of wanting to get this particular device.
• OK! Now.. if all of this geek-speak did not make sense, never mind. Know that you can pick one up and not go wrong with it in the long run if only for the sol purpose of getting a USB-based wifi card, because this one is known to work on just about any/all platforms, and without limits. :-)
• As you may/may not know, highly functional cards are powerful cards with the dual edge sword. You have the flexibility to use in in cool constructively ways, as well as mis-used for not-so-honorable things. I don't endorse the latter, and am not liable for your actions as a result of this tidbit. That is, whether you use it as an AP (Access Point), in managed mode, or rf-mode (monitor mode) for example, to obtain a WEP or WPA key, or whether you decide to be a nuisance by kicking everyone off that is within your transmitting range, or if you choose to run any of the free widely-available Linux tools. This website is here only make things easy for those who might otherwise have a hard time, and by posting this info, I am not liable for what you may do with your purchased device.
• Now, a word from our sponsor... Links to some relevant educational sites with educational content... http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=rt2570 , http://homepages.tu-darmstadt.de/~p_larbig/wlan , http://ralink.rapla.net , http://www.idg.pl/ftp/download/t/linux_941/troppix--i586-1.2.iso , www.google.com/search?q=rt2570+linux+howto+tutorial+faq , http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz