print

Wireless Drivers

Overview

OmniPeek Analyzers require the installation of a special WildPackets Atheros Wireless Driver to capture wireless management control and data packets. In addition to providing support for OmniPeek Analyzers, this driver provides complete support for network services. For installation instructions, refer to the ReadMe in the driver folder for your specific product (for example, C:\Program Files\WildPackets\OmniPeek\Driver).

Supported Wireless Adapters

The WildPackets Atheros Wireless Driver is based on the Atheros v4.2.1 wireless driver. This driver is designed for use with Atheros AR5001, AR5002, AR5004, AR5005 and AR5006 chipset-based adapters, and supports advanced functionalities such as WPA/PSK decryption, noise measurement and hardware time-stamping in all OmniPeek Analyzer products. The number of commercially available wireless adapters using these chipsets is quite large. WildPackets has tested a representative sample of these adapters to validate our driver’s support for all of these chipset families.

The WildPackets Atheros Wireless Driver v4.2

The following wireless adapter models have been identified as incompatible with the WildPackets Wireless Driver v4.2. For these wireless adapters, the WildPackets Wireless Atheros Driver v3.0.1.12 should be used.

• Proxim Orinoco 11a/b/g adapter, model 8480-WD
• Cisco adapter, model CB21AG
• 3Com a/b/g adapter, model 3CRPAG175
• Netgear WAG511, version 1

How can I tell what chipset my wireless adapter is using?
What wireless adapters are commercially available that are using these chipsets?

View Atheros' Product Database to find out.

WildPackets v3.0 Driver Support

WildPackets continues to support the WildPackets Wireless Atheros Driver v3.0.1.12. This driver can continue to be used with wireless adapters that support older version of the Atheros chipsets (eg. AR5000).

Intel^® Centrino 3945ABG Support

The OmniPeek Product Family provides support for wireless adapters based on the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, the integrated Wireless LAN (WLAN) solution for Intel^® Centrino^® mobile technology. Support for the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG significantly expands the capability of OmniPeek to capture packets with commonly available hardware. Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG-based wireless adapter support is provided natively with OmniPeek v4.1; therefore, no additional driver installation is required.

USB Wireless Adapter Support

We do not support any USB wireless adapters at this time. Our product roadmap does not include dedicating resources towards USB card support.