Ubuntu – ifconfig can’t see USB wireless

14.04networkingusbwireless

I have a wifi USB dongle which I have previously used on a Raspberry Pi (this it is what it is target at).

I am trying to get it working on an Nvidia Jetson TK1, however I am having some problems.

When I run ifconfig I can't see the wifi, only the ethernet and local loopback.

iwconfig reports no wireless extensions on all devices.

lsusb does find the device: 

Bus 002 Device 008: ID 148f:5370 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT5370 Wireless Adapter

So I am not sure why the network tools can't see it.

I have tried logging on with a GUI and opening up the network settings through Unity, but cannot see any wireless devices either.

Not sure if this is useful, but output of lsmod:

Module                  Size  Used by
nvhost_vi               2940  0

How can I enable wireless networking on this computer?

Command line approach is preferred, but either is fine.

UPDATE

I don't have the kernel module rt2800usb anywhere on my system. If I do an apt-file search for rt2800usb it lists a number of packages of the pattern: linux-image-3.13.0-*.

Perhaps installing one of these will do the trick, but can anyone tell me if its safe to do so?

Best Answer

That device is covered by rt2800usb in newer Ubuntu versions. Check:

modinfo rt2800usb | grep 5370

You should see this:

alias:          usb:vF201p5370d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias:          usb:v148Fp5370d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*

If you do, load the module and see if the wireless comes to life:

sudo modprobe rt2800usb

Get the module to load automagically on boot:

sudo -i
echo rt2800usb  >>  /etc/modules
exit

If your Ubuntu version is older, I suggest you upgrade. It will probably be easier than compiling from Ralink's source code.

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