BBBWiFiConfigs

Working WiFi Configurations for the BeagleBone Black

Complete step-by-step guide to getting WiFi running for your BeagleBone Black

UWN100 / UWN200

Tested with Debian image: BBB-eMMC-flasher-debian-7.4-2014-03-04-2gb.img Perform steps 1 and 2 without plugging in the WiFi device. All steps are performed as root user:

1. Create file /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Inside the speech-marks, change my_ssid to be the SSID name, and my_psk to be the alphanumeric text key (not hexadecimal) of up to 63 characters.

ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
network={
 ssid="my-ssid"
 scan_ssid=1
 psk="my-psk"
 proto=RSN
 key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
 pairwise=CCMP
 auth_alg=OPEN
}

2. Modify /etc/network/interfaces file

Place these four lines at the top of the file:

allow-hotplug ra0
iface ra0 inet manual
  wpa-roam /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
iface default inet dhcp

3. Work around a driver file location issue

Enter the following commands:

mkdir -p /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA

mv /etc/Wireless/RT2870/RT2870STA.dat /etc/Wireless/RT2870STA/RT2870STA.dat

4. Final steps

Plug in the USB WiFi adapter, and then type:

ifup ra0

Then, power down safely (e.g. press switch S3 on the BBB), unplug the Ethernet cable and power back up. Log on to your router and check what IP address has been assigned to your BBB.

The WiFi adapter while plugged in, will overide the Ethernet connection. Unplug the WiFi adapter to reuse the Ethernet connection.