Slack /Suse

[scooter6175]

Not sure if this is where to post this, But it sort of fits, Tried to install Slackware 12 last week got everything to work except I could not get my Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 card to work/recognize after three days of messing with it I kind of gave up! went back to SUSE 10.3 (which I have to say I really do like, Just wanted to try something new!)
Would like to give slack another try just not sure if the time is right, getting ready to go over sea's need to make sure my system is stable with no problems, also need to get my cac/smartcard reader to work (still fighting that under Suse) I followed the directions on the symbolik and the ubuntu forums
the reader shows up when i do pcsc_scan but no card info.

[bandman]

If you still want to try slackware, why not use VirtualBox and install it in a virtual machine? Bonus: you can get networking without having to deal with the wireless issues, since virtualbox emulates a realtek (I think?) card

[scooter6175]

Well managed to figure out how to get smartcard reader and card to work under SUSE so I guess there is no reason to change now!

[LizardKing]

Are you using a smartcard for work or home use?

[scooter6175]

kinda both, I'm in the military. I need to access some website at home!

[Ryan]

Would you mind posting how you resolved that? I'm sure other people searching for answers would appreciate sharing.

[scooter6175]

truthfully if you follow the directions on http://symbolik.wordpress.com/2007/02/2 ... -on-linux/ you'll be just fine.
I think there is some good information on the ubuntu forum too. Of course if your like me you'll download the required packages listed on symbolik page and think Hey I know how to unzip this stuff! (which will still work) I never read the part that says install packages into /usr/cac doing this would probably make it a lot easier to find the PKCS11 file/module.which by the way is located at least in SUSE 10.3 in /usr/lib/pksc11/libcoolkey.so this is what Firefox needs to log into military websites.
I guess the important part for me was follow the directions! but in the same note I learned a little more about how the linux system works.

on a side note I can finally get rid of that other operating system eating up space on my laptop (windoz) Still a noob! ~S

[LizardKing]

So, are you using your CAC card?

[scooter6175]

Yes just to log on to a couple military site, not on anything on the computer, I'm sure there is some way to make logging on to my system securely just haven't seen a reason to do that, yet! Linux seem to me to be a lot more secure then windows. (some of the things we started doing with in the last two years has be done for a long time in Linux.)
So far there are only a few programs I would like to see ported into Linux (programs wise) The military is big on using Pure edge viewer, (form program) starts to work in Wine, shows the form just wont let you fill the form in.

[LizardKing]

I haven't looked into card middleware on Linux. I really don't know what is out there for it. I use Active Identity on my windows boxes. PKI is my job and a few other on this forum as well so your hitting one into my field when you mention smartcards. My ears perked up.

[LizardKing]

Scooter, I noticed you were on the forums today and I was wondering if your still working on getting your CAC card on your Linux box to work.

[LizardKing]

To answer your question you asked me earlier - The chip on the card comes in different sizes. I think most of them are 64k or 128k right now. You can achieve the same thing with a little usb device that looks like a pen drive. Safenet makes one called the ikey. I am not sure how much the ikeys hold now.

What middleware did you end up using?

[BR]

yea, I'm a little behind. I think it's time to upgrade my Slack 10 box.

[LizardKing]

What are you upgrading to? Ubuntu? Mepis? Warren just released a new Mepis.

[BR]

Not sure, painless would be nice, but I don't see that happening...

[gino_tetrisini]

Painless Slackware upgrade... Ha Ha...

Better to do a fresh install.

I am a firm supporter of Slackware, but the lack of "user friendly" interfaces makes upgrading a tough task, unless you know what you are doing.

You are probably better off re-installing Slackware and copying/restoring your config files.

Of course that's just my 2 pennies, Bandman is really the guy to answer this question.