[zd1211-devs] RFC: information needed for trouble shooting

[Remco <re...@d-...>]

This is an attempt to sum up some things that are necessary when asking for 
help, I hope it's useful.


First describe the problem from a user perspective. Just mention how you 
experienced the problem before starting to look at logs or other technical 
details. (e.g. I was trying to ... when I lost connection for no apparent 
reason)

When asking for help, give an impression of the state your computer was in at 
the time of the failure. (Last weeks config, today's error message and 
yesterday's log are not likely to be useful) Make a list of:

1) the driver revision (see the rXX suffix in the file you downloaded)

2) name your distribution (+ the kernel version)
(the output of 'uname -a' could be useful)

3) if possible:
versions of the programs you're using (like wireless_tools, wpa_supplicant, 
most programs have a '-v' switch or some other option) and the configuration 
used.

4) output on screen or in logs
Some hints:
'dmesg' shows some important messages on device initialisation / failure.
These messages most likely also appear in some log file. 
(e.g. /var/log/kern.log, /var/log/messages) The log file might have 
timestamps which make easier to relate the log output to the time of failure. 
At least provide the device initialisation. (see example) Try to track down 
other zd1211/wlan related messages if possible.
wpa_supplicant has '-d'/'-dd' options that provide (more) extensive logging.
If there are issues the log will probably show a repeated pattern. Try to 
include everything from the start of the log up to the point where the 
pattern repeats itself for the first time. (e.g. if you see repeated 
disconnects, include everything up to the second disconnect. This should 
provide the logging for at least one disconnect)

5) output of ifconfig and iwconfig for your device at the time of failure


I reckon option 1) and 4) are the most important.


When you have a situation where things work and another situation where things 
don't work, try to pinpoint the differences between the two. Think about 
differences in versions, configs, hardware used, where you are 
(inside/outside the house, in a car), which other electric equipment is 
switched on/off.


Example device initialisation, 'dmesg' might look like:

usb 1-2: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
zd1211 - http://zd1211.ath.cx/, revision rXX
Based on www.zydas.com.tw driver version x.x.x.x
usb 1-2: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
Release Ver = 4330
zd1211:bulk out: wMaxPacketSize = 200
zd1211:bulk in: wMaxPacketSize = 200
zd1211:interrupt in: wMaxPacketSize = 40
zd1211:interrupt in: int_interval = 1
zd1211:interrupt out: wMaxPacketSize = 40
EEPORM Ver = 4330
zd1211:USB Download Boot code success
zd1211:MAC address = xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
zd1211:AddrEntryTable = f7d4
zd1211:RF_Mode = 0000000d
PA type: 0
XXXX RF
zd1211:Mixed Mode
zd1211:AllowedChannel = 000007ff
zd1211:LinkLEDn = 200
AllowedChannel = 000107ff
Region: xx
zd1205: (exit) zd1205_config, /a_path/zd1211-driver-rxx/src/zd1205.c line xxxx
zd1205: (exit) zd1205_init, /a_path/zd1211-driver-rxx/src/zd1205.c line xxxx
usbcore: registered new driver zd1211