Tails (Linux-distribution) on USB-Stick?

[Jochen K]

Hello,

I have recently tried to install Tails (version 1.3) (a "high-security" Linux-distribution) on an USB stick which went fine so far. I could boot into Tails and the functionality was as promised, with one big exception: the "Network Manager" didn't recognize my WLAN (and no other WLAN, of which there a plenty when I check under OS X).

Is there anyone who has made similar experiences (maybe with another distro) and could help me solve that problem?

Regards
Jochen

 

[2984839]

Which computer is this? Apple uses various Broadcom wireless interfaces, which have always posed problems for Linux and BSD operating systems because Broadcom doesn't release info about their hardware to help development of open source drivers. Some of them work and others don't.

Since TAILS is based on Debian, it ought to have fairly decent support. I've run Debian based distros on a 2011 MBP and had no issues finding the wireless card (Broadcom 4331). However, others such as Fedora have required extracting the firmware using the process found here: http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43/

Depending on your computer and wireless chipset, you may have to do something like this. I'd get a USB wireless adapter in case you need to download anything to get the interface working. Something Ralink based, like a Buffalo WLI_UC_GNM, will generally have excellent support and should work with no difficulties.

You can also take a look at the TAILS documentation here about wireless devices: https://tails.boum.org/doc/advanced_topics/wireless_devices/index.en.html