ESSID-BUG.txt

		The ESSID bug
		-------------

	The latest Linux kernels have a bug in the handling of the
ESSID. The Linux kernel maintainers seems reluctant to fix this
bug. But, I've managed to find a way to workaround it in Wireless
Tools 30.pre7.

Symptoms :
--------
	1) There is a trailing '\x00' in the ESSID.
	2) If a ESSID with 32 character is set, it can not be read again.
                http://madwifi.org/ticket/930
	3) You can not set an ESSID with a trailing '\x00'

Resolution :
----------
	The patch provided in the Wireless Tools package should fix
this problem. This patch remove a backward compatibility hack, and it
is safe as it simplify the code.
	The patch need to be applied to the kernel, the kernel
recompiled and reinstalled.
	If you have kernel 2.6.19 to 2.6.21 :
		use iw261_restore_full_essid.diff
	If you have kernel 2.6.22 or later :
		use iw262_restore_full_essid.diff
	I won't give detailed instructions because only people
confortable with kernel rebuild should attempt this.

Workaround :
----------
	Using Wireless Tools 30.pre7 or later will cure syptoms (1) and (2).
	Using Wireless Tools 29 or earlier will hide the trailing '\x00'
character (first symptom), but not the second and third symptoms.

	Good luck...

	Jean