[Gllug] Assessing WLAN capabilities

[DL Neil]

Are tools available which list a (Linux) machine's WLAN capabilities?
(I'm assuming that it is a combination of h/w and s/w)


I run an old IBM Thinkpad R31 (laptop), basically in netbook mode. Have 
been installing an upgraded Linksys '54' wireless network in my new home 
(but still 802.11B and G - not N). Feel that I'm bashing my head against 
a wall of flimsy wireless support and inter-supplier terminology 
obfuscation.

How am I able to confirm that the little, old, machine will support WPA 
PSK (Pre-Shared Key) with either/both AES or TKIP, ie something beyond 
WEP? (for example)

Taking a step back from there, how can I tell that a machine will only 
run 802.11B cf B and G? (without opening-up the box, if then)

Further, but OT. uname tells me:
Linux Jr-Brown.brothers 2.6.18-194.8.1.el5.centos.plus #1 SMP Wed Jul 7 
11:50:45 EDT 2010 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
but how do I find out if the current CentOS version is 5.3, 5.4, or 5.5...?

As always, any and all constructive advice (including 'read this' 
references) will be much appreciated.
Regards,
=dn
-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug