Hi.
first, u must install wireless-tools. if u use debian or ubuntu u can install by apt-get install wireless-tools command. Then config wireless device by iwconfig command (see help) and set ip of wireless device by ifconfig command (see help)
good luck.
A bit more info what linux version are U using?
On most linuxes you'd need to install wireless tools and check and see if the apropriete service is running.
dear first check which chipset your wireless interface uses...
this can be done by the command "lspci"
u will c something like "communication controller etc"
that line will give u the name of the chipset of that device..
den look for the drivers for that chipset...
u shall also need kernel modules for that driver...
get to knw the release of ur kernel by "uname -r "
and download exactly the same kernel module as given by "uname -r" and den install...
or if u find souce code den dont look for kernel module...
just compile that tarred or bziped driver on ur machine...