Connecting to a wireless network

[John Pilkington]

I just installed an SL7 box for my grandson.  Internet connection was 
easy with a direct cable to the BT-supplied hub.  On trying with a 
Netgear usb wireless dongle, dmesg showed that it was recognised but 
there was no further action.

Booting the elrepo 3.18 kernel gave an immediate connection using the 
ar5523 interface driver.  I would prefer to use the standard kernel but 
I'm not clear what needs to be done to get this (quite old) device working.

Suggestions appreciated.  Thanks.

John P