Kernel 6.11 firmware rolldown (fallback) issue

[ozsouth]

I found that, unlike 6.10 & earlier kernels, 6.11 seems to require exact firmware versions, whereas previously the system would rolldown several versions to find one that works. i.e. my Lenovo Ideadpad Slim 1i, with wifi6-ax, in s15pup64-240717, uses
iwlwifi-QuZ-a0-hr-b0-77.ucode
but in pre-6.11, any version would work, down to about
iwlwifi-QuZ-a0-hr-b0-48.ucode (I have v59 in my fdrv)
dmesg | grep iwlwifi
would show all the failed attempts till success. With 6.11, only v77 will work.

I see the DOTconfig option
CONFIG_FW_LOADER_USER_HELPER_FALLBACK
which seems useful, but is not set by anyone.

The following link discusses, but I just don't understand it.
https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/v6.11/d ... nisms.html
I'm hesitant to try it in case of unforseen rare consequences.

Without a resolution, it means everyone who gets new kit will always have to chase down new firmware, so we'll get continual 'puppy won't run my pc ootb' complaints.

[JusGellin]

Interesting!

I just experienced a similar thing using my new laptop that also wouldn't connect to wifi when using KLV-vmHost.rc4 which has kernel 6.10.10 though.

The problem also was that it didn't have an older wifi firmware that I was able to use from BookwormPup64_10.0.8 which is in its older kernel 6.1.106.
I just added those two firmware files from kernel 6.1.106 which now makes wifi work.

[ozsouth]

OK, I compiled kernel 6.11.8 with CONFIG_FW_LOADER_USER_HELPER_FALLBACK=y
but although sysfs fallback was attempted this time, v77 was all that was acceptable, not v59.

[ozsouth]

Just compiled kernel 6.12.1 - iwlwifi lack of fallback persists. This means (without a solution), anyone who uses a kernel after 6.10.14 with newer iwlwifi will need to have the exact firmware version required, to connect wifi. Major pain. I will try some other wifi devices & see how I go. Attached below is my DOTconfig. I have wifi6 ax203 (iwlwifi-QuZ-a0-hr-b0-77.ucode ONLY) in my main laptop.

Later:
ath10k (qca9377) is fine
intel ac3165 (iwlwifi-7265D) is fine
.