linux-firmware repositiry as a .sfs file

[gyrog]

https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kerne ... rmware.git is a large repository of firmware for use in Linux computers.

From time to time I create a 'linux_firmware_...sfs' file from the contents of this firmware repository.
These ".sfs" files can be downloaded from https://www.mediafire.com/folder/k2j223jzddy9x/firmware and used as an fdrv (or even adrv or ydrv) in Puppy Linux. This involves renaminng the downloaded file to the appropriate fdrv name (or adrv or ydrv) for your Puppy.
If the problem is "missing" firmware, you can directly load the downloaded sfs file as an extra-sfs, using 'sfs_load'.
This can sometimes resolve issues with hardware not working because of missing firmware, since the collection of firmware included with any Puppy Linux release is only a subset of all possible firmware.
Although, even this large repository does not contain all firmware.

The files of the firmware repository can also be accessed directly via HTTP or FTP from http://anduin.linuxfromscratch.org/BLFS/linux-firmware

[gyrog]

The latest firmware sfs file is 'linux_firmware_20210606.sfs'.

[bigpup]

Thanks for making these SFS packages.
Firmware and drivers is probably the biggest issue with WIFI devices.
The Puppy version not having what is needed.

There is this firmware directory in the official Puppy repository.
http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/firmware/
It would be really good if you could post the SFS packages there.
No one seems to be keeping it updated.

Not sure how you get ability to post in this official Puppy repository.
Best I can tell, is you make a login account, and go from logging in with this account.

[gyrog]

There is this firmware directory in the official Puppy repository.
http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/firmware/
It would be really good if you could post the SFS packages there.
No one seems to be keeping it updated.

Ah, but the woof-ce kernel-kit now makes a significant effort to get the latest firmware that the kernel being compiled references, and generates an appropriate fdrv...sfs containing them.
I'm pretty sure that those old firmware collections are no-longer used.

[linuxunix]

Is the firmware the latest and better?

[bigpup]

Some firmware may be better, depending on the hardware.
If there is a bug in the old firmware, a newer, bug fixed version, could be offered.
Usually if the hardware is working OK.
The firmware being used is good enough.

So, if no problems, no need to get any other firmware, than what you now use.

[bigpup]

Ah, but the woof-ce kernel-kit now makes a significant effort to get the latest firmware that the kernel being compiled references, and generates an appropriate fdrv...sfs containing them.
I'm pretty sure that those old firmware collections are no-longer used.

Well, what do you think you would need if you get a brand new piece of hardware?
Say a new WIFI adapter.
That version of Puppy Linux, you have been using, will probably not have the firmware and even the kernel, may not have the driver module.
So, those newer firmware sfs collections, of the latest firmware, are useful.

I could give you many topics, in the Puppy forum, where someone just got a new WIFI adapter, and it does not work in the Puppy version, they are using.
It needs firmware and usually the compiled driver, for the kernel, in that specific Puppy version.

[gychang]

https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kerne ... rmware.git is a large repository of firmware for use in Linux computers.

From time to time I create a 'linux_firmware_...sfs' file from the contents of this firmware repository.
These ".sfs" files can be downloaded from https://www.mediafire.com/folder/k2j223jzddy9x/firmware and used as an fdrv (or even adrv or ydrv) in Puppy Linux. This involves renaminng the downloaded file to the appropriate fdrv name (or adrv or ydrv) for your Puppy.

6.0.6

I am trying to get my Intel wifi working in Tahrpup32 (works fine in Bionicpup32). Before I try to use the specific driver, I tried your method of downloading the linux_firmware_20220706.sfs and renaming it to adrv_tahr_6.0.5.sfs followed by moving it to the folder containing TP32 files (*.sfs, vmlinuz.gz, initrd.gz) and rebooting. Does not seem to work, am I doing this correctly? I have not tried to rename to ydrv_--- yet.

[bigpup]

@gychang

How about starting a topic in the Tahr section of the forum about your issue.

Board index> Mainline Distributions> Mainline Puppy Linux Distros> Tahr

We are going to need the specific details about the WIFI hardware.

Probably are going to need a kernel driver compiled for it.

This topic is not a good place to solve problems.

More people will see a specific topic for your specific problem.

[gychang]

@bigpup will do as u suggest.