List of wifi adaptors compatible with Linux

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don570
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List of wifi adaptors compatible with Linux

Post by don570 »

If you're buying a wifi adaptor I suggest you read this list
https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/bl ... drivers.md

Here is a shorter list
https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/bl ... rt_List.md
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mikeslr
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Re: List of wifi adaptors compatible with Linux

Post by mikeslr »

The list at github of wifi adaptors to which don570 linked is helpful. But making use of it by those running Puppies requires a great deal of searching and --unfortunately-- perhaps trial and error if a purchase is required. The maintainers of that list concentrate on adapters that run OOTB under the latest kernels. The latest kernel under Puppies is 6.1. I ran a search of the list for 6.1 kernels, found one, but it came with the recommendation that kernels of the 6.6 series be used.

So it would be helpful if we, Puppians, provide a list of our own. What specific wifi adapters work with the kernels we use?

To commuicate with a wifi adapter an operating system has to have both the drivers and firmware required by that specific adapter. firmware is less of a problem as it is not kernel specific. [To obtain a functional adapter the user may have to swap the fdrv.sfs included in a Puppy's ISO for another containing the needed library.] Drivers, on the other hand, either have to be included in the kernel or compiled specifically in and for it. While there are Puppians (such as ozsouth :thumbup:) who are willing and sometimes have the time to compile a driver for a specific kernel, their doing that reduces the amount of time they have for their own interests and other projects where their expertise is required.

So, what is your experience? If you use a wifi-adapter, please report its name and model number (and, if convenien, a link to where it may now be obtained) together with the kernel under which it worked OOTB. Menu>Pupsys-Info > Sys-Specs >Kernel will quickly identify the kernel being used.

Thanks in advance.

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rcrsn51
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Re: List of wifi adaptors compatible with Linux

Post by rcrsn51 »

Here is the problem with your request. I could name you a dozen adapters that work with many distros on this forum. But if you went to a site like Amazon, you wouldn't find any of them. That's because the name-brand vendors have already moved on to newer models.

If you picked one of their new AC-AX models, you would need a bleeding-edge kernel or a custom compile. There is a good chance that you could get it working, but it would take some effort and cooperation.

If you went to ebay, you could buy a no-name N-mode adapter for a few dollars with a 90% chance that it works OOTB. There is no point in recommending one of them because they are always changing. And they won't tell you what chipset and driver is involved.

My local surplus store often has name-brand N-mode adapters that show the model name/number. A bit of googling will tell you if it's compatible, assuming that it's not counterfeit.

This is the point of the combo-wifi-driver-pack. It is built against just a few standard kernels and is guaranteed to work with all the common adapters. Because I have personally tested them all.

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Re: List of wifi adaptors compatible with Linux

Post by LateAdopter »

And now some of the 10% that didn't work are going to!
After all these years an in-tree driver for the RTW8821AU and the RTW8812AU is coming. I shall get mine out of it's box to try.
I wonder how far they will backport it.

author Bitterblue Smith 2024-10-30 20:31:28 +0200
committer Ping-Ke Shih 2024-11-06 14:30:29 +0800
commit 0e3e8284f8e1bf2fc0f7bf247194efe5cfc568c1 (patch)
tree 88e24a704deb4074fa9e59fb3d53060b2979a086 /drivers/net/wireless/realtek/rtw88
parent 8f82bb2cfaf7b8992e0e8493cb765138254f87c9 (diff)
download linux-0e3e8284f8e1bf2fc0f7bf247194efe5cfc568c1.tar.gz
wifi: rtw88: Enable the new RTL8821AU/RTL8812AU drivers
These are older Wifi 5 chips. RTL8821AU is 1x1, with or without
Bluetooth. RTL8812AU is 2x2, without Bluetooth.

Beamforming is not implemented. It looks like these chips need a
different implementation than what is in bf.c.

Speed tests with RTL8821AU: 137 Mbps download, 144 Mbps upload.
Speed tests with RTL8812AU: 344 Mbps download, 387 Mbps upload.

Station mode and AP mode were tested.

Bluetooth coexistence works. I used my Bluetooth headphones for
several days, listening to music and watching videos. There is only
a problem with the wifi speeds with one router:

With ISP's HG6544C router:
Official driver: 3/5 Mbps.
rtw88: a bit more, but not steady at all. Not enough to watch a 1080p
Youtube video.

With my D-Link Eagle R32 router running Openwrt, on the same channel:
Official driver: 6/10 Mbps.
rtw88: download starts around 30, climbs to 50 / upload is 10 Mbps.
I can watch a 1080p Youtube video.

The music doesn't cut out during any speed tests.

I also tested transferring files to and from my phone. I don't have
other types of Bluetooth devices to test.

Signed-off-by: Bitterblue
Signed-off-by: Ping-Ke Shih

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