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The atmel_pci driver is included in the mainline Linux kernel since version 2.6.5.  It is included as a module in Debian kernel images. The atmel_pci driver is included in the mainline Linux kernel since version 2.6.5 and is included as a module in Debian kernel images.
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# Debian Lenny/5.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian lenny main contrib non-free		 # Debian Squeeze/6.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free
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The following list is based on the ''alias'' fields of {{{modinfo atmel_pci}}} in Debian 2.6.26 (2.6.26-25lenny1) kernel images. The following list is based on the ''alias'' fields of {{{modinfo atmel_pci}}} in Debian 2.6.32 (2.6.32-30) kernel images.

Translation(s): none

Atmel at76c506 devices

This page describes how to enable support for WiFi devices based on the Atmel at76c506 PCI chipset on Debian systems.

Contents

  1. Atmel at76c506 devices
    1. Installation
    2. Known Issues
    3. Supported Devices
    4. Other Notes
    5. See Also
    6. External Links

atmel_pci is a module for the Atmel at76c506 PCI 802.11b wireless LAN chipset. For assistance with Atmel PCMCIA or USB wireless devices, see the atmel_cs and at76_usb pages respectively.

Non-free firmware is required, which can be provided by installing the atmel-firmware package.

Installation

The atmel_pci driver is included in the mainline Linux kernel since version 2.6.5 and is included as a module in Debian kernel images.

Firmware is required to be installed prior to device operation:

  1. Add a "non-free" component to /etc/apt/sources.list for your Debian version, for example: 

    # Debian Squeeze/6.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free

  2. Update the list of available packages and install the atmel-firmware and wireless-tools packages: 

    aptitude update
aptitude install atmel-firmware wireless-tools

  3. The necessary kernel module should be automatically loaded. If necessary, it can be manually loaded via: 

    modprobe atmel_pci

  4. Verify your device has an available interface: 

    iwconfig

  5. Raise the interface to activate the radio, for example: 

    ifconfig eth1 up

  6. Configure your wireless interface as appropriate.

Troubleshooting

  • Examine the kernel ring buffer (dmesg(1)) to verify the required firmware file is being loaded by the driver. Lack of firmware is the usual reason for the "SIOCSIFFLAGS: Resource temporarily unavailable" error message.

Known Issues

  • No monitor or master mode functionality is available.
  • The driver does not support WPA.

Supported Devices

The page HowToIdentifyADevice/PCI explains how to identify a PCI device.

The following list is based on the alias fields of modinfo atmel_pci in Debian 2.6.32 (2.6.32-30) kernel images. 

  • PCI: 1114:0506 Atmel Corporation at76c506 802.11b Wireless Network Adaptor

Other Notes

The dependent atmel module accepts a firmware parameter, which can be used to force the loading of a specific firmware file if necessary.

See Also

CategoryHardware