Differences between revisions 68 and 94 (spanning 26 versions)
⇤ ← Revision 68 as of 2010-05-03 18:17:01 →
Size: 17760
Editor: GeoffSimmons
Comment: rndis_wlan: clarify supported F5D7051 revision.
← Revision 94 as of 2020-09-17 21:59:39 → ⇥
Size: 6878
Editor: ?Scott Nanni
Comment: added link in see also to new page for how to install firmware for hybrid bluetooth
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
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||<tablestyle="width: 100%;" style="border: 0px hidden">~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]: none-~||<style="text-align: right;border: 0px hidden"> (!) [[/Discussion|Discussion]]|| ~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]: English - [[fr/bcm43xx|Français]] -~
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This page describes how to enable support for !WiFi devices based on Broadcom 4301, 4303, 4306, 4309, 4311, 4312, 4318 and 4320 chipsets on Debian systems. This page describes how to enable support for !WiFi devices based on Broadcom BCM4301, BCM4306, BCM4311, BCM4312, BCM4318, BCM4321 and BCM4322 chips on Debian systems.
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<!> '''The [[HowToIdentifyADevice/PCI#pci-id|PCI-Id]] isn't sufficient to determine the Broadcom chipset within.''' <!> '''The [[HowToIdentifyADevice/PCI#pci-id|PCI ID]] is not sufficient to determine the Broadcom chip within.'''
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The relevant driver has built-in logic to probe the actual chipset, for example: The relevant driver has built-in logic to probe the actual chip, for example:
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b43-phy0: Broadcom 4306 WLAN found b43-phy0: Broadcom 4306 WLAN found (core revision 5)
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Refer to http://www.linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Known_PCI_devices for more information. Refer to http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_devices for more information.
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There are multiple drivers supporting Broadcom wireless LAN chipsets. There are multiple drivers supporting Broadcom wireless LAN chips.
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Linux native drivers: Linux kernel drivers:
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 * [[#b43-b43legacy|b43]] ([[#supported-b43|supported devices]], [[#unsupported-b43|unsupported devices]])
  * The new driver for modern 802.11g and 802.11a chipsets.		  * [[#b43-b43legacy|b43]] ([[#supported-b43|supported devices]])
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  * Supports the BCM4312 low-power chipset as of Linux 2.6.32.   * Supports BCM4321 and BCM4322 as of Linux 2.6.38.
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  * For legacy 802.11b-only devices and the BCM4306 revision 2 chipset.   * For 802.11b-only devices and the BCM4306 revision 2.
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 * [[#rndis-wlan|rndis_wlan]] ([[#supported-rndis|supported devices]], [[#unsupported-rndis|unsupported devices]])
  * For devices with the BCM4320 USB chipset ''only''.		  * [[brcm80211|brcmsmac]] ([[brcm80211#supported|supported devices]])
  * Introduced in Linux 2.6.37, included in Debian Linux 2.6.32 kernel images.
  * Supports BCM4313, BCM43224 and BCM43225.
 * [[rndis_wlan]] ([[rndis_wlan#supported|supported devices]])
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  * Supports BCM4320 USB devices.
 * [[brcmfmac|brcmfmac]] ([[brcmfmac#supported|supported devices]])
  * Supports BCM43602.
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  * Supports the BCM4313 low-power chipset, BCM4321 and BCM4322 (draft-n) chipsets.
 * [[#bcm43xx-etch|bcm43xx]] ([[#supported-bcm43xx|supported devices]])
  * Included in mainline kernels from 2.6.17-rc2.		  * bcm43xx
  * Introduced in Linux 2.6.17.
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  * Removed from Linux in 2.6.26.   * Removed from Linux at 2.6.26.
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More information on b43/b43legacy can be found on the Linux Wireless [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#b43_and_b43legacy|b43 driver page]]. bcm43xx is no longer developed. Note that bcm43xx, b43, b43legacy and wl '''do not''' support any USB devices based on Broadcom wireless chipsets. More information on b43/b43legacy can be found on the Linux Wireless [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43|b43 driver page]]. The b43, b43legacy, brcmsmac and wl drivers '''do not''' support any USB devices.
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 * [[#ndiswrapper|NDISwrapper]] plus the relevant Windows NDIS driver. This is a workaround for devices not supported natively by Linux, such as USB devices based on Broadcom wireless chipsets (other than the BCM4320 USB).  * [[#ndiswrapper|NDISwrapper]] plus the relevant Windows NDIS driver. This is a workaround for devices not supported by the Linux kernel, such as USB devices based on Broadcom wireless chips (other than the BCM4320).
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For Linux 2.6.24 and later kernels. Both drivers are included as modules in Debian kernel images. These drivers are included as modules in Debian kernel images.  Firmware from userspace is required for device operation.
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Using [[DebianTesting|Testing]]? [[#b43-b43legacy-squeeze|Skip to the Squeeze section]]. Firmware is not packaged by the Debian Project. It must be downloaded and extracted, which can be performed by the DebianPkg:firmware-b43-installer, DebianPkg:firmware-b43legacy-installer or DebianPkg:firmware-b43-lpphy-installer packages during their installation. An Internet connection is required.
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==== Lenny, Etch ====

 . <!> [[DebianEtch|Etch]] users: These drivers are not present in the stock 2.6.18 kernel.
 . Install an [[EtchAndAHalf]] kernel: {{{apt-cache search linux-image-2.6- | grep etchnhalf}}} and install a package appropriate for your system.
 . Restart your system with this kernel before continuing.

The b43 driver supports modern Broadcom 802.11g wireless chipsets. The b43legacy driver supports Broadcom 802.11b-only devices and BCM4306 revision 2 chipsets.

The b43 driver requires version 4 firmware, whereas the b43legacy driver requires version 3 firmware. Firmware must be downloaded, which can be performed by the DebianPkg:b43-fwcutter package during installation. An Internet connection is required.

 1. Add a "contrib" component to {{{/etc/apt/sources.list}}} for your Debian version, for example: {{{
# Debian Lenny/5.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian lenny main contrib non-free
}}} ''or'' {{{
# Debian Etch/4.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian etch main contrib non-free		  1. Add a "contrib" component to your existing repository line in {{{/etc/apt/sources.list}}}; for example: {{{
# Debian 9 "stretch"
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ stretch main contrib non-free
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 1. Update the list of available packages and install the DebianPkg:b43-fwcutter and DebianPkg:wireless-tools packages: {{{
aptitude update
aptitude install b43-fwcutter wireless-tools
}}}
 If you have an Internet connection available, allow the DebianPkg:b43-fwcutter package to fetch and extract firmware.

 1. The necessary kernel module should be [[Modules|automatically loaded]]. If necessary, it can be manually loaded via either: {{{
modprobe b43
}}} ''or'' {{{
modprobe b43legacy
}}}
 1. Verify your device has an available interface: {{{
iwconfig
}}}
 1. Raise the interface to activate the radio, for example: {{{
ifconfig wlan0 up
}}}
 1. [[WiFi/HowToUse|Configure]] your wireless interface as appropriate.

===== Troubleshooting =====
 * Examine the kernel ring buffer ([[DebianMan:1/dmesg|dmesg(1)]]) to verify the required firmware files are being loaded by the driver. Lack of firmware is the usual reason for the "SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory" error message.
  * Run {{{dpkg-reconfigure -plow b43-fwcutter}}} to fetch and extract firmware again. Firmware will only be fetched if not already present in the {{{/lib/firmware/[b43|b43legacy]}}} directories on your system.
  * If necessary, firmware can be manually acquired and extracted using the b43-fwcutter utility, see http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#device_firmware_installation

<<Anchor(b43-b43legacy-squeeze)>>
==== Squeeze ====

The b43 driver supports modern Broadcom 802.11g wireless chipsets. The b43legacy driver supports Broadcom 802.11b-only devices and BCM4306 revision 2 chipsets.

The b43 driver requires version 4 firmware, whereas the b43legacy driver requires version 3 firmware. Firmware must be downloaded, which can be performed by the DebianPkg:firmware-b43-installer, DebianPkg:firmware-b43legacy-installer or DebianPkg:firmware-b43-lpphy-installer packages during installation. An Internet connection is required.

{i} The DebianPkg:b43-fwcutter package (as of 1:013~git20100413-1) no longer acquires firmware, separate installer packages are now used.

 1. Add a "contrib" component to {{{/etc/apt/sources.list}}}, for example: {{{
# Debian Squeeze (testing)
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free
}}}
 1. Update the list of available packages and install the DebianPkg:wireless-tools package: {{{
aptitude update
aptitude install wireless-tools		  . (Note: do not add a new line. Just add " contrib non-free" to the end of your existing line.)
 1. Update the list of available packages: {{{
apt-get update
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 For 802.11g devices with a BCM4306 revision 3, BCM4309, BCM4311, BCM4312 (not LP-PHY) or BCM4318 chipset, install DebianPkg:firmware-b43-installer: {{{
aptitude install firmware-b43-installer		  For devices with a BCM4306 revision 3, BCM4311, BCM4318, BCM4321 or BCM4322 chip, install DebianPkg:firmware-b43-installer: {{{
apt-get install firmware-b43-installer
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 For 802.11g devices with a BCM4312 LP-PHY chipset (PCI-ID 14E4:4315), install DebianPkg:firmware-b43-lpphy-installer: {{{
aptitude install firmware-b43-lpphy-installer		  For devices with a BCM4312 LP-PHY chip (PCI ID 14E4:4315), install DebianPkg:firmware-b43-installer: {{{
apt-get install firmware-b43-installer
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 For 802.11b devices with a BCM4301, BCM4303 or BCM4306 revision 2 chipset, install DebianPkg:firmware-b43legacy-installer: {{{
aptitude install firmware-b43legacy-installer		  For devices with a BCM4301 chip or the BCM4306 revision 2 chip, install DebianPkg:firmware-b43legacy-installer: {{{
apt-get install firmware-b43legacy-installer
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 A PCI ID check will be performed to prevent incorrect firmware installation. When satisfied, the relevant Broadcom proprietary driver will be acquired, the firmware within will be extracted and installed.
 1. The necessary kernel module should be [[Modules|automatically loaded]]. If necessary, it can be manually loaded via either: {{{
modprobe b43
}}} ''or'' {{{
modprobe b43legacy
}}}
 1. Verify your device has an available interface: {{{
iwconfig
}}}
 1. Raise the interface to activate the radio, for example: {{{
ifconfig wlan0 up
}}}
 1. [[WiFi/HowToUse|Configure]] your wireless interface as appropriate.		  A PCI ID check will be performed. When satisfied, the relevant Broadcom proprietary driver will be acquired, the firmware within will be extracted and installed.
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===== Troubleshooting =====
 * Examine the kernel ring buffer ([[DebianMan:1/dmesg|dmesg(1)]]) to verify the required firmware files are being loaded by the driver. Lack of firmware is the usual reason for the "SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory" error message.
  * Run {{{dpkg-reconfigure firmware-b43-installer}}}, {{{dpkg-reconfigure firmware-b43legacy-installer}}} or {{{dpkg-reconfigure firmware-b43-lpphy-installer}}} (as relevant) to fetch and extract firmware again.
  * If necessary, firmware can be manually acquired and extracted using the b43-fwcutter utility, see http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#device_firmware_installation. The DebianPkg:b43-fwcutter package will need to be installed.

<<Anchor(rndis-wlan)>>
=== rndis_wlan ===
For Linux 2.6.25 and later kernels. This is included as a module in Debian kernel images.

 . <!> [[DebianEtch|Etch]] users: This driver is not present in the stock 2.6.18 kernel.
 . Install a 2.6.26 kernel from [[Backports|Debian Backports]]. Once your sources are configured: {{{apt-cache search linux-image-2.6.26}}} and install a package appropriate for your system.
 . Restart your system with this kernel before continuing.

The rndis_wlan driver supports wireless RNDIS<<FootNote(Microsoft's unofficial CDC ACM variant, see [[WikiPedia:USB_communications_device_class|USB CDC on Wikipedia]].)>> chipsets, of which the Broadcom 4320 USB chipset is the only one known at this time. This driver does not require firmware to be installed.

  {i} Belkin !F5D7051 v1000 users: Due to the inclusion of its vendor and device IDs, an Ralink RT2500USB driver will be incorrectly loaded for this device. Please blacklist the {{{rt2500usb}}} module before continuing, see KernelModuleBlacklisting. The !F5D7051 v3000 is not supported.

 1. Install the DebianPkg:wireless-tools package: {{{
aptitude update
aptitude install wireless-tools
}}}
 1. Physically connect the device to your system.

 1. The necessary kernel module should be [[Modules|automatically loaded]]. If necessary, it can be manually loaded via: {{{
modprobe rndis_wlan
}}}
 1. Verify your device has an available interface: {{{
iwconfig
}}}
 1. Raise the interface to activate the radio, for example: {{{
ifconfig wlan0 up
}}}
 1. [[WiFi/HowToUse|Configure]] your wireless interface as appropriate.

==== Troubleshooting ====
 * This driver does not support connections to hidden [[WPA]] networks at this time.
 * If you are attempting to use a Belkin !F5D7051 v1000 device, [[KernelModuleBlacklisting|blacklist]] the {{{rt2500usb}}} module as advised earlier and execute {{{modprobe -r rt2500usb}}} to unload it.
 * [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/rndis_wlan#known_problems|Known problems]] with this driver are documented on its homepage.

<<Anchor(bcm43xx-etch)>>
=== bcm43xx (Etch with 2.6.18 kernel only) ===
For Linux kernels earlier than 2.6.24. This is included as a module in Debian kernel images.

The bcm43xx driver requires firmware which must be downloaded, which can be performed by the DebianPkg:etch-volatile/bcm43xx-fwcutter package during installation.

 . <!> You are required to install the DebianPkg:etch-volatile/bcm43xx-fwcutter package from the [[DebianVolatile|Debian Volatile]] repository due to bug DebianBug:437488. Installing the DebianPkg:etch/bcm43xx-fwcutter package ''will fail'' to download firmware if requested.
##
 1. Add the Debian Volatile repository (including the "contrib" component) to your {{{/etc/apt/sources.list}}} file, for example: {{{
# Debian Volatile (Etch/4.0)
deb http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile etch/volatile main contrib non-free
}}}
 1. Update the list of available packages and install the DebianPkg:etch-volatile/bcm43xx-fwcutter and DebianPkg:etch/wireless-tools packages: {{{
aptitude update
aptitude install bcm43xx-fwcutter wireless-tools
}}}
 If you have an Internet connection available, allow the DebianPkg:etch-volatile/bcm43xx-fwcutter package to fetch and extract firmware.

 1. The necessary kernel module should be [[Modules|automatically loaded]]. If necessary, it can be manually loaded via: {{{
modprobe bcm43xx
}}}
 1. Verify your device has an available interface: {{{
iwconfig
}}}
 1. Raise the interface to activate the radio, for example: {{{
ifconfig eth1 up
}}}		  1. If not already performed, connect the device to your system. The necessary kernel module is [[Modules|automatically loaded]] for supported devices.
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  * Ensure that you have installed the DebianPkg:etch-volatile/bcm43xx-fwcutter package from [[DebianVolatile|Debian Volatile]].
  * Run {{{dpkg-reconfigure -plow bcm43xx-fwcutter}}} to fetch and extract firmware again. Firmware will only be fetched if not already present in the {{{/lib/firmware}}} directory on your system.
 * Your device may be detected (or better supported) with the [[#b43-b43legacy|b43 or b43legacy driver]].		   * Run {{{dpkg-reconfigure firmware-b43-installer}}}, {{{dpkg-reconfigure firmware-b43legacy-installer}}} or {{{dpkg-reconfigure firmware-b43-lpphy-installer}}} (as relevant) to fetch and extract firmware again.
  * If necessary, firmware can be manually acquired and extracted using the b43-fwcutter utility, see http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Device_firmware_installation. The DebianPkg:b43-fwcutter package will need to be installed.
 * Debian 6.0 "Squeeze" users: prior to Linux 3.0, DMA errors may occur on some systems with LP-PHY devices (DebianBug:589867).
  * To workaround: {{{
modprobe -r b43
echo options b43 pio=1 qos=0 >> /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf
modprobe b43
}}}
 * [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Known_issues|Known issues]] with the b43 driver are documented on its homepage.
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 * This should only be used as a last resort, if the device is not supported by the native drivers (e.g. Broadcom USB devices, other than the BCM4320 USB).
 * Etch users: Before resorting to NDISwrapper, try using the [[#b43-b43legacy|b43/b43legacy drivers]].
==== Blacklist native drivers ====
If loaded, the bcm43xx and b43/b43legacy drivers will conflict with NDISwrapper. To unload and disable: 		This should only be used as a last resort, if the device is not supported by Linux kernel drivers (e.g. Broadcom USB devices, other than the BCM4320).
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===== Lenny, Etch with 2.6.24 kernel =====
{{{		 ==== Blacklist Linux kernel drivers ====
If loaded, the b43/b43legacy drivers will conflict with NDISwrapper. To unload and [[KernelModuleBlacklisting|blacklist]]: {{{
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}}}

===== Etch with 2.6.18 kernel =====
{{{
modprobe -r bcm43xx
echo blacklist bcm43xx >> /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf
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<<Anchor(supported)>>
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 * BCM4312 low-power variant (PCI-ID 14E4:4315)
  * Requires Linux 2.6.32 and firmware 4.174.64.19.
  * See [[bcm43xx#b43-b43legacy-squeeze|b43 and b43legacy (Squeeze)]], or http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#fw-b43-lp to manually acquire firmware.
##
 http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_chip_types - supported chipsets

<<Anchor(unsupported-b43)>>
==== Unsupported ====

 * BCM4313 (PCI-ID 14E4:4727)
 * BCM4321 (PCI-IDs 14E4:4328, 14E4:4329)
 * BCM4322 (PCI-ID 14E4:432B)

Support for the above chipsets is available via the non-free vendor driver, see [[wl]].

  http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#unsupported_chips - unsupported chipsets		  http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_devices
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 http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_chip_types - supported chipsets

<<Anchor(supported-rndis)>>
=== rndis_wlan ===
The page [[HowToIdentifyADevice/USB]] explains how to identify a USB device.

The following list is based on the ''alias'' fields of {{{modinfo rndis_wlan}}} on Lenny.
## list generated with: http://www.klabs.be/~fpiat/linux/hardware/modinfo-devnames/
 ~- {{{
USB: 0411:004B MelCo., Inc. (Device name unknown)
USB: 0411:00BC MelCo., Inc. (Device name unknown)
USB: 050D:011B Belkin Components (Device name unknown)
USB: 0A5C:D11B Broadcom Corp. (Device name unknown)
USB: 0B05:1717 ASUSTek Computer, Inc. (Device name unknown)
USB: 0BAF:0111 U.S. Robotics (Device name unknown)
USB: 0BAF:011B U.S. Robotics Wireless MAXg Adapter
USB: 13B1:000E Linksys WUSB54GS v1 802.11g Adapter [Broadcom 4320 USB]
USB: 13B1:0014 Linksys WUSB54GS v2 802.11g Adapter [Broadcom 4320 USB]
USB: 13B1:0026 Linksys WUSB54GSC v1 802.11g Adapter [Broadcom 4320 USB]
USB: 1690:0715 Askey Computer Corp. [hex] Voyager 1055 Laptop Adapter
USB: 1799:011B (Vendor name unknown) (Device name unknown)
}}} -~

 http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/rndis_wlan#supported_chips - supported chipsets

<<Anchor(unsupported-rndis)>>
==== Unsupported ====

 * Belkin !F5D7051 v3000 (USB-ID 4317:0711)

Refer to the [[NdisWrapper|NDISwrapper]] page for device support.

<<Anchor(supported-bcm43xx)>>
=== bcm43xx ===
The page [[HowToIdentifyADevice/PCI]] explains how to identify a PCI device.

The following list is based on the ''alias'' fields of {{{modinfo bcm43xx}}} on Etch.
## list generated with: http://www.klabs.be/~fpiat/linux/hardware/modinfo-devnames/
 ~- {{{
PCI: 14E4:4301 Broadcom Corporation BCM4303 802.11b Wireless LAN Controller
PCI: 14E4:4307 Broadcom Corporation BCM4307 802.11b Wireless LAN Controller
PCI: 14E4:4318 Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller
PCI: 14E4:4319 Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 [AirForce 54g] 802.11a/b/g PCI Express Transceiver
PCI: 14E4:4320 Broadcom Corporation BCM4306 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Controller
PCI: 14E4:4324 Broadcom Corporation BCM4309 802.11a/b/g
PCI: 14E4:4325 Broadcom Corporation BCM43xG 802.11b/g
}}} -~

{i} Although listed above, the BCM4311 is only supported by this driver from kernel 2.6.20.6. Use of the [[#b43-b43legacy|b43 driver]] is recommended.

 http://bcm43xx.berlios.de/?go=devices - supported devices		  http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_devices
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 * [[brcm80211]] - Broadcom BCM4313, BCM43224, BCM43225 devices
 * [[rndis_wlan]] - Broadcom BCM4320 devices
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 * [[wl]] (vendor driver) - Broadcom 4311, 4312, 4313, 4321, 4322 devices  * [[wl]] (vendor driver)
 * [[BCMHybridBTFirmware]] - Firmware installation for hybrid bluetooth adapters
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 * [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43]] - b43, b43legacy homepage;
  * [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#device_firmware_installation|b43 and b43legacy]] - device firmware installation		  * http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43 - b43, b43legacy homepage;
Line 322: Line 133:
 * [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/rndis_wlan]] - rndis_wlan homepage
 * [[http://bcm43xx.berlios.de/]] - bcm43xx homepage

Translation(s): English - Français

Broadcom 43xx wireless devices

This page describes how to enable support for WiFi devices based on Broadcom BCM4301, BCM4306, BCM4311, BCM4312, BCM4318, BCM4321 and BCM4322 chips on Debian systems.

Contents

  1. Broadcom 43xx wireless devices
    1. Identification
    2. Drivers
      1. b43 and b43legacy
      2. NDISwrapper
    3. Supported Devices
      1. b43
      2. b43legacy
    4. See Also
    5. External Links

Identification

<!> The PCI ID is not sufficient to determine the Broadcom chip within.

The relevant driver has built-in logic to probe the actual chip, for example: 

  • b43-phy0: Broadcom 4306 WLAN found (core revision 5)

Refer to http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_devices for more information.

Drivers

There are multiple drivers supporting Broadcom wireless LAN chips.

Linux kernel drivers:

More information on b43/b43legacy can be found on the Linux Wireless b43 driver page. The b43, b43legacy, brcmsmac and wl drivers do not support any USB devices.

Using Windows' binary drivers:

  • NDISwrapper plus the relevant Windows NDIS driver. This is a workaround for devices not supported by the Linux kernel, such as USB devices based on Broadcom wireless chips (other than the BCM4320).

b43 and b43legacy

These drivers are included as modules in Debian kernel images. Firmware from userspace is required for device operation.

Firmware is not packaged by the Debian Project. It must be downloaded and extracted, which can be performed by the firmware-b43-installer, firmware-b43legacy-installer or firmware-b43-lpphy-installer packages during their installation. An Internet connection is required.

  1. Add a "contrib" component to your existing repository line in /etc/apt/sources.list; for example: 

    # Debian 9 "stretch"
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ stretch main contrib non-free
  2. (Note: do not add a new line. Just add " contrib non-free" to the end of your existing line.)

  3. Update the list of available packages: 

    apt-get update
  4. Install the appropriate firmware installer package:

    For devices with a BCM4306 revision 3, BCM4311, BCM4318, BCM4321 or BCM4322 chip, install firmware-b43-installer: 

    apt-get install firmware-b43-installer

    For devices with a BCM4312 LP-PHY chip (PCI ID 14E4:4315), install firmware-b43-installer: 

    apt-get install firmware-b43-installer

    For devices with a BCM4301 chip or the BCM4306 revision 2 chip, install firmware-b43legacy-installer: 

    apt-get install firmware-b43legacy-installer
    A PCI ID check will be performed. When satisfied, the relevant Broadcom proprietary driver will be acquired, the firmware within will be extracted and installed.

  5. If not already performed, connect the device to your system. The necessary kernel module is automatically loaded for supported devices.

  6. Configure your wireless interface as appropriate.

Troubleshooting

  • Examine the kernel ring buffer (dmesg(1)) to verify the required firmware files are being loaded by the driver. Lack of firmware is the usual reason for the "SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory" error message.

  • Debian 6.0 "Squeeze" users: prior to Linux 3.0, DMA errors may occur on some systems with LP-PHY devices (589867).

    • To workaround: 

      modprobe -r b43
echo options b43 pio=1 qos=0 >> /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf
modprobe b43

  • Known issues with the b43 driver are documented on its homepage.

NDISwrapper

This should only be used as a last resort, if the device is not supported by Linux kernel drivers (e.g. Broadcom USB devices, other than the BCM4320).

Blacklist Linux kernel drivers

If loaded, the b43/b43legacy drivers will conflict with NDISwrapper. To unload and blacklist: 

modprobe -r b43 b43legacy
echo -e blacklist b43\\nblacklist b43legacy >> /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf

Installation

Kernel module and NDIS driver installation is described on the NDISwrapper page.

Supported Devices

b43

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

b43legacy

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

See Also

CategoryHardware | CategoryWireless