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ToDo: Document broadcom-sta-source (like in [[http://wiki.debian.org/wl?action=diff&rev2=5&rev1=4|this previous page]]. The package have a new maintainer, who packaged a new version ([[DebianBug:543888#15]]). ---- |
Broadcom 4311, 4312, 4321, 4322 devices (wl)
This page describes how to enable support for WiFi devices based on Broadcom 4311/4312/4321/4322 chipsets - using Broadcom's hybrid device driver - on Debian systems.
Not supported by Debian
This driver was previously packaged for Debian (never part of a stable release). It has since been removed from the archive, see Debian bug 551364. Support is no longer provided.
Contents
Some Broadcom wireless LAN chipsets are unsupported by the reverse-engineered b43 and b43legacy drivers at this time, including:
BCM4312 low-power variant (PCI-ID: 14E4:4315)
- Also known as "BCM 4310 USB"
Initial support is available in wireless-testing/compat-wireless-2.6, to be released with kernel 2.6.32.
- BCM4321 (PCI-IDs: 14E4:4328, 14E4:4329)
- BCM4322 (PCI-ID: 14E4:432B)
Support of these chipsets is possible using a driver (wl) made available by the vendor, which includes a binary-only component targeted for the x86 or x86-64 architecture. The vendor driver was previously packaged for Debian in non-free. It was removed from the archive in October 2009 to resolve Debian bug 551364.
An alternate method of support for your device may be possible using NDISwrapper.
The vendor driver depends on the x86 or x86-64 architecture (Debian i386 and AMD64 ports respectively) at this time.
Installation
Lenny, Squeeze
Install the build-essential, relevant linux-headers and and wireless-tools packages:
$ su # aptitude update && aptitude install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) wireless-tools # exit
Acquire the driver applicable for your architecture from Broadcom's website, for example:
32-bit driver (i386):
$ wget http://www.broadcom.com/docs/linux_sta/hybrid-portsrc-x86_32-v5.10.91.9.3.tar.gz
or 64-bit driver (amd64):
$ wget http://www.broadcom.com/docs/linux_sta/hybrid-portsrc-x86_64-v5.10.91.9.3.tar.gz
Extract and compile the vendor driver:
$ mkdir hybrid_wl && cd hybrid_wl $ tar xvf ../hybrid-portsrc* $ make
Install the kernel module:
$ su # mkdir -p /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/extra/wl && cp wl.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/extra/wl # depmod -a -F /boot/System.map-$(uname -r) $(uname -r)
Ensure the b43 and ssb modules are unloaded prior to loading the wl module:
# echo 'install wl /sbin/modprobe -qr b43 ssb; /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install wl $CMDLINE_OPTS' >> /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf
Load the wl module:
# modprobe wl
If not already performed, connect the device to your system.Add wl to the list of kernel modules to load at boot:
# echo wl >> /etc/modules
Verify your device has an available interface:
# iwconfig
Raise the interface to activate the radio, for example:
# ifconfig wlan0 up
Configure your wireless interface as appropriate.
Known Issues
Refer to http://www.broadcom.com/docs/linux_sta/README.txt.
Supported Devices
The page HowToIdentifyADevice/PCI explains how to identify a PCI device.
The following list is based on the alias fields of modinfo wl as of driver version 5.10.91.9.3:
PCI: 14E4:4311 Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN PCI: 14E4:4312 Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11a/b/g PCI: 14E4:4313 Broadcom Corporation BCM4310 Ethernet Controller PCI: 14E4:4315 Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g PCI: 14E4:4328 Broadcom Corporation BCM4328 802.11a/b/g/n PCI: 14E4:4329 Broadcom Corporation BCM43XG PCI: 14E4:432A Broadcom Corporation (Device name unknown) PCI: 14E4:432B Broadcom Corporation BCM4322 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller PCI: 14E4:432C Broadcom Corporation (Device name unknown) PCI: 14E4:432D Broadcom Corporation (Device name unknown) PCI: 14E4:4353 Broadcom Corporation (Device name unknown) PCI: 14E4:4357 Broadcom Corporation (Device name unknown)
See Also
bcm43xx - Broadcom 43xx wireless devices
External Links
http://www.broadcom.com/support/802.11/linux_sta.php - 802.11 Linux STA driver
ToDo: Document broadcom-sta-source (like in this previous page. The package have a new maintainer, who packaged a new version (543888).