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Atheros Releases Free Linux Driver For Its 802.11n Devices

Posted by timothy on from the a-pleasant-present dept.

mcgrof writes "Atheros has released a shiny new Atheros driver for all their 11n devices aimed for inclusion in the Linux kernel. This new driver has no proprietary HAL and is licensed under the ISC license, so the BSD community should be able to benefit as well. Note: no firmware required!"

5 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. if only there were a similar driver by sensei+moreh · · Score: 4, Informative

    for my AR5212

    --
    Geology - it's not rocket science; it's rock science
  2. Hurray, that makes choosing the next laptop easier by victim · · Score: 5, Informative

    No more weighing the lesser of two evils, I can cross off all the laptops with Broadcom chips and narrow the playing field.

    I wasted untold hours with the b43 driver and routinely get bitten when I upgrade kernels and madwifi falls apart and I can't load the new source because it fell apart. Wireless hardware that just works will be a relief.

  3. The not so long article - fyi by **loki969** · · Score: 5, Informative

    ath9k - Atheros unveils free Linux driver for its 802.11n devices Â

    We are pleased to announce Atheros has released ath9k to the community. This driver is aimed at inclusion to the Linux kernel and supports all Atheros IEEE 802.11n devices. This represents a major shift in terms of support from Atheros with respect to Linux. The ath9k driver comes shortly after Atheros hired two key Linux wireless developers -- Luis Rodriguez and Jouni Malinen.

    We have been informed Atheros does plan to add access point support to ath9k and to work with the community to enhance and complete access point support in the Linux kernel. It is understood there is plenty of work required on the wireless stack to complete full access point support. Jouni Malinen will help drive this process within the community while Luis helps enhance regulatory compliance in the Linux kernel.

    We are eager to work with Atheros with ath9k and applaud their efforts for properly supporting Linux.

    The ath9k driver includes supports for the following chipsets:

            * AR5418+AR5133
            * AR5416+AR5133
            * AR5416+AR2133
            * AR9160
            * AR9280
            * AR9281

  4. Re:As a new Linux desktop user by FishWithAHammer · · Score: 4, Informative

    I just get Intel laptops with Centrino...works perfectly.

    --
    "You can either have software quality or you can have pointer arithmetic, but you cannot have both at the same time."
  5. Re:B and G by X0563511 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes but, due to the physical differences (MIMO, etc) the software->hardware interface is likely significantly different.

    The specifications for 802.11n are mostly compatible with a/b/g, but what you are saying is, to use a car analogy, putting a truck transmission into a coup. Sure, they do the same thing, but they are still completely different 'under the hood'.

    Another example: a CD and DVD do the same thing, a DVD is backwards compatible, and a DVD does more. But a DVD is not a CD, and you cannot interface with the DVD the same way as you do a CD. (this is usually abstracted away from you, by the chips in the actual drive, but it is still true)

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...