Despite what the fine article seems to lead the reader to understand, the ar5k open "HAL" is not functionally equivalent to the Atheros/Sam Leffler HAL. The proprietary HAL has support for multiple VAP structures (IE, you can have the same card be an AP, and a station, and a monitor all at the same time.) The proprietary HAL also supports more chipsets and more of the cool features like XR, and quarter and half bandwidth channels. There are some internal political reasons that Madwifi uses the Atheros HAL, and I don't expect or desire it to change soon.
Slashdot Mirror
Despite what the fine article seems to lead the reader to understand, the ar5k open "HAL" is not functionally equivalent to the Atheros/Sam Leffler HAL. The proprietary HAL has support for multiple VAP structures (IE, you can have the same card be an AP, and a station, and a monitor all at the same time.) The proprietary HAL also supports more chipsets and more of the cool features like XR, and quarter and half bandwidth channels. There are some internal political reasons that Madwifi uses the Atheros HAL, and I don't expect or desire it to change soon.