Alberto Passalacqua wrote:
Hi,
because that's not what you need for all the cards. Broadcom provides the Linux STA drivers ( http://www.broadcom.com/support/802.11/linux_sta.php ), which offer excellent functionality on the supported models and are packaged in Packman.
I have heard mixed reports on the excellence of the functionality. Some users claim that the driver is constantly dropping out. Their usage of their own MAC layer, which gets limited testing, is likely the reason.
Ubuntu tool automatically detects if you need them, and retrieves them from a repository. It has been discussed in the past if it was possible to have them included or provided in some other way than unofficial repositories on openSUSE, and the answer was that it is not possible due to legal concerns (violation of the kernel licence according to what Novell kernel developers said).
The Broadcom wl driver contains a binary blob that is not under GPL license. As a result, it cannot be included in openSUSE. In addition, it taints the kernel, which precludes its usage by many of us who routinely test kernels.
I do not know how Ubuntu manages the problem, but Dell provides the same drivers in binary form on the Dell Mini 9 and on other laptops sold with ubuntu and the broadcom cards, for example. It would be interesting to have a deeper insight in what/how they do it. From the licence in the drivers it seems to it *can* be redistributed if the conditions written there are respected.
Yes, the wl driver can be redistributed as long as you are willing to accept their conditions, and the consequences. The open-source driver for BCM43xx devices will always be trying to catch up. From Broadcom's release of a new model, there will be a period of at least two years while the reverse engineering is done and a driver is written. At the moment, I'm working on the specifications for the 802.11n devices while the coders are implementing the specs for low-power 802.11b/g models. Clearly, the wl driver is not optimal, but it is necessary in some instances. My primary goal is to eliminate that need; however, we do need to make it as simple as possible for openSUSE users to get a working wireless driver for their BCM43xx cards. Until the open-source firmware is available, the licensing parameters will require a working Internet connection for any automatic solution, but I would like to see something like Ubuntu's installation script. This code should detect the BCM43xx, determine its identity, and select the appropriate action. If the device is supported by b43/b43legacy, then the firmware should be installed, otherwise the Broadcom wl driver should be installed. Beginners have enough trouble configuring their wireless devices without having to fight to get a working driver loaded. Larry -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-testing+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-testing+help@opensuse.org