Difference between revisions of "Ipw3945"
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=== Linux WiFi driver === | === Linux WiFi driver === | ||
| − | The most recent revision of the Intel Centrino platform does utilize a new generation of wireless networking device, connected to the system via '''PCI-E''', and not PCI (like the [[ipw2200]]-line used to do). Therefore, a new driver is to be used. A sourceforge-project aimed to support the new cards is available on [http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/ http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/]. However, as of today, the project's code ( | + | The most recent revision of the Intel Centrino platform does utilize a new generation of wireless networking device, connected to the system via '''PCI-E''', and not PCI (like the [[ipw2200]]-line used to do). Therefore, a new driver is to be used. A sourceforge-project aimed to support the new cards is available on [http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/ http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/]. However, as of today, the project's code ([http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/detail_desc.aspx?ProductID=2259&DwnldID=10315&agr=Y Stable Release 1.0.0]) depends on a '''binary-only, proprietary''' user-space-daemon communicating to the driver via sysfs. It is '''not possible''' to operate this device with Free Software exclusively at the moment. The license-terms the daemon is released under prohibit reverse-engineering of the communication-protocol; this will hopefully not hold developers from countries other than the US, where clauses like this one are not enforceable, from re-implementing a free variant of some sort. |
==== External Discussion ==== | ==== External Discussion ==== | ||
This issue already sparked discussions on the [http://lkml.org/ Linux Kernel Mailing List], accessible via [http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/2/24/266 http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/2/24/266]. | This issue already sparked discussions on the [http://lkml.org/ Linux Kernel Mailing List], accessible via [http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/2/24/266 http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/2/24/266]. | ||
Revision as of 00:22, 16 April 2006
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI Express AdapterThis is a Mini-PCI Express WiFi Adapter Features
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IBM Partnumbers
41A4068 (From Wireless & networking accessories - ThinkPad T60/p)
Also known (in IBM literature) as....
- From annoucement letter 106-068, 'Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG8 wireless connection'
Linux WiFi driver
The most recent revision of the Intel Centrino platform does utilize a new generation of wireless networking device, connected to the system via PCI-E, and not PCI (like the ipw2200-line used to do). Therefore, a new driver is to be used. A sourceforge-project aimed to support the new cards is available on http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/. However, as of today, the project's code (Stable Release 1.0.0) depends on a binary-only, proprietary user-space-daemon communicating to the driver via sysfs. It is not possible to operate this device with Free Software exclusively at the moment. The license-terms the daemon is released under prohibit reverse-engineering of the communication-protocol; this will hopefully not hold developers from countries other than the US, where clauses like this one are not enforceable, from re-implementing a free variant of some sort.
External Discussion
This issue already sparked discussions on the Linux Kernel Mailing List, accessible via http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/2/24/266.
Current State
The ipw2200-drivers in kernel 2.6.15 (and possibly later) do not work with this adapter. There is no mainline-kernel support at the moment, and without a change in the license of the required user-space-daemon, or mechanics of the code itself, probably will never be any.
