Difference between revisions of "Ipw3945"

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(ThinkPads this card may be found in)
(Linux WiFi driver)
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=== Linux WiFi driver ===
 
=== Linux WiFi driver ===
 
The most recent revision of the Intel Centrino platform utilizes 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 must be used. A sourceforge-project supporting the new cards is available at [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 1.2.0]) depends on a '''binary-only, proprietary''' user-space-daemon communicating with 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 outside the US, where clauses like this one are not enforceable, from re-implementing a free variant of some sort.
 
The most recent revision of the Intel Centrino platform utilizes 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 must be used. A sourceforge-project supporting the new cards is available at [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 1.2.0]) depends on a '''binary-only, proprietary''' user-space-daemon communicating with 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 outside the US, where clauses like this one are not enforceable, from re-implementing a free variant of some sort.
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There is a new project called [http://intellinuxwireless.org/ Intel Wireless WiFi Link Drivers] which seems to also implement a driver for the 3945. Those drivers are called "iwl" instead of "ipw". The iwl3945 driver already works to some extend but it still in early stage. It is full open source without binary user space things. Just a firmware blob is needed. Full documentation including source can be found on the mentioned web-page.
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==== 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 23:58, 20 June 2007

Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI Express Adapter

This is a Mini-PCI Express WiFi Adapter

Features

  • Chipset: Intel WM3945AG
  • IEEE Standards: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g
  • PCI ID: 8086:4227

Mini-PCI WiFi Adapter

IBM Partnumbers

41A4068 (From Wireless & networking accessories - ThinkPad T60/p)

NOTE!
Only the IBM Parts will work, any other parts will give an 1802 error on Post because the sub-vendor PCI ID is different, see Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card for more details

Also known (in IBM literature) as....

Hardware switch

Some ThinkPads have a hardware switch that must be in the on position for the radio to work, regardless of driver state:

(ThinkPad R60 radio switch in the ON position)

Packages

Linux WiFi driver

The most recent revision of the Intel Centrino platform utilizes 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 must be used. A sourceforge-project supporting the new cards is available at http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/. However, as of today, the project's code (Stable Release 1.2.0) depends on a binary-only, proprietary user-space-daemon communicating with 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 outside the US, where clauses like this one are not enforceable, from re-implementing a free variant of some sort.

There is a new project called Intel Wireless WiFi Link Drivers which seems to also implement a driver for the 3945. Those drivers are called "iwl" instead of "ipw". The iwl3945 driver already works to some extend but it still in early stage. It is full open source without binary user space things. Just a firmware blob is needed. Full documentation including source can be found on the mentioned web-page.

External Discussion

This issue already sparked discussions on the Linux Kernel Mailing List, accessible via http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/2/24/266.

There is also a very revealing interview with the author of the OpenBSD driver for the 3945, in which it comes out that Intel has lied (at least by omission) about the purpose of the "regulatory daemon".

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.

Some comments

ipw3945 works with http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/ drivers. A Spanish summary, but easy to understand about how to install: esDebian Forum, maxim_o message (longer)

Thinkpad topic: on ThinkPads like the Z60 that have one. remember to put the wireless switch in the on state! But you will not be able to enable the Wireless LED with Fn+F5, it is not a problem.

One more comment: if you want monitor mode (e.g for use with Kismet or other network sniffers), you need to uncomment CONFIG_IPW3945_MONITOR=y line from ipw3945-1.1.0 Makefile.

ThinkPads this card may be found in

Lenovo3000 N100

This pages gives an overview of all Lenono3000 N100 related topics. Please see Installation instructions for the Lenovo3000 N100 for a comprehensive overview of the installation process with Linux distributions.

Standard Features

Weight & Dimensions

These may vary depending on exact specifications

  • Weight:
  • Height:
  • Width:
  • Depth: