Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Mon Nov 21, 2016 6:18 pm

I wanted to upgrade to 802.11ac 5ghz wifi to have more stable and faster connection, mainly because there are more than 20 wifi 2,4ghz signals in my apartment and we all are trying to fit in to that tiny bandwidth. This causes major wifi connection problems.

I bought an usb wifi dongle with Mediatek MT7612U chipset and learned from hard way that it`s not properly supported by Linux. I also asked for an help in this thread for that; viewtopic.php?f=49&t=215940&p=1241088#p1241088

Finally, i decided to give up with that Mediatek chipset device and tried to find any device which has proper drivers for Linux but to my surprise, i couldn't find any!

According to these two web pages, there are only two 802.11ac chipsets (Atheros and Intel) supported by Linux and both of them are for embedded products, which only exists in some brand name laptops. So, basically they don't exist in usb dongle form;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compariso ... vers#Linux
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/List_of_Wi-Fi ... s_in_Linux

I searched for more products afterwards and found a device with Realtek RTL8814 chipset, which has AC1750 mbps capability. Unfortunately let alone product websites, not even Realtek itself mentions anything about Linux drivers. I also saw Realtek RTL8812 chipset with AC1200 mbps capability devices too. I saw that there are only some 3rd party Linux drivers for it on github web site with questionable operation in Linux system, just like my current Mediatek MT7612U chipset device. So, i am out of ideas anymore and it seems that there is no 811AC wifi product which works properly in Linux as of today (!) This is so strange because this is not a new technology at all. Some chipsets like RTL8812 exists since 2012 and unfortunately we still don't have proper and easy way of using them in Linux (!)

Is the Linux world destined to work with 2,4ghz wifi unless we got some brand name laptop with a specific embedded Intel 811AC chipset?!

Tomgin5 · Post by **Tomgin5** » Thu Nov 24, 2016 7:08 pm

I have been rebuilding Scraptops for the last 6 months.I have run across a couple of them that had internal Broadcom WIFI cards that did not work or were operating at other than ideal situations in Linux. I have replaced each of them with Atheros Wifi card then reloaded the Linux OS. They recognised the correct drivers and installed them, about $5 each. On one I needed a new bios that I downloaded from the manufacturer "Toshiba H2". Working as fast as my broadband connection.

phd21 · Post by **phd21** » Thu Nov 24, 2016 8:44 pm

Hi "Garabet",

Garabet wrote:Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Of course there are USB AC WiFi adapters that are available for Linux and work well.

I would get a WiFi adapter with at least 300mbps transfer speed or more, with AC Routers your transfer speed (throughput) should be even higher than that, especially with a 5ghz AC router. Always read descriptions and questions - click "more" on questions.

Various results from Amazon.com - usb wifi adapter AC linux, $14 US and up.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss ... r+AC+linux

Edimax EW-7833UAC AC1750 Dual-Band Wi-Fi USB 3.0 Adapter, Supports Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Mac and Linux, $40 us
* transfer speeds up to 450Mbps (2.4GHz) or 1300Mbps (5GHz)
https://www.amazon.com/Edimax-EW-7833UA ... r+AC+linux

Asus (USB-AC56) Dual-band Wireless-AC1300 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter, $55us see options, read questions and reviews
https://www.amazon.com/Asus-USB-AC56-Du ... VP3AVVWVZK

StarTech.com USB 3.0 AC1200 Dual Band Wireless-AC Network Adapter - 802.11ac WiFi Adapter - 2.4GHz / 5GHz USB Wireless - AC Network Card (USB867WAC22), $44.26us
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-AC1 ... B00KXQULKA

Hope this helps...

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Fri Nov 25, 2016 9:53 am

phd21 wrote:Hi "Garabet",

Of course there are USB AC WiFi adapters that are available for Linux and work well.

Thanks for the response phd21

Most of the usb devices listed in Amazon doesn't have proper Linux support because the available drivers (if there is any) are mostly for old kernel versions and impossible to compile and install with Kernel v4.4+.

Asus and Startech devices have Realtek 8812AU chipsets, which is probably the oldest AC1200 chipset available (released in 2012) and most likely to best bet for using in Linux. Tough i read that people are trying to use those devices by using 3rd party drives from github because of 5ghz connection problems. So, even the oldest AC1200 chipset is not problem free in Linux. If you search on github, you can see the people who is trying to fix the problems by modifying the driver files.

Edimax one have Realtek 8814AU chipset, which is the latest Realtek chipset with AC1750 capability. I checked Edimax`s website and there is one Linux driver for Kernel v4.4 but i would like to be sure about it`s problem free operation in Linux Kernel v4.4+ before buying it because neither Asus nor TP-Link provides any Linux driver for their Realtek 8814AU devices. e.g. i bought Mediatek MT7612U chipset device by seeing that they supposedly providing Linux drivers but i saw in first hand that their drivers are completely unusable for kernel v.3 and v.4

Post by **JeremyB** » Fri Nov 25, 2016 12:08 pm

There is a package rtl8812au-dkms that does support the rtl8812au chipset without using the github source code. The dkms is broken but it should be fixed soon even though it is not a big issue in Linux Mint as kernels are not automatically installed like Ubuntu

phd21 · Post by **phd21** » Fri Nov 25, 2016 1:45 pm

Hi "Garabet",

You are welcome...

After your post - request, I went on Amazon.com to check out some of these. i read the questions and their answers and the user comments. I noticed on some of these that I had to click "see more answered questions" in questions section to see information regarding Linux. On most, they said plug and play no need to install extra drivers. But, you might get better performance by installing a specific WiFi adapter's chip driver.

Example 1: Edimax EW-7833UAC AC1750 Dual-Band Wi-Fi USB 3.0 Adapter, Supports Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Mac and Linux

I'm looking at 1300 Mb/s in Ubuntu 16.04 on 5GHz right now. Same on laptop and desktop with both Ubuntu 16.04 and Windows 7. Wow... this thing actually does what it claims to do. Easy setup in windows. Just a little more work in Linux, but it works very well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G51FBF6/re ... _ttl_sol_1

From Edimax - Fairly simple instructions on how to install their driver in Linux Mint 18 (Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial) probably works on other versions of Linux Mint like 17.x
http://www.edimax.us/download/drivers/L ... 016.04.pdf

Edimax Linux Driver - download (also comes with the device)
http://www.edimax.com/edimax/download/d ... ew-7833uac

Another Link for Linux Mint 17.x (Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty)
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2228244

Example 2: Asus (USB-AC56) Dual-band Wireless-AC1300 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter

Question:
Will this work with Ubuntu/Linux?
Answer:
Yes it works fine with Linux Mint and Ubuntu installed the first time with no issues.
By WALter Sanders on April 10, 2016

Example 3: StarTech.com USB 3.0 AC1200 Dual Band Wireless-AC Network Adapter - 802.11ac WiFi Adapter - 2.4GHz / 5GHz USB Wireless - AC Network Card

Question:
Does this card work in Debian 7.x or Ubuntu 14.04 and newer?
Answer:
Yes, as listed here: http://www.startech.com/Networking-IO/W ... CI300WN2X2
By Kaleb on February 19, 2015

Example 4: WISE TIGER WiFi Adapter 1200Mbps High Speed USB 3.0 AC Wireless Usb Long Rang Dual Band Network Card with Dual Antenna Support $36us - Uses the RealTek 8812au driver
https://www.amazon.com/WISE-TIGER-1200M ... r+AC+linux
Linux Driver；
http://www.wise-tiger.com/dl/rtl8812AU/linux.zip

Example 5: EDUP EP-AC1601 AC1200 2.4GHz Dual Band USB 3.0 Wireless Adapter. $14us
https://www.amazon.com/EDUP-EP-AC1601-A ... r+AC+linux

Question:
Does the disc include a Linux driver?
Answer:
Yes, By Philip K Richardson on May 8, 2016

Example 6: 2.4G/5.8GHz Dual Band 802.11AC Gigabit 1750Mbps 2.4G:450Mbps 5.8G:1300Mpbs USB 3.0 WiFi Wireless Adapter Network Card RTL8814AU (Realtek) $29us
https://www.amazon.com/2-4G-5-8GHz-802- ... pter+linux

But, here are two excellent sources for WifI information:
1.) Easy Linux Tips project (Great Website)
see section "Q. Routers and wireless internet",
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinuxtipsproject/Home

Realtek wireless chipset: install the right driver
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... /reserve-7

2.) There are numerous posts in the forum already on various WiFi adapters and how to resolve any issues (If possible) with them, and one person "JeremyB" seem to be excellent at it; So, you could contact him through the forum for more details.

Hope this helps...

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Sat Nov 26, 2016 6:02 pm

phd21 wrote:Hi "Garabet",

You are welcome...

After your post - request, I went on Amazon.com to check out some of these.

Thanks for the info phd21, really appreciated

My usb wifi device in question was "EDUP EP-AC1601" and i have been tricked by their claim of having Linux driver support as you linked above but unfortunately their driver was only for Kernel v.2, so it was impossible to compile and install with newer Linux kernels without serious work on the codes and it seems no one does that including EDUP and Mediatek.

but thanks to your effort, i think i should buy Edimax EW-7833UAC because it has the latest and fastest chipset and people claims that it works on Linux. It looks like the best option so far. If not, the last resort would be a device with Realtek 8812AU chipset

phd21 · Post by **phd21** » Sun Nov 27, 2016 11:41 am

Hi "Garabet",

You are welcome...

Unfortunately, I do not have a newer super fast AC router

to use and test things with. And, I agree that the reasonably priced "Edimax" seems to provide the fastest results, and their driver installation instructions see pretty straight forward too me.

The example 2, Asus AC WiFi adapter, seemed to be plug n play requiring no driver installation....

FYI: I have been using "RealTek" WiFi (wireless) USB adapters for years, never had to install any drivers, they just work. But, with anything really new, like a new AC WiFi adapter, there is a possibility that you might have to install drivers for it, but it is not that hard to do, and you have links now to those instructions.

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Sun Nov 27, 2016 6:45 pm

phd21 wrote: Unfortunately, I do not have a newer super fast AC router to use and test things with.

I have been using "RealTek" WiFi (wireless) USB adapters for years, never had to install any drivers, they just work. But, with anything really new, like a new AC WiFi adapter, there is a possibility that you might have to install drivers for it, but it is not that hard to do, and you have links now to those instructions.

Well, as i said in my 1st message, i had to jump to the AC routers because there are more than 25+ 2,4ghz signals in where i currently live and this makes so difficult to do any gaming or video calls due to network congestion. I recommend Xiaomi AC routers if you wanna get one. Xiaomi routers are extremely cheap (20-35$) but very high quality devices. Also, there is a custom 3rd party firmware for those devices to use it as DLNA server, Torrent download, ability to connect TOR network etc.

I did some research about which AC adapters are supported in Kernel firmware to use it as plug and play and i saw that only an Intel AC chipset and an Atheros chipset supported via latest Linux Kernel. These 2 chipsets are only included in some laptops as an embedded chipset or mini pci-express card to plug in to a laptop motherboard but not as an usb device as of now. So, if you wanna use an AC wifi usb device in Linux, you have to install a driver because none of them currently has built-in support by any Kernel firmware

Post by **JeremyB** » Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:13 pm

Go ahead and buy the Edimax EW-7833UAC as the driver from the website does build in Ubuntu 16.04 and should build in LM 18 also

There were a couple warnings in compiling the module

Code: Select all

  CC [M]  /home/jeremy/Desktop/EW7833UAC_linux_4.3.21_kernel_3.16-4.4/EW7833UAC_linux_v4.3.21_17997.20160531/core/rtw_debug.o
/home/jeremy/Desktop/EW7833UAC_linux_4.3.21_kernel_3.16-4.4/EW7833UAC_linux_v4.3.21_17997.20160531/core/rtw_debug.c: In function ‘dump_drv_version’:
/home/jeremy/Desktop/EW7833UAC_linux_4.3.21_kernel_3.16-4.4/EW7833UAC_linux_v4.3.21_17997.20160531/core/rtw_debug.c:71:64: warning: macro "__DATE__" might prevent reproducible builds [-Wdate-time]
  DBG_871X_SEL_NL(sel, "build time: %s %s\n", __DATE__, __TIME__);
                                                                ^
/home/jeremy/Desktop/EW7833UAC_linux_4.3.21_kernel_3.16-4.4/EW7833UAC_linux_v4.3.21_17997.20160531/core/rtw_debug.c:71:64: warning: macro "__TIME__" might prevent reproducible builds [-Wdate-time]

These warnings should not be an issue. However I disagree with their install instructions for their driver as they say to use sudo make and I would not recommend that use just make instead. The sudo make install is normal as you need those permissions to move the module to the kernel directory

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 10:16 am

JeremyB wrote:Go ahead and buy the Edimax EW-7833UAC as the driver from the website does build in Ubuntu 16.04 and should build in LM 18 also

There were a couple warnings in compiling the module...

Thanks for trying to compile and install the driver. Yes, i was going to buy Edimax`s device but i decided to do a Google search first to see if anyone tried to use this device in Linux and whether they had a problem or not. Here is what i saw;

viewtopic.php?t=226403

The author of the message is talking about the Edimax EW-7833UAC here while saying Edimax AC1750

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:31 am

Btw, there is an improvement about my current usb wifi device with Mediatek MT7612U chipset. I have managed to install this 3rd party driver from github and make Linux recognize my device by adding it`s VendorID and DeviceID into the file "rtusb_dev_id.c";
https://github.com/jurobystricky/Netgear-A6210

Now my device shows up in network manager but it doesn't scan the wifi signals properly and the signal strength values are extremely low, e.g i get about 10% signal only if i bring my router by my computer and it disappears when i move it a bit away. So, i think the signal parameters in that driver are incompatible with my device. I am wondering if there could be any chance for me to fix/alter the driver files and make it get wifi signals properly. Anyone knows where those signal parameters are stored, in which file? Is it in the "*.ko" module file?

This is really a big shame on Mediatek`s side by not releasing proper Linux drivers for recent Kernels because this device rocks on Windows OS. I am getting much higher signal with this even in 2,4ghz, comparing with my old Atheros based 300mbit wifi N TP-Link device in Windows10

Edit: This is the dmesg output after inserting the device to usb port;

Code: Select all

[  269.654496] usb 9-4: new SuperSpeed USB device number 33 using xhci_hcd
[  269.673440] usb 9-4: New USB device found, idVendor=0e8d, idProduct=761b
[  269.673452] usb 9-4: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[  269.673459] usb 9-4: Product: 802.11ac WLAN
[  269.673465] usb 9-4: Manufacturer: MediaTek Inc.
[  269.673470] usb 9-4: SerialNumber: 000000000
[  269.678578] 
               === pAd = ffffc9000158f000, size = 1292952 ===

[  269.678591] driver version: 3.0.0.1 (Nov 29 2016 00:00:27) .
[  269.680184] ==>rlt_wlan_chip_onoff(): OnOff:1, Reset= 1, pAd->WlanFunCtrl:0x0, Reg-WlanFunCtrl=0x20a
[  269.706811] RtmpChipOpsEepromHook::e2p_type=0, inf_Type=2
[  269.706815] RtmpEepromGetDefault::e2p_dafault=1
[  269.707684] NVM is EFUSE mode
[  269.707693] Endpoint(8) is for In-band Command
[  269.707697] Endpoint(4) is for WMM0 AC0
[  269.707701] Endpoint(5) is for WMM0 AC1
[  269.707704] Endpoint(6) is for WMM0 AC2
[  269.707707] Endpoint(7) is for WMM0 AC3
[  269.707710] Endpoint(9) is for WMM1 AC0
[  269.707713] Endpoint(84) is for Data-In
[  269.707716] Endpoint(85) is for Command Rsp
[  269.708069] 80211> CurTxPower = 20 dBm
[  269.708075] ====> Radar Channel 52
[  269.708078] ====> Radar Channel 54
[  269.708080] ====> Radar Channel 56
[  269.708083] ====> Radar Channel 60
[  269.708086] ====> Radar Channel 62
[  269.708088] ====> Radar Channel 64
[  269.708091] ====> Radar Channel 100
[  269.708094] ====> Radar Channel 104
[  269.708099] 80211> TxStream = 0
[  269.736653] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[  269.738560] -->RTUSBVendorReset
[  269.758657] <--RTUSBVendorReset
[  269.761603] ...........andes_usb_chk_crc
[  269.863565] andes_usb_reset_wmt
[  269.884439] -->RTUSBVendorReset
[  269.904529] <--RTUSBVendorReset
[  269.905317] fw version:0.0.00 build:1
[  269.905320] build time:201406241830____
[  269.905324] fw for E3 IC
[  269.905325] ilm length = 59312(bytes)
[  269.905326] dlm length = 32068(bytes)
[  269.907195] loading fw........
[  269.974332] cfg_mode=5
[  269.974483] Key1Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  269.974494] Key2Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  269.974505] Key3Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  269.974516] Key4Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  269.974790] USBAggregation = 1
[  269.974793] 1. Phy Mode = 31
[  269.974794] NVM is Efuse and its size =1d[1e0-1fc] 
[  270.064329] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (167)
[  270.064332] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (167)
[  270.064333] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (169)
[  270.064334] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (169)
[  270.064335] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (171)
[  270.064336] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (171)
[  270.064336] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (173)
[  270.064337] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (173)
[  270.071826] Country Region from e2p = ffff
[  270.109468] mt76x2_get_external_lna_gain::LNA type=0x0, BLNAGain=0xffffff8f, ALNAGain0=0xffffff88, ALNAGain1=0xffffffff, ALNAGain2=0xffffffff
[  270.109476] 2. Phy Mode = 31
[  270.109480] 3. Phy Mode = 31
[  270.110221] andes_usb_fw_init
[  270.499742] AntCfgInit: primary/secondary ant 0/1
[  270.499751] andes_load_cr:cr_type(2)
[  270.502989] ChipStructAssign(): MT76x2 hook !
[  270.502995] ---> InitFrequencyCalibration
[  270.502999] InitFrequencyCalibrationMode:Unknow mode = 3
[  270.503003] InitFrequencyCalibration: frequency offset in the EEPROM = 20
[  270.503006] <--- InitFrequencyCalibration
[  270.503024] RTMPSetPhyMode: channel is out of range, use first channel=1 
[  270.503027] RTMPSetPhyMode: Update for STA
[  270.515494] MCS Set = ff ff 00 00 01
[  270.515863] 80211> re-init bands...
[  270.515868] 80211> CurTxPower = 20 dBm
[  270.515873] ====> Radar Channel 52
[  270.515876] ====> Radar Channel 54
[  270.515879] ====> Radar Channel 56
[  270.515881] ====> Radar Channel 60
[  270.515884] ====> Radar Channel 62
[  270.515887] ====> Radar Channel 64
[  270.515889] ====> Radar Channel 100
[  270.515892] ====> Radar Channel 104
[  270.515898] 80211> TxStream = 2
[  270.515914] Chan 167 (frq 5835):	not allowed!
[  270.515918] Chan 169 (frq 5845):	not allowed!
[  270.515921] Chan 171 (frq 5855):	not allowed!
[  270.515924] Chan 173 (frq 5865):	not allowed!
[  270.515927] Chan 184 (frq 4920):	not allowed!
[  270.515930] Chan 188 (frq 4940):	not allowed!
[  270.515933] Chan 192 (frq 4960):	not allowed!
[  270.515936] Chan 196 (frq 4980):	not allowed!
[  270.515939] Chan 208 (frq 6040):	not allowed!
[  270.515942] Chan 212 (frq 6060):	not allowed!
[  270.515945] Chan 216 (frq 6080):	not allowed!
[  270.515949] RTMPDrvOpen(1):Check if PDMA is idle!
[  270.516250] RTMPDrvOpen(2):Check if PDMA is idle!
[  270.517328] CFG80211DRV_IoctlHandle: CMD_RTPRIV_IOCTL_80211_NETDEV_EVENT
[  270.565986] andes_usb_erasefw
[  270.566360] ==>rlt_wlan_chip_onoff(): OnOff:0, Reset= 0, pAd->WlanFunCtrl:0x20b, Reg-WlanFunCtrl=0x20b
[  270.568738] receive cmd msg fail(-2)
[  270.568758] tx_kickout_fail_count = 0
[  270.568759] tx_timeout_fail_count = 0
[  270.568760] rx_receive_fail_count = 0
[  270.568761] alloc_cmd_msg = 10
[  270.568761] free_cmd_msg = 10
[  270.621902] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900016114b0!
[  270.621911] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc90001611528!
[  270.621915] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900016115a0!
[  270.621919] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc90001611438!
[  270.621923] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900016112d0!
[  270.621926] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc90001611348!
[  270.621930] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900015a2fa0!
[  270.621933] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc90001591d78!
[  270.621937] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc90001591df8!
[  270.621941] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900015a3128!
[  270.621944] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900015a2eb0!
[  270.621948] RTMP_TimerListRelease: release timer obj ffffc900015a30b0!
[  270.646746] ==>rlt_wlan_chip_onoff(): OnOff:1, Reset= 0, pAd->WlanFunCtrl:0x208, Reg-WlanFunCtrl=0x209
[  270.649796] -->RTUSBVendorReset
[  270.669842] <--RTUSBVendorReset
[  270.672787] ...........andes_usb_chk_crc
[  270.774000] andes_usb_reset_wmt
[  270.794875] -->RTUSBVendorReset
[  270.814966] <--RTUSBVendorReset
[  270.815625] fw version:0.0.00 build:1
[  270.815627] build time:201406241830____
[  270.815631] fw for E3 IC
[  270.815632] ilm length = 59312(bytes)
[  270.815633] dlm length = 32068(bytes)
[  270.817505] loading fw........
[  270.884704] cfg_mode=5
[  270.884840] Key1Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  270.884850] Key2Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  270.884860] Key3Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  270.884870] Key4Str is Invalid key length(0) or Type(0)
[  270.885113] USBAggregation = 1
[  270.885116] 1. Phy Mode = 31
[  270.885117] NVM is Efuse and its size =1d[1e0-1fc] 
[  270.974765] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (167)
[  270.974768] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (167)
[  270.974769] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (169)
[  270.974769] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (169)
[  270.974770] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (171)
[  270.974771] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (171)
[  270.974772] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (173)
[  270.974773] get_chl_grp:illegal channel (173)
[  270.982272] Country Region from e2p = ffff
[  271.019902] mt76x2_get_external_lna_gain::LNA type=0x0, BLNAGain=0xffffff8f, ALNAGain0=0xffffff88, ALNAGain1=0xffffffff, ALNAGain2=0xffffffff
[  271.019911] 2. Phy Mode = 31
[  271.019914] 3. Phy Mode = 31
[  271.020645] andes_usb_fw_init
[  271.410803] AntCfgInit: primary/secondary ant 0/1
[  271.410813] andes_load_cr:cr_type(2)
[  271.414052] ChipStructAssign(): MT76x2 hook !
[  271.414423] ---> InitFrequencyCalibration
[  271.414427] InitFrequencyCalibrationMode:Unknow mode = 3
[  271.414431] InitFrequencyCalibration: frequency offset in the EEPROM = 20
[  271.414434] <--- InitFrequencyCalibration
[  271.414455] RTMPSetPhyMode: channel is out of range, use first channel=1 
[  271.414458] RTMPSetPhyMode: Update for STA
[  271.426556] MCS Set = ff ff 00 00 01
[  271.426923] 80211> re-init bands...
[  271.426928] 80211> CurTxPower = 20 dBm
[  271.426933] ====> Radar Channel 52
[  271.426936] ====> Radar Channel 54
[  271.426939] ====> Radar Channel 56
[  271.426942] ====> Radar Channel 60
[  271.426945] ====> Radar Channel 62
[  271.426947] ====> Radar Channel 64
[  271.426950] ====> Radar Channel 100
[  271.426953] ====> Radar Channel 104
[  271.426959] 80211> TxStream = 2
[  271.426975] Chan 167 (frq 5835):	not allowed!
[  271.426978] Chan 169 (frq 5845):	not allowed!
[  271.426981] Chan 171 (frq 5855):	not allowed!
[  271.426984] Chan 173 (frq 5865):	not allowed!
[  271.426987] Chan 184 (frq 4920):	not allowed!
[  271.426990] Chan 188 (frq 4940):	not allowed!
[  271.426993] Chan 192 (frq 4960):	not allowed!
[  271.426996] Chan 196 (frq 4980):	not allowed!
[  271.426999] Chan 208 (frq 6040):	not allowed!
[  271.427002] Chan 212 (frq 6060):	not allowed!
[  271.427005] Chan 216 (frq 6080):	not allowed!
[  271.427009] RTMPDrvOpen(1):Check if PDMA is idle!
[  271.427309] RTMPDrvOpen(2):Check if PDMA is idle!
[  271.453970] 80211> CFG80211_OpsPmksaFlush ==>
[  271.548184] TX0 power compensation = 0x38
[  271.548928] TX1 power compensation = 0x38

I2k4 · Post by **I2k4** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 3:05 pm

Garabet wrote:This is so strange because this is not a new technology at all. Some chipsets like RTL8812 exists since 2012 and unfortunately we still don't have proper and easy way of using them in Linux (!)

In fact I have been using a Realtek "workaround" driver installation routinely for several years on my 2.4ghz "11n" USB adapters - for reference here's the link for these chipsets: RTL8188CUS, RTL8192CU, RTL8723BE, RTL8192EU and RTL8812AU - others may be available elsewhere.

https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... /reserve-7

I recently upgraded my service to optical fibre 25mb with a new modem/router that supports 5ghz, so this thread's suggestions for adapters interest me quite a lot. I have 2.4ghz interference problems from microwave and a crowd of competing modems in the building and would like to go to 5ghz to escape traffic.

Because of problems finding the above "fix" for the 2.4ghz 11n adapter, I'd very much like to be sure of driver compatibility beforehand, and while the suggestions here are interesting I don't see any actual successful use of one of these adapters on Mint 17 or 18 - I'm not in a hurry to spend money on a 5ghz unit on spec I can make it work.

I hope someone will report back that they have successfully got a reasonably priced 5ghz 11ac USB adapter to work right on Mint 17 or 18.

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 5:50 pm

I2k4 wrote:I recently upgraded my service to optical fibre 25mb with a new modem/router that supports 5ghz, so this thread's suggestions for adapters interest me quite a lot. I have 2.4ghz interference problems from microwave and a crowd of competing modems in the building and would like to go to 5ghz to escape traffic.

Because of problems finding the above "fix" for the 2.4ghz 11n adapter, I'd very much like to be sure of driver compatibility beforehand, and while the suggestions here are interesting I don't see any actual successful use of one of these adapters on Mint 17 or 18 - I'm not in a hurry to spend money on a 5ghz unit on spec I can make it work.

I hope someone will report back that they have successfully got a reasonably priced 5ghz 11ac USB adapter to work right on Mint 17 or 18.

We are in similar situation and i am sure there are many more people like us who wants to jump into 5ghz technology but cannot do it due to this absurd Linux driver issues. This is absurd because AC wifi devices exists for more than 4 years.

Basically there are four major AC wifi chipset vendors; Atheros, Intel, Mediatek and Realtek. Atheros and Intel gives their AC wifi chipsets to big brands to be used as embedded into their laptop products or as a mini pci-ex cards to be used in laptops again. As far as i read, these two chipsets works with Linux Kernel v.4.4 and v4.8. We have USB and regular pci-ex cards with only Realtek and Mediatek chipsets. We can skip Mediatek because their so-called Linux drivers are useless for recent Linux Kernels. Our best bet is Realtek chipsets. Realtek 8812AU is the oldest 1200AC capable chipset and as far as i read,it`s kinda usable in Linux with some problems. The latest Realtek chipset is 8814AU and only Edimax claims that it has a Linux driver but i saw someone`s post here, saying that he couldn't manage to get it work. The other companies like Asus, Netgear etc. who released 8814AU products, doesn't even provide any Linux drivers at all.

I hope these problems gets solved soon because the difference between Wifi N and AC devices are huge. I am currently using Mediatek AC1200 wifi adapter in Win10 and i get much better signal strength comparing with my old wifi N adapter. Most importantly i reached ~40 mb per second data transfer speed between devices in my home

Post by **JeremyB** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 7:44 pm

I don't know where the code that controls RX signals may be, but I would advise extreme caution if you do find it as you could overload the chipset

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:59 am

JeremyB wrote:I don't know where the code that controls RX signals may be, but I would advise extreme caution if you do find it as you could overload the chipset

I have read the readme files in the driver and i saw that it is possible to adjust TX and RX values from Linux terminal iwpriv command if it`s enabled in config.mk file before compiling it;

https://github.com/jurobystricky/Netgea ... master/doc

I have added necessary parameters to enable that feature but then i couldn't compile the driver due to error. It says "no rule to make target" :/

Code: Select all

CC [M]  /home/onur/Netgear-A6210-master/os/linux/../../ate/common/rt_ate.o
  
make[2]: *** No rule to make target '/home/onur/Netgear-A6210-master/os/linux/../../ate/common/rt_qa.o', needed by '/home/onur/Netgear-A6210-master/os/linux/mt7662u_sta.o'.  Stop.
Makefile:1396: recipe for target '_module_/home/onur/Netgear-A6210-master/os/linux' failed
make[1]: *** [_module_/home/onur/Netgear-A6210-master/os/linux] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-4.4.0-21-generic'
Makefile:59: recipe for target 'debug' failed
make: *** [debug] Error 2

Post by **JeremyB** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:32 pm

Can you quote what you saw in the docs?

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:57 am

JeremyB wrote:Can you quote what you saw in the docs?

Here it is;

===================================================================================================
ATE Test Command Format for station driver

****** IMPORTANT ******
If you are not familiar with hardware, it is recommanded not to modify hardware default value.
It may damage hardware.

===================================================================================================
Usage:
iwpriv ra0 [act] [parameters]=[val]

4.3 How to use ated for ATE purpose
0. First you should set both "HAS_ATE=y" and "HAS_QA_SUPPORT=y" in the file ~/Module/os/linux/config.mk and compile the driver

https://github.com/jurobystricky/Netgea ... _usage.txt

Tough, I am not sure if i am on the correct lead with this ATE commands with iwpriv. I also noticed something when i look in the readme file;

Suggestion:
1. To turn on ATE functionality, you have to add compile flag "RALINK_ATE" to Makefile

I think thats why i am getting "no rule to make target" error when i enable the "HAS_ATE=y" and "HAS_QA_SUPPORT=y" commands. I have to modify "makefile" with necessary parameters

sebbo · Post by **sebbo** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:34 pm

Hi,

last week i landed in this Thread and saw that phd21 was recommending the Edimax 7833. For 48€ on Amazon, quite expensive, but i could afford it.
Also i was delighted that there are drivers for the rather Old kernel i seem to have (?) in linux mint 17.3 that i am still running.

It was delivered today and i followed the instructions in the PDF. i expected more hiccups to be honest, but the drivers built without any issues and after plugging the WiFi dongle into my Thinkpad it was able to connect.

I get a lot of more speed. Iperf reports 10x more data transmission rate. Well, SMB - as far as i tested is 4x faster, at least 10Mbyte/s a second is more than 2 or 3 Mbyte/s a second

But i was not even finished transfering the 500MB Test file when my wifi broke. Unplugging, replugging and the Edimax works again. BUt only for a couple of minutes.

I keep getting disconnected. After a reboot the disconnects are now announced by the Networking service GUI that shows a dialog to connect to my wifi with the intel card and a prefilled WPA Key box.

I have no idea what to do as i'm still feeling new to LInux, especially when it comes to compiling drivers.

Code: Select all

sebastian@sebastian-ThinkPad ~ $ uname -a
Linux sebastian-ThinkPad 3.13.0-37-generic #64-Ubuntu SMP Mon Sep 22 21:28:38 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

For my 3.13 Kernel i downloaded the driver that says it supports
4.3.21 EW-7833UAC_Linux_Driver_4.3.21
Support kernel : 2.6 ~ 3.15

from http://www.edimax.com/edimax/download/d ... ew-7833uac

Should i update my kernel? I'm a bit afraid of it because everything works fine on my 5 year old Thinkpad x121 - it is just that the built in Wifi Adapter is way toooo slow.

Should i use another driver?

I used the UI to deactivate the connection on my built-in Intel Adapter. Do i need to do something else?

I'd appreciate any suggestions or help

Thank you!

System INfo - with the Edimax unplugged

Code: Select all

sebastian@sebastian-ThinkPad ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: sebastian-ThinkPad Kernel: 3.13.0-37-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 4.8.2)
           Desktop: Xfce 4.12.2 (Gtk 2.24.23) Distro: Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa
Machine:   System: LENOVO (portable) product: 3045A64 v: ThinkPad X121e
           Mobo: LENOVO model: 3045A64
           Bios: LENOVO v: 8QET54WW (1.15 ) date: 01/11/2012
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i3-2367M (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 5587
           clock speeds: max: 1400 MHz 1: 800 MHz 2: 1000 MHz 3: 800 MHz
           4: 800 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.15.1 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.0hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Sandybridge Mobile
           GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 10.1.3 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k3.13.0-37-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 [Condor Peak]
           driver: iwlwifi v: in-tree: bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 v2.0 Gigabit Ethernet
           driver: atl1c v: 1.0.1.1-NAPI port: 2000 bus-ID: 08:00.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 960.2GB (68.3% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: SanDisk_Ultra_II size: 960.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 46G used: 22G (50%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: /home size: 812G used: 590G (77%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda6
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 58.0C mobo: 0.0C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 517
Info:      Processes: 251 Uptime: 46 min Memory: 2064.9/7898.5MB
           Init: Upstart runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.8.4
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.111) inxi: 2.2.28

AFter reboot i also dumped dmesg output, but i cat attach text file for whatever reasons and it is to long to post here. I put it here

http://pastebin.com/h8sSPKh1

Thanks for reading..

br
sebastian

Garabet · Post by **Garabet** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:26 pm

I am happy to see that someone bought a Realtek 8814AU chipset device. So, if we can resolve your problems, then i can safely buy one for myself too

sebbo wrote:I get a lot of more speed. Iperf reports 10x more data transmission rate. Well, SMB - as far as i tested is 4x faster, at least 10Mbyte/s a second is more than 2 or 3 Mbyte/s a second

I think you don't have an AC router if you see 10mbyte/sec. speed. I saw 35-40mbyte/sec. in Windows 10 with my AC1200 adapter connected to my AC1200 router. If you would have an AC1750 router, you could easily reach 45 Mbyte/sec. transfer speed between your devices but if you currently have an AC router and if you see only 10 Mbyte/sec. speed, then it`s probably because of problematic/limited Linux drivers. Also you should connect the wifi adapter to an USB 3.0 port. As you know, USB 2.0 is limited with 27-28 Mbyte/sec.

I keep getting disconnected. After a reboot the disconnects are now announced by the Networking service GUI that shows a dialog to connect to my wifi with the intel card and a prefilled WPA Key box.

This might be because of conflicts with your embedded Intel wifi. I suggest you to completely disable the Intel wifi when you use your new Edimax adapter. I have faced with similar issues while i was trying to make my Mediatek adapter to work in Linux. If i plug in my Atheros wifi device while i also had the Mediatek one, i saw strange freezes and kernel panic issues. These issues wasnt occuring if i dont use both wifi adapters at the same time.

For my 3.13 Kernel i downloaded the driver that says it supports
4.3.21 EW-7833UAC_Linux_Driver_4.3.21
Support kernel : 2.6 ~ 3.15

Should i update my kernel? I'm a bit afraid of it because everything works fine on my 5 year old Thinkpad x121

It`s quite likely that this Edimax driver will cease to work if you upgrade your kernel. I suggest you to keep your current kernel but ofc you can upgrade the Kernel, install the driver again to check if it works. If not, then you can return to your old Kernel. But do not upgrade to Mint 18 as you would be destined to use Kernel v4.4 if you do that

Should i use another driver?

As far as i know, this Edimax driver is the only available driver for Linux which supports Realtek 8814AU chipset and trust me i have searched on Google for it, A LOT!

Thanks for reading..

Thank you too and please keep us informed about the Edimax device, whether it works OK or not with the Edimax drivers. It would be good for us if you upgrade your Kernel and install the driver again, so we can all see if it works with Kernel v4.4 or not.

Now we need someone with Realtek 8812AU chipset adapter (https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Special:Ask?t ... e+smwtable) and his experiences with it in Mint 18 Kernel v4.4. Only then we can find the best AC wifi adapter for Linux.

Linux Mint Forums

Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?

Re: Is there any usb AC wifi dongle supported by linux?