BCM43xx firmware

[DarkN00b]

I recently installed a Linksys (bcm4318 ) based pcmcia wireless card on my Edgy laptop using the fwcutter method. Then I thought it might be a good idea if someone made the whole process simpler. That's where I come in.

Basically what I did was extract the *.fw files from the wl_apsta.o file found here, create the simple script to copy them to the correct directories and tar.gz'd them. The script isn't much, just two CP commands. I was wondering if it would be ok for me to upload the 33.4 kB file here for others to try? I don't have hosting of my own and would like to share.

I wanted tot ask here before uploading due to possible legal problems. If I get the go ahead here, I'll post a HOWTO on installing.

Thanks

[skip27]

I doubt there are any legal problems. After all, if the existence and usage of bcm43xx-fwcutter is legal, then surely a HOWTO must be as well. Furthermore, there's a freedom of speech implication. Think about it this way: it is legal to tell someone how to construct a bomb (i.e. for "educational purposes"). It is not OK to actually USE the bomb.

[spd106]

FYI the bcm43xx-fwcutter package on Feisty offers to do this during the install process.

IANAL, but it appears to be that the legal problem is when you distribute the firmware without the copyright owners consent, not when you write a script to install it.

This page will tell you more http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/bcm43xx

[DarkN00b]

Originally Posted by spd106 FYI the bcm43xx-fwcutter package on Feisty offers to do this during the install process. IANAL, but it appears to be that the legal problem is when you distribute the firmware without the copyright owners consent, not when you write a script to install it. This page will tell you more http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/bcm43xx

That's what I was wondering about. I've cut the *.fw files out of the wl.apsta.0 file and included them with a script to install them. I don't want to get the Ubuntu forums in trouble.

This'll be unnecessary if they backport the Feisty firmware.

[DarkN00b]

I think I'll just get some kind of hosting on my own and solve the problem before it exists.
for the feedback.

EDIT: Hosted on Google Pages, HowTo coming soon.

[deylo]

hey all! after days and days of trying to get mt dell 1390 wireless card to work i finally got somewhere. i downloaded the fiesty fawn(ubuntu 7.04 with kernel 2.6.20) and used the bcm43xx-fwcutter package and got the network manager to pick up the wireless networks. one problem though....i cannot get to connect to anyone of them when i use wifi-radar i get an error similar to "Could not get IP address" and i see "Connected to 'ssid_name'ip(none)". with network manager it looks as if it is connecting and i see "Attempting to join the wireless group" but then thats it. it automatically disconnects. any1 experienced this??? cud this have anything to do with wpasupplicant, or should i have used the driver from the dell cd? im new to this by the way.

[Gina]

I have the same problem with a bcm4306 based Linksys card and Feisty, and have actually posted separately about it. (I hadn't seen this thread at the time). So that makes two of us at least. Well... almost the same anyway - Not sure abou Network Manager but iwconfig and iwlist scan show the router AP as if connecting perfectly. But nothing happens - no connection - ping doesn't connect.

Network Settings shows the Wireless connection as if all is well.

[kugn]

See if this thread helps.

[Gina]

Found the solution in another thread So simple

sudo ifdown eth1 sudo ifup eth1

Firstly tried ping and that worked then tried Firefox and I'm on the 'net. Then tried a reboot and it connected straight off

Hope that helps others too.

[Floppyjoe]

Originally Posted by DarkN00b I recently installed a Linksys (bcm4318 ) based pcmcia wireless card on my Edgy laptop using the fwcutter method. Then I thought it might be a good idea if someone made the whole process simpler. That's where I come in. Basically what I did was extract the *.fw files from the wl_apsta.o file found here, create the simple script to copy them to the correct directories and tar.gz'd them. The script isn't much, just two CP commands. I was wondering if it would be ok for me to upload the 33.4 kB file here for others to try? I don't have hosting of my own and would like to share. I wanted tot ask here before uploading due to possible legal problems. If I get the go ahead here, I'll post a HOWTO on installing. Thanks

There is another Ubuntu web page that refers to a method of downloading the firmware from a third party site and adding that site to your repositories so it is automatically updated at this address(edgy):
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...r/bcm43xx/Edgy
It says this:

1.3.1.1. Firmware Packages As an alternative to running the script, you can install the firmware files from a package. To automatically keep up to date, add this repository line to your /etc/apt/sources.list: deb http://ubuntu.cafuego.net edgy-cafuego bcm43xx and make sure apt knows about the GnuPG key used to sign the packages: wget http://ubuntu.cafuego.net/969F3F57.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - Then update your package listings and install the bcm43xx-firmware package: sudo apt-get install bcm43xx-firmware

I checked this site:
http://ubuntu.cafuego.net/
And found that it also lists a customised Feisty repository for the firmware.