Wifi

This article describes the setup of a Wifi network device.

Installation

Hardware detection

To choose the right driver, first detect the used Wifi controllers. You can use lspci or lsusb for this task:

root # lspci | grep -i network

user $ lsusb | grep -i network

Kernel

You need to activate the following kernel options:

Kernel configuration

[*] Networking support  --->
    [*] Wireless  --->
        <*> cfg80211 - wireless configuration API
        <*> Generic IEEE 802.11 Networking Stack (mac80211)

        Optionally enable a Wifi LED:
        [*] Enable LED triggers

Device Drivers  --->
    [*] Network device support  --->
        [*] Wireless LAN  --->

            Select the driver for your Wifi network device, e.g.:
            <*> Broadcom 43xx wireless support (mac80211 stack) (b43)
            [*]    Support for 802.11n (N-PHY) devices
            [*]    Support for low-power (LP-PHY) devices
            [*]    Support for HT-PHY (high throughput) devices
            <*> Intel Wireless WiFi Next Gen AGN - Wireless-N/Advanced-N/Ultimate-N (iwlwifi)
            <*> Intel Wireless WiFi 4965AGN (iwl4965)
            <*> Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/BG Network Connection (iwl3945)
            <*> Ralink driver support  --->
                <*>   Ralink rt27xx/rt28xx/rt30xx (USB) support (rt2800usb)

Firmware

Besides the kernel driver, you will also need firmware:

Wifi device	driver	Firmware	Note
Broadcom 43xx wireless support	b43	sys-firmware/b43-firmware
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/BG	iwl3945	sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Wireless WiFi 4965AGN	iwl4965	sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Wireless WiFi 5100AGN, 5300AGN, 5350AGN	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl5000-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Wireless WiFi 5150AGN	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl5150-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl1000-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300, Advanced-N 6200	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl6000-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250, Wireless-N + WiMAX 6150	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl6050-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl6005-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230, Wireless-N 1030, Wireless-N 130	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl6030-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl2000-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230	iwlwifi	sys-firmware/iwl2030-ucode or sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 100, 105, 135	iwlwifi	sys-kernel/linux-firmware
Ralink driver support	e.g. rt2800usb	sys-kernel/linux-firmware

Install the required package, e.g for sys-kernel/linux-firmware:

root # emerge --ask linux-firmware

If there is no package, you have to download the firmware and move it to /lib/firmware yourself.

Testing

After a reboot with the new kernel or after loading the modules, check that the device is ready:

user $ ifconfig wlan

---

wlan0     ...

If not, check dmesg for errors:

user $ dmesg

Configuration

• Network management

Advanced Configuration

• Power management