Temporary internet access is required for installation. There are numerous ways
to enable temporary internet access depending on your hardware and situation.
[One method is to use tethering from a phone.](https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-tether-your-smartphone-in-linux).
Another method is to keep a [WiFi adapter that uses an in-kernel driver](https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi) in your toolkit.
You will need to use the terminal interface. The quick way to open a terminal:
Ctrl+Alt+T (hold down on the Ctrl and Alt keys then press the T key).
An alternative terminal is to use SSH (Secure Shell) from the same or from
another computer, in which case you will be in a suitable terminal after logging
in, but this step requires that an SSH daemon/server has already been
configured. (There are lots of SSH guides available, e.g., for the [Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/remote-access.html#setting-up-an-ssh-server) and for [Ubuntu](https://linuxconfig.org/ubuntu-20-04-ssh-server). Do not forget [to secure the SSH server](https://www.howtogeek.com/443156/the-best-ways-to-secure-your-ssh-server/).)
You will need to have sufficient access rights to use `sudo` so that commands
can be executed as the `root` user. (If the command `sudo echo Yes` returns
"Yes", with or without having to enter your password, you do have sufficient
access rights.)
DKMS is used for the installation. DKMS is a system utility which will
automatically recompile and reinstall this driver when a new kernel is
installed. DKMS is provided by and maintained by Dell.
It is recommended that you do not delete the driver directory after installation
as the directory contains information and scripts that you may need in the future.
Secure mode: The primary installation script, `install-driver.sh`, will support
secure mode... if your distro supports the method dkms uses. I regularly test the
installation script on systems with secure mode on. It works very well on Ubuntu based
distros. Some distros, such as Raspberry Pi OS, do not support secure mode because the
hardware they support does not support secure mode making it unnecessary. There are
distros that do not work with the support currently in use. If you install this driver
and, after a reboot, the driver is not working, you can go into the BIOS and temporarily
turn secure mode off to see if secure mode is the problem.
### Installation Steps
Note: The installation instructions are for the novice user. Experienced users are
welcome to alter the installation to meet their needs. Support will be provided based
on the steps below.
#### Step 1: Open a terminal (e.g. Ctrl+Alt+T)
#### Step 2: Update and upgrade system packages (select the option for the OS you are using)
Note: If your Linux distro does not fall into one of options listed
below, you will need to research how to update and upgrade your system
packages.
- Option for Debian based distributions such as Ubuntu, Kali and Raspberry Pi OS
```
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
```
- Option for Arch based distributions such as Manjaro
```
sudo pacman -Syu
```
- Option for Fedora based distributions
```
sudo dnf upgrade
```
- Option for openSUSE based distributions
```
sudo zypper update
```
- Option for Void Linux
```
sudo xbps-install -Syu
```
Note: It is recommended that you reboot your system at this point. The
rest of the installation will appreciate having a fully up to date
system to work with. The installation can then be continued with Step 3.
```
sudo reboot
```
#### Step 3: Install the required packages (select the option for the OS you are using)
- Option for Raspberry Pi OS (ARM/ARM64)
```
sudo apt install -y raspberrypi-kernel-headers build-essential bc dkms git
```
- Option for Debian, Kali, and Raspberry Pi Desktop (x86)
Note: For automated builds (non-interactive), use _NoPrompt_ as an option.
```
sudo ./install-driver.sh
```
Note: If you elect to skip the reboot at the end of the installation
script, the driver may not load immediately and the driver options will
not be applied. Rebooting is strongly recommended.
Manual build instructions: The above script automates the installation
process, however, if you want to or need to do a command line
installation, use the following:
```
make clean
make
sudo make install
sudo reboot
```
Note: If you use the manual build instructions, you will need to repeat
the process each time a new kernel is installed in your distro.
-----
### Driver Options ( edit-options.sh )
A file called `8821cu.conf` will be installed in `/etc/modprobe.d` by
default if you use the `./install-driver.sh` script.
Note: The installation script will prompt you to edit the options.
Location: `/etc/modprobe.d/8821cu.conf`
This file will be read and applied to the driver on each system boot.
To edit the driver options file, run the `edit-options.sh` script
```
sudo ./edit-options.sh
```
Note: Documentation for Driver Options is included in the file `8821cu.conf`.
-----
### Removal of the Driver ( remove-driver.sh )
Note: Removing the driver is advised in the following situations:
- if driver installation fails
- if the driver is no longer needed
- if a new or updated version of the driver needs to be installed
- if a distro version upgrade is going to be installed (i.e. going from kernel 5.10 to kernel 5.15)
Note: The following removes everything that has been installed, with the
exception of the packages installed in Step 3 and the driver directory.
The driver directory can be deleted after running this script.
#### Step 1: Open a terminal (e.g. Ctrl+Alt+T)
#### Step 2: Move to the driver directory
```
cd ~/src/8821cu-20210118
```
#### Step 3: Run the removal script
Note: For automated builds (non-interactive), use _NoPrompt_ as an option.
```
sudo ./remove-driver.sh
```
-----
### Recommended WiFi Router/ Access Point Settings
Note: These are general recommendations, some of which may not apply to your specific situation.
- Security: Set WPA2-AES or WPA2/WPA3 mixed or WPA3. Do not set WPA2 mixed mode or WPA or TKIP.
- Channel width for 2.4 GHz: Set 20 MHz fixed width. Do not use 40 MHz or 20/40 automatic.
- Channels for 2.4 GHz: Set channel 1 or 6 or 11 depending on the congestion at your location. Do not set automatic channel selection. As time passes, if you notice poor performance, recheck congestion and set channel appropriately. The environment around you can and does change over time.
- Mode for 2.4 GHz: For best performance, set "N only" if you no longer use B or G capable devices.
- Network names: Do not set the 2.4 GHz Network and the 5 GHz Network to the same name. Note: Unfortunately many routers come with both networks set to the same name. You need to be able to control which network that is in use so changing the name of one of the networks is recommended. Since many IoT devices use the 2.4 GHz network, it may be better to change the name of the 5 GHz network.
- Channels for 5 GHz: Not all devices are capable of using DFS channels (I'm looking at you Roku.) It may be necessary to set a fixed channel in the range of 36 to 48 or 149 to 165 in order for all of your devices to work on 5 GHz. (For US, other countries may vary.)
- Best location for the WiFi router/access point: Near center of apartment or house, at least a couple of feet away from walls, in an elevated location. You may have to test to see what the best location is in your environment.
- Check congestion: There are apps available for smart phones that allow you to check the congestion levels on WiFi channels. The apps generally go by the name of ```WiFi Analyzer``` or something similar.
After making and saving changes, reboot the router.
-----
### Recommendations regarding USB
- Moving your USB WiFi adapter to a different USB port has been known to fix a variety of problems.
- If connecting your USB WiFi adapter to a desktop computer, use the USB ports on the rear of the computer. Why? The ports on the rear are directly connected to the motherboard which will reduce problems with interference and disconnection.
- If your USB WiFi adapter is USB 3 capable and you want it to operate in USB3 mode, plug it into a USB 3 port.
- Avoid USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports if possible as almost all currently available adapters have been tested with USB 3.1 Gen 1 (aka USB 3) and not with USB 3.1 Gen 2.
- If you use an extension cable and your adapter is USB 3 capable, the cable needs to be USB 3 capable (if not, you will be limited to USB 2 speeds).
- Extention cables can be problematic. A way to check if the extension cable is the problem is to plug the adapter temporarily into a USB port on the computer.
- Some USB WiFi adapters require considerable electrical current and push the capabilities of the power available via USB port. One example is adapters that use the Realtek 8814au chipset. Using a powered multiport USB extension can be a good idea in cases like this.
-----
### How to disable onboard WiFi on Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+, 3A+, 4B and Zero W
Add the following line to /boot/config.txt
```
dtoverlay=disable-wifi
```
-----
### How to forget a saved WiFi network on a Raspberry Pi
#### Step 1: Edit wpa_supplicant.conf
```
sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
```
#### Step 2: Delete the relevant WiFi network block (including the 'network=' and opening/closing braces.
#### Step 3: Press ctrl-x followed by 'y' and enter to save the file.
#### Step 4: Reboot
-----
### FAQ:
Question: Is WPA3 supported?
Answer: WPA3-SAE support is in this driver according to Realtek and it
works well on some Linux distros but not all. Generally the reason for
WPA3 not working on Linux distros is that the distro has an old version
of wpa_supplicant or Network Manager. Your options are to upgrade to a
more modern distro (most distros released after mid 2022) or compile and
install new versions of the wpa_supplicant and Network Manager utilities.
-----
Question: I bought two rtl8811cu based adapters and am planning to use
both in the same computer. How do I set that up?
Answer: Realtek drivers do not support more than one adapter with the
same chipset in the same computer. You can have multiple Realtek based
adapters in the same computer as long as the adapters are based on
different chipsets.
-----
Question: Why do you recommend Mediatek based adapters when you maintain
this repo for a Realtek driver?
Answer: Many new and existing Linux users already have adapters based on
Realtek chipsets. This repo is for Linux users to support their existing
adapters but my STRONG recommendation is for Linux users to seek out USB
WiFi solutions based on Mediatek chipsets:
https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi
-----
Question: Will you put volunteers to work?
Answer: Yes. Post a message in `Issues` or `Discussions` if interested.
-----
Question: I am having problems with my adapter and I use Virtualbox?
Answer: This [article](https://null-byte.wonderhowto.com/forum/wifi-hacking-attach-usb-wireless-adapter-with-virtual-box-0324433/) may help.
-----
Question: The driver installation script completed successfully and the
driver is installed but does not seem to be working. What is wrong?
Answer: Turn secure boot off to see if that allows the driver to work.
This driver is primarily tested on Debian based distros such as Ubuntu,
Raspberry Pi OS and Kali. In an attempt to make this driver work well on
many Linux distros, other distros, including the Arch based Manjaro is
used for testing. Currently I do not have installations of Fedora or
OpenSUSE available for testing and reply on user reports of success or
failure. I have two test systems with secure boot on so as to test secure
boot. I have not seen any secure boot problems with Debian based systems
and I don't remember problems with Manjaro.
dkms is used in the installation script. It helps with a lot of issues that
will come up if a simple manual installation is used. dkms has the
capability to handle the needs of secure boot. dkms was written by and is
maintained by Dell. Dell has been offering some Ubuntu pre-loaded systems
for years so their devs likely test on Ubuntu. I suspect Fedora and
OpenSUSE may be handing their secure boot support differently than Debian
based systems and this is leading to problems. This and the other repos
I have are VERY heavily used and I am sure there are plenty of non-Debian
users that use this driver. Are they all turning off secure boot and not
reporting the problem? I don't know. What I do know is that reports like
this are rare.
For the driver to compile and install correctly but not be available
tells me there is likely a key issue. Here is an interesting link
regarding Debian systems and secure boot:
https://wiki.debian.org/SecureBoot
That document contains a lot of information that can help an investigation
into what the real problem is and I invite you and other Fedora, OpemSUSE
and users of other distros that show this problem to investigate and
present what you know to the devs of your distro via their problem
reporting system. Turning off secure boot is NOT a fix. A real fix needs
to happen.
-----
Question: Can you provide additional information about monitor mode?
Answer: I have a repo that is setup to help with monitor mode:
https://github.com/morrownr/Monitor_Mode
Work to improve monitor mode is ongoing with this driver. Your
reports of success or failure are needed. If you have yet to buy an
adapter to use with monitor mode, there are adapters available that are
known to work very well with monitor mode. My recommendation for those
looking to buy an adapter for monitor mode is to buy adapters based on
the following chipsets: mt7921au, mt7612u, mt7610u, rtl8812au and
rtl8811au. My specific recommendations for adapters in order of
preference are:
ALFA AWUS036ACHM - long range - in-kernel driver
ALFA AWUS036ACM - in-kernel driver
ALFA AWUS036ACH - long range - [driver](https://github.com/morrownr/8812au-20210629)
