From 3b54625995ee8dc7849bc18e800d08a499470c76 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: morrownr Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2023 15:49:18 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] updating documentation --- FAQ.md | 171 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ README.md | 174 ++---------------------------------------------------- 2 files changed, 176 insertions(+), 169 deletions(-) create mode 100644 FAQ.md diff --git a/FAQ.md b/FAQ.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99621e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/FAQ.md @@ -0,0 +1,171 @@ +### FAQ + +Question: Is WPA3 supported? + +Answer: WPA3-SAE is supported. It works well on most modern 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 (distros released after mid 2022) or +compile and install new versions of wpa_supplicant and/or Network Manager. + +----- + +Question: I bought two usb wifi adapters based on this chipset 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, rtl8821cu 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) + +ALFA AWUS036ACS - [driver](https://github.com/morrownr/8821au-20210708) + +To ask questions, go to [USB-WiFi](https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi) +and post in `Discussions` or `Issues`. + +----- + +Question: I have an adapter with the 8821cu chipset and it supports +bluetooth. The bluetooth works but the wifi does not. What is wrong? + +Answer: There appears to be an issue where adapters can be set up differently +by makers. The fix is to set the driver option ( `rtw_RFE_type` ) in 8821cu.conf. +The easiest way to edit 8821cu.conf is to run the following from the driver +directory: + +``` +sudo ./edit-options.sh +``` + +Once in the document, you can scroll down to the documentation about +`rtw_RFE_type`. You will likely have to experiment to find out what setting +works best for your adapter but a good place to start is probably... + +``` +rtw_RFE_type=7 +``` + +Simply add that option to the end of the `options` line, save and reboot. + +----- + +Question: How do I disable the onboard WiFi in a Raspberry Pi? + +Note: This answer is for the Raspberry Pi OS. + +Answer: + +Add the following line to `/boot/config.txt` + +``` +dtoverlay=disable-wifi +``` + +----- + +Question: How do I forget a saved WiFi network on a Raspberry Pi? + +Note: This answer is for the Raspberry Pi OS without Network Manager active. + +Step 1: Edit `wpa_supplicant.conf` + +``` +sudo ${EDITOR} /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf +``` + +Note: Replace ${EDITOR} with the name of the text editor you wish to use. + +#### Step 2: Delete the relevant WiFi network block (including the '`network=`' and opening/closing braces). + +#### Step 3: Save the file. + +#### Step 4: Reboot + +----- diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 73f687f..2d40db8 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ confirm that this is the correct driver for your adapter. - AP mode DFS channel support - Supported interface modes * Managed - * Monitor (see FAQ) + * Monitor (see FAQ) (see [Monitor_Mode](https://github.com/morrownr/Monitor_Mode) * AP * P2P-client * P2P-GO @@ -46,9 +46,11 @@ confirm that this is the correct driver for your adapter. - hcxdumptool -### A FAQ is available at the end of this document. +### A FAQ is available in this repo with the name FAQ.md -### Additional documentation is in the file `8821cu.conf`. +- Please read the FAQ and below documentation before posting issues. + +### Additional documentation is in the file `8821cu.conf` ### Compatible CPU Architectures @@ -547,172 +549,6 @@ After making and saving changes, reboot the router. ----- -### 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 ${EDITOR} /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf -``` - -Note: Replace ${EDITOR} with the name of the text editor you wish to use. - -#### 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 is supported. It works well on most modern 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 (distros released after mid 2022) or -compile and install new versions of wpa_supplicant and/or Network Manager. - ------ - -Question: I bought two usb wifi adapters based on this chipset 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, rtl8821cu 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) - -ALFA AWUS036ACS - [driver](https://github.com/morrownr/8821au-20210708) - -To ask questions, go to [USB-WiFi](https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi) -and post in `Discussions` or `Issues`. - ------ - -Question: I have an adapter with the 8821cu chipset and it supports -bluetooth. The bluetooth works but the wifi does not. What is wrong? - -Answer: There appears to be an issue where adapters can be set up differently -by makers. The fix is to set the driver option ( `rtw_RFE_type` ) in 8821cu.conf. -The easiest way to edit 8821cu.conf is to run the following from the driver -directory: - -``` -sudo ./edit-options.sh -``` - -Once in the document, you can scroll down to the documentation about -`rtw_RFE_type`. You will likely have to experiment to find out what setting -works best for your adapter but a good place to start is probably... - -``` -rtw_RFE_type=7 -``` - -Simply add that option to the end of the `options` line, save and reboot. - ------ - Contributors: ```