b43 firmware

English Network/Internet
1

Can I ask a silly question Larry.

Now I no longer need ‘wl’ as I have switched to kernel 3> and or have OS 12.1
And b43 works, but I still need a internet connection to install the firmware.

Why can’t we have this all in the DVD/Repos?

If it’s not possible. Is there a guide to download manually from
Index of /b43-firmware

I assume it will go in /lib/firmware/ ?

2

Here’s a guide:

b43 - Linux Wireless

 sudo zypper install b43-fwcutter
sudo /usr/sbin/install_bcm43xx_firmware
3

Yes
I know that.

@caf4926: but I still need a internet connection to install the firmware.

I’m asking

  1. Why can’t the necessary firmware be included with the install media
  2. If it can’t, is there a guide to install it where the target machine cannot access wire internet.
4

I might be misguided here, but can’t one simply install the b43-firmware package from the packman site like this:

PackMan :: Package details for b43-firmware

Download the appropriate RPM

Then install on the offline machine

rpm -ivh b43-firmware-4.174.64.19-3.pm.3.1.noarch.rpm
Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
   1:b43-firmware           ########################################### [100%]
Cutting firmware
/lib/firmware/broadcom-wl-firmwares /
This file is recognised as:
  ID         :  FW15
  filename   :  wl_apsta.o
  version    :  478.104
  MD5        :  bb8537e3204a1ea5903fe3e66b5e2763
Extracting b43/ucode5.fw
Extracting b43/pcm5.fw
.
.
.
/
Firmware installed
5

I don’t know Deano
You could be correct

6

On 10/10/2011 01:36 AM, caf4926 wrote:
>
> I don’t know Deano
> You could be correct

Deano is correct. There are at least two ways to install the b43 firmware from
off-line downloads. Deano’s method is easy and does not require the compiler to
be installed.

The reason that the firmware is not on the installation media is that Broadcom
still refuses to grant a redistribution license for their firmware or any of the
drivers from which we extract the firmware. The “official” explanation is that
their legal department is concerned that its usage in a driver that has not been
tested for regulatory compliance might lead to liability issues from the various
regulatory agencies such as the FCC. We all know the argument is bogus, but they
own the rights.

Another thing you can do is copy the /lib/firmware/b43/ files from another
openSUSE installation. Once you have them, put them on removable media for
future usage.

7

Thank you for these clear responses