Message Sticky Request

English Open Chat
#1

On 03/11/2013 05:06 PM, Larry Finger wrote:
> Unfortunately, Broadcom does not allow the redistribution of the firmware needed
> to operate its wireless cards that use b43 or b43legacy as a driver.
>
> This situation is merely an annoyance when the Linux system has some other means
> of connecting to the network; openSUSE contains a special script that downloads
> files that contain the firmware and uses the utility b43-fwcutter to extract the
> necessary files. The files that are downloaded can be redistributed, but their
> 12 MB size precludes them from being included in openSUSE install media.
>
> To make the installation of the firmware as easy as possible in this troublesome
> case, I have modified the standard bcm43xx firmware installation script to skip
> the download stage. This new script and the necessary files are included in a
> tar archive that can be downloaded using any system with network access.
>
> The specific steps are as follows:
>
> 1. Download
> http://www.lwfinger.com/b43-firmware/no_net_install_bcm43xx_firmware.tar.bz2 on
> any system with a network connection.
>
> 2. Copy that file to your openSUSE system via USB stick or CD.
>
> 3. From the directory where you copied the file, run the command
>
>


> tar jxvf no_net_install_bcm43xx_firmware.tar.bz2
>

That command creates a new subdirectory bcm43xx_firmware with four files in it.

  1. Install the b43 and b43legacy firmware by running the command:

> sudo bcm43xx_firmware/install_bcm43xx_firmware_no_net
>

This step will create the necessary firmware files in /lib/firmware/b43/ and
/lib/firmware/b43legacy/ and then reboot your computer. When it comes back up,
the wireless device should be working and can be configured in the normal manner.

  1. (optional) If you do not have much disk space available, you can save about
    25 MB by using the commands

> rm -rf bcm43xx_firmware
> rm no_net_install_bcm43xx_firmware.tar.bz2
>

>
> The downloaded file is suitable for all supported versions of openSUSE, and
> works for all architectures. I suggest that you leave it on whatever medium you
> used to transport it to openSUSE so that it will be available for your next
> installation of openSUSE.
>
> Larry Finger

Please check this over. If it is OK, I would like it to be a new sticky.

Thanks.

#2

Larry you are the expert on this subject by far above anyone else here. If you are happy with your post, I shall make it a sticky at once and can promote to being an article if you wish.

Thank You,

#3

On 03/11/2013 05:46 PM, jdmcdaniel3 wrote:
>
> Larry you are the expert on this subject by far above anyone else here.
> If you are happy with your post, I shall make it a sticky at once and
> can promote to being an article if you wish.

I do not know about articles. Make it whichever will get greater exposure.

#4

We can have both here, but I will go sticky first.

Thank You,

#5

It is done. Article is here: https://forums.opensuse.org/content/157-broadcom-firmware-needed-b43-but-i-have-no-network-easierwork-around.html

Love your work Larry. Just let us know if we can help you in any other way.

Thank You,

#6

I do not need it, but I read through it and the instructions are very clear to me.

Thanks Larry.

#7

Nice work Larry

I actually keep a copy of the folder it fills at /lib/firmware/b43
You can use it in a live session, by copying it to the live system
Or use it post install, with no network, you just copy the folder to /lib/firmware