Finally! Broadcom 43xx WiFi will Work with FreeBSD

[sqlpython]

Well, I for one, with 5 Broadcom 43xx WiFi cards in Laptops, have been looking for this development for Years. I had with limitations used ndisgen but now a Real native solution. So as goes FreeBSD so goes (eventually) PCBSD. Many are looking forward to this one Kris.
Here is the post from Freebsd developer rwatson@

FYI, this driver has now been merged to FreeBSD 8-CURRENT as of 3 May, 2009, so should appear in FreeBSD 8.0 later this year:

date: 2009/05/03 04:01:43; author: imp; state: Exp;
SVN rev 191762 on 2009-05-03 04:01:43Z by imp

Bring in Andrew Thompson's port of Sepherosa Ziehau's bwi driver for
Broadcom BCM43xx chipsets. This driver uses the v3 firmware that
needs to be fetched separately. A port will be committed to create
the bwi firmware module.

The driver matches the following chips: Broadcom BCM4301, BCM4307,
BCM4306, BCM4309, BCM4311, BCM4312, BCM4318, BCM4319

The driver works for 802.11b and 802.11g.

[AlexVader]

Well, I for one, with 5 Broadcom 43xx WiFi cards in Laptops, have been looking for this development for Years. I had with limitations used ndisgen but now a Real native solution. So as goes FreeBSD so goes (eventually) PCBSD. Many are looking forward to this one Kris.
Here is the post from Freebsd developer rwatson@

Quote:

FYI, this driver has now been merged to FreeBSD 8-CURRENT as of 3 May, 2009, so should appear in FreeBSD 8.0 later this year: date: 2009/05/03 04:01:43; author: imp; state: Exp; SVN rev 191762 on 2009-05-03 04:01:43Z by imp Bring in Andrew Thompson's port of Sepherosa Ziehau's bwi driver for Broadcom BCM43xx chipsets. This driver uses the v3 firmware that needs to be fetched separately. A port will be committed to create the bwi firmware module. The driver matches the following chips: Broadcom BCM4301, BCM4307, BCM4306, BCM4309, BCM4311, BCM4312, BCM4318, BCM4319 The driver works for 802.11b and 802.11g.

Hi sqlpython

I have PC BSD 7.1 installed in a Laptop with an ipw 3945 wireless,

I would like to test it in a Laptop with a BCM 4312 wireless card.

I have no wired internet connetion so how should i download the

driver for the BCM thing to use it in my Lappy once i install PC BSD

7.1 in it ?

The idea is download it to my pen disk as well as that other v3

firmware thing using my Debian install in one lappy, and after

installing PC BSD, install the firmware and driver in it...


Where do I fetch them from...?



Best regards


Alex

[sqlpython]

The BCM item that you wish to download and I described is not Yet ready for you unless you are capable to system programmer's level. As you have asked this question, I am thinking that you are a newer user of BSD. Keeping all that in mind you want to approach your 4300 wifi NIC with ndisgen utility and use the WinXP drivers from your machine's winxp install.
If you don't have the drivers then they are usually availble of for download from the Laptop Manufacturer's site.
..Good luck it can and will work but sometimes disconnects.

Here is a How to for using ndisgen.

How to use NDIS for wireless cards without native FreeBSD support?

Before you try to use Project Evil make sure that there is no native driver for your firmware, as this will definitely be your best option. Once you have made sure that there is no native driver you need to collect the following files:

* Driver Binary (a .sys file)
* Driver Information File (a .inf file)

Sometimes you also need the following files too:

* Network Interface Firmware (usually a .bin file)
* Radio Firmware (also a .bin file)

(Note: These files are usually found on the driver CD in the Windows drivers folder.)

After you find all these files put them in a single directory on your HDD. Next you must type (at the Konsole):

# su (gain root privileges)
# Password: (don't type "Password:", type your root password at the prompt)
# ndisgen (start NDIS wizard)

This will generate a .ko file that will be used later. Copy this to /boot/kernel, then type:

# su
# Password:
# kload ndis
# kload if_ndis
# kldload (the name of you .ko file)

After that you need to add a few lines to /boot/loader.conf. Here they are:

ndis_load="YES"
if_ndis_load="YES"
(name of your .ko file)_load="YES"

Just reboot and the Network manager should see the Network Card.

[AlexVader]

Hi sqlpython

You are right... I am an PC BSD newbie... and by what I have seen it is VERY different from Linux OS...It would be quite difficult for me to build the BCM 4312 kernel module for PC BSD right...? In Debian CentOS Gentoo ...u name it... I have no probl in doing it... but this is different... :-)

... most ppl claim it is more stable and fast.... so I am willing to make a try...
My experience in Linux will be useless here... :-(


Thx for the Info

best regards

Alex

[webhostingdesign]

whats that status of this BC43xx driver? i'm ready to ditch PCBSD for ubuntu if i can't find it... this really sucks since BC43xx is on millions of HP latops!

[TerryP]

That goes to so how low HP has sunk in recent years!

Judging by the quote above, it'll probably be around FreeBSD 8.0-Release. Being an intelligent man, I bought hardware that works with my OS, instead of using the onboard Broadcom winrial.

[sqlpython]

Most of the BCM43xx sit in mini pci slots and can be replaced.
Example the standard Dell BCM43xx can be replaced by the 1470 model for about $60.
The 1470 will work work with the new bwi arriving with the FreeBSD 8 kernel.

I am thinking of doing the above to free myself of ndisgen files.
As they will drop the signal with regularity. The situation is worse on a 64bit install.

[AlexVader]

So Is it now with the release of PC BSD 8.0 that we can expect BroadCom wireless cards BCM 43xx to work in PC BSD...?

( crossing finers.... :-) )

BRGDS

Alex