RTL 88 wireless driver in Pure Kernel?

Software PureOS
1

Might this Wireless Dongle work in Pure OS, without having to install another module?

Supposed to have RTL88

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-1300Mbps-Wireless-Supports-10-6-10-14-6/dp/B082CS6L9C/ref=nav_signin?

In fact, can I crack the plastic of one of these Dongles or antennas open and install whatever chip I choose?

Ah, more confusion: https://linux-hardware.org/

2

Might depend on whether “module” means “driver” or “firmware” or either.

At that price, I would be tempted to get it and try. At least you will then have a more complete part number i.e. what comes after RTL88.

3

You are correct in questioning whether this RTL88 is FOSS or even pre installed in the kernel. I am seeking other answers. I asked Real Tek to tell me which chips are in which dongles, and hopefully they can also tell me if any of these are FOSS, and even better, if they are pre-installed in the kernel. Maybe some other forum will also offer give us a clue. I understand I might peruse https://www.kernel.org/

a bit.

4

So what I was suggesting is:

  • buy it
  • try it out with a distro like Ubuntu
  • see what module gets loaded by Ubuntu
  • then you can ask Purism (or someone who runs PureOS) whether that module is in PureOS

“RTL88” may not be enough information by itself as a range of model numbers start with that.

5

I was looking for a Wireless Dongle which is - likely universally supported by the Linux Kernel. I have several computers, and I foresee I want to get rid of Windows. Most of those who sell Wireless Dongles do not state what chip has been put into them. Which makes research more difficult.

6

Does it specifically have to be 802.11ac ?

I just grabbed a dongle that is 802.11n that I normally use only on a Raspberry Pi and plugged it in to a normal computer with a standard Linux kernel (NB: Not Purism hardware, not running PureOS, is in the Debian family though) and I believe that this computer has never seen that model of dongle before and it worked out of the box.

syslog muttered something about rtl8192cu and lsusb says Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8188CUS 802.11n WLAN Adapter.

I think you will generally go fairly well with Realtek on Linux.

Your Amazon link is even claiming that Linux works. The only way to know for sure is to buy it and try it out. Heck, I placed an Amazon order just the other day. I should have added one to my order. :slight_smile: I think my fairly old AP doesn’t do 802.11ac though so I could only have tested at best that the dongle falls back to 802.11n correctly.

7

Some one suggested: fenvi AC1200 USB Wireless Adapter Dongle Realtek RTL8812AU Network Wifi Card, Up to 867Mbps(5Ghz) Data Rate, 2.4Ghz/5Ghz, IEEE 802.11ac, USB 3.0, 6DBi Antennas, Support Windows 10 / Mac OS / Linux

Anyone know if this is FOSS, and if it is frequently in Kernel.

8

I think the answer is ‘no’. Link says that Linux is not supported.

I think the full chip name is rtl88x2bu (where x is 1 or 2) and it is not in the kernel (at the current time).

There is enough discussion around the internet to suggest that you can download the driver source and build it for your kernel and load it, and then use it successfully e.g. https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2394372 but I can’t vouch for that, your mileage may vary, and that may be more adventurous than you want to be.

So if the above link is correct then yes it is FOSS but no to your question because you would have to install another module.

Perhaps some future Linux kernel will include the needed driver but that is entirely speculation.

To avoid confusion, I am talking about your original query (Wise Tiger 1300M) not your later query.