kernel-packages team mailing list archive

[Dean <7simmonds.dean@xxxxxxxxx>]

20140125 
JAN 25 2014
Broadcom wireless
I hope that wl STA in the repository gets updated and makes this post useless.
I am new, so please help where possible.
_______________________________
Linux UBUNTU
Symptoms:
Every (or many) updates Break wireless 
Corporate Environments
Multiple Wireless Access Points (WAP)
Campus Wireless (Universities)
Frequent disconnects
WPA2 connected but not usable
_______________________________
Wireless Hardware: Broadcom 4321
OS: UBUNTU 12.04 LTS  with latest kernel
using standard Connection Manager, still has issues with multiple keys in multiple WAP setup.
____________________________________________________
The wl driver in the repository that can be installed using the, command line or proprietary/additional  drivers in UBUNTU
is broken for my hardware. 
20140125
My Data:
installed from repository or additional drivers => won't work.
installed from my compile/make per Broadcom's instructions => works.
_____________________________________________________
SOLUTION: 
go to Broadcom's site and get the new universal wl driver:
Broadcom has provided this as an official release.
it provides hardware encryption.
_____________________________________________________
http://www.broadcom.com/docs/linux_sta/README.txt    Please keep reading.
 ( if your hardware is not supported by this go to the end of this post. )
 COMPILE FROM SOURCE PER THE INSTRUCTIONS.
 DO NOT USE REPOSITORY wl DRIVER, UNINSTALL IT. 
 THIS MEANS DON'T USE THE ADDITIONAL DRIVERS SOLUTION in UBUNTU.
I Recommend creating your own folder to place the new driver so that nothing will change it. 
______________________________________________________
As of 20140125 every or most kernel or wireless security updates will break the new Broadcom wl.ko module.
_
Quick Restore:
=> Remove various kernel modules that may conflict and Reinstall Broadcoms new universal STA driver.
Open Terminal (ctrl+alt+t)
Paste next line to get started, 
sudo rmmod b43
You may get a message that b43 is not installed and won't be removed. 
This is OK, we are just making sure its not there.
Now Paste what is between the following lines.
They will remove other possible drivers including the repositories wl STA driver and 
reinstall the Broadcom Universal STA driver you have built which Includes 80211 security
________________________________
sudo rmmod brcmsmac
sudo rmmod ssb
sudo rmmod bcma
sudo rmmod wl
sudo modprobe lib80211
sudo modprobe cfg80211
cd /<Your_Path_TO_New_hybrid_wl>/
sudo insmod wl.ko
cd ~
exit
_________________________________
after this your hardware should work.
_
I know there is a way (UPSTART), to make the updates not install the the repositories wl kernel module.
I just want to get this out there because I have spent too much time and too many days solving this again and again and ... .
_
In Multiple  WAPs under one login, 
WAP keys are not managed correctly and may only connect at the original WAP location where you set up the wireless connection.
Run the scripts above and it will reset to your new WAP location. 
(you might need to edit wireless connections and uninstall that wireless configuration)
Some Background:
There was a security flaw in 'WPA & WPA2 Enterprise' wireless security protocol.
It was fixed with an added layer of encryption, in the initiation of your wireless connection.
I feel that not all clients/servers have updated to this correctly.
_
System broken? 
Get to GRUB (Grand Unified Boot Loader). 
Boot and hold 'esc' key. Select other options for UBUNTU. 
Choose a previous kernel version. Try any.
Just booting again to the default has sometimes fixed problems.
_
Hardware not supported ?
  => try searching for the "fwcutter" method.
  "fwcutter"  used to work for my newer brcm 4321 hardware, but 
  updates now prevent my hardware from working even with this method.
  "fwcutter" still works for my older hardware.

Disclaimer: Be Careful, use at your own risk.


** Attachment added: "Broadcom's Universal wl STA"
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/bcmwl/+bug/1134389/+attachment/3957070/+files/README.txt

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kernel
Packages, which is subscribed to bcmwl in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1134389

Title:
  Broadcom Sta/wl Drivers causes random kernel panics on ubuntu raring

Status in Broadcom Feature Request and Bug Reporting:
  New
Status in “bcmwl” package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  While starting from Ubuntu 11.10 to 12.10 wl drivers worked like a charm on my broadcom 4312, it seems that the drivers in ubuntu 13.04 started causing kernel panics while using the network. The version I'm using is a fresh install of ubuntu 13.04 amd64 plus all the updates as of today and the home folder restored from an ubuntu 12.10 backup, but I don't think it could make the difference as the freeze happens also when logged as a "just created" user.
  I'm pretty sure this problem is cause of broadcom drivers (or broadcom related network stuff) because as soon as I blacklisted wl, mac80211 and cfg80211 modules and plugged in an usb ralink wifi card it stopped to freeze.

  Ubuntu version: 13.04 64 bits
  Package version: 6.20.155.1+bdcom-0ubuntu6

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04
  Package: bcmwl-kernel-source 6.20.155.1+bdcom-0ubuntu6
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-7.15-generic 3.8.0
  Uname: Linux 3.8.0-7-generic x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: wl fglrx
  ApportVersion: 2.8-0ubuntu4
  Architecture: amd64
  Date: Wed Feb 27 15:15:33 2013
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-01-20 (37 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Alpha amd64 (20130118)
  MarkForUpload: True
  ProcEnviron:
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
   LANG=it_IT.UTF-8
   SHELL=/bin/bash
  SourcePackage: bcmwl
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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