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blablubb1234

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 36

[SOLVED]TL-WN881ND (Atheros AR9287) support on current mainline kernel

Hello,

first off: I wasn't sure if this fits better in the networking section or here, but I finally settled here.

I have to (remotely) find a replacement for the wireless bridge I setup at my parents' home connecting their computer via Ethernet cable to their WiFi as it broke down recently.

I could get my hand on a cheap (but sufficient) TP-LINK TL-WN881ND Rev. 1.0 PCIe WiFi adapter based on the Atheros AR9287 chipset nearby their home. From what I understand this chipset is supported by the ath9k wireless driver which is part of the mainline kernel since ages. This chipset seems to be supported quite well.

Running a mainline kernel on said computer and only having NetworkManager setup (no netctl or the like), the driver should load automatically on boot once the adapter has been plugged in or would the module have to be loaded manually?  I might get them to plug in the card, but getting in the shell might turn out to be impossible

Would I have to set this card up using iw or the like or will it (thoeretically) work out of the box and they could just chose their WiFi to connect to from the GUI?

Sorry for the noobish question, hope you can relate though

Last edited by blablubb1234 (2023-08-18 19:38:27)

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,194

Re: [SOLVED]TL-WN881ND (Atheros AR9287) support on current mainline kernel

All of this should generally work that way yes.

The kernel operates on vendor and product id of the chipset used. If that is present in the database it will load the corresponding driver module and assuming it can allocate a network device that will get picked up and initialized by NetworkManager. None of this will be any different to how your previous wifi worked.

All of this of course non-withstanding any bugs. Ath9k had a bunch of recentish issues with some kernels, but haven't seen those in a while so will likely be back to the usual schedule of working correctly.

blablubb1234

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 36

Re: [SOLVED]TL-WN881ND (Atheros AR9287) support on current mainline kernel

Just a quick feedback: I settled for a TL-WN851ND.

As you suggested, the device lists as an AR9227, the kernel picks it up automatically and loads module ath9k accordingly. The proper wireless network can then be selected easily in NetworkManager. No manual interaction needed whatsoever.

Last edited by blablubb1234 (2023-08-18 19:39:20)