The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

twilight0 · 2011-09-28 04:37:20

I 've made a quick google search about this question but to no avail.

What is firmware after all? Why do we need these little ugly binary files installed to make some devices work? What is the point of using a non-free firmware when you have a free driver (a.k.a module) to load it? Are there any devices that need absolutely no binary files whatsoever?

I have for example an old trusty laptop with an R200 Radeon Card and off course I use the OSS drivers (well ATI has stopped support for this card since 2006!). Why do I need the firmware for this card? Are the drivers not enough on their own?

djgera · 2011-09-28 04:54:42

driver != firmware

While a driver allows to use device from OS, you can see a firmware as part of the hardware logic. This is, instead of using complex electronic desing, modern hardware implement such logic via software.

For example: you can implement a binary counter using some flip-flops or simply using a microcontroller with a software (firmware) on it If you want some change in the logic, you need to redesing your circuits using FF or simply change fews lines of codes using an MCU.

Last edited by djgera (2011-09-28 04:55:11)

ewaller · 2011-09-28 05:01:56

Firmware can mean (1) a program that runs on an embedded controller on the device, or (2) the bitstream required to initialize an FPGA

Examples are the programs that get uploaded after reset to HP printers via their USB ports. You are loading the program that runs on the printer. The behavior of the printer can be changed by uploaded updated firmware. This sort of thing is also done for wireless adapters. This is often done because the software defined radios must meet different regulatory environments based upon the country in which they are being used.

twilight0 · 2011-09-29 04:19:13

I understand when the firmware needs to be actually uploaded in the device's memory, for example in an SSD drive, like a BIOS of some sort, but not in the disk space reserved for the operating system.

In anyway thanks for the answers.

seiichiro0185 · 2011-09-29 05:46:09

many devices have no permanent storage for the firmware (like the bios on your mainboard). instead the firmware is uploaded into some kind of volatile memory (memory which needs power to hold its contents, like RAM for example). So as soon as you shut down the machine the firmware in the device is lost and you will have to reupload it on the next start. Therefore the firmware binary has to be present outside of the device, which means on the disk where the driver can find and load it.

twilight0 · 2011-09-29 20:34:53

^^ that explains it...

Arch Linux

#1 2011-09-28 04:37:20

The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

#2 2011-09-28 04:54:42

Re: The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

#3 2011-09-28 05:01:56

Re: The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

#4 2011-09-29 04:19:13

Re: The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

#5 2011-09-29 05:46:09

Re: The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

#6 2011-09-29 20:34:53

Re: The firmware debate (i.e. why do we need firmware files on Linux?)

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