View source for WiFi Broadcom 4311-4312-4313-4321-4322

== Instructions for the Systems with Kernel 3.2.0 or Newer ==

=== Adapter ===

If you do not know the exact model of your WiFi adapter, execute the following command to determine it:

<pre>
lspci -vnn -d 14e4:
</pre>

The command will output something like this:

<pre>
02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4322 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:432b] (rev 01)
</pre>

''BCMxxxx'' (''BCM4322'' in this case) is the model of your WiFi adapter.

=== Drivers ===

Most often, one of the following drivers is used for Broadcom WiFi adapters:
* ''b43'' - open source driver, provided by default;
* ''brcmsmac'' - open source driver, provided by default;
* ''wl'' (a.k.a. ''broadcom-wl'', a.k.a. - ''broadcom-sta'') - proprietary driver by Broadcom.

If the WiFi adapter is supported by one of the open source drivers mentioned above, the OS will load the needed driver automatically.

=== BCM4311, BCM4312, BCM4321, BCM4322, etc. ===

Generally, for BCM4311, BCM4312, BCM4321, BCM4322 and some other models (see a more detailed although a bit obsolete list [http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Supported_devices here]), ''b43'' driver is used.

For it to work correctly, it needs firmware from the proprietary driver (the proprietary driver itself is '''not''' installed and not used).

If the system has a wired network connection, it is enough to install ''b43-firmware-install'' package. Everything needed for ''b43'' will be installed automatically this way. Reboot. WiFi should work then.

If WiFi is working OK in a system with b43 driver, it is '''not recommended''' to install and use the proprietary driver instead.

=== BCM4313, etc. ===

Generally, for BCM4313 and some other models (see a more detailed although a bit obsolete list [http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/brcm80211#Supported_Chips here]), ''brcmsmac'' driver is used.

Usually, WiFi works fine out-of-the box on such systems, no manual intervention needed.

For some systems with BCM4313 adapter and brcmsmac driver, there were problems with not all access points visible, signal too weak, etc. Installing the proprietary driver may help in this case. Install ''dkms-broadcom-wl'' package and reboot.

If WiFi works OK in a system with brcmsmac driver, it is not recommended to install and use the proprietary driver instead.

[[Category:HOWTO]]