Problem compiling TP-LINK USB adaptator driver

Bbmr · 03-26-2023, 09:00 AM

Hello,
I tried to compile TP-LINK USB wireless adaptator driver's source, but I got several errors (for instance incomplete types or "cfg80211.h" not found).
I suppose it is caused by my Slackware and gcc version choice:

Slackware version 12.0
Linux kernel version 2.6
gcc version 4.1.2

It it the case ? If yes, how can I find a version of the driver with this software ?

ctrlaltca · 03-26-2023, 09:46 AM

cfg80211.h got introduced in kernel 2.6.22 in the year 2007.
I'm afraid you need a more recent operating system in order to get it working.

Bbmr · 03-26-2023, 09:56 AM

Can't i just download the file?

henca · 03-26-2023, 10:12 AM

Most likely you will need to upgrade the entire kernel. The easiest way to do that is probably to install a newer version of Slackware.

If you really need your old Slackware 12.0 installation for something you might be able to create a disk image of your current installation and keep it alive in some virtual environment like qemu.

If your old Slackware 12.0 installation needs access to some hardware and not possible to virtualize, you might be able to compile some old version of qemu which works on Slackware 12, install a newer version of Slackware within a virtual machine running on Slackware 12.0. Give the virtual machine access to the USB device and make the virtual machine a router for your Slackware 12.0 machine.

However, it really seem better to upgrade to a version of Slackware that has not been End Of Life for more than 10 years. From https://mirrors.slackware.com/slackw.../ChangeLog.txt :

Code:

####################################################################
# NOTICE OF INPENDING EOL (END OF LIFE) FOR OLD SLACKWARE VERSIONS #
#                                                                  #
# Effective August 1, 2012, security patches will no longer be     #
# provided for the following versions of Slackware (which will all #
# be more than 5 years old at that time):                          #
# Slackware 8.1, 9.0, 9.1, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 11.0, 12.0.           #
# If you are still running these versions you should consider      #
# migrating to a newer version (preferably as recent as possible). #
# Alternately, you may make arrangements to handle your own        #
# security patches.  If for some reason you are unable to upgrade  #
# or handle your own security patches, limited security support    #
# may be available for a fee.  Inquire at security@slackware.com.  #
####################################################################

regards Henrik

Bbmr · 03-26-2023, 11:23 AM

Thanks for your answers.
Shall I take the 13.1 version ?

Petri Kaukasoina · 03-26-2023, 12:02 PM

Code:

###################################################################
# NOTICE OF INPENDING EOL (END OF LIFE) FOR OLD SLACKWARE VERSIONS #
#                                                                  #
# Effective July 5, 2018, security patches will no longer be       #
# provided for the following versions of Slackware (which will all #
# be more than 7 years old at that time):                          #
#   Slackware 13.0, Slackware 13.1, Slackware 13.37.               #
# If you are still running these versions you should consider      #
# migrating to a newer version (preferably as recent as possible). #
# Alternately, you may make arrangements to handle your own        #
# security patches.                                                #
####################################################################

14.0, 14.1, and 14.2 still get some security patches, but 15.0 is much better supported.