RHEL/Rocky 8 and Wireless adapters

Actoroesch · 03-31-2022, 10:13 AM

Hi,

I am installing Rocky 8.5 on an older laptop, and the wireless card is no longer supported by Intel. There are no supporting drivers in the repository, and I can't seem to find anything different online.

The wireless card is: Intel Centrino 6205

My question: Can someone lead me to a RHEL Linux driver and manual install process for this particular wireless card?

OR

Is there a limitation to which wireless cards can replace it? I don't know if there are hardware limitations on wireless adapters the way that there are with RAM and other parts. The computer in question is a Dell latitude 6205. I would gladly update to a newer/better adapter if that is possible, but I would imagine there is some sort of maximum threshold that older hardware is able to recognize.

Much thanks!

boughtonp · 03-31-2022, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Actoroesch

The computer in question is a Dell latitude 6205.

You sure that's correct? Dell Latitudes tend to start with letters and/or end in zeroes, no?

Anyhow, it looks like Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 works on some distros - but there's no Rocky/RHEL 8.5 in that list (people don't tend to put server distros on laptops) - however there is a HP laptop running Fedora 32 with it working via iwlwifi in 5.x kernel; if you can upgrade the kernel on your machine then maybe you'll get lucky?

Actoroesch · 03-31-2022, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

You sure that's correct? Dell Latitudes tend to start with letters and/or end in zeroes, no?

Anyhow, it looks like Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 works on some distros - but there's no Rocky/RHEL 8.5 in that list (people don't tend to put server distros on laptops) - however there is a HP laptop running Fedora 32 with it working via iwlwifi in 5.x kernel; if you can upgrade the kernel on your machine then maybe you'll get lucky?

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I accidentally used the WIFI adapter number in the laptop reference... it's a Dell e6520 (same numbers different order.)

I can try the kernel upgrade, thanks for the tip.

How about the 2nd half of the quandry? Are you aware of any hardware limitations to adding a different WIFI adapter? Or do they generally all speak the same language with upgraded capabilities? That way, worst case scenario, I can find one that uses readily available drivers and install it.

Thanks again!

boughtonp · 03-31-2022, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Actoroesch

How about the 2nd half of the quandry? Are you aware of any hardware limitations to adding a different WIFI adapter? Or do they generally all speak the same language with upgraded capabilities? That way, worst case scenario, I can find one that uses readily available drivers and install it.

I would expect that to be a viable path, but it's not something I've done or can say for sure about.

If you can temporarily use a wired connection to create a probe on that Hardware for Linux site, there's a "Find compatible parts for upgrade" option which may be helpful if you want to go down that path.