LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] using Netgear AC6100 adapter on Mint/Ubuntu/Debian

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using Netgear AC6100 adapter on Mint/Ubuntu/Debian

********** CORRECTION **********
Everywhere, change AC6100 to A6100 -- without the 'C'.
I can't discover how to rename the original thread subject line
********************************

I have a Netgear A6100 Dual Band, 802.11ac, USB adapter
When I connect it, I see the following:

Code:

prompt$ sudo lsusb --verbose -d 0846:9052 > lsusb.log



Bus 001 Device 008: ID 0846:9052 NetGear, Inc. \

  A6100 AC600 DB Wireless Adapter [Realtek RTL8811AU]

Device Descriptor:

  bLength                18

  bDescriptorType        1

  bcdUSB              2.10

  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)

  bDeviceSubClass        0 

  bDeviceProtocol        0 

  bMaxPacketSize0        64

  idVendor          0x0846 NetGear, Inc.

  idProduct          0x9052 A6100 AC600 DB Wireless Adapter [Realtek RTL8811AU]

  bcdDevice            2.00

  iManufacturer          1 Realtek 

  iProduct                2 802.11ac WLAN Adapter 

  iSerial                3 00e04c000001

  bNumConfigurations      1

  Configuration Descriptor:

    bLength                9

    bDescriptorType        2

    wTotalLength          60

    bNumInterfaces          1

    bConfigurationValue    1

    iConfiguration          0 

    bmAttributes        0xe0

      Self Powered

      Remote Wakeup

    MaxPower              500mA

    Interface Descriptor:

      bLength                9

      bDescriptorType        4

      bInterfaceNumber        0

      bAlternateSetting      0

      bNumEndpoints          6

      bInterfaceClass      255 Vendor Specific Class

      bInterfaceSubClass    255 Vendor Specific Subclass

      bInterfaceProtocol    255 Vendor Specific Protocol

      iInterface              2 802.11ac WLAN Adapter 

      Endpoint Descriptor:

        bLength                7

        bDescriptorType        5

        bEndpointAddress    0x84  EP 4 IN

        bmAttributes            2

          Transfer Type            Bulk

          Synch Type              None

          Usage Type              Data

        wMaxPacketSize    0x0200  1x 512 bytes

        bInterval              0

      Endpoint Descriptor:

        bLength                7

        bDescriptorType        5

        bEndpointAddress    0x05  EP 5 OUT

        bmAttributes            2

          Transfer Type            Bulk

          Synch Type              None

          Usage Type              Data

        wMaxPacketSize    0x0200  1x 512 bytes

        bInterval              0

      Endpoint Descriptor:

        bLength                7

        bDescriptorType        5

        bEndpointAddress    0x06  EP 6 OUT

        bmAttributes            2

          Transfer Type            Bulk

          Synch Type              None

          Usage Type              Data

        wMaxPacketSize    0x0200  1x 512 bytes

        bInterval              0

      Endpoint Descriptor:

        bLength                7

        bDescriptorType        5

        bEndpointAddress    0x87  EP 7 IN

        bmAttributes            3

          Transfer Type            Interrupt

          Synch Type              None

          Usage Type              Data

        wMaxPacketSize    0x0040  1x 64 bytes

        bInterval              3

      Endpoint Descriptor:

        bLength                7

        bDescriptorType        5

        bEndpointAddress    0x08  EP 8 OUT

        bmAttributes            2

          Transfer Type            Bulk

          Synch Type              None

          Usage Type              Data

        wMaxPacketSize    0x0200  1x 512 bytes

        bInterval              0

      Endpoint Descriptor:

        bLength                7

        bDescriptorType        5

        bEndpointAddress    0x09  EP 9 OUT

        bmAttributes            2

          Transfer Type            Bulk

          Synch Type              None

          Usage Type              Data

        wMaxPacketSize    0x0200  1x 512 bytes

        bInterval              0

Binary Object Store Descriptor:

  bLength                5

  bDescriptorType        15

  wTotalLength          12

  bNumDeviceCaps          1

  USB 2.0 Extension Device Capability:

    bLength                7

    bDescriptorType        16

    bDevCapabilityType      2

    bmAttributes  0x00000002

      Link Power Management (LPM) Supported

Device Status:    0x0001

  Self Powered

However, I get no reaction that appears in '/var/log/syslog' or any evidence of any recognition of the device.

QUESTION: Should I look somewhere other that 'syslog' for device recognition?

QUESTION: Can someone direct me to HOWTO that will enable me to activate this device?

I believe that the chipset is [Realtek RTL8811AU].
I sought and fetched rtl8811au-master to the driver package from Git 8811au Driver. There were compiler time errors in the build.

Code:

prompt$ make 



In file included from /xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service.h:41:0,

                from /xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/drv_types.h:32,

                from /xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/core/rtw_cmd.c:22:

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service_linux.h: In function ‘_init_timer’:

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service_linux.h:267:8: error: ‘_timer {aka struct timer_list}’ has no member named ‘data’

  ptimer->data = (unsigned long)cntx;

        ^~

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service_linux.h:268:2: error: implicit declaration of function ‘init_timer’; did you mean ‘_init_timer’? [-Werror=implicit-function-declaration]

  init_timer(ptimer);

  ^~~~~~~~~~

  _init_timer

In file included from /xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/drv_types.h:32:0,

                from /xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/core/rtw_cmd.c:22:

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service.h: In function ‘thread_enter’:

/xxxxx/myAC6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service.h:343:2: error: implicit declaration of function ‘allow_signal’; did you mean ‘do_signal’? [-Werror=implicit-function-declaration]

  allow_signal(SIGTERM);

  ^~~~~~~~~~~~

  do_signal

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service.h: In function ‘flush_signals_thread’:

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service.h:353:6: error: implicit declaration of function ‘signal_pending’; did you mean ‘timer_pending’? [-Werror=implicit-function-declaration]

  if (signal_pending (current))

      ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      timer_pending

/xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/include/osdep_service.h:355:3: error: implicit declaration of function ‘flush_signals’; did you mean ‘do_signal’? [-Werror=implicit-function-declaration]

  flush_signals(current);

  ^~~~~~~~~~~~~

  do_signal

cc1: some warnings being treated as errors

make[2]: *** [xxxxx/myA6100/rtl8811au-master/core/rtw_cmd.o] Error 1

make[1]: *** [_module_/xxxxx/myAC6100/rtl8811au-master] Error 2

make: *** [modules] Error 2

I sought and fetched rtl8812au-5.1.5.zip to get a driver package from Git 8812au Driver. I built it without error.

I have not installed it because (buck, buck, bu-caw) I don't know what I'm doing well enough to blindly load a driver and recover if there are troubles.

I find online articles/postings that speak of this adapter and various Linux platforms but they are all from years ago.

I contacted Netgear Customer Service. The phone person was very nice when they told me, "... we don't have anything compatible with Linux..."

QUESTION: Is there a list of Linux Mint/*buntu/Debian compatible USB wifi adapters? (I specifically want dual band and 802.11ac.)

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-Dan

Ok I applaud you efforts to resolve this problem. Having brought Netgear WiFi adapter (Not the same as yours) and had the same issues. At this point I would point you in direction of NDISwrapper. This worked for me however you will get messages about the kernel has been tainted. It's in package manager ready to install.

Good luck
Regards
Ray

I found an article that said there was a driver in the repositories.
Launching 'symantic' package manager, I found things as shown in the attached screen grab.

~~~ 0;-Dan

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayfward (Post 5978870)

Thank you for the pointer to NDIS Wrapper Wiki.

Since I'm looking for details about the Netgear A6100 -- not 'AC6100' from my original posting -- I did a search. While my device might be supported in the mix somehow, sadly, I did not find my exact device listed.

I really do appreciate your reply.
~~~ 0;-Dan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaintDanBert (Post 5978889)

I found an article that said there was a driver in the repositories.
Launching 'symantic' package manager, I found things as shown in the attached screen grab.

~~~ 0;-Dan

I installed this package, did a system restart, and tried my Netgear A6100
I see the following:

Code:

prompt$  cat /var/log/kern.log



...

Mar 28 12:21:44 kaywine kernel: [170856.396553] usb 1-1.2: new high-speed USB device 

number 8 using ehci-pci

Mar 28 12:21:44 kaywine kernel: [170856.507089] usb 1-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=0846, idProduct=9052

Mar 28 12:21:44 kaywine kernel: [170856.507103] usb 1-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3

Mar 28 12:21:44 kaywine kernel: [170856.507110] usb 1-1.2: Product: 802.11ac WLAN Adapter 

Mar 28 12:21:44 kaywine kernel: [170856.507116] usb 1-1.2: Manufacturer: Realtek 

Mar 28 12:21:44 kaywine kernel: [170856.507122] usb 1-1.2: SerialNumber: 00e04c000001

Mar 28 12:24:45 kaywine kernel: [171037.165755] usb 1-1.2: USB disconnect, device number 8

Mar 28 12:24:50 kaywine kernel: [171042.236027] usb 1-1.1.1: new high-speed USB device number 9 using ehci-pci

Mar 28 12:24:50 kaywine kernel: [171042.346464] usb 1-1.1.1: New USB device found, idVendor=0846, idProduct=9052

Mar 28 12:24:50 kaywine kernel: [171042.346477] usb 1-1.1.1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3

Mar 28 12:24:50 kaywine kernel: [171042.346485] usb 1-1.1.1: Product: 802.11ac WLAN Adapter 

Mar 28 12:24:50 kaywine kernel: [171042.346491] usb 1-1.1.1: Manufacturer: Realtek 

Mar 28 12:24:50 kaywine kernel: [171042.346497] usb 1-1.1.1: SerialNumber: 00e04c000001

...

Based on the device serial number, this is, in fact, the same device but now I have a kernel response.
I still don't find available network support.

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-Dan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaintDanBert (Post 5978910)

I installed this package, did a system restart, and tried my Netgear A6100
I see the following:

Code:

prompt$  cat /var/log/kern.log

...

Based on the device serial number, this is, in fact, the same device but now I have a kernel response.
I still don't find available network support.

For the record:

Code:

prompt$ uname -a



Linux kaywine 4.15.0-46-generic #49-Ubuntu SMP Wed Feb 6 09:33:07 UTC 2019 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

The good news -- the A6100 works and my other interfaces work as well...
... sort-of.

QUESTION: Why does the 8812au module from the package 'rtl8812au-dkms' work when the device information says it wants driver 8811au?

I thought that the device announced (1) I am this/these parts, and (2) I need this/these driver(s).

QUESTION: Where might I read the messy details about how a device identifies, how the information moves around, which process do which actions with the information, and how an end-user device becomes available?

QUESTION: Is there some way to tell NetworkManager that I want more than one interface active?
I don't want to do this as a routine thing, but I now have two wifi interfaces and might want to use one to create a hotspot and the other to access a not-public network.

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-Dan

PS/ I'm close to declaring this topic SOLVED.

Hi
Having poked around.

1) I think is looking for the firmware.
2) Firmware. It needs firmware
3) When the firmware loaded and initialized network manager will see it like any other nic (ifconfig)

You can start looking in /lib/firmware

Finding the firmware is anther matter. So you are looking for 8811au
Various firmware files (.fw) files are not interchangeable

As far as I know Linux mint 19.1 solves many hardware issues
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtop...03002#p1503002

One more thing. If you contemplating buying Netgear products don't
Regards
Ray

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayfward (Post 5979079)

...
One more thing. If you contemplating buying Netgear products don't
...

QUESTION: Why do you advise to avoid Netgear parts?

My home/office is all wired with Netgear® switches and routers and such. This A6100 is the first box that I've had any trouble with.

QUESTION: Which parts do you recommend instead of Netgear?

I'd welcome LAN parts that are Linux friendly (from a management perspective). We're planning to add an in-home/office (1) media, (2) private cloud, (3) document management and (4) "groupware" servers. Virtual LAN features, VPN features, and similar will be important.

QUESTION: Are you aware of FOSS firmware so that I have coffee house or medic office "guest" network features?

These are the sort of features where guests have a published wifi SSID, say "Guest_OurPlace", and then use two-factor authentication with an emails address and smart device to "login". Once we have all the services online, there will be LAN places that we want to keep "guests" out of, while still being friendly.

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-Dan

Hi Dan
Net gear says it supports Windows and Mac which is not Linux friendly. I spent three months trying to get a PCI Wi-Fi card to work doing what you have done and cobbling and compiling software to make it work to no avail. That has left a bitter taste.

This adapter has the same issues EW-7822UAC from edimax but I did find more up to date drivers in a Debian package and better instructions, also links to the firmware. This is better than compiling your own. Once opened it will warn you there is an old verion avalable. And now I can't find it!

Firmware is here.

wget https://media-cdn.ubuntu-de.org/foru...irmware.tar.gz
sudo tar xvf 2480236-Broadcom_Firmware.tar.gz -C /lib/firmware/

As for shopping Amazon I would not buy anything from them but it's a great shop window. Look for Linux compatible.

I'll try in find the deb files again

Regards
Ray

One more thing. Use demsg | more
You can see what's happen during boot Process.
As far as the other question are concerned. One thing at a time.

Hi Dan
Still can't find it. It was under the Edimax adapter with same performance of the Netgear and chipset.

Mint-17.3
If this truly your current version you really need to update to Mint 19.1. I understand if the installer did allow it's self to configure it's self (Most installers do this incorrectly) you can fix this through backups. There is an expenditure for this.

Regard
Ray

Follow-Up
I fetched and installed using rtl8812au-dkms package installed with 'synaptic'.
All worked well. After a kernel update to v4.15.0-47-generic, the device was found using 'lsusb' but was not operational as a wifi interface.

I returned to 'synaptic' and simply re-installed the rtl8812au-dkms package.
Now, the device works again.

Is there some way to accomplish one or both of the following?

Keep this driver "alive" following system updates
Arrange to "re-install" this driver automatically (from script)

I see the following with 'lsusb':

Code:

prompt$  lsusb



...

Bus 001 Device 008: ID 0846:9052 NetGear, Inc. A6100 AC600 DB Wireless Adapter [Realtek RTL8811AU]

...

I read that the device wants rtl8811au as a driver. My previous post reports that the 8811au package had compile time errors -- that I've reported (I think).

Can someone explain what is going on with driver revision numbers and packages where this device is concerned.

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-/ Dan

Hi Dan
This is a novel way to upgrade your system. Mint 19.1 uses 4.15.0-47-generic.

This could break your system. Use the deb packages for rtl8811au

Glad you got it working (sort-off)
Regards
Ray