Om Malik writes:

Have you ever wondered why it is hard to get wireless networking right on alternative operating systems such as Linux and OpenBSD? It appears the blame for this situation lies with chip makers including the likes of Broadcom, Intel, Marvell and scores of other companies. These are the findings of Jem Matzan, who writes The Jem Report.

Matzan’s investigation shows that open source software coders are getting stymed by the chip makers. A major reason for the problems is that most companies are using proprietary firmware which cannot be redistributed, or has substantial restrictions.

According to Jonathan Gray, the drivers that OpenBSD currently has that require firmware that vendors won’t let the OpenBSD Project distribute are:

• acx (4) – TI ACX100/ACX111 IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network device
• ipw (4) – Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 IEEE 802.11b wireless network device
• iwi (4) – Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG/2225BG/2915ABG IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network device
• malo (4) – Marvell Libertas IEEE 802.11b/g
• bcw (4) – Broadcom IEEE 802.11b/g (this driver is still under development and does not currently work)
• wpi (4) – Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG IEEE 802.11a/b/g
• pgt (4) – Connexant/Intersil Prism GT Full-MAC IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network device
• uath (4) – Atheros USB IEEE 802.11a/b/g
• wpi (4) – Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network device

And the wireless devices that either do not require firmware, or that have runtime firmware that OpenBSD is allowed to distribute:

• atu (4) – Atmel AT76C50x USB IEEE 802.11b wireless network device
• ral (4) – Ralink Technology IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network device (2nd gen 802.11 Ralink)
• rum (4) – Ralink Technology USB IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network device
• zyd (4) – Zydas ZD1211 USB IEEE 802.11b/g wireless network device

Intel requires that people who use its Centrino wireless firmware submit to a lengthy license agreement before downloading and using it.

Posted by Sam Churchill on Thursday, December 28th, 2006 at 3:07 pm.