RTL8180SU Supported in TC3?

[SamK]

Does TC3 natively support the RTL8180SU chipset?

The chipset is not listed in the staging area:
http://kernel.xc.net/index.cgi?version=2.6.33&arch=x86

In the TC3 repository wireless-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tgz includes:
...wireless/rtl818x/rtl8187.ko.gz
...wireless/rtl818x/rtl8180.ko.gz

Do these also cover the rtl8180su?
 

[curaga]

Not sure by chipset name. Would need a pci/usb id to check that.

[SamK]

Unfortunately I do not have access to that at the moment.  I am looking to purchase a further USB wireless network adaptor - this time one that is supported by TC3.1.

Most vendors cater only for the Windows market and publish compatibility with XP, Win7 etc.  It is much rarer to find one that gives details of the device - chipset etc.  Without specialist knowledge it is difficult to be certain before making a purchase that the adaptor is compatible with TC.  The obvious way seems to be to find a device with a chipset that is explicitly listed in the files section of wireless-2.6.33.3-tinycore.tgz.  Having made numerous enquiries of sellers this is also proving difficult.

Is it possible in some way to produce a more comprehensive list of the chipsets supported by TC?  If so I foresee it becoming a reference point which will considerably improve the current position.
 

[maro]

Firstly, I assume you are looking at a RTL8188SU (not a RTL8180SU). Furthermore the
sources for a driver are avaiable from the companies webpage (direct link to the current file).

Now, looking briefly through the file it appears that compilation should lead to a module called '8187u', which would be the driver for this device (together with a few other devices, e.g. 8192su). It looks like that the latest version of the sources should compile for kernel 2.6.33, which was probably not the case previously.

A brief visit to google indicates to me that not all users are happy. I guess it means that apart from compiling it yourself, one has to be prepared to do a bit of research, looking for patches if needed, or download updated sources & re-compile. So, I guess it depends on how much effort you are willing and able to put in yourself. I personally would take a punt, since I'm convinced that others have got it working, and (older ?) reports of problems might be clouding the picture. An alternative would still be to consider 'ndiswrapper'.

[SamK]

Firstly, I assume you are looking at a RTL8188SU (not a RTL8180SU).

Yes you are correct it is the 8188SU.

Now, looking briefly through the file it appears that compilation should lead to a module called '8187u', which would be the driver for this device (together with a few other devices, e.g. 8192su). It looks like that the latest version of the sources should compile for kernel 2.6.33, which was probably not the case previously.

...I guess it depends on how much effort you are willing and able to put in yourself. I personally would take a punt, since I'm convinced that others have got it working, and (older ?) reports of problems might be clouding the picture. An alternative would still be to consider 'ndiswrapper'.

In this thread
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php?topic=7219.0
I indicate that I have a device that is based on the RTL8192 chipset but the driver for it is currently listed in the staging area as it is not yet considered stable. I have tried (unsuccessfully) compiling the source supplied with the adaptor and also what I thought was the most recent version. The adaptor does work under ndiswrapper, however, it does not give N or G performance but falls back to at B standard.

The current research is an attempt to avoid repeating this cycle.

I was also trying to make is a wider point; it is difficult to know before purchase whether the device will work with TC.  Linux generally is much more opaque in this respect than Windows. Prior to purchase, the process of obtaining the current version of the source code, reading the files and understanding the modules to be output, comes under the "specialist knowledge" mentioned in my earlier post.  It is not something that all us are able to do.

TC is gaining a reputation for having good NIC compatibility and is supported by some very capable, knowledgeable people.  Vendors can often supply the chipset of an adaptor but little other information.  My suggestion of producing a more comprehensive list of supported chipsets was an idea of how these two aspects may be used to assist users without in depth technical knowledge on this matter to help themselves.  Of course, there may be a better way.
 

[curaga]

http://linux-wless.passys.nl/

Is a good site with this kind of info. Just check that if it's listed green, that it was added to the kernel before what TC is running (2.6.33.3 currently).

Also, Intel and Atheros chipsets nearly always work.