Known working Wireless cards
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I have been trying unsuccessfully for a while to get pfsense working on a laptop to function as a wifi access point
I had an affiliate of mine order a WLE200NX wireless card for me after we tried a dozen different atheros wireless adapters in a handful of old laptops without any success
This card was suggested to me by a sales rep with netgate - after reading the previous post confirming that it should work, I'm strongly leaning towards the conclusion that I'm doing something wrong because while it works with windows, when the same box is nuked and paved with pfsense, the card cant be detected.
The process I used was to swap in the wifi adapter, then fresh install pfsense 2.4.2 (latest version as of this writing) on the laptop in question. At the end of the installation the application will ask to assign interfaces, at this stage, the wireless adapter is not listed (only the ethernet adapter is listed) and the card considered not compatible.
I don't want to hijack this thread though, but at the same time I thought I should post my experience as it appears to be relevant here. I created my own thread where I'm hoping someone can point out what I'm doing wrong and what the actual process to drop a card into a laptop and install pfsense is… Its here in the wireless section...
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The process I used was to swap in the wifi adapter, then fresh install pfsense 2.4.2 (latest version as of this writing) on the laptop in question. At the end of the installation the application will ask to assign interfaces, at this stage, the wireless adapter is not listed (only the ethernet adapter is listed) and the card considered not compatible.
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/2.4_New_Features_and_Changes#Wireless
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OMG THANK YOU!
Any explanation of the trouble this has caused me or the relief you've brought me would be an understatement.
;D
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Looking through the forum this seems to be the best place to ask this for I haven't seen it discussed elsewhere.
Can someone recommend an 802.11AC MiniPCIE card for use with pfSense? I had already bought one using the FreeBSD hardware list as a guide on what is compatible. However, I was told here:
https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=141663.0
that, not all FreeBSD drivers are included in the pfSense kernel, even though we are told this on the main pfSense main page.
Thanks!
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I've used the TP-LINK TL-WDN4800 for a few years. It works very well because it uses the ath9k driver, but unfortunately I haven't gotten good reliability from them. Both of mine died after about two years. Sorry I don't have pciconf for it, but I'm using an old dual radio router as an AP while I decide if I want to replace the WDN4800 or find something else.
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none2@pci0:0:20:3: class=0x028000 card=0x00348086 chip=0xa3708086 rev=0x10 hdr=0x00
vendor = 'Intel Corporation'
device = 'Wireless-AC 9560 [Jefferson Peak]'
class = network
cap 01[c8] = powerspec 3 supports D0 D3 current D0
cap 05[d0] = MSI supports 1 message, 64 bit
cap 10[40] = PCI-Express 2 root endpoint max data 128(128) FLR RO NS
cap 11[80] = MSI-X supports 16 messages
Table in map 0x10[0x2000], PBA in map 0x10[0x3000]
ecap 0000[100] = unknown 0
ecap 0018[14c] = LTR 1
ecap 000b[164] = Vendor 1 ID 16Not sure why it lists it as none, but it is the built in wifi card with the mobo and PFSense can not see it. Kinda sucks cause it was the only reason I bought this mobo, I could have gone much cheaper but I wanted one with built in wifi
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It's listed as none because there are no drivers for that particular 802.11ac card for FreeBSD (yet, see below). Do yourself a big favour and stop trying to get internal Wifi NICs working on pfSense/FreeBSD, get an external AP like one of the Ubiquiti entry level models.
https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=iwm&sektion=4&manpath=freebsd-release-ports
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Interesting this thread is so old, but still new posts. Are there any updates to this for latest PFSense using FreeBSD 11? I just wasted a few dollars on an wifi usb/AC adapter that I could have sworn was in 11's compatibility list. @kpa The problem is, we need captive portal for a guest wifi. We don't care if it's an older/slower model. The wifi has to be a USB adapter as well (Netgate SG-1000) as usb is the only option. There are lots of inexpensive usb wifi adapters that should work according to compatibility list, but If someone has a known working one, please post. Thank you!
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@sbrock99 .. i have just bought a mb with this same wifi as you (AC 9560), did you find a way to get it to work?
I am trying to find a way but having no luck. -
@no_one I gave up, the ones people say work, don't. Probably because the SG-1000 is different CPU then your normal freebsd box. What I did instead is get a USB to Ethernet plug and an external router. Not optimal and I can't do this at 10 locations, so we're looking at other routers... The USB to Ethernet plug seems more supported and worked straight away.
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I have this WiFi card, could be supported on pfsense?
07:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)
I forgot to mention that it's from lspci command in centOS 8.
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It should be supported by the wpi driver.
Note the hostap mode is a bit odd on that card/driver if you wanted to use it as an access point.
Steve
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@stephenw10 So we can't reverse it. And i still have to use kvm or proxmox.
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Reverse it? Not sure what you mean. You should start a new thread and detail what it is you're trying to do.
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@stephenw10 I mean put my lan as wan and wifi as AP. I already test it that way, this WiFi can not work in AP mode.
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It doesn't surprise me that cannot work as an AP given it only support some quasi hostap mode. Nothing we can do about that.
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@stephenw10 It looks like i have to buy a new WiFi card. Do you have recommendations what chipset can work along with pfsense on kvm.
Last night i retested my WiFi card using various mode on kvm networking, nothing works. While my pfsense on virtualbox works like a charms.
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Why not just buy a proper access point? That way you won't have to worry about finding a card that works with pfSense and you can put it in the best location. Also, many support PoE, so you don't have to worry about having AC handy,
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Older Atheros cards work best in pfSense. I've never tried, or even considered, using one passed through to a VM though.
A real access point will work much better, yeah.
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Anyone trying to get a stable wifi with from a internal card, do yourself a favor, like others have said, don't bother. It's a total waste of time and frustration. We went with external APs and all our stability issues and complaints have completely gone away. We ended up going with the Ubiquiti UniFi AC LR APs. It requires another VM/controller (For Captive Portal to work), but with that you can centrally manage all the APs and roaming with multiple APs works great. If it's only a single location that can be covered by one AP get a 2nd router with wifi capabilities (ASUS works well), disable dhcp and lan-to-lan it to the pfSense router.
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List of tested wireless cards in the BSD hardware database. The list includes both working and non-working cards, see particular probes and support statuses.
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Note- Linksys WUSB6300 USB WIFI Adapter installs Plug&Play
I was hoping since you are making this list, although this is an old thread that the Pfsense hardware list might add wireless devices that work by last apparent date of make and model.
Searching "Chiptsets" is much more difficult of a task then verified user reporting of working product specifics.hostb0@pci0:0:0:0: class=0x060000 card=0x20158086 chip=0x59048086 rev=0x08 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Xeon E3-1200 v6/7th Gen Core Processor Host Bridge/DRAM Registers' class = bridge subclass = HOST-PCI vgapci0@pci0:0:2:0: class=0x030000 card=0x22128086 chip=0x59068086 rev=0x07 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' class = display subclass = VGA none0@pci0:0:8:0: class=0x088000 card=0x20158086 chip=0x19118086 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Xeon E3-1200 v5/v6 / E3-1500 v5 / 6th/7th/8th Gen Core Processor Gaussian Mixture Model' class = base peripheral xhci0@pci0:0:20:0: class=0x0c0330 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d2f8086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP USB 3.0 xHCI Controller' class = serial bus subclass = USB none1@pci0:0:20:2: class=0x118000 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d318086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP Thermal subsystem' class = dasp none2@pci0:0:22:0: class=0x078000 card=0x19998086 chip=0x9d3a8086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP CSME HECI' class = simple comms ahci0@pci0:0:23:0: class=0x010601 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d038086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP SATA Controller [AHCI mode]' class = mass storage subclass = SATA pcib1@pci0:0:28:0: class=0x060400 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d128086 rev=0xf1 hdr=0x01 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PCI Express Root Port' class = bridge subclass = PCI-PCI pcib2@pci0:0:28:3: class=0x060400 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d138086 rev=0xf1 hdr=0x01 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PCI Express Root Port' class = bridge subclass = PCI-PCI pcib3@pci0:0:28:4: class=0x060400 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d148086 rev=0xf1 hdr=0x01 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PCI Express Root Port' class = bridge subclass = PCI-PCI pcib4@pci0:0:28:5: class=0x060400 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d158086 rev=0xf1 hdr=0x01 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PCI Express Root Port' class = bridge subclass = PCI-PCI pcib5@pci0:0:29:0: class=0x060400 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d188086 rev=0xf1 hdr=0x01 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PCI Express Root Port' class = bridge subclass = PCI-PCI pcib6@pci0:0:29:1: class=0x060400 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d198086 rev=0xf1 hdr=0x01 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PCI Express Root Port' class = bridge subclass = PCI-PCI isab0@pci0:0:31:0: class=0x060100 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d4e8086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point LPC Controller/eSPI Controller' class = bridge subclass = PCI-ISA none3@pci0:0:31:2: class=0x058000 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d218086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP PMC' class = memory hdac0@pci0:0:31:3: class=0x040300 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d718086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio' class = multimedia subclass = HDA none4@pci0:0:31:4: class=0x0c0500 card=0x72708086 chip=0x9d238086 rev=0x21 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'Sunrise Point-LP SMBus' class = serial bus subclass = SMBus igb0@pci0:1:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection' class = network subclass = ethernet igb1@pci0:2:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection' class = network subclass = ethernet igb2@pci0:3:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection' class = network subclass = ethernet igb3@pci0:4:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection' class = network subclass = ethernet igb4@pci0:5:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection' class = network subclass = ethernet igb5@pci0:6:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00 vendor = 'Intel Corporation' device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection' class = network subclass = ethernet
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A USB device like that will not be shown by pciconf. Try using:
usbconfig dump_device_desc
Steve
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@stephenw10 The akisimit is blocking posting results. I did try to give feedback.
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I upvoted your posts to give you a higher rep value. Try again.
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@stephenw10 I tried, same error.
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Try again now, your rep is >5. Or just post it to pastebin or a similar site and link to it.
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@stephenw10
I'll try pastebin as it failed again. -
@burlinwa ```
Hello,
Here is the pastebin link.
USB plugged in devices are a :
Dell Keyboard
Linksys WUSB6300
Sabrent USB to NIC 2.5GB adapterThe Linksys and Sabrent both appear to be plug & play
The linksys showed up under wireless section.The Sabrent needs speed tested.
I am not sure if it installed ok, but mmight be limited in full capabilities.[USB Devices- Linksys WUSB6300 and Sabrent USB NIC 2.5GB] https://pastebin.com/zTwQmwsp
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Yes, that's a Realtek device supported by rtwn(4).
It supports hostap mode, you could set that up as an access point.Steve
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@stephenw10 OK Sounds good.
I'll have to find info on setting that up.I did set it up once already, but I could not figure out how to configure it so it is using my WAN connection with the Linksys device ( User error , I know! LOL)
I got the TP-Linp AP working as well, but same issue ... it is not bridge with my WAN connection so I cannot actually get internet, just connected to WIRELESS connection from my PC.
I'll try again...but am going slower this time and doing backups and making notes in between changes as I am a noob, and had to wipe&reinstall 3 times already. The last time I tried the wireless, it messed something up with my WAN connection and pfsense would not detect it again.
My issue is I am in need of learning the bridging or networks across segments being able to talk to each other and share data. ( It's a home lab, I am not concerned about lan and dmz data.)
Thanks for your fast replies Stephen! -
Atheros AR9485 (HP p/n AR5B125) as AP
ath0@pci0:5:0:0: class=0x028000 card=0x02081028 chip=0x0032168c rev=0x01 hdr=0x00
vendor = 'Qualcomm Atheros'
device = 'AR9485 Wireless Network Adapter'
class = networkFound these settings (
somewhere) to fix the "stuck beacon" error:
Here it is - Forum Posthw.ath.bstuck 16
hw.ath.longcal 30
hw.ath.rxbuf 2048
hw.ath.txbuf 896
hw.ath.txbuf_mgmt 80
net.inet.tcp.inflight.max 1073725440Invalid
net.inet.tcp.inflight.min 3584Invalid(but always open to suggestions...)
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SparkLan WPEA-127N
hostap - AP mode support
Atheros AR9380 - miniPCIe (full-size)
pfSense+ 23.05 Release on PC Engines APU6B4ath0@pci0:5:0:0: class=0x028000 rev=0x01 hdr=0x00 vendor=0x168c device=0x0030 subvendor=0x168c subdevice=0x3112 vendor = 'Qualcomm Atheros' device = 'AR93xx Wireless Network Adapter' class = network
Compex WLE200NX
hostap - AP mode support
Atheros AR9280 - miniPCIe (full-size)
pfSense 2.7.0 Development on PC Engines APU4D4ath0@pci0:5:0:0: class=0x028000 rev=0x01 hdr=0x00 vendor=0x168c device=0x002a subvendor=0x168c subdevice=0x3099 vendor = 'Qualcomm Atheros' device = 'AR928X Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express)' class = network