Atheros wireless driver in pfsense 2.1

[DigitalSpirit]

pfSense 2.1 is based on FreeBSD 8.3
In FreeBSD 9.0 added support new cards
Developer Adrian says

I've committed the AR9287 support to -HEAD. It'll be there for 9.0-RELEASE.

No, I don't have any plans to backport the code to 8-STABLE; but I know that the code compiles and works on -8. You can just checkout sys/dev/ath, sys/modules/ath, sys/modules/ath_pci, build ath/ath_pci modules and enjoy the updated support.

http://forums.freebsd.org/archive/index.php/t-23722.html

Can you replace ath driver to new ?

[DigitalSpirit]

I compiled modules and kernel
with new kernel and loaded if_ath_pci.ko
pfsense found pci wifi module
but internet not working and generate spam "l2tp loop" in logs

with old kernel and loaded modules if_ath.ko and if_ath_pci.ko
pfsense not seeng wifi module "none1@pci"

modules http://depositfiles.com/files/a7fjfg95g

kernel nano_vga http://depositfiles.com/files/ildv2fc1z

[david2803]

Greetings, post some pictures to see if this new version of pfSense can repair this problem with atheros support, I have installed this new version, pfSense 2.1. however the problem still persists as previous versions.

Please repair this situation will improve in 2.1 atheros support.

excuse my English, I use google translator. I'm from Venezuela


[DigitalSpirit]

Atheros driver from freebsd 9.0 compiles and works on pfsense
But in kernels that I maked has been broken pfctl
and full image creation stops on php

[stephenw10]

Perhaps I'm missing something here but do you need to re-build the kernel?

Adrian (the ath author) recently said:
@erikarn:

Hi,

FWIW, I've just committed a fix that lets one run the -HEAD ath(4) driver on an 8.x tree.

It should support all the ath(4) NICs in non-802.11n modes.

Maybe that'll help the pfsense team in releasing some more up to date wifi support, at least before they migrate to 9.x :-)

Steve

[DigitalSpirit]

@stephenw10:

Perhaps I'm missing something here but do you need to re-build the kernel?

Steve

Yes, need i386 wrap_vga (nanobsd_vga) kernel

[DigitalSpirit]

I create image with atheros freebsd 9.0 driver
all works except wifi n mode

using tusl2-c with Pentium III-S 1400MHz CPU 512mb sdram
intel 100 and realtek 1000 Ethernet
and Tplink TL-WN751ND wifi adapter

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75811597/pfSense-2.0-RELEASE-4g-i386-nanobsd_vga-20120622-2140-ath.img.gz
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75811597/pfSense-2.0-RELEASE-4g-i386-nanobsd_vga-upgrade-20120622-2140-ath.img.gz

pfSense 2.0.2-RC2 (i386)

kernel: ath0: <atheros 9287=""> mem 0xdd000000-0xdd00ffff irq 20 at device 12.0 on pci2
kernel: ath0: [ITHREAD]
kernel: ath0: AR9287 mac 384.2 RF5133 phy 15.15</atheros>

need add in /boot/loader.conf

if_ath_load=yes
if_ath_pci_load=yes

[DigitalSpirit]

tested with Rosewill RNX-N360PC

kernel: ath0: <atheros 5416="">mem 0xdd000000-0xdd00ffff at device 12.0 on pci2
kernel: ath0: [ITHREAD]
kernel: ath0: AR5416 mac 13.10 RF2133 phy 8.1</atheros> 

[eri--]

I will add it to 2.1 since have tested myself and works better.

[stephenw10]

That's excellent news for many people.  :)

Steve

[eri--]

Done should be on later snapshots.

[DigitalSpirit]

new snapshot pfSense don't seeing wifi

2.1-BETA0 (amd64)
built on Thu Aug 2 03:21:59 EDT 2012
FreeBSD 8.3-RELEASE-p3

none3@pci0:5:3:0:       class=0x028000 card=0x3071168c chip=0x0023168c rev=0x01 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    bar   [10] = type Memory, range 32, base 0xfebf0000, size 65536, enabled
    cap 80[40] = unknown
    cap 00[80] = unknown

probably need include to kernel if_ath_pci module

[Waldemar]

Yes unfortunately mine is not seeing the atheros interface either :(

[jimp]

This should be OK now for the last couple days.

[Kevin666]

i want to get a AR9287 to run in hostap mode, does it work with the current beta still? or should i get another card

[Clear-Pixel]

So can we all assume the AR9287 and older are working properly in AP mode for the new Atheros driver for Pfsense 2.1 Beta1?
http://wikidevi.com/wiki/Atheros

Still some hardware functions of the AR9287 and older chips not supported as of yet.
https://wiki.freebsd.org/dev/ath%284%29

Alternate Highpower unit for the Ubiquiti Networks SR71-E.

Atheros AR9285 / MIMO 1Tx1R
High Power - 24dBm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JJPLUS-Expressrange2-PCIe-Mini-Card-802-11N-Highpower-/190499560016?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5aa89a50

Think this is the manufacture
http://www.compex.com.sg/productdetailinfo.asp?model=WLE200N2-23&acc1Panel=1

[zenny]

@DigitalSpirit:

Atheros driver from freebsd 9.0 compiles and works on pfsense
But in kernels that I maked has been broken pfctl
and full image creation stops on php

I am having the same problem with image creation halting at php (http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,61074.msg354170.html#msg354170).

Can you tell me how did you overcome the problem? I am asking because you reported above that you could finally create the NanoBSD images. Thanks!