64 Bit + WiFi

[Ian]

OK, I just ordered a Compaq R3000z a few days ago, and it got me wondering about something. It comes with a built in Broadcom WiFi solution, I opted to get it because I will be dual booting and using Windows XP 64 Bit (the beta) on it as well as Gentoo. I remember seeing some driver wrapper that used the Windows 32 bit drivers to use the Broadcom cards, will that work for a 64 bit linux kernel?

Second question, if I can't use a 32 bit device driver for a 64 bit kernel (as I suspect it will be), if Broadcom releases a 64 bit driver for their WiFi chipsets (as they will need to once Microsoft releases Windows XP 64-Bit for the general public), will linux users be able to take the 64 bit driver and use a 64 bit wrapper to provide wireless functionality with the built in chipset?


I know I'm asking a bit much, and if a project is in progress on this issue, please point me to it and I'll do the best I can to help (I just graduated high school, but I've been doing driver development (adding features and such) for the past three weeks, so I'm fairly proficient in C. This is something that's somewhat important to me, and I'm sure plenty of other people, so I'd like to get a working solution ASAP.

And one last word, yes, I know of how crazy Broadcom is, one of my coworkers told me how he had to sign about a million NDAs to get to a specially created datasheet that he couldn't show anyone else under penalty of death, or something ridiculous like that.

[ballyn]

The package you're looking for is ndiswrapper... it's in portage. I'm using it on a dell precision m60 (pentium m) without problems. It doesn't appear to compile on my 64-bit machine, though.

Once broadcom releases a 64-bit driver, I would assume that it won't be too difficult to get ndiswrapper running.

Here, I just did a little research for you since it piqued my interest... This is from the author of ndiswrapper:

http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.drivers.ndiswrapper.general/2513

[eztiger]

I'm lookinging into buying an Athlon64 for my next server but I have to concede to being a bit confused by the 32/64 bit issues.

I will definately need to use the ndiswrapper package for one of the network interfaces.....you say it doesn't compile on your 64 bit machine...is it possible to compile it in 32 bit mode?

I understand if there are no 64 bit broadcom drivers it won't work at 64 bit...but is it possible to compile ndsiwrapper as a 32 bit binary and use it with the 32 bit broadcom drivers and run it on your otherwise 64 bit native machine?

Thanks,

Kev

[herbie]

no, afaik the ndiswrapper is a kernel module and if compiled in 32bit will not load on a 64bit kernel. So until broadcom releases 64bit drivers of some description there is zero chance of getting this to work on amd64 linux. You might want to look for a prism based 54g wifi card, they have stable opensource linux drivers that work on amd64 (driver is in the vanilla 2.6 kernel as of version 2.6.5).

[Ian]

Well, the fact that it should eventually work is a good thing, although I'll probably have to buy a prism card in the meantime. Speaking of Broadcom 64 bit drivers, does anyone know if Microsoft has set a release date for Windows XP 64, because I'd think once that comes out, a 64 bit Broadcom driver will also be released (or at least AMD and HP/Compaq will definitely push for one).

[naitram]

I called up HP and asked if they had any 64 bit support for the zv5000 (pretty well identical to the 3000z) and they told me flat out no. No support, no estimated time when they'll have support, and yes they understand that broadcom's a bunch of asshats that refuses to support their products, and that HP's the only option i have for obtaining drivers, but no, I was stil out of luck. How many phone calls do you think it would take before someone decided it would be a good thing to put up drivers? I told them i was using the beta 64 bit version of xp, since i knew they'd never support linux. Anyone else want to chime in? tech support number is 1-800-474-6836 and it's 24x7. Surprisingly they actually spoke english. If you do decide to call, try and be polite (i never actually used the term "asshat") as rudeness likely won't get you anywhere.
_________________
There is nothing that a non-comformist hates more than a conformist.
With the sole exception of another non-conformist not conforming to the prevailing standards of non-conformity.

[Bluesmoke]

I also have a ZV5000Z, Its a great machine aside from the darn Broadcom 54G wireless . I called HP and they told me to call Broadcom *boggle*

[naitram]