ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Kalle Valo]

Hi,

I just pushed initial version of ath10k, our new driver for QCA9880 &
co, to github.com:

https://github.com/kvalo/ath10k

The driver is pretty small, roughly 14 kLOC. Even if the name implies
that this is an evolution from ath9k, the drivers are actually very
different. The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running
on the chip.

Once ath10k is ready I will send it for proper review. But we are not
quite there yet.

-- 
Kalle Valo

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli]

Hi,

On Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:20:54 +0300
Kalle Valo <kvalo@qca.qualcomm.com> wrote:
>The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running on the
>chip.
Will the firmware be released as free software at some point?

Denis.

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Adrian Chadd]

On 15 April 2013 11:40, Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli <GNUtoo@no-log.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> On Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:20:54 +0300
> Kalle Valo <kvalo@qca.qualcomm.com> wrote:
>>The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running on the
>>chip.
> Will the firmware be released as free software at some point?

There's currently no plans to open source the firmware for ath10k chips.

So it's best to assume the answer is "no".

We'll be sure to tell people if this ever changes.



Adrian

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Ben Greear]

On 04/15/2013 05:20 AM, Kalle Valo wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I just pushed initial version of ath10k, our new driver for QCA9880 &
> co, to github.com:
>
> https://github.com/kvalo/ath10k
>
> The driver is pretty small, roughly 14 kLOC. Even if the name implies
> that this is an evolution from ath9k, the drivers are actually very
> different. The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running
> on the chip.
>
> Once ath10k is ready I will send it for proper review. But we are not
> quite there yet.

Is there any info on it's expected support for virtual stations, APs, etc?

Hardware is still hard to come by it seems..hope that changes soon!

Thanks,
Ben


-- 
Ben Greear <greearb@candelatech.com>
Candela Technologies Inc  http://www.candelatech.com

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Sujith Manoharan]

Ben Greear wrote:
> Is there any info on it's expected support for virtual stations, APs, etc?

There are limitations on the maximum number of virtual interfaces and stations
right now. But, the FW is being fixed to support more nodes/interfaces.
Nevertheless, it can't be compared with ath9k. :)

Sujith

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Helmut Schaa]

Hi Kalle,

On Mon, Apr 15, 2013 at 2:20 PM, Kalle Valo <kvalo@qca.qualcomm.com> wrote:
> I just pushed initial version of ath10k, our new driver for QCA9880 &
> co, to github.com:

Nice, any idea when these devices will be available to the public?
Helmut

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Kalle Valo]

Hi Helmut,

Helmut Schaa <helmut.schaa@googlemail.com> writes:

> On Mon, Apr 15, 2013 at 2:20 PM, Kalle Valo <kvalo@qca.qualcomm.com> wrote:
>> I just pushed initial version of ath10k, our new driver for QCA9880 &
>> co, to github.com:
>
> Nice, any idea when these devices will be available to the public?

Luckily I'm in a position where I don't need to speak with marketing and
sales so I have no idea :)

-- 
Kalle Valo

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Edward]

Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli <GNUtoo@...> writes:

> 
> Hi,
> 
> On Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:20:54 +0300
> Kalle Valo <kvalo@...> wrote:
> >The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running on the
> >chip.
> Will the firmware be released as free software at some point?
> 
> Denis.
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> 
> 


Does it matter? The firmware is just a binary logic black box. It's not
likely to even see more than a handful of revisions after the actual
products hit the market.

As long as the driver remains open I don't see any problems with the
open-driver-closed-firmware combination. Intel and Ralink has adopted this
practice to great success, and I don't see any reason why Atheros can't do
the same.

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Julian Calaby]

Hi Edward,

On Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 10:59 PM, Edward <eliasacorn@yahoo.com.sg> wrote:
> Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli <GNUtoo@...> writes:
>> On Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:20:54 +0300
>> Kalle Valo <kvalo@...> wrote:
>> >The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running on the
>> >chip.
>> Will the firmware be released as free software at some point?
>
> Does it matter? The firmware is just a binary logic black box. It's not
> likely to even see more than a handful of revisions after the actual
> products hit the market.

I believe the question was asked as Atheros / Qualcomm has a history
of releasing firmware for their devices, i.e. the ar9170 and ar7010 /
ar9271 chips, I believe Denis was wondering if this practise would
continue.

> As long as the driver remains open I don't see any problems with the
> open-driver-closed-firmware combination. Intel and Ralink has adopted this
> practice to great success, and I don't see any reason why Atheros can't do
> the same.

I don't believe anyone has problems with things being done this way,
we'd just like to know if there's a release scheduled.

Thanks,

--
Julian Calaby

Email: julian.calaby@gmail.com
Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/julian.calaby/
.Plan: http://sites.google.com/site/juliancalaby/

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Adrian Chadd]

.. as I said, there's no schedule for releasing firmware source for
the QCA988x 11ac NICs.

For now, please proceed as if there will never be a firmware source release.

If this ever changes, us in the QCA team will let everyone know. (Most
likely by saying "hey, go here! there's source! yay!.")



adrian

Re: ath10k: mac80211 driver for QCA9880

[Kalle Valo]

Kalle Valo <kvalo@qca.qualcomm.com> writes:

> I just pushed initial version of ath10k, our new driver for QCA9880 &
> co, to github.com:
>
> https://github.com/kvalo/ath10k
>
> The driver is pretty small, roughly 14 kLOC. Even if the name implies
> that this is an evolution from ath9k, the drivers are actually very
> different. The biggest difference is that there's now firmware running
> on the chip.
>
> Once ath10k is ready I will send it for proper review. But we are not
> quite there yet.

I pushed the firmware temporarily here:

https://github.com/kvalo/ath10k-firmware

I also created a small page to the wiki:

http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/ath10k

But now anyone with QCA9880 or QCA9888 should be able to run ath10k now.
If someone does that we would be very interested about feedback.

-- 
Kalle Valo