[NTLUG:Discuss] Internet Connection Sharing presentation

[Chris Cowden]

Hi All,

Interesting discussion.  Thanks, Ralph, for bringing up the Broadpwn issue.
I was somehow unaware of it.  According to the Arch wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Broadcom_wireless
Broadcom has released an open source driver which was incorporated into
the Linux kernel.  I'm sure support is wonderful (sarcastic) for it. 

On a somewhat related topic, I have an HP laptop with a Realtek wireless
controller.  It has a problem after some usage, like streaming a lot of
data, in which it drops to a dormant state.  After this happens, I can't
recover it without rebooting the system.  So, I've been using a USB
adaptor.  Does anyone know how to go about debugging my Realtek card's
problem?  I'd rather not have to keep this USB thing sticking out all
the time.  

Cheers,
Chris
 
On Tue, Aug 15, 2017 at 10:03:53PM -0500, Ralph Green wrote:
> Terry,
>   Thank you for the presentation and the followup.  Concerning your
> getting wifi working on the HP laptop, I have a suggestion. The HP
> laptop, like most, but not all laptops uses a easily replaceable wifi
> card.  It is either a mini-PCI or a mini-PCIe.  I think it is
> mini-PCIe (full length) from the pictures I see.  Note that the
> Broadcom chip in your card is subject to a vulnerability called
> Broadpwn.  This affects Linux computers, but most articles about it
> talk about Android.  I don't like Broadcom because they don't have
> open source drivers, but this vulnerability really makes it important
> that you get rid of these devices.  Better wifi cards are available
> for less than $10.  I think I paid $4 with shipping the last time.  If
> the card you buy is a half length card, I suggest getting a length
> adaptor so you can screw it down.  You can 3d print these adaptors,
>   A few laptops(some Thinkpads I've seen) won't boot with a
> non-approved wifi chip.  But, I've replaces more than 10 laptop wifi
> cards and only seen one laptop whose bios locked out competitors that
> way.  If others have a comment on their experience here, I'd like to
> hear.
> Have a good day,
> Ralph
> 
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