When selecting a card it is best to choose one that is designed for free software. Free software is different than something given to you without charge. A card designed for free software gives you improved support under Linux. It results in long-term support becoming possible and eliminates the need to follow a complicated set of install instructions. Free software compatible devices work out of the box. A card which is merely listed as being Linux compatible may not. Loss of support for Linux compatible devices which are not free software compatible is also all too common.

• The Free Software Foundation recommends a few chipsets including: Ralink 2500/RT2400 (802.11G), Realtek RTL8180 (802.11G), and the Atheros AR9170 chipset (802.11N).

• ThinkPenguin.com Currently is the only company offering a 802.11N USB card with the AR9170 chipset that guarantees free software compatibility

• Passys sells a card with a Linux compatible (although not free software compatible) PCI card for desktop computers

• Wikipedia has additional information on which chipsets and drivers are free software compatible if you would like to hunt down a card on your own

If you find that your device is supported by a driver included with Ubuntu, but the driver is not loaded automatically, please see ReportingBugs to file a bug with Ubuntu. These are easy to fix.

Wireless support varies with architecture. For example, on the x86 (PC) architecture, you may be able to get some cards not designed or compatible with Linux to work using NDISWrapper and a Microsoft Windows driver. This comes at the expense of functionality and reliability. If you get this method working your Internet connection will most likely be very unstable.

On other architectures (some netbooks, tablets, and other devices) a native free software Linux driver is necessary. The AR9170 chipset is one such chipset which works with other architectures. A USB card with this chipset is available from ThinkPenguin.com.

Many lists exist online which suggest you can use a model number to purchase a Linux compatible device or computer. These lists are unreliable sources of information as many of these manufacturers do no support Linux and will change chipsets without notice and without changing the model number. Many of users have found out the hard way that the device which was suppose to be freedom or Linux compatible came with a completely unsupported chipset. This includes the list below. Use at your own risk.

This page is currently undergoing a reformatting and you are welcome to help out. As you can see, the cards are being reorganized by Manufacturer and the links to the card types are being served up on this page. As the cards are added to their Manufacturer's Page, they are getting removed from this page. When contributing any information, please put in the exact model code/identifier where possible..

Other Ubuntu wiki pages on Wireless Networking:

• Central page for Wifi info

• WifiDocs/WirelessTroubleShootingGuide (work in progress)

• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WirelessTroubleshootingProcedure (work in progress)

Wireless Network Interfaces

To determine what wireless card/chipset you have, open up a terminal and type the following.

lspci -v | less

Then, scroll to find your wireless device and note down its details.

For USB devices, type

lsusb

instead.

By Manufacturer

The Community has created articles for the following Manufacturers:

Wireless USB Adapters

Discontinued - Update directly on the maker page

These cards are being moved into the articles listed above. Please feel free to help out.

Note: Have a look at this page, my new version of this on with a cleaner layout: WifiDocs/WirelessCardsByVersion

By Card

Please take a moment and add your card to the wiki if there isn't a page on that device yet. Its very simple, follow format of template but don't put too much worry here in following a guideline. It will be cleaned up if needed. It's more important to document your experience for others. To create a page, simply enter the model # and version in the box ex.. dwl-g650vB5 and then click on the Create Device Page button. If there is a page on your device already, open up and add your comments/experience to the existing page.

• A list of supported cards can be found in the chart above

CategoryHardware CategoryNetworking CategoryWireless