[ECOS] Re: eCos Wifi/WPA support

Chris Zimman czimman@bloomberg.com
Tue Sep 16 23:41:00 GMT 2008


> A module with a PCI or PCI-express interface would suffice, but
> I would need HW specs sufficient for writing a driver.

Maybe one of the Realtek parts would work OK for you then.  There are
open source drivers in the Linux kernel for those.

> The availability of open-source drivers may not be important
> (though it would be nice if they were open-source).

It's not just a matter of open source vs. closed source.  Said vendors 
Simply won't even discuss the parts with you, let alone sell them or 
give docs.

WiFi parts are generally referred to as 'non catalog' (eg. you can't get
them via distribution).  They are only available direct to high volume 
customers.

> That would be a problem.  My volumes (a few thousand a year)
> are definitely not "serious" by IC vendor standards.

Honestly, you are probably better off going with a mini-PCI card (or
Whatever is closest for the form factor you're targeting).  You have a 
lot of options there and your chances of getting something working are 
much better.  If you're doing something embedded where PCI isn't an 
option, you might have some luck going with a WiFi module vendor (Wi2Wi
etc.), 
but they typically will insist on writing the driver for your platform (eg. 
typically some $$$ involved) and giving you the binary.

--Chris

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