Realtek wifi adapter rtl8821ce

[Jayen Desai]

Hello,

I have realtek wifi adapter in my lenovo laptop ideapad 330 15arr model. It is not recognised by sys-net VM. I have downloaded the driver package from the following link:

https://github.com/endlessm/linux/tree/master/drivers/net/wireless/rtl8821ce

Since sys-net VM is based on fedora 29 template, I have tried to follow the steps given in the link below to make it work in sys-net VM:

https://nova.moe/solve-realtek-rtl8821ce-driver-on-fedora/

However when I try to compile the package, I get the following error:

[user@sys-net rtl8821ce]$ ls
Kconfig clean hal include platform runwpa
Makefile core ifcfg-wlan0 os_dep rtl8821c.mk wlan0dhcp
[user@sys-net rtl8821ce]$ vi Makefile
[user@sys-net rtl8821ce]$ pwd
/home/user/rtl8821ce/rtl8821ce
[user@sys-net rtl8821ce]$ make
make ARCH=x86_64 CROSS_COMPILE= -C /lib/modules/4.14.74-1.pvops.qubes.x86_64/build M=/home/user/rtl8821ce/rtl8821ce modules
make[1]: Entering directory '/usr/lib/modules/4.14.74-1.pvops.qubes.x86_64/build'
make[2]: *** No rule to make target '/home/user/rtl8821ce/rtl8821ce/core/rtw_cmd.o', needed by '/home/user/rtl8821ce/rtl8821ce/8821ce.o'. Stop.
make[1]: *** [Makefile:1527: _module_/home/user/rtl8821ce/rtl8821ce] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory '/usr/lib/modules/4.14.74-1.pvops.qubes.x86_64/build'
make: *** [Makefile:1902: modules] Error 2
[user@sys-net rtl8821ce]$ pwd

I think development workflow is different in Qubes OS. Any pointers, help, ideas?

[awokd]

Jayen Desai wrote on 4/5/19 3:55 PM:

> Hello,
>
> I have realtek wifi adapter in my lenovo laptop ideapad 330 15arr model. It is not recognised by sys-net VM. I have downloaded the driver package from the following link:

> I think development workflow is different in Qubes OS. Any pointers, help, ideas?

If you haven't already, try switching sys-net to use the debian-9
template. It might work with no extra effort. If not, check to see if
there's a firmware package available (in Debian).

https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/managing-vm-kernel/ is instructive. Note
"[i]nstalling additional kernel modules is cumbersome." The key is that
since kernels are supplied by dom0, you can't just compile in a module
in a template.

An ugly way to make it work would be to clone debian-9 to a standalone
VM, boot using its local kernel, compile in your module, then use that
as your sys-net. It would break several Qubes protection features if you
do that. Fedora would also work if you can get u2mfn/DKMS working. The
better way to do it is described in the above link, or you could
purchase a better supported Wifi card. :)

[Jayen Desai]

Thanks awokd for your help. I think the best option for me would be to go in for a supported wifi card. Can you suggest a supported wifi card which supports wireless AC standards and will work out-of-the box with Qubes OS R4.0?

[awokd]

Jayen Desai wrote on 4/6/19 6:27 AM:

> Thanks awokd for your help. I think the best option for me would be to go in for a supported wifi card. Can you suggest a supported wifi card which supports wireless AC standards and will work out-of-the box with Qubes OS R4.0?

1. Check your laptop manufacturer's website for a whitelist of wifi
cards. Some only permit certain models.
2. If you don't require AC speed and it's compatible, suggest an Atheros
9300 series or newer
(https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Atheros#AR9200.2FAR9500_series) which will
handle up to N. Pick one that matches your MIMO config. Don't get 9200
series. Some have integrated BT, so you might want to avoid for security
purposes. Search to make sure it's supported by the Linux ath9k driver.
3. Once you select a card, cross-reference the R4.0 reports at
https://www.qubes-os.org/hcl/#hardware-laptops and search this mailing
list for reports.

[Adam Robinson]

Hello Jayen,

I have realtek wifi adapter in my lenovo laptop ideapad 330 15arr model. It is not recognised by sys-net VM.

I have a similar laptop to you (Ideapad 330S-15ARR).

I was not able to compile the kernel module when using the Qubes provided virtual machine kernel.  I switched sys-net to use the stock Fedora 29 kernel and I was able to install the driver successfully.  Aside from that, the only other thing I had to do was manually run the command to upgrade grub when there is a kernel update in the template VM and I want to boot from it.

Thanks,

-Adam