1. Add a “contrib” component to /etc/apt/sources.list, for example:
    # Debian Squeeze/6.0
    deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free

  2. Update the list of available packages and install the wireless-tools package:
    aptitude update && aptitude install wireless-tools

  3. Install the appropriate firmware installer package:
    For 802.11b/g devices with a BCM4306 revision 3, BCM4311 or BCM4318 chipset, install firmware-b43-installer:
    aptitude install firmware-b43-installer

    For 802.11b/g devices with a BCM4312 LP-PHY chipset (PCI ID 14E4:4315), install firmware-b43-lpphy-installer:
    aptitude install firmware-b43-lpphy-installer

    For 802.11b-only devices (BCM4301) or 802.11b/g devices with the BCM4306 revision 2 chipset, install firmware-b43legacy-installer:
    aptitude install firmware-b43legacy-installer

    A
    PCI ID check will be performed to prevent incorrect firmware
    installation. When satisfied, the relevant Broadcom proprietary driver
    will be acquired, the firmware within will be extracted and installed.

  4. If not already performed, connect the device to your system. The necessary kernel module is automatically loaded for supported devices.
  5. Verify your device has an available interface:
    iwconfig

  6. Configure your wireless interface as appropriate.

Troubleshooting


  • Examine the kernel ring buffer (dmesg(1))
    to verify the required firmware files are being loaded by the driver.
    Lack of firmware is the usual reason for the “SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file
    or directory” error message.
  • Prior to Linux 3.0, DMA errors may occur on some systems with LP-PHY devices (589867).
    • To workaround:
      modprobe -r b43
      echo options b43 pio=1 qos=0 >> /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf
      modprobe b43


By 9M2PJU

An amateur radio operator, military veteran, jack of all trades and master of none.

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