Date:	Fri, 8 Dec 2006 01:03:58 -0500
From:	"Alex Deucher" <alexdeucher@...il.com>
To:	"Dan Williams" <dcbw@...hat.com>
Cc:	netdev@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Marvell Libertas wifi

On 12/7/06, Dan Williams <dcbw@...hat.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 2006-12-07 at 12:32 -0500, Alex Deucher wrote:
> > I just wanted to check on the status of the libertas driver from
> > Marvell for the OLPC project.  I haven't really been able to find out
>
> The driver needs quite a bit of love.  It's only been used for embedded
> devices so far and has quite a few NDIS-isms sprinkled throughout.  It's
> also something like 30,000 LoC, which is completely bogus.  There's no
> reason it should be that large given that it's a FullMAC-type part.
>
> We're slowly working on cleaning it up for submission to the kernel.
> That process will probably take until after the holidays.  We are
> removing unused code/defines, cleaning up WEXT compliance, making
> operations like association and scanning asynchronous, converting
> private IOCTLs to debugfs, fixing the power-saving code, and adding
> draft 802.11s wireless mesh functionality to the firmware and the
> driver.
>
> Are you developing a device based on the 8388?  AFAIK, the chip does not
> appear in any consumer devices that are generally available to the
> public, and certainly isn't sold to Linksys or DLink for consumer USB
> dongles.  It does show up in embedded situations like the Nokia N80
> mobile phone and a few other small gadgets like that.
>
> > much about this driver other than the commits to the olpc and
> > infradead libertas git trees.  The olpc laptop uses the usb interface
>
> Correct; the 8388 module is connected directly to the USB traces coming
> out of the 5536 Geode companion chip on the OLPC motherboard.
>
> > and that seems to be what is supported at the moment (although some
> > comments in the code allude to pci and sdio interfaces as well).  Does
>
> Yes; the part evidently has other interface variants, though code for
> those variants was not provided in the initial driver sources which
> Marvell GPL-ed in April.
>
> > anyone know what the plan is for merging this driver into mainline?
> > What about pci support?  Did Marvell donate any code for the PCI
> > interface? If not how hard would it be to add PCI support?  I
>
> No code for PCI was donated, and we don't have any 8388 PCI cards at
> OLPC.
>
> > requested databooks from Marvell months ago, but never got anywhere.
> > I'd like to see better support for this chip and would be willing to
> > help out.  Any updates would be much appreciated.
>
> Be aware that I _think_ there are a few chips in the Libertas line; we
> are using the 8388.  The current driver only supports that specific
> part.
>
> That said, if you've got hardware, we'd love patches, certainly accept
> patches that provided PCI support and fixed bugs in the driver.  We may
> also be able to provide USB 8388 reference dongles for people willing to
> help out with the development of the driver.
>

Yes, that appears to be the case.  I just wasn't sure how
similar/dissimilar they are.  I have a 11ab:1fa7 on my motherboard,
and I've seen quite a few Marvel chips floating around on cardbus and
pci cards.  I'm hoping the cores are pretty similar and one could just
add some pci glue to make the olpc driver work.  Does anyone at the
olpc have any contacts at Marvell that could clarify the situation or
might know if they are willing to release the code for the pci
variants, etc.?

Thanks,

Alex

> Cheers,
> Dan
>
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Alex
> >
> > PS, please CC: me on replies as I'm not on this list.
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