rtl8188ce-linux-driver

This slightly modified version of the driver fixes some issues with RealTek cards on Linux. It also fixes a bug with ignoring CRDA restrictions

Well supported RealTek cards:

    RTL8188CE
    RTL8192CE

Well supported kernel releases:

    3.2.x
    3.8.x
    3.11.x
    3.12.x
    3.13.x

Well supported Ubuntu releases:

    Ubuntu 12.04
    Ubuntu 13.04
    Ubuntu 13.10
    Ubuntu 14.04

Well supported Fedora releases:

    Fedora 19
    Fedora 20

Other RealTek cards, kernel releases, and Linux flavors/releases are supported, but not tested by me (since I don't have them/use them). From the original readme file:

--This driver supports following RealTek PCIE Wireless LAN NICs:

    RTL8188CE/RTL8192CE
    RTL8191SE/RTL8192SE
    RTL8192DE
    RTL8723AE
    RTL8188EE

--This driver supports following Linux OSes:

    Fedora Core
    Debian
    Mandriva
    Open SUSE
    Gentoo
    MeeGo
    android 2.2 (froyo-x86), etc.

Please note that I have only tested the driver on Ubuntu and Fedora (the well supported releases). If you are NOT using Ubuntu, pay close attention to your kernel version when selecting branches. You also need to substitute your package manager whenever you see "apt-get install", so Fedora would be "yum install xxx". Most package names are the same but there may be some difference.

Automatic Installation:

There is an install script called install.sh which attempts to automate the manual steps. If the script fails to build and install the driver, you should follow the steps for manual installation.

If you want to run the install script, simply run:

./install.sh

Manual Installation:

To check your kernel version:

uname -r

These commands should be typed in an open terminal. I recommend you start in your home directory by typing "cd"

0. Clone this git repository:

Install git if necessary:

sudo apt-get install git

or

yum install git

Clone the repo (Basically it makes a copy of the current source code)

git clone https://github.com/FreedomBen/rtl8188ce-linux-driver.git

1. Install build dependencies (pay attention to the backticks!):

Ubuntu:

apt-get install gcc build-essential linux-headers-generic linux-headers-`uname -r`

Fedora:

yum install kernel-devel kernel-headers
yum groupinstall "Development Tools"
yum groupinstall "C Development Tools and Libraries"

2. (Skip unless your first build attempt fails) -> Make sure you are on the correct branch for your kernel version. The branches are named after Ubuntu releases to which they commonly apply, but the most important factor is not the version of Ubuntu, it is the kernel version. There is a script called "verify_branch" that will help you find the right branch based on your kernel version. When you run "make", the script "verify_branch" will be automatically called for you. It will recommend to you the best branch for your kernel version. If you tried the recommended branch and your build failed, you may need to try a different one. If so, decline the offer to automatically switch branches for you.

If you need to, you can switch to the correct branch with:

git checkout <branch>

Ex: "git checkout ubuntu-13.04"

Release ver. | *Kernel ver.   |  Branch Name
--------------------------------------------
Ubuntu 12.04 | Kernel 3.2.x:  |  ubuntu-12.04
Ubuntu 13.04 | Kernel 3.8.x:  |  ubuntu-13.04
Ubuntu 13.10 | Kernel 3.11.x: |  ubuntu-13.10
Fedora 19/20 | Kernel 3.12.x: |  fedora-20

* Note, if the Ubuntu/Fedora release version and your kernel version conflict, go with the branch corresponding to your *kernel version* as that is what really matters!

3. Compile:

make

4. Remove existing kernel modules. You may want to write these down before moving just in case. Record the output of "lsmod | grep ^rtl" (pay attention to the backticks!):

sudo modprobe -r `lsmod | grep ^rtl`

5. Install:

sudo make install

6. Modprobe in the new driver:

sudo modprobe rtl8192ce 

(This is the driver for rtl8188ce also)

7. You may need to modprobe back in the other modules too (I did). Mine were:

rtl8192ce, rtlwifi, and rtl8192c_common

8. Make persistent by adding this to the end of "/etc/modules" (for Ubuntu), or "/etc/rc.modules" (for Fedora) (if Fedora make sure /etc/rc.modules is exectuable):

rtl8192ce.ko

You may want to verify your CRDA domain. For example if you were in Bolivia it would be: "iw reg set BO" There is more information about CRDA available at: http://ttys1.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/fixing-regulatory-domain-crda-of-realtec-wireless-device-drivers/

Troubleshooting:

0. To check whether you are running this driver or not, run the script:

./am_i_using_this_driver.sh

1. If you get the following error:

FATAL: Error inserting rtl8192ce                 (/lib/modules/3.8.0-34-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192ce/rtl8192ce.ko): Invalid argument

After running:

modprobe rtl8192ce 

You may have invalid configuration options in /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8192ce.conf. You can either remove the file or remove the debug option as it is no long supported.