Does Debian work on Intel AX200?

[haowenl]

I have an AX200 internet card and the Debian installer does not recognize it. I saw someone suggesting this might work: https://github.com/Head-on-a-Stick/newer-buster.

Will it work and is it safe (official)?

[Head_on_a_Stick]

It's not official but it should work for an AX200.

I'll update the image this weekend.

EDIT: you can clone the repository and build the image yourself on another machine if you prefer:

Code: Select all

sudo apt install git live-build
git clone https://github.com/Head-on-a-Stick/newer-buster.git
cd newer-buster
sudo lb clean --purge
lb config
sudo lb build

[haowenl]

Thank you for confirming!

But I'm new to Debian so: am I better off with stable and some backported kernel modules or should I just go with testing in the first place?

[Head_on_a_Stick]

The usual advice is to stick with the stable release, you only need the backported kernel & firmware-iwlwifi package. But having said that Debian testing has recently entered the freeze stage and should be released as Debian 11 fairly soon (in a few months) so that might be a better choice now. There will still be some bugs to iron out in bullseye though.

[haowenl]

Thanks for explaining this!

So if I go with testing now and when it becomes the new stable, I don't need to do anything to update right? If that's the case, I think I would go with testing for now.

[Bulkley]

So if I go with testing now and when it becomes the new stable, I don't need to do anything to update right? If that's the case, I think I would go with testing for now.

As long as your sources.list points to bullseye you will migrate to the new Stable. If your sources.list points to testing you will migrate to the new Testing when Bullseye becomes Stable. Got that?

[haowenl]

Got it! You make my migration to Debian so much easier!

[haowenl]

I tried to install Bullseye with an installer I found here: https://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/. This is what I see:

EDIT: I don't know how to get images to work. Here is the message:
Some of your hardware needs non-free firmware files to operate. The firmware can be loaded from removable media....
The missing firmware files are: regulatory.db, iwlwifi-cc-.....[and many more files starting with iwlwifi].

Where should I go get those proprietory files? Or should I not use a netintaller?

[Head_on_a_Stick]

https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unof ... 64/iso-cd/

[Bulkley]

Where should I go get those proprietory files? Or should I not use a netintaller?

Can you build a functioning system that goes on the Internet? If so, just continue. Add non-free to your sources.list like this:

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deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bullseye main contrib non-free

Adjust as per your source.

Do an apt update and then install firmware-iwlwifi . The firmware is just proprietary blobs that assist your hardware drivers. Add any that look like you need .

As an alternative there are some unofficial install packages that include the non free. Also you can download a package of nonfree and stick it on a USB drive and add it when the installer asks for it. Do some searching on this site; your question has been asked many times.

[haowenl]

I just downloaded the CD with firmware and tried it (took quite some time). But it still complains not finding the firmware.
This is weird because I have verified that the firmware-iwlwifi deb file is safe and intact on my USB. Is there any place I can find more debug info on this?

[haowenl]

Also, this card is the only way my current system can connect to the internet. I guess I have to find a way to install this driver during system install.

[arid]

Since I've done several installs with the firmware included lately I know it all works.

These used the lowly/ancient stable version that will never see the inside of my computers, but that's common sense.

I don't understand why you are looking at the firmware on USB as it is included on your full install.

Does it not ask you to confirm your acceptance of the non-free firmware?

[haowenl]

Interesting, I don't think it ever asks me that. Maybe I'm using the wrong image. The file name for me is: firmware-bullseye-DI-alpha3-amd64-DVD-1.iso. Does it look right?

EDIT: I also tried the netinstall version: firmware-bullseye-DI-alpha3-amd64-netinst.iso. It stills want me to provide firmware through USB.

[haowenl]

So should I just provide firmware through another USB? Do I just put the firmware-iwlwifi deb file into a USB and plug it in?