Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module?

[seamusdemora]

I am using a derivative Debian distribution (Raspberry Pi OS): 'bookworm'. nmcli is the network management tool, and the default WiFi power save setting is enabled; i.e. as installed, before any changes are made, WiFi power save is enabled:

Code: Select all

$ iw wlan0 get power_save
Power save: on

I have checked the file '/etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/preconfigured.nmconnection' (the default and only connection file), and it has nothing in it re 'power save':

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[connection]
id=preconfigured
uuid=5d0fb816-f6f4-44ec-bce7-d4dd44387c3f
type=wifi
timestamp=1713166397

[wifi]
mode=infrastructure
ssid=Mesh01

[wifi-security]
key-mgmt=wpa-psk
psk=35d2f7ea3efdb59bcdeed67f2a01295b4f6f2ba3245328977156c3970b50a540

[ipv4]
method=auto

[ipv6]
addr-gen-mode=default
method=auto

[proxy]

And so my question is this: How did power_save come to be turned on by default in my system?

[Aki]

Hello,

Check parameters of the wireless adapter kernel module.

Moved to "Off-Topic" since it is not about Debian.

[seamusdemora]

Hello,

Check parameters of the wireless adapter kernel module.

Moved to "Off-Topic" since it is not about Debian.

"not about Debian"?? Is RPi OS not a Debian derivative; is it not the same brcmfmac driver?

But checking brcmfmac parameters is a good idea... how do I do that, please? And how can the default values of these parameters be changed permanently?

[Aki]

Hello,

Is RPi OS not a Debian derivative

It is a derivative distribution by Raspberry Foundation. As an example, this is a citation of the "About" disclaim of RPi OS Linux git repository: "Kernel source tree for Raspberry Pi-provided kernel builds. Issues unrelated to the linux kernel should be posted on the community forum at https://forums.raspberrypi.com/"

is it not the same brcmfmac driver?

Many part of the Linux source code can be identical, but some can be modified/added to fit the RPi OS to the Raspberry Pi hardware. I haven't checked the brcmfmac kernel module.

But checking brcmfmac parameters is a good idea... how do I do that, please? And how can the default values of these parameters be changed permanently?

You can use the command:

Code: Select all

$ /sbin/modinfo brcmfmac

[seamusdemora]

Hello,

Is RPi OS not a Debian derivative

It is a derivative distribution by Raspberry Foundation. As an example, this is a citation of the "About" disclaim of RPi OS Linux git repository: "Kernel source tree for Raspberry Pi-provided kernel builds. Issues unrelated to the linux kernel should be posted on the community forum at https://forums.raspberrypi.com/"

Aye - well that is not possible for me. You see I was "banned for life" for protesting a censorious heavy hand So you can think of me as a "political refugee" I suppose

is it not the same brcmfmac driver?

Many part of the Linux source code can be identical, but some can be modified/added to fit the RPi OS to the Raspberry Pi hardware. I haven't checked the brcmfmac kernel module.

But checking brcmfmac parameters is a good idea... how do I do that, please? And how can the default values of these parameters be changed permanently?

You can use the command:

Code: Select all

$ /sbin/modinfo brcmfmac

Hmm... unfortunately, nothing relevant to the wifi "power save" option was revealed. Maybe you can clear something up for me: I've heard two different stories re the brcmfmac driver. One story is that it's open-source - the other is that it's not. How is it considered in Debian?

[Aki]

[..] I've heard two different stories re the brcmfmac driver. One story is that it's open-source - the other is that it's not. How is it considered in Debian?

You can check the Debian Wiki:

• https://wiki.debian.org/brcmfmac :

  brcmfmac is a free and open source driver. [..] Non-free firmware is required.

note: if you agree, you may change the subject of the first message:

[Raspberry Pi OS] Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module ?

[seamusdemora]

note: if you agree, you may change the subject of the first message: [Raspberry Pi OS] Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module ?

I'm sorry, but I'm not following your meaning in this comment?

[fabien]

note: if you agree, you may change the subject of the first message: [Raspberry Pi OS] Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module ?

I'm sorry, but I'm not following your meaning in this comment?

If you agree to change your topic title, you can do so by editing your first post and changing the subject with a more informative one, e.g.
[Raspberry Pi OS] Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module?

[seamusdemora]

note: if you agree, you may change the subject of the first message: [Raspberry Pi OS] Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module ?

I'm sorry, but I'm not following your meaning in this comment?

If you agree to change your topic title, you can do so by editing your first post and changing the subject with a more informative one, e.g.
[Raspberry Pi OS] Where is default wifi power save set for brcmfmac kernel module?

What would be the advantage of that? All I am trying to do is learn/confirm that the "power save" feature is set in the brcmfmac kernel module (and learn where/how to change the default). I'm about 99% sure that this is not something that would be changed by the RPi OS team - meaning that it's exactly the same as in Debian.

[fabien]

What would be the advantage of that?

A better title allows you to get more views and therefore more chances of getting a response.

[seamusdemora]

What would be the advantage of that?

A better title allows you to get more views and therefore more chances of getting a response.

Ah - OK... now I understand your meaning. Changed the title per your suggestion.