morrownr
commented
3 years ago Side note:
While I recommend that preference is given to adapters that are single-state, I had to disable usb_modeswitch on two systems to confirm the ROW02CD is a single-single adapter.
I support a lot of systems and adapters but I have a little lab with a few systems used only for testing. I knew the ROW02FD was a multi-state adapter from previous testing but I could not find a system that was not automatically handling that so I had to temporarily disable usb_modeswitch in two systems in the lab to determine the state.
The message I am trying to send is that if both adapters are available to you, buy the ROW02CD, but if only the ROW02FD is available, don't worry because all of the current versions of the Linux distros that I support have up to date versions of usb_modeswitch and the switching is handled without you knowing.
Regards,
Nick
I have now been able to test both adapters. Here is what I know:
Both adapters are based on the mt7612u chipset.
The TEROW ROW02CD is single state device (this is preferred) and does not require usb-modeswitch.
The TEROW ROW02CD is plug and play on any Linux distro using kernel 4.19 or later.
The TEROW ROW02FD is multi-state device and requires the latest update of usb-modeswitch to operate automatically.
The TEROW ROW02FD is plug and play on any Linux distro using kernel 4.19 or later (plus usb-modeswitch).
WARNING: TEROW sells additional adapters with similar model numbers that are not based on the mt7612u chipset. A user recently reported that TEROW sells a TEROW ROW12CD that is based on the rtl8812bu chipset. That is not what you want.
Overall: The TEROW ROW02xD adapters are good, low cost, AC1200 USB WiFi adapters that are plug and play on Linux. I think they will satisfy the needs of most Linux users. I consider the TEROW ROW02xD adapters to have good range and are solid performers in 24/7 heavy use cases. If you need an adapter that has maximum range then you need to look at the ALFA AWUS036ACHM but it is more expensive.
Information in README.md will be updated with this information.
Regards