ALFA AWUS036AXML

[KaliAssistant]

I'm fed up with the Realtek junk. I've decided to purchase the ALFA AWUS036AXML, which is based on the MediaTek MT7921AUN. If I run it on my laptop with Kali 6.8.11-amd64 and on a Raspberry Pi 5B with Kali 6.1.73-v8+ (aarch64), are there any driver or other issues I need to be aware of? (run hcxdumptool)

[ZerBea]

I recommend an ALFA AWUS036ACHM and OpenWRT 23.05. Absolutely no problems running this combination.

Snapshot is here: https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=SNAPSHOT&target=bcm27xx%2Fbcm2712&id=rpi-5 Don't forget to install the kernel mod for the ALFA device and hcxdumptool using opkg. Or compile hcxdumptool directly on the device. In that case you have to install the development files (e.g. gcc), too

[ZerBea]

Based on your request, I tested Linux kernel 6.11-rc1 (running Arch Linux). Now the driver crashes immediately after the AXML has been plugged in: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=219040#c9

[KaliAssistant]

ok, I see. thanks!

[ZerBea]

On the bright side, the patch that fixed monitor mode and packet injection on the other mt76 devices has been implemented now (Linux kernel 6.11-rc1). My test device (ALFA AWUS036ACM) is working as expected. There is no longer need to patch the kernel:

$ sudo hcxdumptool -i wlp5s0f4u2  --rcascan=active
...
168 Packet(s) captured by kernel
0 Packet(s) dropped by kernel
24 PROBERESPONSE(s) captured

[Simon566]

im running 6.11.3 on x86 (odroid h3) , im not crashing on plugin , but very soon after i start AP mode. are you running client mode ?

my message always says something like "tx urb failed" 👍

[ZerBea]

@Simon566 I would like to run monitor mode, but the USB subsystem crashed before I can set monitor mode. Running kernel 5.15 (OpenWRT 23.05) I can set monitor mode. But after awhile, the device stops working, especially when running under heavy load.

BTW: As of today I have decided not to make any more bug reports on https://bugzilla.kernel.org/ Also I have closed all my open bug reports. https://github.com/ZerBea/hcxdumptool/discussions/469

[morrownr]

@ZerBea

As of today I have decided not to make any more bug reports on https://bugzilla.kernel.org/

I understand. Bugzilla is not very effective for wireless reports. I think the only option is sending bug reports directly to linux-wireless.

[ZerBea]

@morrownr I agree. Sending bug reports directly to Linux wireless is fine but unfortunately it's easy to lose track of things.

Bugzilla would be much better ( a central point to collect bugs). If you encountered a bug you can first take a look there. If it has been reported you can add your solution. But it is completely useless if the developers don't read it.

[morrownr]

@ZerBea

I agree with everything you said. I'm sure there is a way to work toward a solution, I just don't know what it is short of contacting Linus.

[ZerBea]

I almost think the kernel hackers do not realize/know that we are the first point of contact in case of driver issues (ap mode, managed mode, monitor mode). For me, nearly 20% of the reported issues are related to drivers (and 75% to KALI users and 5% hcxdumptool bugs).

[bjlockie]

Maybe try turning off scatter-gather.

[KaliAssistant]

@ZerBea Is the mt76 driver ok in kernel 6.1.73 ? My raspberry pi 5B:

uname --kernel-release
6.1.73-v8+

[ZerBea]

@KaliAssistant I don't know. 6.1.73 is an older kernel. Latest longterm release is 6.1.103

I'm running 5.15.164 (OpenWRT 23.05) on my Raspberry Pi Zero. My ACHM is working as expected.

[KaliAssistant]

okay

[bjlockie]

I have 6.1.21-v8+ on a raspberry pi 4b. It works fine as a client. It probably works. raspbian OS? Ask on the raspberry pi forum.

[KaliAssistant]

@ZerBea I know that fixing the Linux driver for the ALFA AWUS036AXML will take some time, so I've decided to temporarily give up on MediaTek and 802.11AX, and switch back to using the ALFA AWUS036ACH v.2 (Type-C) with the RTL8812AU chipset. It has two RP-SMA antennas and a Type-C interface. Do you recommend it?

[ZerBea]

I don't have an ALFA AWUS036ACH v.2, Maybe someone else can answer the question.

[morrownr]

@KaliAssistant

I have an Alfa ACH v1. The only difference is the usb plug on the adapter but otherwise the same. What is your question?

[KaliAssistant]

@morrownr

I'm just afraid that there will be problems with the hardware

[morrownr]

Do you have one or are you looking to buy one? And what is your use case?

[KaliAssistant]

yes , I'm looking to buy one, and use moniter mode & injection

[morrownr]

When it comes to monitor mode, I really can't recommend anything that uses a Realtek chip because the driver support is not where it should be. For monitor mode work I generally recommend the Alfa ACHM or Alfa ACM. The ACHM has very long range but is only an AC600 class adapter. The ACM is a AC1200 class adapter. Both support Active monitor mode and various other things that the Realtek drivers simply do not support and probably won't for a long time, if ever. I have both and they are good but I am mostly an AP mode expert, not monitor mode.

I think @ZerBea has one or both of those adapters so maybe he can be more detailed for monitor mode.

[KaliAssistant]

Okay

[mahdi2001pop]

Hello brother I want to buy a Wi-Fi adapter I use Kali Linux as a default on Windows 11 I don't care about the speed because my internet does not exceed 50 mbps But I want it to work without problems with Kali Linux to test Wi-Fi penetration I am thinking of alfa awus036achm and alfa awus036axml Which is better Thank you brother

[mahdi2001pop]

When it comes to monitor mode, I really can't recommend anything that uses a Realtek chip because the driver support is not where it should be. For monitor mode work I generally recommend the Alfa ACHM or Alfa ACM. The ACHM has very long range but is only an AC600 class adapter. The ACM is a AC1200 class adapter. Both support Active monitor mode and various other things that the Realtek drivers simply do not support and probably won't for a long time, if ever. I have both and they are good but I am mostly an AP mode expert, not monitor mode.

I think @ZerBea has one or both of those adapters so maybe he can be more detailed for monitor mode.

Hello brother I want to buy a Wi-Fi adapter I use Kali Linux as a default on Windows 11 I don't care about the speed because my internet does not exceed 50 mbps But I want it to work without problems with Kali Linux to test Wi-Fi penetration I am thinking of alfa awus036achm and alfa awus036axml Which is better Thank you brother

[morrownr]

Hi @mahdi2001pop

awus036achm

I think the achm is the single best usb adapter for use with monitor mode/Kali, even when using a VM. It supports Active monitor and basically anything else you need for Kali. It also has range that cannot be beaten in a dual band adapter. It is not the latest technology but it is almost like it was designed for Kali.

[mahdi2001pop]

Hi @mahdi2001pop

awus036achm

I think the achm is the single best usb adapter for use with monitor mode/Kali, even when using a VM. It supports Active monitor and basically anything else you need for Kali. It also has range that cannot be beaten in a dual band adapter. It is not the latest technology but it is almost like it was designed for Kali.

Thank you very much ❤

[mahdi2001pop]

Hi @mahdi2001pop

awus036achm

I think the achm is the single best usb adapter for use with monitor mode/Kali, even when using a VM. It supports Active monitor and basically anything else you need for Kali. It also has range that cannot be beaten in a dual band adapter. It is not the latest technology but it is almost like it was designed for Kali.

Hello my brother morrownr Are there several versions of alpha awus036achm Or just one version And what is the best version Thank you

[morrownr]

Are there several versions of alpha awus036achm?

Alfa, unlike TP-Link, does not have a history of multiple versions of an adapter so there is only one version.

If you go to the Plug and Play List and scroll down:

https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/home/USB_WiFi_Adapters_that_are_supported_with_Linux_in-kernel_drivers.md

...you will see a section on the achm. It shows several dealers but you can email Alfa and they can point you to other dealers.

Cheers

[mahdi2001pop]

هل هناك عدة إصدارات من alpha awus036achm؟

على عكس TP-Link، لا تمتلك شركة Alfa تاريخًا لإصدارات متعددة من المحول، لذا يوجد إصدار واحد فقط.

إذا ذهبت إلى قائمة التوصيل والتشغيل وانتقلت إلى الأسفل:

https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/home/USB_WiFi_Adapters_that_are_supported_with_Linux_in-kernel_drivers.md

...ستشاهد قسمًا على موقع achm. يعرض هذا القسم العديد من التجار، ولكن يمكنك إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى Alfa حتى يتمكنوا من توجيهك إلى تجار آخرين.

هتافات

Thank you for helping people.

[morrownr]

Thank you for helping people.

You are welcome. Please let us know how it goes. This site depends on reports from people around the world. The Plug and Play List changes based on user reports.

[mahdi2001pop]

I will receive achm from Amazon to Iraq within 20 days. Then I will talk about my experience💌

[fhteagle]

I have Alfa AXML running as AP on a RPi3B ArchLinux ARM aarch64 host. Its the most stable mt7921 in my collection. I am running hostapd compiled from git though.