Device request: MSI AX1800 WiFi USB Adapter

[WillMeakin]

Hello.

I'm trying to get this to work with the "MSI AX1800 WiFi USB Adapter" It installs successfully and loads with modprobe, but doesn't show up in settings or ifconfig lsusb gives a device id not listed in "supported-device-IDs". Maybe it just needs to be added?

Most relevant Info:

Device link: https://www.msi.com/Networking/AX1800-WiFi-USB-Adapter/support The linux driver download has docs that say it needs RTL8852BU or RTL8832BU MSI's linux driver errored out on the install script (will update if they get back to me)

$ dkms status
rtl8852bu/1.19.3, 6.6.10-76060610-generic, x86_64: installed

$ lsmod |grep 8852
8852bu               6135808  0
cfg80211             1323008  1 8852bu

$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0db0:6931 Micro Star International 802.11ax WLAN Adapter

$ uname -r
6.6.10-76060610-generic

$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Pop
Description:    Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS
Release:    22.04
Codename:   jammy

Info Issue 9 requested:

$ sudo lsusb; rfkill list all; dkms status; iw dev; iw reg get
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0db0:6931 Micro Star International 802.11ax WLAN Adapter
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 1111:1111 Pandora International Ltd. Matias RGB Backlit Wired Keyboard
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. Hub
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. Hub
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 258a:2023 Glorious Model D Wireless
Bus 001 Device 009: ID 0b05:7774 ASUSTek Computer, Inc. Zenfone GO (ZB500KL) (RNDIS mode)
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
nvidia/545.29.06, 6.5.6-76060506-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia/545.29.06, 6.6.10-76060610-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia/545.29.06, 6.6.6-76060606-generic, x86_64: installed
rtl8852bu/1.19.3, 6.6.10-76060610-generic, x86_64: installed
system76/1.0.14~1684961628~22.04~8c2ff21, 6.5.4-76060504-generic, x86_64: installed
system76/1.0.14~1684961628~22.04~8c2ff21, 6.5.6-76060506-generic, x86_64: installed
system76/1.0.14~1684961628~22.04~8c2ff21, 6.6.10-76060610-generic, x86_64: installed
system76/1.0.14~1684961628~22.04~8c2ff21, 6.6.6-76060606-generic, x86_64: installed
system76_acpi/1.0.2~1689789919~22.04~03a5804, 6.5.4-76060504-generic, x86_64: installed (original_module exists)
system76_acpi/1.0.2~1689789919~22.04~03a5804, 6.5.6-76060506-generic, x86_64: installed (original_module exists)
system76_acpi/1.0.2~1689789919~22.04~03a5804, 6.6.10-76060610-generic, x86_64: installed (original_module exists)
system76_acpi/1.0.2~1689789919~22.04~03a5804, 6.6.6-76060606-generic, x86_64: installed (original_module exists)
system76-io/1.0.3~1695233384~22.04~0f86350, 6.5.4-76060504-generic, x86_64: installed
system76-io/1.0.3~1695233384~22.04~0f86350, 6.5.6-76060506-generic, x86_64: installed
system76-io/1.0.3~1695233384~22.04~0f86350, 6.6.10-76060610-generic, x86_64: installed
system76-io/1.0.3~1695233384~22.04~0f86350, 6.6.6-76060606-generic, x86_64: installed
global
country 00: DFS-UNSET
    (755 - 928 @ 2), (N/A, 20), (N/A), PASSIVE-SCAN
    (2402 - 2472 @ 40), (N/A, 20), (N/A)
    (2457 - 2482 @ 20), (N/A, 20), (N/A), AUTO-BW, PASSIVE-SCAN
    (2474 - 2494 @ 20), (N/A, 20), (N/A), NO-OFDM, PASSIVE-SCAN
    (5170 - 5250 @ 80), (N/A, 20), (N/A), AUTO-BW, PASSIVE-SCAN
    (5250 - 5330 @ 80), (N/A, 20), (0 ms), DFS, AUTO-BW, PASSIVE-SCAN
    (5490 - 5730 @ 160), (N/A, 20), (0 ms), DFS, PASSIVE-SCAN
    (5735 - 5835 @ 80), (N/A, 20), (N/A), PASSIVE-SCAN
    (57240 - 63720 @ 2160), (N/A, 0), (N/A)

[morrownr]

Hi @WillMeakin

lsusb gives a device id not listed in "supported-device-IDs". Maybe it just needs to be added?

This is likely the case. You provided a good report.

I have added the ID so try the following from the driver directory:

$ git pull $ sudo sh install-driver.sh

FYI: ifconfig is long since depreciated. Please use `iw".

Example: $ iw dev

FYI: The site here has a lot of info for USB WiFi adapter user:

https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi

Reading menu items 1 and 2 can be very helpful for Linux users.

Regards,

@morrownr

[WillMeakin]

It works!

Addtional Info: 0) I didn't think it worked at first, so troubleshooted by running remove-driver.sh, rebooting, running install-driver.sh rebooting, loading the module with modprobe 8852bu, changing ports, waiting 10 seconds ish, then the light on the card started flashing and could see it in wifi settings menu and iw dev. Not sure what is actually necessary in all that. 1) It works in both USB 2 and 3 ports. Faster in 3. 2) The extension cable/cradle also works at the similar speed as without. 3) It works slightly faster in Linux than Windows (not significantly and that might just be a variable connection but still, Linux ftw) 4) I only have a 4ish Megabytes/Second connection so can't test any faster. I'll see if I can try faster when I'm back at work and update. 5) MSI got back to me; basically "Can't help, only supports kernels 3.13~5.19" (which I think is because RealTek only supports that). 6) I can't really know if all the fancy WiFi 6 features work as I know very little about networking, but am happy to test if given proper instructions.

Thanks for that write up about Linux WiFi, it's what I've been looking for for a long time. I can't really contribute development wise, but do you have a donation link or something?

Some more info if needed.

iw dev
phy#5
    Interface wlx2cf05df9384a
        ifindex 9
        wdev 0x500000001
        addr 2c:f0:5d:f9:38:4a
        ssid Zenfone 8_6933
        type managed
        channel 11 (2462 MHz), width: 20 MHz, center1: 2462 MHz
        txpower 12.00 dBm

[morrownr]

@WillMeakin

Glad it worked.

I didn't think it worked at first,

The adapter is likely a multi-state adapter. That could account for some delay. It could also be that Realtek's WiFi 6 drivers for Linux are just not that good. It took a lot of work to get this driver in good enough shape to release and seems reasonably good in managed mode but it is shaky beyond that.

MSI got back to me; basically "Can't help, only supports kernels 3.13~5.19"

This driver only supported 5.19 so I had to add support for many kernel releases.

I can't really contribute development wise, but do you have a donation link or something?

Thanks for the kind thought but my reward is seeing happy users. Stop by and say hi when you have time.

@morrownr