Forums - QCA9377-7 USB version Monitor Mode Support LK5.4

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QCA9377-7 USB version Monitor Mode Support LK5.4
jshenry1963
Join Date: 17 Nov 20
Posts: 34
Posted: Wed, 2021-02-03 06:15

Hello All,

First Post, so, if I am violating some rule, or this information is already discussed elsewhere, please forgive me.

Looking for some help. Trying to use the USB version of the QCA9377-7 to work with linux kernel v5.4.

I'm using the 8devices qcacld-2.0 drivers at the moment, and I do have it working great as a station, but it doesn't support monitor mode. 

Does anyone in here have any suggestions?

For it's intended use, it has to be USB, because it is replacing an existing USB device. So I can't use the SDIO version of the QCA9377.

It seems that Qualcomm is only supporting SDIO drivers, and not the USB drivers, that is a shame. This chip performs really well on USB.

For now, my testing is on a Raspberry Pi 4 using the Debian based Raspberry Pi OS 10 (buster). It uses linux kernel 5.4. Once I get all this working, I can then port it to the intended hardware which is also linux kernel 5.4 based.

Thank you for any assistance in advance,

John

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ddeepakk Moderator
Join Date: 27 Jun 17
Posts: 144
Posted: Wed, 2021-02-10 04:56

Hi John,

Have you checked the qca9377 page on qualcomm.com? https://www.qualcomm.com/products/qca9377/software

It should support USB.

Thanks.

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jshenry1963
Join Date: 17 Nov 20
Posts: 34
Posted: Fri, 2021-02-12 18:15

Hello Deepak,

Thank you very much for the reply.

Yes, I've looked at that web page, and downloaded the SDK. From what I can tell, it looks like it only contains built drivers for the SDIO version, not for the USB version. If the USB drivers source modules are indeed there, I could not find them.

I did find a package on github from one of the recommended suppliers that sells the USB based modules. They have a github repository that supports USB. One older branch supports station mode on the USB based QCA9377-7 perfectly. But it does not support monitor mode. A later brnch supposedly supports monitor mode as well, but I can't get it to compile properly on one of my linux 5.4 based hardware sets, and on another one that it does compile on, it will not load/insmod properly.

I'm looking to see if there is anyone that has successfully used the USB based QCA9377-7 on a linux kernel 5.4 or later as an AP, a STA, and seprately in monitor mode.

I really appreciate your input,

John

 

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ddeepakk Moderator
Join Date: 27 Jun 17
Posts: 144
Posted: Mon, 2021-02-15 22:04

Hi John,

Driver binaries aren't provided inthe SDK. We provide only FW binaries at:
load_meta\wlan_firmware\sdio
load_meta\wlan_firmware\usb

The driver source can be gotten from : https://source.codeaurora.org/external/wlan/qcacld-2.0/log/?h=CNSS.LEA.N... .
It supports USB as well as Monitor Mode and can build for kernel 5.4.0.

Please follow below doc for building the driver.

QCA6174A/QCA9377/QCA9379 WLAN and Bluetooth on Linux-X86 Porting Guide

80-YC321-2

 

Thanks.

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jshenry1963
Join Date: 17 Nov 20
Posts: 34
Posted: Tue, 2021-02-16 04:04

Hello Deepak,

Thank you VERY much for the pointers, now I understand the firmware is provided.

Best

John

 

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jshenry1963
Join Date: 17 Nov 20
Posts: 34
Posted: Tue, 2021-02-16 04:16

Hello Deepak,

I have an odd question.

I have a requirement where I will use the QCA9377-7 in monitor mode.

And, at times

I also have a requirement where I will use the QCA9377-7 as a station.

I have used a single QCA9377-7 USB module now on the same computer as a station, and after "rmmod"ing / "insmod"ing the driver with con_mode=4, successfully ran it as a station. Then, likewise, after "rmmod"ing / "insmod"ing the driver without con_mode=4 using it as a station.

Do you know if I have to re"insmod" the module to switch back and forth from using it as a station and using it in monitor mode?

It would be nice to have our application have a menu setup that we just fill out, and select "OK", and it all changes, without rebooting or "rmmod"ing /  "insmod"ing. 

If you can point me to instructions on how to "live" change it's con_mode settings, selecting station mode and feed it a supplicant, then switch back and forth between station and monitor mode. Yes, I understand it probably won't reconnect, when going back to station mode (maybe it will, I will find out, lol) I also understand I will probably need to re select the channel and bandwidth, etc.

So far I'm very impressed with how much this little chipset will do, and how well it picks up access points and stations that my laptop won't.

Best Regards,

John

 

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