alx driver broken on Ubuntu 12.10

[Rubeosis]

Linux XX 3.5.0-17-generic #28-Ubuntu SMP Tue Oct 9 19:31:23 UTC 2012 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

The alx driver for Atheros Ethernet Cards is

1) not included into the installation image
2) broken on Quantal

However, a built from

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networking/alx
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/projects/backports/stable/v3.9-rc1/

works fine for a Atheros Communications Inc. AR8161 Gigabit Ethernet (rev 08)

card.

Could someone please update the package.

Thanks in advance
---
ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: fabian 2128 F.... pulseaudio
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=71ea09b3-016e-4699-afd6-894321866541
InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.1)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Inspiron One 2330
MarkForUpload: True
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic root=UUID=bb0f4a80-a1c2-42d3-a222-89330f0432c6 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-17.28-generic 3.5.5
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.95
StagingDrivers: rts_pstor
Tags: quantal staging
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-17-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
dmi.bios.date: 11/02/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A09
dmi.board.name: 0T4VP9
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A00
dmi.chassis.type: 13
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: PROlympic_MW5CD_A01
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA09:bd11/02/2012:svnDellInc.:pnInspironOne2330:pvr00:rvnDellInc.:rn0T4VP9:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct13:cvrPROlympic_MW5CD_A01:
dmi.product.name: Inspiron One 2330
dmi.product.version: 00
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 1153572

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Rubeosis (faspie)]

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[Rubeosis (faspie)]

apport has ben started after fixing the problem by manually building the driver from the sources

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Did you receive an error message when trying to modprobe the alx driver, before building it from sources?

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Also, this driver should be available in Q since 3.5.0-24.36. Can you upgrade to the latest kernel and see if this issue still exists?

[Bernardo Reino (reinob)]

I guess the OP doesn't care anymore (I'm also about to give up).

Using 3.5.0-24 from quantal (under precise). The module is included in the kernel (in tree "ubuntu"). It loads OK but wired network does not work.

"Does not work" means that e.g. Network Manager doesn't notice that a cable has been plugged and other standard means for establishing a connection fail exactly as if no cable had been connected. No logs available (but when I had the problem dmesg didn't show anything, as if the driver didn't really recognize that it had something to do).

Installing alx from compat-wireless source works.

So answer to #19 is "NO" (no error message, just doesn't work at all). Answer to #20 is "YES", the issue exists with 3.5.0-24.36, which is the first kernel where the alx module is included.

I think the bug is already clearly defined (see 1154238 as well), so it might be time to stop beating around the bush and include a working module, if possible for all supported Ubuntu versions.

[Bernardo Reino (reinob)]

I'm marking this bug as duplicate of 927782 (Include experimental alx driver in the quantal kernel), which is exactly the same problem. Note that a fix has been released for quantal (it is now (or was) in proposed - kernel 3.5.0-28).