Comment 13 for bug 1681513
Revision history for this message
| Simos Xenitellis (simosx) wrote Re: Ubuntu 17.04: New privacy feature in NetworkManager stops some WiFi adapters from working (mac address randomization) | #13 |
@Don Cady:
The source of the problem is the Linux kernel driver for the specific WiFi adapter or perhaps the firmware of the WiFi adapter.
In most of the drivers, they have implemented the facility to change (by software) the MAC address.
There are even tools to change the MAC address, like "macchanger". Or, you can even use "ifconfig wlan0 hw ether 00:11:22:33:44:55". Or, you can change it with NetworkManager, a facility available for many years already.
A WiFi card can support many other interesting features, including "AP Mode" (make your Ubuntu act like an Access Point), and "Monitor" mode (using those Aircrack tools). However, it takes effort to reverse-engineer AP Mode or Monitor mode, so many adapters do not support these features. It is much more common in USB adapters not to have full support for these features, and in some cases it is a deficiency in the firmware (firmware files: /lib/firmware/, and nothing can be done about it).
It is not clear how widespread is the problem. If you are reporting, please include which kernel driver is used for the WiFi and also what firmware is loaded.
@wolfy1339:
I think the MS Surface Pro has an (internal) USB WiFi card and uses the kernel driver "mwifiex_usb". Have a look in "lsmod".