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FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

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Re: FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

#41

Post by yjftsjthsd-h »

ploxiln wrote: post #17
sdfjkl wrote: post #2

> wifibox essentially spins up an Alpine Linux VM using FreeBSD's bhyve virtualization technology, and allows you to passthrough your machine's wireless card Jesus christ.

That is my initial reaction, but ... a minimal linux VM in a minimal hypervisor, might not be that bad, for a network adapter. Perhaps -40MB- 128MB of memory? Double the context switching? Sounds kinda like a micro-kernel driver. Have you ever tried to install a minimal driver for a printer in windows, and then watched in horror as it automatically started downloading 600MB of HP junk?

Yeah, obviously it's not ideal but I don't really see any problem with passing the card to what is, indeed, effectively a userspace driver (that happens to internally contain a virtual machine and Linux). Some upfront setup effort and lower performance beats not having a way to use the card at all!

Re: FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

#42

Post by [deleted] »

dark-star wrote: post #7

Man, FreeBSD really needs some driver love... * No Suspend/Resume? Linux has solved this for years, I have not come across a laptop in the last 10 years that had trouble with s2r or s2d (but I guess that there might be a few that don't fully support it, I mainly tested Dell laptops) * WiFi driver and Ethernet over USB-C both highly unstable? That's an Intel chipset, those are usually the more stable ones (at least on…

[deleted]

Re: FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

#45

Post by kevin_thibedeau »

dark-star wrote: post #7

Man, FreeBSD really needs some driver love... * No Suspend/Resume? Linux has solved this for years, I have not come across a laptop in the last 10 years that had trouble with s2r or s2d (but I guess that there might be a few that don't fully support it, I mainly tested Dell laptops) * WiFi driver and Ethernet over USB-C both highly unstable? That's an Intel chipset, those are usually the more stable ones (at least on…

> This is just SPI

It isn't "just SPI". That is a fallback protocol for the full SD interface.

Re: FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

#46

Post by prmoustache »

Klonoar wrote: post #28
craftkiller wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need a dongle, just purchase a supported wifi card. I put a supported atheros card in my framework laptop and the wifi works flawlessly, natively. The framework laptop is designed to be opened and have the parts replaced, so its the perfect laptop for doing hardware changes like this.

Does this actually support operating on 5GHz, or is it still stuck in the 2.4GHz era? I'm not aware of any FreeBSD-compatible wifi cards that actually do this. (I would love to be proven wrong, but I'm super tired of people saying "wifi cards work fine on FreeBSD" when the reality is that the speeds are sub-optimal without a way to improve it currently)

On the other hands 2.4GHz is perfectly fine for a lot of people. Actually I often select 2.4GHz on purpose at home because 5GHz works really bad with thick walls and I barely get any network in my kitchen and rooftop.

People will say it is easy, setup a mesh network or some powerline adapters but: 1. It is much more expensive 2. It is not practical in an old flat with very few power outlets, especially when you are not the owner.

And I don't really run into use case where running 2.4GHz limits me.

Re: FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

#47

Post by xupybd »

I want to try BSD one day but these sorts of articles put me off. I used to enjoy trying to get things working but I just don't have that sort of time anymore.

I understand that the community only has so many resources to support the various hardware around. I suspect one BSDs strengths is that the smaller community is able to follow a more cohesive vision. But for me this means I'm probably not going learn it until I can just run it out of the box.

Re: FreeBSD on the Framework Laptop

#50

Post by doublerabbit »

systemvoltage wrote: post #29
cowtools wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if FreeBSD had a copyleft license, maybe companies would have a reason to publish their drivers, or you could port drivers from Linux.

I am glad FreeBSD exists. Not every commercial venture has the luxury to release their source code, even if they wanted to. If you're writing software for banks or defense, the source needs to be closed. FreeBSD enables these companies to exist and while consumer grade drivers are not available, many things in FreeBSD are rock solid. Thanks to commercial contributions.

For my hobby server of 1000+ days [1] uptime with ram failing. A raid controller on the brink. I've amazed at the solidarity of FreeBSD.

[1] https://i.redd.it/2omcrsz8ut691.png

* i am aware how in todays time you shouldn't, updates, and blah blah. But not required.

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