802.11n usb ar9271 chipset works when connected to computer?

On 26.09.2014 19:23, name at domain wrote:
> Thank you. What if you buy an usb ar9271 device, which is not endorsed
> by fsf?

If you are absolutely sure it's AR9271 and not other chipset, while the
version of the that wifi adapter is still left unchanged, then it will
work with free software. If it isn't installed already, you can install
a free firmware.

If the tuple (device, seller) is endorsed by FSF, it means the seller
(like Tehnoetic) checked for you it works with free software. We've
automatically tested all adapters.

> Will it have non free firmware?

On Debian, the nonfree firmware is packaged, recommended and available
in an official Debian repository ("non-free").

> On tehnoetic's site it says 'you don't have to manually install the
> [free software] firmware'.

We are insisting on the free firmware. I believe Trisquel has it already
installed. If not, you can install this package for Trisquel 6
(Toutatis): open-ath9k-htc-firmware

--
Buy the freedom-respecting wifi http://tehnoetic.com/adapter

That's true. We use the term free firmware (free as in freedom), because
opennes is weaker than freedom. Even though some free software
developers in the open source camp call those "open firmware".

However, to use this chip in freedom, be sure to run the kernel
linux-libre with the free firmware. There is also a nonfree firmware
that some distributions might have in the repository or preinstalled. Be
carefull not to fall in their trap.

--
Buy the freedom-respecting wifi http://tehnoetic.com/adapter

Thanks. I was under the impression that ar9271 open firmware was software, that should be installed on the 802.11n ar9271 usb device. I guess that was wrong. Instead some diestros like trisquel will have the open firmware driver in a package. And if the open firmware driver is not present in a distro, you will have to install it yourself and for that you can use the software from https://github.com/qca/open-ath9k-htc-firmware?