Driver Support for the new ALFA AWUS036AXML

[CyberTeckyLLC]

I'm thinking about purchasing the new ALFA AWUS036AXML which uses the MediaTek (MT7921A). Has anyone used this particular model on Linux, and if so, please do tell how it performed? Also, there appears to be a similar ALFA variant, the AWUS036AXM (e.g., without the "L" at the end), which according to wikidevi uses the MediaTek MT7921AU. So, I'm guessing both models use the MT7921 chipset, however, just not sure what the difference might be between the MT7921A verses MT7921AU.

Overall, I'd like to install the ALFA AWUS036AXM(L) on my Fedora 41 based system running kernal 6.14.2-201, and most likely the latest Kali Linux (using kernel 6.8+). Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Regards,

CyberTecky

[Serafean]

Hi,

I'm running the AXML variant as a 5ghz AP. since kernel 6.14.8 seems to work fine using the mt7921u driver. Had issues before.
Do be careful about the USB connections, I find USB3 to be very finicky.

[morrownr]

@Serafean

since kernel 6.14.8 seems to work fine using the mt7921u driver

Same here with kernel 6.14. The problem that cropped up last year was not with the mt7921u driver. It was with a bluetooth patch that broke bluetooth and since the AXML does have bluetooth turned on, it looked like the adapter was dead but it was not a wifi problem at all. Glad it is fixed.

Do be careful about the USB connections, I find USB3 to be very finicky.

Here is a link to a pinned issue that goes over some USB port issues. You might find something that could help:

#508

@CyberTeckyLLC

Somehow it seems that I missed your post. Do you still need help?

[CyberTeckyLLC]

Somehow it seems that I missed your post. Do you still need help?

You have been a great help actually. Alfa AXML support for Nobara 42 (Fedora 42) did work, however, it required that I manually add the drivers to /lib/firmware/mediatek directory.

Aside from Fedora Linux support, I am pleased to announce out of the box support for the Alfa AXML adapter on an Arch Linux variant called, CachyOS (kernel 6.15.2) with KDE Plasma as the Desktop Environment (DE). I thought it would be helpful to report these findings because I noticed supportability issues with the MT7921 chipset on some Linux variants such Ubuntu 25.04 running the KDE Plasma (DE) verses the default GNOME (DE), and the same issue with the default (DE) with Kali Linux 2025.1c.

Overall, I'm not sure if the results of these findings were just on my analysis, but I do wonder if there might be compatibility issues with certain (DE) variants. What I can confirm is that CachyOS (kernel 6.15.2) with KDE Plasma and Ubuntu 25.04 with default Gnome works out of the box for the Alfa AXML (MT7921) adapters.

Hope this helps!

[morrownr]

@CyberTeckyLLC

You have been a great help actually. Alfa AXML support for Nobara 42 (Fedora 42) did work, however, it required that I manually add the drivers to /lib/firmware/mediatek directory.

The files in /lib/firmware are generally referred to as firmware files. For wireless adapters to work, driver and firmware files are required.

If you go to the site Main Menu and scroll down to menu item 6, you will find detailed instructions.

If you find firmware files missing in any distro, please report the problem to the maintains of the distro so that the problem can be corrected.

I thought it would be helpful to report these findings because I noticed supportability issues with the MT7921 chipset on some Linux variants such Ubuntu 25.04 running the KDE Plasma (DE) verses the default GNOME (DE), and the same issue with the default (DE) with Kali Linux 2025.1c.

What problem were you seeing?

[CyberTeckyLLC]

What problem were you seeing?

Ubuntu 25.04 Gnome: The Alfa AXML adapter seems to work well, however, switching/rebooting into KDE Plasma resulted in the adapter disappearing from the desktop environment. I did see the Alfa AXML Adapter in terminal (e.g., ip a) with the status: down which I was unsuccessful at turning the adapter on.

Kali Linux 2025.1c: The Alfa AXML adapter was NOT detected and the firmware files were missing, and still would NOT detect after adding the firmware files and rebooting. I did see the Alfa AXML Adapter in terminal (e.g., ip a) with the status: down which I was unsuccessful at turning the adapter on.

[morrownr]

@CyberTeckyLLC

Ubuntu 25.04 Gnome: The Alfa AXML adapter seems to work well...

I see the same here. Ubuntu 25.04 is using kernel 6.14.

I just tested a new clean installation of Manjaro KDE with kernel 6.12.28 and the AXML is working fine.

Kali Linux 2025.1c: The Alfa AXML adapter was NOT detected and the firmware files were missing...

That does not surprise me. I used to keep a test partition of Kali around to use to help people but Kali finally pissed me off one too many times. It is not a well maintained distro.

You should report the lack of firmware files to Kali.

What I know is that the patch that finally fixed the AXML/AXM problem went into kernel 6.14 so any distro running 6.14 should be good. The patch was set to backport and I guess it has since my AXML is working with kernel 6.12.28 on Manjaro.

FYI: I recently reported a bug to RasPi:

raspberrypi/linux#6853

I do bug reports like this at times when I see a need. I can't do it for all distros. My point here is that most distros do not have the resources to keep firmware updated or turn on things like bluetooth support for certain chips or turn on new drivers when needed. Ubuntu does a good job with this for the most part but they are not resource poor like most distros are. Linux is a collective effort so when you figure out what is causing a problem, it is a good idea to report it to the distro maintainers.

[CyberTeckyLLC]

Just wanted to provide an update...I can validate that a freshly installed Linux Nobara (Fedora 42) supports the AXML adapter without any additions or modifications.

6.15.4-200.nobara.fc42.x86_64 (KDE Plasma

@morrownr - I would like to test the capabilities of the AXML bluetooth radio but I am not sure how to differentiate between the internal bluetooth radio and the AXML bluetooth radio. Would you have any suggestions at how to go about this?

[morrownr]

@CyberTeckyLLC

The Linux Mint Cinnamon desktop lets you control more than one bluetooth device with a gui, however, gnome and other desktops do not so you have to do the terminal thing:

Here is an example of what it looks like when you run bluetoothctl with 2 bluetooth devices:

$ bluetoothctl
[bluetooth]# hci1 new_settings: powered bondable ssp br/edr le secure-conn wide-band-speech cis-central cis-peripheral iso-broadcaster sync-receiver 
[bluetooth]# Agent registered
[bluetooth]# hci0 new_settings: powered bondable ssp br/edr le secure-conn wide-band-speech 
[bluetooth]# [CHG] Controller E8:FB:1C:7E:4D:CA Pairable: yes
[bluetooth]# [CHG] Controller 00:E0:4C:4A:61:95 Pairable: yes

You can find guides for bluetoothcrl.