ndiswrapper

ndiswrapper command [options]

-i inf_file
    Installs the Windows driver specified by the inf_file.

-a hardware_id inf_file
    Adds a hardware ID to an installed driver. This is needed if the driver does not specify the hardware ID.

-d hardware_id
    Deletes a hardware ID from an installed driver.

-e driver_name
    Removes (erase) the driver driver_name.

-l
    Lists installed drivers.

-m
    Creates a module alias for the network interface.

-mi
    Installs the module alias file.

-ma
    Creates a module alias file.

-r module
    Removes module aliases.

-s
    Reports the driver status.

-v
    Verbose mode.

ndiswrapper is a Linux command-line tool that allows you to use Windows network drivers on Linux systems. This is particularly useful when native Linux drivers are unavailable for certain wireless network cards or other network devices.

It works by creating a kernel module that acts as a wrapper around the Windows NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) driver. This wrapper translates between the Linux kernel's network stack and the Windows driver's API. Essentially, it fools the Windows driver into thinking it's running on Windows.

While ndiswrapper can be a solution to driver availability issues, it's important to acknowledge some performance overhead compared to native Linux drivers. Also, keep in mind that running proprietary Windows drivers inside the Linux kernel can introduce stability risks. Whenever possible, utilizing native Linux drivers is generally preferable.

ndiswrapper relies on reverse engineering the Windows driver API, so it might not work with all drivers. Performance can be lower compared to native drivers. It is recommended to use native Linux drivers when available for better stability and performance. Using unsigned drivers can pose a security risk.

If ndiswrapper fails to load the driver, check the system logs for error messages. Ensure the correct .inf file is used and that the Windows driver is compatible with the hardware. Verify the hardware_id if you are manually assigning the driver to hardware. In some cases, running the driver in compatibility mode may resolve issues.

ndiswrapper was developed to provide a way to use wireless network cards on Linux for which native drivers were unavailable. Its development gained traction as more users adopted Linux but faced hardware compatibility issues. It has been a valuable tool for bridging the gap, but its importance has diminished as Linux driver support has improved over time. Early versions were challenging to configure, but later versions have been simplified. Still actively maintained, though reliance is decreasing.

iwconfig(8), ifconfig(8), modprobe(8)