ndiswrapper-1.9

ndiswrapper [options] command

-i
    Install Windows driver specified by driver.inf.

-a
    Add a hardware ID to use the specified driver.

-e
    Remove a hardware ID for this driver.

-r
    Remove a driver.

-l
    List installed drivers.

-m
    Create a module alias for automatic module loading.

-mi
    Create module aliases for all installed hardware.

-d
    Remove module alias.

-s
    Get the NDISwrapper configuration as a string.

-v
    Verbose output.

NDISwrapper allows you to use Windows network drivers on Linux.

It works by creating a kernel module that emulates the Windows NT driver API and loads the Windows driver DLL into it. This allows Linux systems to utilize a wide range of wireless network adapters, particularly those for which native Linux drivers are unavailable.

NDISwrapper is most useful for older or less common wireless chipsets. Current Linux systems often have excellent native driver support, reducing the need for NDISwrapper in many situations.

NDISwrapper is not a perfect solution. It relies on reverse engineering the Windows driver API and can be less stable or performant than native Linux drivers. Security vulnerabilities in the Windows driver can potentially affect the Linux system. It's also important to note that the specific version (1.9) is quite old, and newer Linux kernels may have compatibility issues.

After installing the driver with ndiswrapper, you typically need to load the `ndiswrapper` kernel module. This is often done automatically on boot if configured correctly. Use `modprobe ndiswrapper` to load manually. You will likely need to configure your network interface after the module is loaded using standard Linux networking tools (e.g., `ifconfig`, `ip`, NetworkManager).

Since NDISwrapper uses Windows drivers, any security vulnerabilities present in those drivers can potentially affect your Linux system. Use drivers from trusted sources and keep your system updated.

Common problems include kernel module loading issues, driver compatibility problems, and incorrect network configuration. Check the system logs (`/var/log/syslog`, `/var/log/kern.log`) for error messages. Ensure the Windows driver is compatible with the version of NDISwrapper you are using.

NDISwrapper gained popularity in the early 2000s when Linux wireless support was less comprehensive. It allowed users to use a wide variety of Windows-based wireless adapters on Linux. The 1.9 version represents a mature stage of development, but it is largely superseded by improved native Linux driver support over time. Development has mostly stopped as native drivers have become more prevalent.

modprobe(8), lsmod(8)