Realtek RTL8821AE Wifi driver/alternative

Question

I recently built a new computer using an ASROCK motherboard, which comes with a realtek RTL8821AE PCI-E wireless module. I installed elementary os, just to try something new. It didn't recognize the wifi device out of the box, but after some searching I came across the Linux drivers page, which indicates that a driver is available for my card in kernel 3.16+, so I downloaded kernel 3.16 and installed it. Now, lsmod shows that I have the rtl8821ae driver installed, and lshw shows that the device exists but is `unclaimed', which means that the driver isn't working correctly. After a bit more digging, I came across this post, which seems to indicate that the rtl8821ae driver isn't fully functioning yet.

My question is this: 1. Should I keep digging and try to get the driver working? If so, any suggestions on how to get an installed driver to actually do its job? b. Should I just order a PCI-E wifi card with known Linux support? If so, any suggestions?

Thanks for any thoughts!

Answer 1

I had issues with a RealTek of similar vintage (and if you Google this, you will see others also have issues). In my experience, you can't go wrong with Intel. I have a a 6205 on my laptop. This card has gotten good reviews and is compatible per the comments: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106033

Answer 2

I suggest you to use this driver from iwfinger. To install it, open a terminal and type the following commands:

Note:get Internet connection or download the drivers from another computer and move them to your current computer via the link below.

1. Download drivers:

   sudo apt-get install build-essential git
   git clone https://github.com/lwfinger/rtlwifi_new.git
   

2. Install drivers:

   cd ./rtlwifi_new
   make
   sudo make install
   sudo modprobe rtl8821ae
   

3. Replace rtl8821ae in last command with your chip model. To see your rtlwifi chip model use:

   lspci | grep Wireless
   

   or

   lspci
   

This driver will make your rtlwifi card more stable and usable. I use it for my Asus E202S which had lot of bugs with wifi.

Answer 3

Buying a known-working card is a much better idea, specially if you want access point (AP) mode. In general, the Intel cards are very good. http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/iwlwifi

This is a very valuable wiki which details which devices /drivers work, and in which kernel they were introduced. http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users