I'm trying to understand how the linux kernel loads RTL8188CUS firmware rtlwifi: Loading alternative firmware rtlwifi/rtl8192cufw.bin when that file isn't available anywhere in my embedded system's filesystem. Basically I'm trying to understand the theory. We have a product that is making use of the device Bus 001 Device 007: ID 7392:7811 Edimax Technology Co., Ltd EW-7811Un802.11n Wireless Adapter [Realtek RTL8188CUS] It has not been especially reliable. I've never provided firmware files for the device in the root filesystem. I've started to pay attention to the kernel error messages. Now the kernel drivers seem to be loading the rtlwifi/rtl8192cufw_TMSC.bin file and I'm trying to understand if this is actually working, if it makes any difference in reliability... It's like I can't figure out how the usb dongle even worked without its firmware file... My working theory is that the usb dongle comes from the factory with a hardcoded firmware file (rtlwifi/rtl8192cufw.bin) but it is buggy or inferior. And the performance and reliability can be improved if the driver successfully manages to load the rtl8192cufw_TMSC.bin file. I don't know if the firmware load persists across a power cycle (my assumption is it doesn't). Thanks for any insight anyone can provide. -Dave
