KernelTrap: IPW3945, Debating the Binary Daemon

“The announcement of a new project to support Intel’s
PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection mini-PCI express adapter
(IPW3945) was met with mixed reactions. The project includes a
binary-only daemon to enforce regulatory limits for the radio
transmitter on the wireless device, communicating to the kernel
driver through a sysfs interface. In the announcement, James
Ketrenos describes the licensing of the binary daemon, ‘those
familiar with our prior projects may be pleased with the changes we
have made with the license agreement for binary portions of this
new project. We were able to provide a more easily understood
agreement for the binary components required for the adapter to
function. While this new license still restricts against reverse
engineering and modification, it has been changed to allow easier
redistribution…'”

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