Score:0

Why can ubuntu use wireless network without having a corresponding driver?

jp flag

Today I for the first time installed ubuntu 20.04 LTS on my laptop. During the installation process I was asked to connect laptop to a wifi, so I did that. This connection works just fine. I can browse pages and install software updates without any problems.

But later when I opened the Additional Driver app, I found out that my laptop's wireless network adapter "is not working" because it did not have a driver at that point, and I have to manually install a third-party driver. So I'm just so confused, how did the previous connection work?

Running lspci -knn | grep Net -A3 gives the following:

02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter [10ec:c821] Subsystem: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter [10ec:c828] Kernel driver in use: rtl8821ce Kernel modules: rtw88_8821ce, rtl8821ce
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
Please [edit] your question and add output of `lspci -knn | grep Net -A3` terminal command so we can identify your WiFi device and conclusively explain what is and isn't needed.
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
Yes, you have *some* driver, at least. Your WiFi card usually works with `rtl8821ce-dkms` that you may want to install manually or select it in Additional Drivers.
jp flag
Yes, I installed the dkms driver later. Do you mean before that installation, there's already some built-in driver?
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
I don't know. Last time I checked it wasn't supported OOTB.
jp flag
Sorry one of my previous comments make the conversation confusing. I have deleted that one. I'm indeed asking about why can I access wireless network before I installed the dkms driver...
ar flag
Ubuntu (Linux in general) is not like Windows. All the opensource drivers are already built into the kernel. The WiFi card makers may also provide their own closed-source drivers, which may work better, or have more features. I don't know the specifics of your WiFi card.
Score:1
cn flag

Your wireless works without installing a driver seperately because the later versions of Ubuntu ship with the correct driver already installed. There is no need to install anything else.

The 'Additional Drivers' utility only looks for and installs Broadcom wireless drivers. You have none. The utility often shows 'not working' for other than Broadcom devices. As you have seen with your own system, and as I have seen regarding my Intel device, the 'not working' notation is often incorrect.

This connection works just fine. I can browse pages and install software updates without any problems.

There is no need to do anything. You may, as many of us do, safely ignore 'not working' if, in fact, your wireless is working as expected.

jp flag
This seems correct. I switched back to "do not use the device" and then turned on secure boot. Everything still works. When I was using the dkms driver, turning on secure boot will block wifi conenction.
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