Atheros Communications, a pioneer in wireless network solutions, is pleased to announce the free availability of the ath9k Linux driver for IEEE 802.11n wireless devices. The ath9k driver will be soon included in the Linux kernel. "The ath9k driver comes shortly after Atheros hired two key Linux wireless developers - Luis Rodriguez and Jouni Malinen. [..] We have been informed Atheros does plan to add access point support to ath9k and to work with the community to enhance and complete access point support in the Linux kernel. It is understood there is plenty of work required on the wireless stack to complete full access point support. Jouni Malinen will help drive this process within the community while Luis helps enhance regulatory compliance in the Linux kernel." - the MadWifi team.

The free wireless driver released by Atheros will work with the following chipsets:

� AR5418+AR5133
� AR5416+AR2133
� AR5416+AR5133
� AR9280
� AR9160
� AR9281

Below is a list with some of the popular Atheros AR5008-powered products:

D-Link

� DWA-542 RangeBooster N Desktop Adapter
� DWA-547 RangeBooster N650 Desktop Adapter
� DWA-552 XtremeN Desktop Adapter
� DWA-556 Xtreme N PCIe Desktop Adapter
� DWA-642 RangeBooster N Notebook Adapter
� DWA-643 Xtreme N ExpressCard Notebook Adapter
� DWA-645 RangeBooster N650 Notebook Adapter
� DWA-652 XtremeN Notebook Adapter

Linksys

� WMP300Nv2
� WPC300Nv2
� WMP110N
� WPC100N

Netgear

� WN711 - Wireless-N eXpresscard Adapter
� WNHDE111 Video Bridge

NEC

� WL300NC

Belkin

� N1 Wireless Notebook Card

It appears that OpenWrt is the first Linux distribution to include the new ath9k driver from Atheros. Download OpenWrt 7.09 right now from Softpedia.

The source code for ath9k can also be downloaded from Softpedia.