Bug#684968: debian-installer: requests non-free firmware for a device that works just as well without it

[Bjørn Mork <bjorn@mork.no>]

Stefan Nagy <public@stefan-nagy.at> writes:

> I have a notebook with a realtek nic which doesn't need any non-free firmware
> files to operate. However, debian installer requests me to install non-free
> firmware. It doesn't make any difference if I install it or reject the request
> – the network adapter just works.
>
> Debian installer shouldn't ask me to install non-free firmware for a device
> that works just as well without it.

You cannot know that it works "just as well".  The firmware may enable
additional features you don't use, or which does not matter to your
usage pattern.  Or the firmware fixes known bugs which you just haven't
hit or which you didn't know you were hitting.

Both of these are quite common for network adapter firmware.

> My hardware: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit
> Ethernet controller [10ec:8168] (rev 06)
> Firmware file which debian installer requests: rtl_nic/rtl8168e-3.fw

I believe this works exactly as intended.  The adapter does function
without the firmware and the driver allows you to continue using it even
if the firmware load fails, thereby enabling you to complete the
installation and download the firmware if acceptable.

The driver firmware request is required to enable those who want to load
the optional firmware. Just ignore it if you don't want to.


Bjørn