I have a new install of Debian 12 Bookworm, and I have added the nonfree firmware sources to my sources list.
However, when I run apt search firmware-linux I see three options
firmware-linux
firmware-linux-free [installed, automatic]
firmware-linux-nonfree
I would like to use nonfree firmware, but I am confused by that first option. what does firmware-linux include or not include that is different from firmware-linux-nonfree? Which should I install?
5 Comments
Hawke@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
packages.debian.org
“Binary firmware for various drivers in the Linux kernel (metapackage)
This package depends on both free and non-free firmware which may be used with drivers in the Linux kernel.”
So it’s a metapackage. That means it’s an empty package that exists only so that other packages can say “I need to have linux firmware, but I don’t care which one”, and as long as one of the other two are installed those packages will be satisfied.
Veraxis@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Okay, this makes sense. So it might need to be installed as a dependency for something else?
Hawke@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
It wouldn’t be needed unless something else depends on it.
Spider89@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
firmware-linux : Metapackage
firmware-linux-free [installed, automatic]:
firmware-linux-nonfree
If your system runs well, you may be fine with what you have. If you are missing anything, install nonfree or any of its dedicated firmware packages.
Veraxis@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
I suppose that is true that I might not need it. I am running a very minimal install with no DE, and so far I am not aware of anything that is broken.