Using the CompTIA troubleshooting model to fix a simple problem.

Troubleshoot – Kali Install on Macbook unable to use Wireless Adapter.

1. Identify the problem

• After installing Kali Linux on my old (2011) Macbook Pro laptop everything seems to be working good except there is no option to enable WiFi.
• lspci command shows that there is an entry for Network Controller:
  • Broadcom Inc. BCM4331 802.11a/b/g/n
• The Network Settings feature does allow setting for a wireless connection to be set up but so far this has had no effect on creating an actual Wireless connection.

2. Establish a theory of probably cause

• The install of Kali somehow didn’t include the necessary software/drivers to operate the adapter.
• Kali linux isn’t compatible with the adapter.
• The manual set up of a wireless connection in Kali has not been done correctly.
• In the Network Connections edit dialogue box the options available for Band are a, b and g. There is no option for n or ac. The router that we are trying to connect to is transmitting on b, g, and n however.
• Disable DHCP and setting a manual IP address has no effect.

3. Test theory

• Find and install driver for the adapter
  • Some googling found: sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer
  • This worked. After a restart the laptop connected to the Cisco48530 AP.

4. Establish a plan to resolve the problem

• Use – sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer
• Restart the laptop

5. Implement this solution

6. Verify full system functionality

• Setting this command produced a flurry of activity in the command window.
• Finishing with no errors or fail notices
• After restarting the computer the WiFi was fully functional.

7. Document

• So this was a simple driver missing or update that was required after the installation of Kali.
• Presumably because I was installing Kali into a 11 year old machine and a Mac as well the wireless adapter was not in the list of drivers included in the Kali installation.
• A simple install of the correct driver fixed the problem.