Debian developers have announced the testing of a new non-free-firmware repository, which has moved firmware packages from the non-free repository. The second alpha release of the Debian 12 'Bookworm' installer provides the ability to dynamically request firmware packages from the non-free-firmware repository. Having a separate firmware repository allows access to firmware without including the general non-free repository in the installation media.
In accordance with a previously conducted general vote, both free firmware from the main repository and proprietary firmware, previously available through the non-free repository, are included in the official images. For hardware that requires external firmware, the necessary proprietary firmware is loaded by default. For users who prefer only free software, the option to disable non-free firmware usage is provided during the boot process.
The required firmware is determined through the analysis of kernel logs, which output warnings about failures to load firmware (e.g., 'failed to load rtl_nic/rtl8153a-3.fw'). The check-missing-firmware script, invoked by the hw-detect component, parses the log. When firmware loading issues are detected, the script checks the Contents-firmware index file, which maps firmware names to the packages where they can be found. If the index is missing, firmware is searched by scanning the content of packages in the /firmware directory. If a firmware package is found, it is unpacked and the associated kernel modules are loaded, after which the firmware package is added to the list of packages to be installed, and the non-free-firmware repository is activated in the APT configuration.
Source: opennet.ru
