[Testers-Needed] Converting Intel AX211 to AX411 WiFi Chip

[THEBOSS619]

Hello everyone, I need testers from laptop users who got Intel WiFi AX211 chip. If you like to know the benefits of modifying this driver please continue reading. All I need from you is to provide a screenshot of your HWID from device manager like this to help me provide support for all Intel AX 211 variants since they got Multiple HWID's with the same name.

Here's an example of what I need...

I have managed to convert WiFi chip from Intel AX211 to a AX411 since both have the exact hardware spec. Intel applied arbitrary limitations to AX211 WiFi chip so they can sell AX411... but it's now using the new NetAdapterCx (Network Adapter WDF Class Extension) with my modified driver on AX211!, Which they only did it for AX411 while they kept AX211 with an old ndis.sys one deliberately.

It's simply a driver limitation Intel put it on but HW supports it bec. AX211=AX411 literally. It also have DCT [Double Connect Tech.] Intel only did it for AX411 while leaving AX211 without DCT feature although I would need find a way to test it if DCT actually works with AX211 since I have the option to enable it on the driver settings through device manager.

Benefits & Features with NetAdapterCx driver support are...

• Lower ndis.sys DPC routines
• Lower CPU utilization during high load networking
• Lower latency when compared between NetAdapterCx based drivers vs ndis.sys based drivers.
• DCT [Double Connect Tech.] which officially AX211 doesn't have it but supported in HW.

You can read it here more in-depth.. and even google it.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com...ver-model-for-the-next-generation/ba-p/339722
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/netcx/wifi-wdf-class-extension-wificx

Here's some proof picture that I did it with success! + Technical detail about Intel dividing the features between AX211/AX411 through driver structure changes...

Once I get enough variants of Intel AX211 I will then create another thread and share the driver to the public as I will be supporting Intel AX211 as a whole

 

[chrcoluk]

Interesting, I think Intel's practices on old networking hardware isnt great. As an example, they make you buy new stuff just to get WPA3 support. Hope this works out.

Is there a similar thing that can be done to AX210? I deliberately got the 210 over the 211, as I read 211 was cutting back on some components and then limited to Intel systems only as a result.

 

[THEBOSS619]

Interesting, I think Intel's practices on old networking hardware isnt great. As an example, they make you buy new stuff just to get WPA3 support. Hope this works out.

Is there a similar thing that can be done to AX210? I deliberately got the 210 over the 211, as I read 211 was cutting back on some components and then limited to Intel systems only as a result.

Yes, I can do similar thing with AX210 too! I might even make AX210 combined with AX211 and raise both of them up to be treated as Intel AX411 unfortunately I would need you test it for me as I don't have AX210... I only got AX211.

Only very slight difference between AX210 vs AX211 is compatibility functions but regarding components or features they are both exactly the same so it is doable!

Do you mind sharing your HWID of your AX210 from the device manager? If the time allows... soon will send you the drivers with Intel AX411 sauce on the top

 

[chrcoluk]

No worries, here is the screenshot. I am using Windows 10, I dont know if your work requires Win11 (looking at your first post it looks like it does) so I mentioned it. If it does require 11, I can test it in a test install for you.

 

[THEBOSS619]

No worries, here is the screenshot.

View attachment 358088

Thank you! added on my to-do list

@chrcoluk I just noticed your new edit, Yes Windows 11 are a requirement. Sorry I should have mentioned this from the start.