MrSun

Installing the rtl8812ac Driver on Ubuntu and Analyzing Network Traffic with Wireshark

Linux
ubunturtl8812acwiresharknetwork analysis

Installing the rtl8812ac Driver

  1. Update system packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  1. Install the required dependencies
// PC
sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential git
// Raspberry
sudo apt install -y raspberrypi-kernel-headers build-essential git
  1. Clone the rtl8812ac driver repository
git clone https://github.com/lwfinger/rtw88
  1. Build and install the driver I tried the DKMS approach first but couldn't figure it out, so I went with a direct make and install instead.
cd rtl8812au
make
sudo make install
sudo make install_fw

Network Analysis with Wireshark

  1. Install Wireshark
sudo apt install wireshark
  1. Add your current user to the wireshark group
sudo usermod -aG wireshark $USER

Then reboot your computer. 3. Launch Wireshark

wireshark
  1. Select the network interface you want to capture on and start capturing packets.

Common Issues and Fixes

  • If you run into permission issues, make sure your current user has been added to the wireshark group, then log in again.
  • If the driver installation fails, check whether your kernel version is compatible and try updating the kernel.