ALFA Linux Compatibility Matrix

結論先行（Bottom line）: On modern Linux, the MediaTek-based adapters (AWUS036ACM, AWUS036ACHM, AWUS036AXM, AWUS036AXML) work out of the box because their drivers ship inside the kernel. The Realtek-based adapters (AWUS036ACH, AWUS036ACS, AWUS036AX, AWUS036AXER) need a DKMS driver build — a 5-minute, one-time job. The AWUS036EACS is the exception: do not expect it to work well on any Linux.

The matrix

Legend: ✅ works out of the box · 🔧 works after a DKMS install · ⚠️ partial / flaky · ❌ not recommended

Adapter	Chipset	Driver	In-kernel?	Kali Linux	Ubuntu	NetHunter / Android
AWUS036ACM	MT7612U	mt76x2u	✅ since 4.19	✅	✅	✅
AWUS036ACHM	MT7610U	mt76x0u	✅ since 4.19	✅	✅	✅
AWUS036AXM	MT7921AUN	mt7921u	✅ since 5.18	✅	✅	✅
AWUS036AXML	MT7921AUN	mt7921u	✅ since 5.18	✅	✅	✅
AWUS036ACH	RTL8812AU	rtl8812au-dkms	❌	🔧	🔧	🔧
AWUS036ACS	RTL8811AU	rtl8811au (DKMS)	❌	🔧	🔧	🔧
AWUS036AX	RTL8832BU	rtl88x2bu (DKMS)	❌	🔧	🔧	⚠️
AWUS036AXER	RTL8832BU	rtl88x2bu (DKMS)	❌	🔧	🔧	⚠️
AWUS036EACS	RTL8821CU	— (no reliable driver)	❌	❌	❌	❌

What "in-kernel" means for you

When a chipset's driver lives in the Linux kernel, your OS ships it pre-installed. Plug the adapter in and dmesg will show it being claimed by the driver — no compilation, no DKMS, no kernel-update breakage. This is the single biggest reliability difference between the MediaTek and Realtek adapters on this page.

For the Realtek models, the Kali guide and Ubuntu guide walk you through the DKMS build. DKMS rebuilds the driver automatically after every kernel update, so "it stopped working after an update" should never happen — if it does, check the troubleshooting index.

Per-OS notes

Kali Linux

Everything except the EACS works, with a caveat: the kernel in Kali (rolling release) can be newer than some DKMS drivers support. If a DKMS build fails on a fresh Kali, use the aircrack-ng maintained driver repos (aircrack-ng/rtl8812au, aircrack-ng/rtl88x2bu) which track new kernels aggressively. Full walkthrough: Kali setup guide.

Ubuntu (LTS)

Ubuntu LTS kernels are older and rock-stable, so DKMS builds basically never break. The in-kernel models work with zero setup on 20.04+ (MT7921AUN needs 22.04+ because mt7921u landed in kernel 5.18). Full walkthrough: Ubuntu setup guide.

NetHunter / Android

NetHunter on a rooted phone with OTG is the most demanding environment: Android kernels vary wildly by phone, so only the in-kernel chipsets are dependable (MT7612U, MT7610U, MT7921AUN). Realtek DKMS drivers need a matching toolchain inside the NetHunter chroot and often fail on stock phone kernels — proceed with caution and see the NetHunter guide.

How to check your kernel

Not sure which kernel you are on? Run:

uname -r

Expected output (examples):

6.8.0-51-generic        # Ubuntu 24.04
6.1.0-kali9-amd64       # Kali rolling
5.15.0-91-generic       # Ubuntu 22.04 — mt7921u NOT present, needs 22.04+ kernel

If your kernel is 5.18 or newer on a MediaTek model, you are fine. If it is older, update your OS first — the driver will not appear out of thin air.

Next: follow the Ubuntu or Kali guide for your OS, or jump to a chipset driver page for the deep dive.