Migration options
- Note: This page is a work in progress. It is not yet complete, and it may contain inaccuracies or outdated information.
Main article: AX.25 on Linux
If you are affected by the removal of AX.25 from the Linux kernel and need to migrate, there are several approaches you can take.
The table below shows what common software expects and what you can do going forward. It is meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. For any software, the general pattern is:
- If your application can already speak KISS or AGWPE over serial or network interfaces, you probably do not need Linux kernel AX.25. Point the application at a software TNC, hardware TNC, or other endpoint using a supported protocol.
- If your application requires Linux AX.25 sockets,
axinterfaces,kissattach,ax25d, or the related kernel tools, there will not be a direct drop-in migration path on newer kernels. - If you are not sure, look at how you configure the application. If you see KISS or AGWPE options, that is a good sign. If you only have the option to point at an
axinterface, that is not as good a sign.
| Software | Current interface | Migration approach |
|---|---|---|
| All-in-one environments | ||
| LinBPQ | Implements full stack and applications; can work with KISS and AGW-compatible software | Use its built-in applications, or integrate it through the interfaces it supports |
| JNOS 2 | Implements full stack and applications; KISS-oriented, with AXIP and AXUDP support | Use its built-in applications, or integrate it through KISS-oriented links |
| Software TNCs and soundmodems | ||
| Dire Wolf | User-space modem/TNC; KISS and AGWPE host-side interfaces | Point your applications at its KISS or AGWPE endpoint |
| QtSoundModem | ||
| UZ7HO SoundModem | ||
| Endpoint applications and clients | ||
| Pat | Pluggable AX.25 engine; AGWPE support | AGWPE |
| Xastir | KISS, AGWPE, or Linux kernel AX.25 interfaces | KISS or AGWPE |
| aprx | KISS or Linux kernel AX.25 interface | KISS |
| YAAC | External TNC or serial interface | KISS |
| Legacy patterns and kernel-bound tools | ||
| KISS-oriented legacy applications generally | Usually pseudo-tty KISS, TCP KISS, or external TNC | Native KISS-capable software |
| aprsdigi | Linux AX.25 APRS digipeater | APRS-specific replacement like aprx or other APRS software |
| ax25-tools | Linux AX.25, NET/ROM, and ROSE kernel configuration tools | No direct equivalent; keep only in legacy environments or replace with user-space TNC tooling |
| ax25-apps | Linux AX.25, NET/ROM, and ROSE kernel user applications, including ax25d
|
Application-specific replacement like LinBPQ, JNOS, Pat, or APRS software |
| net2kiss | Converts Linux kernel AX.25 interfaces into pseudo-tty KISS | No direct equivalent; replace the kernel-binding pattern with a native KISS or AGWPE source |