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slackbook:wifi [2012/09/17 00:06 (UTC)] – [Wifi Protected Access] Added original text and formatting mfillpotslackbook:wifi [2012/09/17 01:26 (UTC)] (current) – [Sources] updated authors and tags mfillpot
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 ==== rc.inet1.conf revisited ==== ==== rc.inet1.conf revisited ====
  
-Welcome back to rc.inet1.conf. You will recall that in Chapter 14, Networking we used this configuration file to automatically configure NICs whenever Slackware boots. Now, we will use it to configure wifi as well.+Welcome back to ''rc.inet1.conf''.  You're recall 
 +that in [[:slackbook:network|networking]] we used this configuration file 
 +to automatically configure NICs whenever Slackware boots.  Now, we 
 +will use it to configure wifi as well.
  
-<note>If you're using WPA2, you'll still need to setup wpa_supplicant.conf properly first, however.</note> 
  
-Recall that each NIC had a name or number that identified the variables that correspond with it? The same holds true for wifi NICs, only they have even more variables due to the added complexity of wireless networking.+<note> 
 +   
 +    If you're using WPA2, you'll still need to setup 
 +    wpa_supplicant.conf properly first, however.
  
-  # rc.inet1.conf (excerpt) +</note>
-  # ====================== +
-  ## Example config information for wlan0.  Uncomment the lines you need and fill +
-  ## in your info.  (You may not need all of these for your wireless network) +
-  IFNAME[4]="wlan0" +
-  IPADDR[4]="" +
-  NETMASK[4]="" +
-  USE_DHCP[4]="yes" +
-  #DHCP_HOSTNAME[4]="icculus-wireless" +
-  #DHCP_KEEPRESOLV[4]="yes" +
-  #DHCP_KEEPNTP[4]="yes" +
-  #DHCP_KEEPGW[4]="yes" +
-  #DHCP_IPADDR[4]="" +
-  WLAN_ESSID[4]="nest" +
-  #WLAN_MODE[4]=Managed +
-  #WLAN_RATE[4]="54M auto" +
-  #WLAN_CHANNEL[4]="auto" +
-  #WLAN_KEY[4]="D5AD1F04ACF048EC2D0B1C80C7" +
-  #WLAN_IWPRIV[4]="set AuthMode=WPAPSK | \ +
-  #   set EncrypType=TKIP | \ +
-  #   set WPAPSK=96389dc66eaf7e6efd5b5523ae43c7925ff4df2f8b7099495192d44a774fda16" +
-  WLAN_WPA[4]="wpa_supplicant" +
-  #WLAN_WPADRIVER[4]="ndiswrapper"+
  
-When we discussed wired ethernet, each n in the variable corresponded with the n in ethn. Here however, that no longer holds true. Notice that the variable IFNAME[4] has a value of wlan0. It is common for wireless cards to have an interface name other than ethn and that is reflected here. When rc.inet1.conf is read by the start-up scripts, Slackware knows to apply all these options to the wlan0 wifi NIC instead of the (probably non-existent) eth4 wired NIC. Many of the other options are the same. IP address information is added in exactly the same way we discussed for wired network cards in [[:network|networking]] however, we have a lot of new variables that need some explanation.+Recall that each NIC had a name or number that identified the variables 
 +that correspond with it?  The same hold true for wifi NICs, only they 
 +have even more variables due to the added complexity of wireless 
 +networking.
  
-To begin, WLAN_ESSID[n] and WLAN_CHANNEL[n] should be self-explanatory by now; they refer the the essid and frequency to use. WLAN_MODE[n] is either managed or ad-hoc. Anyone connecting to an access point will want to use managed mode. WLAN_KEY[n] is the WEP key to use, if you're forced to use WEP. WLAN_IWPRIV[n] is a very complicated variable that sets other variables inside itself. WLAN_IWPRIV[n] is used for WPA2 networks. Here you tell Slackware what authentication mode, encryption type, and key to use for WPA2 connections. Please note that WLAN_KEY[n] and WLAN_IWPRIV[n] are mutually exclusive; you can't use both on the same interface. If you successfully configure all this, then Slackware will attempt to connect to your wireless network as soon as the system boots. 
  
-But wait, that's so much work! And what if I need to connect to multiple wireless networks? I take my laptop to work and school and need to seamlessly setup those wireless connections as soon as one is within range. Doing things this way is simply too much work. You're absolutely correct.+<code>
  
 +# rc.inet1.conf (excert)
 +# ======================
 +## Example config information for wlan0.  Uncomment the lines you need and fill
 +## in your info.  (You may not need all of these for your wireless network)
 +IFNAME[4]="wlan0"
 +IPADDR[4]=""
 +NETMASK[4]=""
 +USE_DHCP[4]="yes"
 +#DHCP_HOSTNAME[4]="icculus-wireless"
 +#DHCP_KEEPRESOLV[4]="yes"
 +#DHCP_KEEPNTP[4]="yes"
 +#DHCP_KEEPGW[4]="yes"
 +#DHCP_IPADDR[4]=""
 +WLAN_ESSID[4]="nest"
 +#WLAN_MODE[4]=Managed
 +#WLAN_RATE[4]="54M auto"
 +#WLAN_CHANNEL[4]="auto"
 +#WLAN_KEY[4]="D5AD1F04ACF048EC2D0B1C80C7"
 +#WLAN_IWPRIV[4]="set AuthMode=WPAPSK | \
 +#   set EncrypType=TKIP | \
 +#   set WPAPSK=96389dc66eaf7e6efd5b5523ae43c7925ff4df2f8b7099495192d44a774fda16"
 +WLAN_WPA[4]="wpa_supplicant"
 +#WLAN_WPADRIVER[4]="ndiswrapper"
 +</code>
 +
 +
 +When we discussed wired ethernet, each //n// in the
 +variable corresponded with the //n// in
 +//eth**n**//.  Here however, that
 +no longer holds true. Notice that the variable IFNAME[4] has a value
 +of //wlan0//. It is common for wireless cards to have an interface name
 +other than //ethn// and that is reflected here.  When
 +''rc.inet1.conf'' is read by the start-up scripts,
 +Slackware knows to apply all these options to the //wlan0// wifi NIC
 +instead of the (probably non-existant) eth4 wired NIC.  Many of the
 +other options are the same. IP address information is added in
 +exactly the same way we discussed for wired network cards in [[:slackbook:network|networking]]; however, we have a lot of new variables that need
 +some explanation.
 +
 +
 +To begin, //WLAN_ESSID[n]// and
 +//WLAN_CHANNEL[n]// should be self-explainatory by now;
 +they refer the the essid and frequency to
 +use. //WLAN_MODE[n]// is either
 +**managed** or **ad-hoc**.
 +Anyone connecting to an access point will want to use managed mode.
 +//WLAN_KEY[n]// is the WEP key to use, if you're forced
 +to use WEP.  //WLAN_IWPRIV[n]// is a very complicated
 +variable that sets other variables inside itself.
 +//WLAN_IWPRIV[n]// is used for WPA2 networks.  Here you
 +tell Slackware what authentication mode, encryption type, and key to
 +use for WPA2 connections.  Please note that
 +//WLAN_KEY[n]// and //WLAN_IWPRIV[n]//
 +are mutually exclusive; you can't use both on the same interface.  If
 +you successfully configure all this, then Slackware will attempt to
 +connect to your wireless network as soon as the system boots.
 +
 +
 +But wait, that's so much work!  And what if I need to connect to
 +multiple wireless networks?  I take my laptop to work and school and
 +need to seemlessly setup those wireless connections as soon as one is
 +within range.  Doing things this way is simply too much work.  You're
 +absolutely correct.
 ===== Wicd ===== ===== Wicd =====
  
-Introducing wicd(8), the premier wired and wireless network connection manager for the laptop user on the go. Pronounced "wicked", wicd is capable of storing information for any number of wireless networks you need and connecting to them with a simple command or the click of a mouse. wicd is not part of the default Slackware installation at this time, as it interferes somewhat with the normal way of configuring network adapters, but you can find it in the /extra directory of your Slackware install disks or at your favorite mirror. wicd is both a network connection daemon and a graphical application for configuring networks. The CLI isn't forgotten either, as wicd-curses(8) is every bit as powerful as the traditional GUI front-end. In order to use wicd, you will need to disable support for any interfaces you have in rc.inet1.conf first.+Introducing **//wicd//**(8), the premier wired and 
 +wireless network connection manager for the laptop user on the go. 
 +Pronounced //"wicked"//, **//wicd//** is capable of 
 +storing information for any number of wireless networks you need and 
 +connecting to them with a simple command or the click of a mouse. 
 +**//wicd//** is not part of the default Slackware 
 +installation at this time, as it interferes somewhat with the normal 
 +way of configuring network adapters, but you can find it in the 
 +''/extra'' directory of your Slackware install disks 
 +or at your favorite mirror. **//wicd//** is both a 
 +network connection daemon and a graphical application for configuring 
 +networks.  The CLI isn't forgotten either, as 
 +**//wicd-curses//**(8) is every bit as powerful as 
 +the traditional GUI front-end.  In order to use 
 +**//wicd//**, you will need to disable support for 
 +any interfaces you have in ''rc.inet1.conf'' first.
  
-  # rc.inet1.conf 
-  # ============= 
-  # Config information for eth0: 
-  IPADDR[0]="" 
-  NETMASK[0]="" 
-  USE_DHCP[0]="no" 
-  DHCP_HOSTNAME[0]="" 
-  # Default gateway IP address: 
-  GATEWAY="" 
  
-Now we can install wicd, setup the daemon to run on system boot-up, and begin using a more friendly application.+<code>
  
-  darkstar:~# installpkg /path/to/extra/wicd/wicd-1.6.2.1-1.txz +# rc.inet1.conf 
-  darkstar:~# chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.wicd +# ============= 
-  darkstar:~# /etc/rc.d/rc.wicd start+# Config information for eth0: 
 +IPADDR[0]="" 
 +NETMASK[0]="" 
 +USE_DHCP[0]="no" 
 +DHCP_HOSTNAME[0]="" 
 +# Default gateway IP address: 
 +GATEWAY="" 
 +</code>
  
-If you're predominately using the console, simply run wicd-curses from your command line. If instead, you are using a graphical desktop provided by X, you can start the graphical front-end from either the KDE or XFCE menu. 
  
-The wicd interface+Now we can install **//wicd//**, setup the daemon to 
 +run on system boot-up, and begin using a more friendly application.
  
-Optionally, you could manually run wicd-client(1) from a terminal or run dialogue. 
  
-On the graphical front-end, options for different networks are available via the Preferences button adjacent to the ESSID listed. In the terminal client, the same options can be reached by highlighting the ESSID you wish to use and pressing the right arrow key, which opens a configuration page for that network.+<code> 
 +darkstar:~# installpkg /path/to/extra/wicd/wicd-1.6.2.1-1.txz 
 +darkstar:~# chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.wicd 
 +darkstar:~# /etc/rc.d/rc.wicd start 
 +</code>
  
 +
 +If you're predominately using the console, simply run
 +**//wicd-curses//** from your command line. If
 +instead, you are using a graphical desktop provided by
 +**//X//**, you can start the graphical front-end
 +from either the KDE or XFCE menu.
 +
 +{{ :slackbook:wicd.png |wicd}}
 +
 +Optionally, you could manually run
 +**//wicd-client//**(1) from a terminal or **//run
 +dialogue//**.
 +
 +
 +On the graphical front-end, options for different networks are
 +available via the **Preferences** button adjacent
 +to the ESSID listed. In the terminal client, the same options can be
 +reached by highlighting the ESSID you wish to use and
 +pressing the right arrow key, which opens a configuration page for
 +that network.
 ====== Chapter Navigation ====== ====== Chapter Navigation ======
  
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 **Next Chapter: [[slackbook:basic_networking_utilities|Basic Networking Utilities]]** **Next Chapter: [[slackbook:basic_networking_utilities|Basic Networking Utilities]]**
-======Sources====== +====== Sources ====== 
- +<!-- If you copy information from another source, then specify that source --> 
-  * Original source: http://slackbook.org/beta/#ch_wireless (authors: Alan Hicks, Chris Lumens, David Cantrell, Logan Johnson)+  * Original source: [[http://www.slackbook.org/beta]] \\ 
 +<!-- Authors are allowed to give credit to themselves! --> 
 +  * Originally written by Alan Hicks, Chris Lumens, David Cantrell, Logan Johnson 
 +<!-- * Contrbutions by [[wiki:user:yyy | User Y]] -->
  
 +<!-- Please do not modify anything below, except adding new tags.-->
 +<!-- You must also remove the tag-word "template" below. Otherwise your page will not show up in the Table of Contents -->
 +{{tag>slackbook wireless iwconfig wicd}}

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