Configuring Wireless Internet Connection

[Kryptos]

Hi Everyone,
I am absolutely new to linux world and I just finished my first linux installation, so I am using Fedora 8 and my first step it`s to connect to the internet, but I am in trouble because I don`t know nothing about networking.
I tried Graphical configuration with system-config-network but I can`t do it. The computer detects two hardware devices: Intel Corporation 82801 DB PRO/100 VE (MOB) Ethernet Controller and INtel Corporation Pro/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection. I use a Belkin Adsl Modem with Wireless G Router, ADSL connection.
I am currently using Windows XP, the internet is working, and all information I know how to get it`s that I have two connections: LAN 1394 Net Adapter with firewall, and Wireless Connection with firewall (IP 192.168.2.2 Sub-mask 255.255.255.0 with DHCP).
In system-config-network I can`t use DHCP,it doesn`t work.
I don`t know where to start to configure the internet connection.. Should I configure DNS? The only thing I know it`s an IP...
Can you give me an overview about the situation, an advice please.
I would appreciate that you recommend me introductory books about networking to solve my problem for now and to adquire basic knowledge related eith networks. Any kind of help it`s welcome.
Sorry about my english language.

Thanks in advance.

[stevea]

I suggest you NOT use system-config-network for wireless.

Instead on the system-config-services tab check "NetworkManager" and "NetworkManagerDispatecher" then "save"(then these will start on next boot), then click "Start" for each of these two services to immediately start them. A "power bar" signal strength ico will appear in the notification area of your upper panel bar.

Left-click the icon, select "Connect to other wireless network" and enter your AP info.
If you use authentication then the passworks will be stored on the gnome keyring, Be aware
that you'll get popups asking for the keyring password(or to set it) and also perhaps the
wireless keys. Distinguish the two.

You may need to right-click and disable the wired connection in order to use wireless.
NM will default to wired if it's available.

[pedora]

Originally Posted by stevea

I suggest you NOT use system-config-network for wireless.

Instead on the system-config-services tab check "NetworkManager" and "NetworkManagerDispatecher" then "save"(then these will start on next boot), then click "Start" for each of these two services to immediately start them. A "power bar" signal strength ico will appear in the notification area of your upper panel bar.

Left-click the icon, select "Connect to other wireless network" and enter your AP info.
If you use authentication then the passworks will be stored on the gnome keyring, Be aware
that you'll get popups asking for the keyring password(or to set it) and also perhaps the
wireless keys. Distinguish the two.

You may need to right-click and disable the wired connection in order to use wireless.
NM will default to wired if it's available.

My so-called 'power bar' just crashed. NM applet crashed? Anyway, what do you do then?

Face it, NM (the entire program) is flaky, faulty and useless. We should be teaching how to configure using the file (I forget what it is in Fedora but in KDE Debian distros, it is /etc/network/devices). I will try to learn this.

It is useless to use the 'power bar' and click because the program will eventually crash or flake out. How many posts are there now with all these problems with NM, the NM applet, the GUI settings and anything related to NM? Fedora developers should put aside other tasks with other programs/apps and make FIXING NM a priority. Or working with or encouraging NM developers to do the same. I would also like it if someone wrote a 'manual configuration' tutorial for editing the main network file or a tutorial for the steps one would take if you DIY by editing whatever files you need. I don't trust NM to accomplish it. It's not reliable.

Perhaps, it works fine with a wired connection. But, not with wireless.

[Kryptos]

Hi again,
Thanks for your post. Network Manager doesn`t open and I don`t know why. What should I do? is there another option to configure?

Thanks in Avance.

[bbfuller]

Hello Pedora,

I think you may be being a bit too harsh about NetworkManager here and perhaps putting people off from trying something that when it works, works very well.

I accept that not all peoples experiences are the same - huge variety of software/hardware to cater for. I initially had a problem with NetworkManager in fedora8, but have since gone on to installing wireless with it and the following:

broadcom 4318
Intel 3945abg
Belkin F5D7000

NetworkManager is a complete success with all of them. I do acknowledge though that someone else I spoke to with a 3945 couldn't get it to work.

That's up to and including using WPA-PSK encryption but not beyond.

[bbfuller]

Hello Kryptos

If you are using KDE as your desktop you will probably need to go to the System Menu and invoke KNetworkManager. It's a bit shy and won't come out by itself.

Even if you did that it may not appear in the system try until you have either logged out and back in again, or restarted the machine.

[Iron_Mike]

Originally Posted by pedora

My so-called 'power bar' just crashed. NM applet crashed? Anyway, what do you do then?

Face it, NM (the entire program) is flaky, faulty and useless. We should be teaching how to configure using the file (I forget what it is in Fedora but in KDE Debian distros, it is /etc/network/devices). I will try to learn this.

It is useless to use the 'power bar' and click because the program will eventually crash or flake out. How many posts are there now with all these problems with NM, the NM applet, the GUI settings and anything related to NM? Fedora developers should put aside other tasks with other programs/apps and make FIXING NM a priority. Or working with or encouraging NM developers to do the same. I would also like it if someone wrote a 'manual configuration' tutorial for editing the main network file or a tutorial for the steps one would take if you DIY by editing whatever files you need. I don't trust NM to accomplish it. It's not reliable.


Perhaps, it works fine with a wired connection. But, not with wireless.

Incorrect, NM does have some issues when using certain network configurations, but is not totally borked. Until certain issues are worked out you can always remove the F8 version of NM and use the Fedora 7.90 version...Which due to my network configuration is required...

[Iron_Mike]

Originally Posted by bbfuller

Hello Pedora,

I think you may be being a bit too harsh about NetworkManager here and perhaps putting people off from trying something that when it works, works very well.

I accept that not all peoples experiences are the same - huge variety of software/hardware to cater for. I initially had a problem with NetworkManager in fedora8, but have since gone on to installing wireless with it and the following:

broadcom 4318
Intel 3945abg
Belkin F5D7000

NetworkManager is a complete success with all of them. I do acknowledge though that someone else I spoke to with a 3945 couldn't get it to work.

That's up to and including using WPA-PSK encryption but not beyond.

The wpa-psk issue has been fixed and released upstream. They just combined the wpa/wpa2 personal and wpa/wpa2 enterprise options.

[Mike_GB]

Thanks, stevea, "NetworkManager" and "NetworkManagerDispatecher" check in helps me to access internet by wireless (+ connect by Wireless Assistant). Early only wireless LAN worked, but any internet access returned ¨no connection¨.