[PLUG] Slackware Wireless

[Dick Steffens]

This morning I thought I would take a look at what the Interwebs have to
say about setting up wireless on my Slackware laptop. I recall a
recommendation from this list to let Ben or Ed help me with that. After
reviewing several websites, I can see why. So, later this afternoon,
I'll be ready to hear the recommendations.

When I installed Slackware I recall having to choose something regarding
networking. One of the options was NetworkManager. I did not choose that
option. I see an icon down in the task bar that looks like a
representation of a monitor and keyboard. It has a red X on it's lower
right corner. When I hover over it it says NetworkManager not running.

This laptop has previously worked with my Buffalo Router, and with WiFi
access points out in the scary world (such as at motels when we're on
trips), so I know the hardware works. Now I just need assistance picking
the right set of instructions to follow.

Thanks in advance.

[Ben Koenig]

That's a good question. User-friendly network management tools involve 2
pieces. This is because on Linux platforms you need to be root to configure
network devices.

So for Network Manager, the 2 components are as follows:
- The network manager daemon: this is a background process that runs as
root in order to configure networks on behalf of the user.
- end user applets: These applets, such as the one with the red X in KDE
send the user's requested network preferences to the daemon.

the Wifi interface will be configured by the NetworkManager daemon process,
not by the applet or the user. The configuration of NetworkManager will
define what options are available to the user. So if the daemon process is
not running, the applet returns and error, in the form of that little red X.

The Slackware installer provides a few different options, either to set up
manually or just use DHCP for an automatic address.
If you are on a laptop, then you want NetworkManager to get up and running
with wifi.

Setting up wifi manually is a bit of a pain, and services such as
NetworkManager or WICD can make it a lot easier.

If you want to switch to NetworkManager, use the 'netconfig' command. This
is the tool that comes up during the install and will allow you to make
that change.
Once you do that, the icon on your system tray will start working
"automagically".

Switch over to it using netconfig, and let me know if you can get it up and
running. NetworkManager provides a great way to learn about daemon services
in Slackware since is one of the easier ones to start/stop.

I'm also curious to know if it runs out-of-the-box for you. There's been
some drama with the NetworkManager devs that can come into play here.

Post by Dick Steffens
This morning I thought I would take a look at what the Interwebs have to
say about setting up wireless on my Slackware laptop. I recall a
recommendation from this list to let Ben or Ed help me with that. After
reviewing several websites, I can see why. So, later this afternoon,
I'll be ready to hear the recommendations.
When I installed Slackware I recall having to choose something regarding
networking. One of the options was NetworkManager. I did not choose that
option. I see an icon down in the task bar that looks like a
representation of a monitor and keyboard. It has a red X on it's lower
right corner. When I hover over it it says NetworkManager not running.
This laptop has previously worked with my Buffalo Router, and with WiFi
access points out in the scary world (such as at motels when we're on
trips), so I know the hardware works. Now I just need assistance picking
the right set of instructions to follow.
Thanks in advance.
--
Regards,
Dick Steffens
_______________________________________________
PLUG mailing list
http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug

[Dick Steffens]

Post by Ben Koenig
That's a good question. User-friendly network management tools involve 2
pieces. This is because on Linux platforms you need to be root to configure
network devices.
- The network manager daemon: this is a background process that runs as
root in order to configure networks on behalf of the user.
- end user applets: These applets, such as the one with the red X in KDE
send the user's requested network preferences to the daemon.
the Wifi interface will be configured by the NetworkManager daemon process,
not by the applet or the user. The configuration of NetworkManager will
define what options are available to the user. So if the daemon process is
not running, the applet returns and error, in the form of that little red X.
The Slackware installer provides a few different options, either to set up
manually or just use DHCP for an automatic address.
If you are on a laptop, then you want NetworkManager to get up and running
with wifi.
Setting up wifi manually is a bit of a pain, and services such as
NetworkManager or WICD can make it a lot easier.
If you want to switch to NetworkManager, use the 'netconfig' command. This
is the tool that comes up during the install and will allow you to make
that change.

Done.

Post by Ben Koenig
Once you do that, the icon on your system tray will start working
"automagically".

Didn't.

Post by Ben Koenig
Switch over to it using netconfig, and let me know if you can get it up and
running. NetworkManager provides a great way to learn about daemon services
in Slackware since is one of the easier ones to start/stop.
I'm also curious to know if it runs out-of-the-box for you. There's been
some drama with the NetworkManager devs that can come into play here.

After a restart it works fine. I can now take the laptop down to the
living room and use it.

I still need to get VirtualBox working, but I don't use it all the time,
so I can come back to that one.

Thanks! Getting wireless working was fairly painless.