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<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"><title>Chapter 5. Using NetworkManager</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="susebooks.css" type="text/css"><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets V1.75.2"><link rel="home" href="index.html" title="Documentation"><link rel="up" href="part.install.html" title="Part I. Installation and Setup"><link rel="prev" href="cha.internet.html" title="Chapter 4. Accessing the Internet"><link rel="next" href="part.basics.html" title="Part II. Basics"></head><body bgcolor="white" text="black" link="#0000FF" vlink="#840084" alink="#0000FF"><div class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header" border="0" class="bctable"><tr><td width="80%"><div class="breadcrumbs"><p><a href="index.html"> Documentation</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="book.opensuse.startup.html">Start-Up</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="part.install.html">Installation and Setup</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><strong><a accesskey="p" title="Chapter 4. Accessing the Internet" href="cha.internet.html"><span>◀</span></a> </strong></p></div></td></tr></table></div><div class="chapter" title="Chapter 5. Using NetworkManager"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title"><a name="cha.nm"></a>Chapter 5. Using NetworkManager<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#cha.nm">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><div class="toc"><p><b>Contents</b></p><dl><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.usecase">5.1. Use Cases for NetworkManager</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.activate">5.2. Enabling NetworkManager</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.configure">5.3. Configuring Network Connections</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.kde">5.4. Using KNetworkManager</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.gnome">5.5. Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.vpn">5.6. NetworkManager and VPN</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.security">5.7. NetworkManager and Security</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.faq">5.8. Frequently Asked Questions</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.trouble">5.9. Troubleshooting</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.more">5.10. For More Information</a></span></dt></dl></div><a class="indexterm" name="id353253"></a><a class="indexterm" name="id353260"></a><p>
NetworkManager is the ideal solution for laptops and other portable computers. It
supports state-of-the-art encryption types and standards for network
connections, including connections to 802.1X protected networks. 802.1X is
the <span class="quote">“<span class="quote">IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area
Networks—Port-Based Network Access Control</span>”</span>. With NetworkManager, you
do not need to worry about configuring network interfaces and switching
between wired or wireless networks when you are moving. NetworkManager can
automatically connect to known wireless networks or manage several network
connections in parallel—the fastest connection is then used as
default. Furthermore, you can manually switch between available networks
and manage your network connection using an applet in the system tray.
</p><p>
Instead of only one connection being active, multiple connections may be
active at once. This enables you to unplug your laptop from an Ethernet
and remain connected via a wireless connection.
</p><div class="sect1" title="5.1. Use Cases for NetworkManager"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.usecase"></a>5.1. Use Cases for NetworkManager<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.usecase">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
NetworkManager provides a sophisticated and intuitive user interface, which enables
users to easily switch their network environment. However, NetworkManager is not a
suitable solution in the following cases:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Your computer provides network services for other computers in your
network, for example, it is a DHCP or DNS server.
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Your computer is a Xen server or your system is a virtual system
inside Xen.
</p></li></ul></div></div><div class="sect1" title="5.2. Enabling NetworkManager"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.activate"></a>5.2. Enabling NetworkManager<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.activate">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><a class="indexterm" name="id353326"></a><p>
On laptop computers, NetworkManager is enabled by default. However, it can be at
any time enabled or disabled in the YaST Network Settings module.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Run YaST and go to <span class="guimenu">Network Devices</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network Settings</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Network Settings</span> dialog opens. Go to the
<span class="guimenu">Global Options</span> tab.
</p></li><li><p>
To configure and manage your network connections with NetworkManager, select
<span class="guimenu">User Controlled with NetworkManager</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">OK</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
After choosing the method for managing network connections, set up your
network card using automatic configuration via DHCP or a static IP
address or configure your modem (for dial-up connections, use
<span class="guimenu">Network Devices</span>+<span class="guimenu">Modem</span>). To configure an internal or
USB ISDN modem, select <span class="guimenu">Network Devices</span>+<span class="guimenu">ISDN</span>. To configure an internal or USB
DSL modem, select <span class="guimenu">Network Devices</span>+<span class="guimenu">DSL</span>.
</p><p>
Find a detailed description of the network configuration with YaST in
Section “Configuring a Network Connection with YaST” (Chapter 21, <i>Basic Networking</i>, ↑Reference) and
Chapter <i>Wireless LAN</i> (↑Reference).
</p></li></ol></div><p>
After having enabled NetworkManager, configure your network connections with the
NetworkManager as described in <a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.configure" title="5.3. Configuring Network Connections">Section 5.3, “Configuring Network Connections”</a>.
</p><p>
If you want to deactivate NetworkManager and control network the traditional way,
choose the <span class="guimenu">Traditional Method with ifup</span> option in the
<span class="guimenu">Network Setup Method</span> field.
</p></div><div class="sect1" title="5.3. Configuring Network Connections"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.configure"></a>5.3. Configuring Network Connections<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.configure">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><a class="indexterm" name="id353476"></a><p>
After having enabled NetworkManager in YaST, configure your network connections
with the NetworkManager front-ends available in KDE and GNOME. The network
configuration dialogs for both front-ends are very similar. They show
tabs for all types of network connections, such as wired, wireless,
mobile broadband, DSL, and VPN connections. On each tab, you can add,
edit or delete connections of that type. In the KDE configuration dialog,
the appropriate tabs are only active if the connection type is available
on your system (depending on hardware and software). By default, KNetworkManager
also displays comprehensive tooltips for the input fields and options
available on each tab.
</p><p>
To open the network configuration dialog in GNOME,
press <span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span>
and enter <span class="command"><strong>nm-connection-editor</strong></span> or in the GNOME Control
Center select <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network
Connections</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id353521"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 5.1. GNOME Network Connections Dialog</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="50%"><tr><td><img src="images/nm_gnome_tabs.png" width="100%" alt="GNOME Network Connections Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
If you use KDE, open the main menu and click <span class="guimenu">Configure
Desktop</span>. In the <span class="guimenu">Personal Settings</span> then
select <span class="guimenu">Network Settings</span> on the
<span class="guimenu">General</span> tab to open the network configuration dialog.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id353569"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 5.2. KDE Network Configuration Dialog</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="50%"><tr><td><img src="images/nm_kde_tabs.png" width="100%" alt="KDE Network Configuration Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
Alternatively, you can also start the configuration dialogs from the NetworkManager
applet in the system tray. In KDE, left-click the icon and select
<span class="guimenu">Manage Connections</span>. In GNOME, right-click the icon and
select <span class="guimenu">Edit Connections</span>.
</p><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note: Availability of Options"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left">Availability of Options</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
Depending on your system set-up, you may not be allowed to configure
connections. In a secured environment, some options might be locked or
require <code class="systemitem">root</code> permission. Ask your system administrator for
details.
</p></td></tr></table></div><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 5.1. Adding or Editing Connections"><a name="pro.nm.configure"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 5.1. Adding or Editing Connections</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#pro.nm.configure">¶</a></span></p><p>
When configuring network connections with NetworkManager, you can also define
<code class="literal">system connections</code> that can be shared by all users.
In contrast to <code class="literal">user connections</code>, system connections
are made available right after NetworkManager is started—before any users
log in. For more details about both types of connections, refer to
<a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.sec.types" title="5.7.1. User and System Connections">Section 5.7.1, “User and System Connections”</a>.
</p><p>
Currently, the <code class="literal">system connection</code> option is not
available in KNetworkManager. To set up system connections, you need to use YaST
in this case.
</p><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note: Hidden Networks"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left">Hidden Networks</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
To connect to a <span class="quote">“<span class="quote">hidden</span>”</span> network (a network that does not
broadcast its service) you have to know the Service Set Identifier or
Extended Service Set Identifier (SSID or ESSID) of the network because
it cannot be detected automatically.
</p></td></tr></table></div><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
To add a new connection, click the tab for the connection type you want
to use and click <span class="guimenu">Add</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Enter a <span class="guimenu">Connection Name</span> and your connection details.
</p></li><li><p>
For a hidden network, enter the (E)SSID and in the <span class="guimenu">Wireless
Security</span> tab the encryption parameters.
</p></li><li><p>
You can tie the connection to a certain device, if more than one
physical device per connection type is available (for example, your
machine is equipped with two ethernet cards or two wireless cards).
</p><p>
If you use KDE, do so by using the <span class="guimenu">Restrict to
Interface</span> option. If you use GNOME, enter the <span class="guimenu">MAC
address</span> of the device you want to tie the connection to and
confirm your settings.
</p></li><li><p>
If you want NetworkManager to automatically use a certain connection, activate
<span class="guimenu">Connect Automatically</span> for this connection.
</p></li><li><p>
To turn a connection into a <code class="literal">system connection</code>
activate <span class="guimenu">Available to all users</span> (GNOME). To create
and edit system connections, <code class="systemitem">root</code> permission is required.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
After having confirmed your changes, the newly configured network
connection appears in the list of available networks you get by
left-clicking the NetworkManager applet.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id353768"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 5.3. KNetworkManager—Configured and Available Connections</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="40%"><tr><td><img src="images/kde_knm_wlan_connections.png" width="100%" alt="KNetworkManager—Configured and Available Connections"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
At the moment, Bluetooth connections cannot be configured with NetworkManager.
</p></div><div class="sect1" title="5.4. Using KNetworkManager"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.kde"></a>5.4. Using KNetworkManager<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.kde">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
<a class="indexterm" name="id353827"></a>
The KDE front-end for NetworkManager is the KNetworkManager applet. If the network has been
set up for NetworkManager control, the applet usually starts automatically with the
desktop environment and is shown as an icon in the system tray.
</p><p>
If your system tray does not show any network connection icon, the applet
is probably not started. Press <span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span> and enter
<span class="command"><strong>knetworkmanager</strong></span> to start it manually.
</p><p>
KNetworkManager only shows wireless networks that you have configured a connection
for. It hides connections when you are out of range of a wireless network,
or when the network cable is disconnected, thus always giving you a clear
view of which connections may be used.
</p><div class="sect2" title="5.4.1. Connecting to Wired Networks"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.kde.applet.wired"></a>5.4.1. Connecting to Wired Networks<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.kde.applet.wired">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
If your computer is connected to an existing network with a network
cable, use KNetworkManager to choose the network connection.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Left-click the applet icon to show a menu with available networks. The
connection currently being used is selected in the menu and marked as
<span class="guimenu">Active</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
If you want to use a different configuration with the wired network,
click <span class="guimenu">Manage Connections</span> and add another wired
connection as described in <a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#pro.nm.configure" title="Procedure 5.1. Adding or Editing Connections">Procedure 5.1, “Adding or Editing Connections”</a>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the KNetworkManager icon and select the newly configured connection to
activate it.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="5.4.2. Connecting to Wireless Networks"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.kde.applet.wireless"></a>5.4.2. Connecting to Wireless Networks<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.kde.applet.wireless">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
By default, KNetworkManager only shows wireless networks that you have configured a
connection for—provided they are both available and visible. To
connect to a wireless network for the first time, proceed as follows:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Left-click the applet icon and select <span class="guimenu">Wireless 802.11 (Create
Network Connection)</span>. KNetworkManager shows a list of available visible
wireless networks, including details about signal strength and
security.
</p></li><li><p>
To connect to a visible network, select the network from the list and
click <span class="guimenu">Connect</span>. If the network is encrypted, a dialog
opens. Choose the type of <span class="guimenu">Security</span> the network uses
and enter the appropriate credentials.
</p></li><li><p>
To connect to a network that does not broadcast its service set
identifier ((E)SSID) and therefore cannot be detected automatically,
select <span class="guimenu">Connect to Other Network</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
In the dialog that opens, enter the ESSID and set encryption
parameters, if necessary.
</p></li><li><p>
Confirm your changes and click <span class="guimenu">OK</span>. NetworkManager now
activates the new connection.
</p></li><li><p>
To terminate a connection and to disable wireless networking, click the
applet icon and uncheck <span class="guimenu">Enable Wireless</span>. This can be
useful if you are on a plane or in any other environment where wireless
networking is not allowed.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
A wireless network that has been chosen explicitly will remain connected
as long as possible. If a network cable is plugged in during that time,
any connections that have been set to <span class="guimenu">Connect
Automatically</span> will be connected, while the wireless connection
remains up.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="5.4.3. Configuring Your Wireless Card as an Access Point"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.kde.applet.accesspoint"></a>5.4.3. Configuring Your Wireless Card as an Access Point<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.kde.applet.accesspoint">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
If your wireless card supports access point mode, you can use NetworkManager for
configuration.
</p><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note: Availability of Options"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left">Availability of Options</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
Depending on your system set-up, you may not be allowed to configure
connections. In a secured environment, some options might be locked or
require <code class="systemitem">root</code> permission. Ask your system administrator for
details.
</p></td></tr></table></div><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click the KNetworkManager applet and select <span class="guimenu">Create Network
Connection</span>+<span class="guimenu">New Ad-Hoc Network</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
In the following configuration dialog, enter a name for your network in
the <span class="guimenu">SSID</span> field.
</p><div class="informalfigure"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="61%"><tr><td><img src="images/nm_kde_adhoc.png" width="100%"></td></tr></table></div></div></li><li><p>
Set the encryption on the <span class="guimenu">Wireless Security</span> tab.
</p><div class="important"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Important: Unprotected Wireless Networks Are a Security Risk"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Important]" src="admon/important.png"></td><th align="left">Unprotected Wireless Networks Are a Security Risk</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
If you set <span class="guimenu">Security</span> to <code class="option">None</code>,
everybody can connect to your network, reuse your connectivity and
intercept your network connection. To restrict access to your access
point and to secure your connection, use encryption. You can choose
between various WEP and WPA–based encryptions. If you are not
sure which technology is best for you, read
Section “Authentication” (Chapter 32, <i>Wireless LAN</i>, ↑Reference).
</p></td></tr></table></div></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">IP Address</span> tab, make sure the
<span class="guimenu">Configure</span> option is set to <span class="guimenu">Shared</span>
(which is the default option for ad-hoc networks).
</p></li><li><p>
Confirm your configuration with <span class="guimenu">OK</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="5.4.4. Customizing KNetworkManager"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.kde.applet.custom"></a>5.4.4. Customizing KNetworkManager<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.kde.applet.custom">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
You can customize some aspects of KNetworkManager: the number of icons displayed in
the system tray, which tool tips to show and how to store your password
and credentials for network connections. For more information about the
last aspect, refer to <a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.sec.store" title="5.7.2. Storing Passwords and Credentials">Section 5.7.2, “Storing Passwords and Credentials”</a>.
</p><p>
To explore the options available, start the <span class="guimenu">Personal
Settings</span> from the main menu, select <span class="guimenu">Network
Connections</span> on the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab and click
<span class="guimenu">Other</span> on the left-hand side of the configuration
dialog.
</p><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 5.2. Configuring Multiple Tray Icons for KNetworkManager"><a name="id354210"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 5.2. Configuring Multiple Tray Icons for KNetworkManager</b></p><p>
As KNetworkManager can keep multiple connections active at once, you might wish to
be informed about the connection status for several connections at one
glance. You can do so by using multiple NetworkManager icons in your system tray,
each representing a different group of connection types (for example,
one icon for wired connections, another icon for wireless connections).
</p><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
In the configuration dialog, switch to the <span class="guimenu">Tray Icon</span>
tab.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">More Icons</span>. A new icon entry appears in the
list.
</p></li><li><p>
Select the network connection types you want to be represented by this
icon and group them under the respective icon.
</p><div class="informalfigure"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="61%"><tr><td><img src="images/kde_knm_custom.png" width="100%"></td></tr></table></div></div></li><li><p>
Confirm your changes.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
Now the system tray shows multiple NetworkManager icons from which you then can
access the connection types tied to that icon.
</p><p>
When configuring a network connection as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#pro.nm.configure" title="Procedure 5.1. Adding or Editing Connections">Procedure 5.1, “Adding or Editing Connections”</a>, KNetworkManager also allows you to
customize the icon displayed for this connection. To change the icon,
click the icon button next to <span class="guimenu">Connection Name</span> and in
the following dialog, select the icon of your choice. After confirming
your changes, the new icon is displayed in the list of available
connections you get by clicking the KNetworkManager icon in the system tray.
</p></div></div><div class="sect1" title="5.5. Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.gnome"></a>5.5. Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.gnome">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><a class="indexterm" name="id354333"></a><p>
In GNOME, NetworkManager can be controlled with the GNOME NetworkManager applet. If the
network is set up for NetworkManager control, the applet usually starts
automatically with the desktop environment and is shown as an icon in the
system tray.
</p><p>
If your system tray does not show any network connection icon, the applet
is probably not started. Press <span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span> and enter <span class="command"><strong>nm-applet</strong></span> to
start it manually.
</p><div class="sect2" title="5.5.1. Connecting to Wired Networks"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.gome.applet.wired"></a>5.5.1. Connecting to Wired Networks<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.gome.applet.wired">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
If your computer is connected to an existing network with a network
cable, use the NetworkManager applet to choose the network connection.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Left-click the applet icon to show a menu with available networks. The
currently used connection is selected in the menu.
</p></li><li><p>
To switch to another network, choose it from the list.
</p></li><li><p>
To switch off all network connections, both wired and wireless,
right-click the applet icon and uncheck <span class="guimenu">Enable
Networking</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="5.5.2. Connecting to Wireless Networks"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.gnome.applet.wireless"></a>5.5.2. Connecting to Wireless Networks<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.gnome.applet.wireless">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
Available visible wireless networks are listed in the GNOME NetworkManager applet
menu under <span class="guimenu">Wireless Networks</span>. The signal strength of
each network is also shown in the menu. Encrypted wireless networks are
marked with a shield icon.
</p><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 5.3. Connecting to a Wireless Network"><a name="id354427"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 5.3. Connecting to a Wireless Network</b></p><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
To connect to a wireless network, left-click the applet icon and choose
an entry from the list of available wireless networks.
</p></li><li><p>
If the network is encrypted, a dialog opens. It shows the type of
encryption the network uses (<span class="guimenu">Wireless Security</span>) and
holds a number of input fields according to the respective encryption
and authentication settings. Enter the appropriate credentials.
</p></li><li><p>
To connect to a network that does not broadcast its service set
identifier ((E)SSID) and therefore cannot be detected automatically,
left-click the NetworkManager icon and choose <span class="guimenu">Connect to Hidden Wireless
Network</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
In the dialog that opens, enter the ESSID and set encryption parameters
on the <span class="guimenu">Wireless Security</span> tab if necessary.
</p></li><li><p>
To disable wireless networking, right-click the applet icon and uncheck
<span class="guimenu">Enable Wireless</span>. This can be useful if you are on a
plane or in any other environment where wireless networking is not
allowed.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
A wireless network that has been chosen explicitly will remain connected
as long as possible. If a network cable is plugged in during that time,
any connections that have been set to <span class="guimenu">Connect
Automatically</span> will be connected, while the wireless connection
remains up.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="5.5.3. Configuring Your Wireless Card as an Access Point"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.gnome.applet.accesspoint"></a>5.5.3. Configuring Your Wireless Card as an Access Point<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.gnome.applet.accesspoint">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
If your wireless card supports access point mode, you can use NetworkManager for
configuration.
</p><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note: Availability of Options"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left">Availability of Options</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
Depending on your system set-up, you may not be allowed to configure
connections. In a secured environment, some options might be locked or
require <code class="systemitem">root</code> permission. Ask your system administrator for
details.
</p></td></tr></table></div><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click the NetworkManager applet and select <span class="guimenu">Create New Wireless
Network</span>.
</p><div class="informalfigure"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="61%"><tr><td><img src="images/con_gaccesspoint.png" width="100%"></td></tr></table></div></div></li><li><p>
Enter a <span class="guimenu">Network Name</span> and set the encryption to use
with the <span class="guimenu">Wireless Security</span> drop-down list.
</p><div class="important"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Important: Unprotected Wireless Networks Are a Security Risk"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Important]" src="admon/important.png"></td><th align="left">Unprotected Wireless Networks Are a Security Risk</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
If you set <span class="guimenu">Wireless Security</span> to
<code class="option">None</code>, everybody can connect to your network, reuse
your connectivity and intercept your network connection. To restrict
access to your access point and to secure your connection, use
encryption. You can choose between various WEP and WPA–based
encryptions. If you are not sure which technology is best for you,
read Section “Authentication” (Chapter 32, <i>Wireless LAN</i>, ↑Reference).
</p></td></tr></table></div></li></ol></div></div></div><div class="sect1" title="5.6. NetworkManager and VPN"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.vpn"></a>5.6. NetworkManager and VPN<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.vpn">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><a class="indexterm" name="id354629"></a><a class="indexterm" name="id354636"></a><p>
NetworkManager supports several Virtual Private Network (VPN) technologies. For
each technology, openSUSE comes with a base package providing the
generic support for NetworkManager. In addition to that, you also need to install
the respective desktop-specific package for your applet.
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term">NovellVPN</span></dt><dd><p>
To use this VPN technology, install
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-novellvpn</code> and
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-novellvpn-kde4</code> or
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-novellvpn-gnome</code>.
</p></li></ul></div><p>
NovellVPN support for KDE is not available yet, but is currently being
worked on.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">OpenVPN</span></dt><dd><p>
To use this VPN technology, install
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-openvpn</code> and
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-openvpn-kde4</code> or
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-openvpn-gnome</code>.
</p></li></ul></div></dd><dt><span class="term">vpnc (Cisco)</span></dt><dd><p>
To use this VPN technology, install
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-vpnc</code> and
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-vpnc-kde4</code> or
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-vpnc-gnome</code>.
</p></li></ul></div></dd><dt><span class="term">PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)</span></dt><dd><p>
To use this VPN technology, install
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-pptp</code> and
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-pptp-kde4</code> or
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-pptp-gnome</code>.
</p></li></ul></div></dd></dl></div><p>
After you have installed the packages, configure your VPN connection as
described in <a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.configure" title="5.3. Configuring Network Connections">Section 5.3, “Configuring Network Connections”</a>.
</p></div><div class="sect1" title="5.7. NetworkManager and Security"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.security"></a>5.7. NetworkManager and Security<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.security">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><a class="indexterm" name="id354866"></a><p>
NetworkManager distinguishes two types of wireless connections, trusted and
untrusted. A trusted connection is any network that you explicitly
selected in the past. All others are untrusted. Trusted connections are
identified by the name and MAC address of the access point. Using the MAC
address ensures that you cannot use a different access point with the
name of your trusted connection.
</p><p>
NetworkManager periodically scans for available wireless networks. If multiple
trusted networks are found, the most recently used is automatically
selected. NetworkManager waits for your selection in case that all networks are
untrusted.
</p><p>
If the encryption setting changes but the name and MAC address remain the
same, NetworkManager attempts to connect, but first you are asked to confirm the
new encryption settings and provide any updates, such as a new key.
</p><p>
If you switch from using a wireless connection to offline mode,
NetworkManager blanks the ESSID. This ensures that the card is
disconnected.
</p><div class="sect2" title="5.7.1. User and System Connections"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.sec.types"></a>5.7.1. User and System Connections<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.sec.types">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
NetworkManager knows two types of connections: <code class="literal">user</code> and
<code class="literal">system</code> connections. User connections are connections
that become available to NetworkManager when the first user logs in. Any required
credentials are asked from the user and when the user logs out, the
connections are disconnected and removed from NetworkManager. Connections that are
defined as system connection can be shared by all users and are made
available right after NetworkManager is started—before any users log in. In
case of system connections, all credentials must be provided at the time
the connection is created. Such system connections can be used to
automatically connect to networks that require authorization. For
information how to configure user or system connections with NetworkManager, refer
to <a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.configure" title="5.3. Configuring Network Connections">Section 5.3, “Configuring Network Connections”</a>.
</p><p>
For KDE, system connections with NetworkManager are currently not supported (use
YaST instead).
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="5.7.2. Storing Passwords and Credentials"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.nm.sec.store"></a>5.7.2. Storing Passwords and Credentials<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.sec.store">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
If you do not want to re-enter your credentials each time you want to
connect to an encrypted network, you can use the desktop-specific tools
GNOME Keyring Manager or KWalletManager to store your credentials
encrypted on the disk, secured by a master password.
</p><p>
With KNetworkManager, you can configure if and how to store your credentials in
KDE. To do so, left-click the KNetworkManager icon and select <span class="guimenu">Manage
Connections</span>. Click <span class="guimenu">Other</span>+<span class="guimenu">Connection Secrets</span> and select one of
the following options:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term">Do Not Store (Always Prompt)</span></dt><dd><p>
This is useful if you are working in an environment where storing
credentials is considered a security risk.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">In File (Unencrypted)</span></dt><dd><div class="warning"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Warning: Security Risk"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Warning]" src="admon/warning.png"></td><th align="left">Security Risk</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
Storing your network credentials unencrypted is a security risk.
Everybody who has access to your computer can reuse your
connectivity and intercept your network connection.
</p></td></tr></table></div><p>
If you choose this option, your passwords are stored unencrypted in
the respective connection file that is created for each connection.
Find them under
<code class="filename">$HOME/.kde4/share/apps/networkmanagement/connections</code>.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">In Secure Storage (Encrypted)</span></dt><dd><p>
If you choose this options, your credentials are stored in
KWalletManager. For more information on KWalletManager, see
Chapter <i>Managing Passwords with KWallet Manager</i> (↑KDE User Guide).
</p></dd></dl></div></div></div><div class="sect1" title="5.8. Frequently Asked Questions"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.faq"></a>5.8. Frequently Asked Questions<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.faq">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
In the following, find some frequently asked questions about configuring
special network options with NetworkManager.
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term">How to tie a connection to a specific device?</span></dt><dd><p>
By default, connections in NetworkManager are device type-specific: they apply
to all physical devices with the same type. If more than one physical
device per connection type is available (for example, your machine is
equipped with two ethernet cards), you can tie a connection to a
certain device.
</p><p>
To do so in GNOME, first look up the MAC address of your device (use
the <span class="guimenu">Connection Information</span> available from the
applet, or use the output of command line tools like
<span class="command"><strong>nm-tool</strong></span> or <span class="command"><strong>ifconfig</strong></span>). Then start
the dialog for configuring network connections and choose the
connection you want to modify. On the <span class="guimenu">Wired</span> or
<span class="guimenu">Wireless</span> tab, enter the <span class="guimenu">MAC
Address</span> of the device and confirm your changes.
</p><p>
If you use KDE, start the dialog for configuring network connections
and choose the connection you want to modify. On the
<span class="guimenu">Ethernet</span> or <span class="guimenu">Wireless</span> tab, use
the <span class="guimenu">Restrict to Interface</span> option to select the
network interface to which to tie the connection.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">How to specify a certain access point in case multiple access points with the same ESSID
are detected?</span></dt><dd><p>
When multiple access points with different wireless bands (a/b/g/n)
are available, the access point with the strongest signal is
automatically chosen by default. To override this, use the
<span class="guimenu">BSSID</span> field when configuring wireless connections.
</p><p>
The Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) uniquely identifies each
Basic Service Set. In an infrastructure Basic Service Set, the BSSID
is the MAC address of the wireless access point. In an independent
(ad-hoc) Basic Service Set, the BSSID is a locally administered MAC
address generated from a 46-bit random number.
</p><p>
Start the dialog for configuring network connections from the GNOME
Control Center with <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network Configurations</span> or in KDE 4
from the <span class="guimenu">Personal Settings</span> with <span class="guimenu">Network
Settings</span>. Choose the wireless connection you want to modify
and click <span class="guimenu">Edit</span>. On the <span class="guimenu">Wireless</span>
tab, enter the BSSID.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">How to share network connections to other computers?</span></dt><dd><p>
The primary device (the device which is connected to the Internet)
does not need any special configuration. However, you need to
configure the device that is connected to the local hub or machine as
follows:
</p><div class="orderedlist"><ol class="orderedlist" type="1"><li><p>
Start the dialog for configuring network connections from the GNOME
Control Center with <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network Connections</span> or in KDE 4
from the <span class="guimenu">Personal Settings</span> with <span class="guimenu">Advanced</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network Settings</span>. Choose the connection you want to modify and click
<span class="guimenu">Edit</span>. If you are using GNOME, switch to the
<span class="guimenu">IPv4 Settings</span> tab and from the
<span class="guimenu">Method</span> drop-down list, choose <span class="guimenu">Shared to
other computers</span>. If you are using KDE, switch to the
<span class="guimenu">IP Address </span> tab and from the
<span class="guimenu">Configure</span> drop-down list, choose
<span class="guimenu">Shared</span>. That will enable IP traffic forwarding
and run a DHCP server on the device. Confirm your changes in NetworkManager.
</p></li><li><p>
As the DCHP server uses port 67, make sure that it is not blocked by
the firewall: On the machine sharing the connections, start YaST
and select <span class="guimenu">Security and Users</span>+<span class="guimenu">Firewall</span>. Switch to the
<span class="guimenu">Allowed Services</span> category. If <span class="guimenu">DCHP
Server</span> is not already shown as <span class="guimenu">Allowed
Service</span>, select <span class="guimenu">DCHP Server</span> from
<span class="guimenu">Services to Allow</span> and click
<span class="guimenu">Add</span>. Confirm your changes in YaST.
</p></li></ol></div></dd><dt><span class="term">How to provide static DNS information with automatic (DHCP, PPP, VPN) addresses? </span></dt><dd><p>
In case a DHCP server provides invalid DNS information (and/or
routes), you can override it. Start the dialog for configuring network
connections from the GNOME Control Center with <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network Configurations</span> or in KDE 4 from the <span class="guimenu">Personal
Settings</span> with <span class="guimenu">Advanced</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network Settings</span>. Choose the
connection you want to modify and click <span class="guimenu">Edit</span>. If
you are using GNOME, switch to the <span class="guimenu">IPv4 Settings</span>
tab, and from the <span class="guimenu">Method</span> drop-down list, choose
<span class="guimenu">Automatic (DHCP) addresses only</span>. If you are using
KDE, switch to the <span class="guimenu">IP Address</span> tab, and from the
<span class="guimenu">Configure</span> drop-down list, choose <span class="guimenu">Automatic
(DHCP) addresses only</span>. Enter the DNS information in the
<span class="guimenu">DNS Servers</span> and <span class="guimenu">Search Domains</span>
fields. From the drop-down list at the bottom of the tab, select
<span class="guimenu">Routes</span> if you want to <span class="guimenu">Ignore automatically
obtained routes</span>. Confirm your changes.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">How to make NetworkManager connect to password protected networks before a user logs in?</span></dt><dd><p>
Define a <code class="literal">system connection</code> that can be used for
such purposes. For more information, refer to
<a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.security" title="5.7. NetworkManager and Security">Section 5.7, “NetworkManager and Security”</a>.
</p></dd></dl></div></div><div class="sect1" title="5.9. Troubleshooting"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.trouble"></a>5.9. Troubleshooting<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.trouble">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><a class="indexterm" name="id355362"></a><p>
Connection problems can occur. Some common problems related to NetworkManager
include the applet not starting or a missing VPN option. Methods for
resolving and preventing these problems depend on the tool used.
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term">NetworkManager Desktop Applet Does Not Start</span></dt><dd><p>
The GNOME and KDE NetworkManager applets start automatically if the network is
set up for NetworkManager control. If the applet does not start, check if NetworkManager
is enabled in YaST as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.activate" title="5.2. Enabling NetworkManager">Section 5.2, “Enabling NetworkManager”</a>. Then make sure that the appropriate
package for your desktop environment is also installed. If you are
using KDE 4, the package is
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-kde4</code>. For GNOME
users the package is
<code class="systemitem">NetworkManager-gnome</code>.
</p><p>
If the desktop applet is installed but is not running for some reason,
start it manually with the command <span class="command"><strong>nm-applet</strong></span>
(GNOME) or <span class="command"><strong>knetworkmanager</strong></span> (KDE).
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">NetworkManager Applet Does Not Include the VPN Option</span></dt><dd><p>
Support for NetworkManager, applets, and VPN for NetworkManager is distributed in separate
packages. If your NetworkManager applet does not include the VPN option, check
if the packages with NetworkManager support for your VPN technology are
installed. For more information, see <a class="xref" href="cha.nm.html#sec.nm.vpn" title="5.6. NetworkManager and VPN">Section 5.6, “NetworkManager and VPN”</a>.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">No Network Connection Available</span></dt><dd><p>
If you have configured your network connection correctly and all other
components for the network connection (router, etc.) are also up and
running, it sometimes helps to restart the network interfaces on your
computer. To do so, log in to a command line as <code class="systemitem">root</code> and run
<span class="command"><strong>rcnetwork restart</strong></span>.
</p></dd></dl></div></div><div class="sect1" title="5.10. For More Information"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.nm.more"></a>5.10. For More Information<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.nm.more">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
More information about NetworkManager can be found on the following Web sites and
directories:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term">NetworkManager Project Page</span></dt><dd><p>
<a class="ulink" href="http://projects.gnome.org/NetworkManager/" target="_top">http://projects.gnome.org/NetworkManager/</a>
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">KDE NetworkManager Front-End</span></dt><dd><p>
<a class="ulink" href="http://userbase.kde.org/NetworkManagement" target="_top">http://userbase.kde.org/NetworkManagement</a>
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Package Documentation</span></dt><dd><p>
Also check out the information in the following directories for the
latest information about NetworkManager and the GNOME and KDE NetworkManager applets:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="filename">/usr/share/doc/packages/NetworkManager/</code>,
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="filename">/usr/share/doc/packages/NetworkManager-kde4/</code>,
and
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<code class="filename">/usr/share/doc/packages/NetworkManager-gnome/</code>.
</p></li></ul></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><div class="navfooter"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer" border="0" class="bctable"><tr><td width="80%"><div class="breadcrumbs"><p><a href="index.html"> Documentation</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="book.opensuse.startup.html">Start-Up</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="part.install.html">Installation and Setup</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><strong><a accesskey="p" title="Chapter 4. Accessing the Internet" href="cha.internet.html"><span>◀</span></a> </strong></p></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>
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