2.4. Common Tasks
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2.4. Common Tasks

This section describes how to achieve common tasks with NetworkManager, like switching off the network or setting a static IP address.

2.4.1. Switching Off the Network

If you are on a plane or in any other environment where wireless networking is not allowed, you can switch it off easily using the NetworkManager applet. You can also switch all network connections, both wired and wireless, off.

To switch off wireless networking in the KDE desktop, right-click the KNetworkManager applet then select Options+Disable Wireless. To switch off all networking in the KDE desktop, right-click the KNetworkManager applet then select Options+Switch to Offline Mode.

To disable networking in the GNOME desktop, right-click the GNOME NetworkManager applet icon and uncheck Enable Networking. To disable wireless networking only, right-click the applet icon and uncheck Enable Wireless.

2.4.2. Setting Up a Static IP Address on an Interface

NetworkManager honors network interface settings made by YaST and saved in the /etc/sysconfig/network directory. If you want to use a static IP address with your network card, set the address using the YaST.

To set up a static IP address, follow these steps:

  1. Open YaST.

  2. Choose Network Devices+Network Card.

  3. Choose User Controlled with NetworkManager and click Next.

  4. Select the network card to configure then click Edit.

  5. In the Address tab, choose Static Address Setup.

  6. Set your IP address and click Next.

  7. Click Next to finish and activate the static IP address.

2.4.3. Using NetworkManager with VPN

NetworkManager supports several VPN technologies. To use them, first install NetworkManager support for your VPN technology. You can select from:

  • NovellVPN

  • OpenVPN

  • vpnc (Cisco)

VPN support is included in the packages NetworkManager-novellvpn, NetworkManager-openvpn, and NetworkManager-vpns.

To configure a new VPN connection with NetworkManager, left-click the GNOME NetworkManager applet or KNetworkManager applet and follow these steps:

  1. Choose VPN Connections+Configure VPN.

  2. Press Add and Forward to start a configuration wizard.

  3. In the next dialog, choose the type of VPN connection to create.

  4. Name your configuration in Connection name.

  5. Insert all required information for your type of connection. For example, for an OpenVPN connection enter Gateway and choose the way to authenticate from Connection type. Complete the other required options depending on the connection chosen.

    Alternatively, load settings from a saved configuration file by pressing Import Saved Configuration and choosing your saved configuration file in a standard file dialog.

  6. Press Forward.

After the VPN is configured, you can select it from VPN Connections. To close a VPN connection, click Disconnect VPN.

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