SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1

Chapter 10. Managing Network Connections / 10.2. Using the GNOME NetworkManager Applet
	Chapter 10. Managing Network Connections		10.3. Common NeworkManager Tasks

10.2. Using the GNOME NetworkManager Applet

The GNOME NetworkManager applet starts automatically with the desktop environment. If the applet is not running, you can start it with the nm-applet command. When it is running, an icon indicating the current network status is shown in the system tray. Depending on the state of the network connection, the panel icon changes appearance. If you are not sure what the icon means, hold your mouse over the icon until an explanation appears.

: A wired connection has been established.
: Currently there is no connection to the Internet.
: A wireless connection has been established. Blue bars indicate the strength of the signal. More blue bars means better signal strength.
: The connection is being established or terminated.

Left-click the applet icon to show a menu with available networks. The currently used connection is selected in the menu. To connect to a network, choose it from the list. To disable networking, right-click the applet icon and uncheck Enable Networking.

Figure 10.1. Available Networks in GNOME Network Manager Applet

To get information about the current connection (including interface used, IP address, and hardware address), right-click the applet icon and select Connection Information. In this dialog, you can also configure your network devices. To do so, click Configure Networking to open YaST where you can define a new connection.

10.2.1. Wireless Networks

The signal strength of wireless networks is also shown in the menu. Encrypted wireless networks are marked with a shield icon. To connect to an encrypted network, choose it from the menu. In the dialog that opens, choose the type of Encryption the network uses and enter the appropriate Passphrase or Key.

	Tip
To connect to a network that does not broadcast its service set identifier (ESSID) and therefore cannot be detected automatically, left-click the icon and choose Connect to Other Wireless Network. In the dialog that opens, enter the ESSID and set encryption parameters if necessary.

If your wireless card supports access point mode, you can use NetworkManager for configuration. To configure your wireless card as an access point, click Create New Wireless Network. See Figure 10.2, “Access Point Configuration” for more information. Add the network name and set the encryption in the Wireless Security.

Important

	Important
If you set Wireless Security to `None`, 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 from various WEP and WPA–based encryptions. If you are not sure which technology is best for you, see Chapter 28: Wireless Communication, in the SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop Deployment Guide.

If you set Wireless Security to None, 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 from various WEP and WPA–based encryptions. If you are not sure which technology is best for you, see Chapter 28: Wireless Communication, in the SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop Deployment Guide.

Figure 10.2. Access Point Configuration

To disable wireless networking, right-click the applet icon and uncheck Enable Wireless.

10.2.2. NetworkManager and SCPM

NetworkManager cannot work together with System Configuration Profile Management (SCPM) if SCPM also manages the network configuration. If you want to use SCPM and NetworkManager at the same time, you must disable the network resource in the SCPM configuration. To disable the network resource in all your SCPM profiles:

In YaST, click System+Profile Manager.
In the group list, select network and click Delete.
Click OK.
Click OK again.
To finish the configuration, click Close.

10.2.3. NetworkManager and Security

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.

If no wired connection is available, NetworkManager scans for available wireless networks. If multiple trusted networks are found, the most recently used is automatically selected. If all are untrusted, NetworkManager waits for your selection.

If the encryption setting changes but the name and MAC address remain the same, NetworkManager attempt to connect, but it first asks you to confirm the new encryption settings and provide any updates, such as a new key.

In a system with a wireless connection only, NetworkManager does not automatically start the connection during boot. You must log in first to establish a connection. If you want to make a wireless connection accessible without login, configure the trusted connection with YaST. Only wireless connections configured with YaST are sufficiently credible for NetworkManager to use during boot.

If you switch to offline mode after using a wireless connection, NetworkManager removes the ESSID. This ensures that the card really is unassociated.