Chapter 11. Managing Network Connections / 11.3. Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 11.2. NetworkManager and SCPM | 11.4. NetworkManager and Security |  | |
Chapter 11. Managing Network Connections / 11.3. Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.2. NetworkManager and SCPM | 11.4. NetworkManager and Security | | |
If you have decided to use NetworkManager, 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.
If your computer is connected to an existing network with a network cable, use the NetworkManager applet to choose the network connection.
Left-click the applet icon to show a menu with available networks. The currently used connection is selected in the menu.
To switch to another network, choose it from the list. To connect to an 802.1X protected wired network, select the appropriate menu item and enter all required information for your type of connection.
To switch off all network connections, both wired and wireless, right-click the applet icon and uncheck .
To get information about the current connection (including interface used, IP address, and hardware address), right-click the applet icon and select . In this dialog, you can also configure your network devices. To do so, click to open YaST where you can define a new connection.
The signal strength of wireless networks is also shown in the menu. Encrypted wireless networks are marked with a shield icon.
Procedure 11.1. Connecting to a Wireless Network
To connect to a wireless network, left-click the applet icon and choose en entry from the list of available wireless networks.
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If the network is encrypted, a dialog opens.
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Choose the type of the network uses and enter the appropriate or .
To connect to a network that does not broadcast its service set identifier (ESSID) and therefore cannot be detected automatically, left-click the NetworkManager icon and choose .
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In the dialog that opens, enter the ESSID and set encryption parameters if necessary.
To disable wireless networking, right-click the applet icon and uncheck . This can be very useful if you are on a plane or in any other environment where wireless networking is not allowed.
