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10.5 Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet
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.
If your system tray does not show GNOME NetworkManager applet, the applet is
probably not started. Press Alt+F2 and enter nm-applet to
start it manually.
10.5.1 Connecting to Wired Networks
If your computer is connected to an existing network with a network
cable, use the NetworkManager applet to choose the network connection.
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Left-click the applet icon to show a menu with available networks. The
currently used connection is selected in the menu.
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To switch to another network, choose it from the list.
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To switch off all network connections, both wired and wireless,
right-click the applet icon and uncheck .
10.5.2 Connecting to Wireless Networks
Available visible wireless networks are listed in the GNOME NetworkManager applet
menu under . The signal strength of
each network is also shown in the menu. Encrypted wireless networks are
marked with a shield icon.
Connecting to a Wireless Network
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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. Choose the type of
the network uses and enter the
appropriate .
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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.
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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.
10.5.3 Configuring Your Wireless Card as an Access Point
If your wireless card supports access point mode, you can use NetworkManager for
configuration.
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Click .
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Add the network name and set the encryption in the dialog.
IMPORTANT: Unprotected Wireless Networks Are a Security Risk
If you set 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 between various WEP and WPA–based
encryptions. If you are not sure which technology is best for you,
read Authentication, (↑ Reference ).
10.5.4 GNOME Keyring Manager
If you do not want to enter your credentials anew each time you want to
connect to an encrypted network, you can use GNOME Keyring Manager to
store your credentials encrypted on the disk, secured by a master
password. Whenever any GNOME application that uses GNOME Keyring needs to
access passwords or credentials stored there, a check is made if the
keyring is locked or not. If it is locked, you will be prompted for the
master password to unlock the keyring. For more
information about GNOME Keyring Manager, refer to
Section 2.4.3, Managing Keyrings, (↑ GNOME User Guide ).
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