NetworkManager is the ideal solution for a mobile workstation. With NetworkManager, you do
not need
to worry about configuring network interfaces and switching between networks
when you are moving.
NetworkManager can automatically connect to known WLAN networks. If you have two or
more connection possibilities, it can connect to the faster one.
NOTE: NetworkManager and SCPM
Do not use NetworkManager together with SCPM when SCPM profiles also
change network settings. If you want to use SCPM and NetworkManager
at the same time, disable the network resource in SCPM configuration.
NOTE: NetworkManager and Network Devices Configured with YaST
If you switch your system from traditional configuration with YaST to NetworkManager
controlled, NetworkManager adopts configurations from YaST.
29.5.1 Controlling NetworkManager
To start NetworkManager, enable NetworkManager in the YaST module of your network device.
Because NetworkManager does not need standard network configuration, the YaST
configuration becomes inactive. NetworkManager automatically chooses the best
network available, but it can automatically connect only to a
known network. For the first connection to a network, use the NetworkManager
applet. If
the network requires additional information, like its name, password
or encryption key, NetworkManager prompts for it.
Both KDE and GNOME have their own applets for NetworkManager. An appropriate
applet should start automatically with the desktop environment. The applet
is then shown as an icon in the system tray. Functions of both applets
are similar, but their interfaces are different. They can also be used in
other graphical environments with standard system tray support.
The KNetworkManager Applet
KNetworkManager is a KDE applet for controlling NetworkManager. If it is not running
start it with the command
knetworkmanager. When it is running, a blue Earth icon
is shown in the system tray. Right-clicking the icon opens the
KNetworkManager menu with various commands for managing network
connections.
The menu contains available network connections, both wired and wireless
devices. If you hold the mouse cursor over them, details are displayed. The
currently
used connection is checked in the menu. The signal strength of wireless
networks is also shown in the menu. Encrypted wireless networks are marked
with a blue lock icon.
To connect to an encrypted network, choose it from the menu. In the dialog
that opens, 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,
choose . In the dialog
that opens, enter the ESSID and set encryption parameters if necessary.
To access dial-up connections, choose .
When dial-up connections have already been defined, start the connection
by clicking the connection to use.
opens YaST where
you can define a new dial-up connection.
To disable any active network connection, choose
from the KNetworkManager menu. To reenable the connection, choose
.
To disable wireless network connections, choose
from the KNetworkManager menu. To reenable wireless connections, choose
.
Enabling networking takes a few seconds.
The GNOME NetworkManager
Applet
GNOME also has its own applet for NetworkManager. If it is not running, start it
with the command
nm-applet. When it is running, an icon is shown
in the system tray. The appearance of the icon depends on state of the
network
connection. If you are not sure what the icon means, hold the mouse cursor
over
it until an explanation appears.
Left-click the applet icon to show a menu with available networks.
The currently used connection is checked in the menu. 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 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 icon and choose . In the dialog
that opens, enter the ESSID and set encryption parameters if necessary.
To disable networking, right-click the applet icon and uncheck
.
To disable wireless networking, 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
choose from the menu.