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||<tablestyle="width: 100%;" style="border: 0px hidden">~-||<tablestyle="width: 100%;" style="border: 0px hidden">Translation(s):[[fr/WiFi/HowToUse|french]]||<style="text-align: right;border: 0px hidden"> (!) [[/Discussion|Discussion]]||
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= How To use Wifi network adapter =
''Foreword : The [wiki:WikiPedia:Wired_Equivalent_Privacy WEP] wireless protocol is insecure. DO NOT USE IT ! (It is very easy to capture the network traffic, including your email content and password)''
= How to use a WiFi interface =
This page describes how to configure a !WiFi interface on a Debian system, for use on a network.
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 {i} This page is ''under construction'' : your contribution is welcome. <<TableOfContents(3)>>
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== Gnome GUI == Once your wireless device has an interface available (verifiable with [[DebianMan:8/iwconfig|iwconfig]]), it is required to be configured to access a network. If you do not have a wireless interface present, please refer to [[WiFi]] for information on providing a driver for your device.
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== KDE GUI == Wireless network interface configuration can be performed using a connection manager (such as [[#network-manager|NetworkManager]]) or through Debian's {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}} file with a special purpose utility (such as [[#wpasupplicant|wpa_supplicant]]). Examples of !NetworkManager and wpa_supplicant configuration are described below.
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== Command line ==
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<!> The [[WikiPedia:Wired_Equivalent_Privacy|WEP]] algorithm is insecure and deprecated by [[WPA]]. Use of WEP is '''not recommended''' and is not covered within this document.
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------
CategoryProposedDeletion : This page was created on 2008-10. It should be deleted by 2009-04 if it's still empty.
<<Anchor(network-manager)>>
== NetworkManager ==
## 'network-manager' is brought in as a dependency of either frontend package.
NetworkManager is configured through graphical interfaces, which are available for [[Gnome|GNOME]] and [[KDE]]. Your wireless interface should ''not'' be referenced within Debian's {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}} file.

!NetworkManager is also a front-end for [[#wpasupplicant|wpa_supplicant]].
=== GNOME ===
 1. Ensure your user account is a member of the {{{netdev}}} group.
 1. Install the DebianPkg:network-manager-gnome package: {{{
$ su
# aptitude update
# aptitude install network-manager-gnome
}}}
 1. Log out of GNOME, then log back in to your system.
 1. A new applet (computer icon) will appear in the notification area / system tray. Left-click this icon to present the nm-applet pop-up menu.
 1. Neighboring wireless networks with a broadcasted SSID should be listed:
  * Click on the desired network's name.
  * If the network uses WPA encryption with a password (aka passphrase/pre-shared key), you will be prompted to enter it. After providing, click the "Connect" button.
  * The wireless network connection will be activated.
 If the desired network is not listed (e.g. SSID not broadcast/hidden):
  * Click "Connect to Other Wireless Network...".
  * Enter the network's SSID at "Network Name".
  * If encryption is used, select the method from the "Wireless Security" drop-down list (usually "WPA Personal" or "WPA2 Personal").
   * Enter the passphrase/pre-shared key at "Password".
  * Click the "Connect" button to activate the wireless network connection.

See the [[NetworkManager]] page for frequently asked questions, documentation and support references.

=== KDE ===
 1. Ensure your user account is a member of the {{{netdev}}} group.
 1. Install the DebianPkg:network-manager-kde package: {{{
$ su
# aptitude update
# aptitude install network-manager-kde
}}}
 1. From the K Menu, select "Run Command". Enter "knetworkmanager" and click "Run".
 1. A new applet (wallplug/socket icon) will appear in the system tray. Right-click this icon to present the KNetworkManager pop-up menu.
 1. Neighboring wireless networks with a broadcasted SSID should be listed:
  * Click on the desired network's name.
  * If the network uses WPA encryption with a password (aka passphrase/pre-shared key), you will be prompted to enter it. After providing, click the "Connect" button.
  * The wireless network connection will be activated.
 If the desired network is not listed (e.g. SSID not broadcast/hidden):
  * Click "Connect to Other Wireless Network...".
  * Enter the network's name in "Name (ESSID)".
  * Tick "Use Encryption" if in use on the network.
   * Select the encryption method used (usually "WPA Personal").
   * Enter the passphrase/pre-shared key at "Password".
   * Select "WPA 1" or "WPA 2" for the protocol version, as used by the network.
  * Click the "Connect" button to activate the wireless network connection.

See the [[NetworkManager]] page for frequently asked questions, documentation and support references.

<<Anchor(wicd)>>
== Other GUI ==
The DebianPkg:network-manager-kde package will work for icewm and Xfce too
=== wicd - for Xfce, LXDE, Fluxbox ===
DebianPkg:wicd (Wireless Interface Connection Daemon) is an alternative to !NetworkManager. It is environment independent, making it a perfect replacement for other desktop environments (e.g. Xfce, LXDE, Fluxbox, etc.). Like !NetworkManager, wicd is configured via a graphical interface. Your wireless interface should ''not'' be referenced within Debian's {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}} file.

[[DebianLenny|Lenny]] users: wicd is not included in Lenny, but is available as a backported package. Configure {{{/etc/apt/sources.list}}} as explained in the [[Backports]] page before continuing.

## extended /usr/share/doc/wicd/README.Debian instructions follow
## - wicd conflicts with network-manager as of wicd 1.5.7-1 (Debian bug #509051)
## - wicd daemon may (IME) fail to start after package installation, start it prior to running wicd-client
 1. Update the list of available packages and install the DebianPkg:wicd package: {{{
$ su
# aptitude update
# aptitude install wicd}}}
 1. Amend {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}} to contain only the following: {{{
# This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback}}}
 1. If not already performed, add your regular user account to the {{{netdev}}} group and reload DBus: {{{
# adduser yourusername netdev
# /etc/init.d/dbus reload}}}
 1. Start the wicd daemon: {{{
# /etc/init.d/wicd start}}}
 1. Start the wicd GUI with your regular user account: {{{
# exit
$ wicd-client -n}}}

See also [[http://wicd.sourceforge.net/moinmoin/FAQ|wicd frequently asked questions]].

<<Anchor(wpasupplicant)>>
== wpa_supplicant ==
wpa_supplicant is a [[WPA]] client and IEEE 802.1X [[WikiPedia:Supplicant_(computer)|supplicant]].

The DebianPkg:wpasupplicant package provides {{{wpa-*}}} [[DebianMan:8/ifup|ifupdown]] options for {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}}. If these options are specified, wpa_supplicant is started in the background when your wireless interface is raised and stopped when brought down.

 {i} GNOME and KDE users shouldn't configure wpa_supplicant manually. Use !NetworkManager as [[#network-manager|explained above]].

Before continuing, install the DebianPkg:wpasupplicant package:
 {{{
$ su
# aptitude update
# aptitude install wpasupplicant
}}}

=== WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK ===
{i} Also known as "WPA Personal" and "WPA2 Personal" respectively.

 1. Restrict the permissions of {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}}, to prevent pre-shared key (PSK) disclosure: {{{
# chmod 0600 /etc/network/interfaces
}}}
 1. Open {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}} in a text editor: {{{
# sensible-editor /etc/network/interfaces
}}}
 1. Define appropriate stanzas for your wireless interface, along with the SSID and PSK. For example: {{{
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
    wpa-ssid mynetworkname
    wpa-psk mysecretpassphrase
}}}
 The "auto" stanza will bring your interface up at system startup. If not desired, remove or comment this line.

 1. Save the file and exit the editor.
 1. Bring your interface up. This will start wpa_supplicant as a background process. {{{
# ifup wlan0
}}}

Additional {{{wpa-*}}} options are described within {{{/usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/README.modes.gz}}}. This should also be read if connecting to a network not broadcasting its SSID.

For general {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}} information, see the [[DebianMan:5/interfaces|interfaces(5)]] man page.

=== WPA-EAP ===

For networks using [[WikiPedia:Extensible_Authentication_Protocol|EAP-TLS]], you are required to establish a wpa_supplicant configuration file and provide the client-side certificate. An example WPA2-EAP configuration file can be found at [[file:///usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/examples/wpa2-eap-ccmp.conf|/usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/examples/wpa2-eap-ccmp.conf]].

Once available, reference your configuration file in {{{/etc/network/interfaces}}}. For example:
 {{{
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
    wpa-conf /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
}}}

More information can be found in the [[DebianMan:5/wpa_supplicant.conf|wpa_supplicant.conf(5)]] man page. A fully-commented wpa_supplicant configuration file example is at {{{/usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/README.wpa_supplicant.conf.gz}}}.

== Switching Connections ==
To switch between multiple distinct configurations:
 * GNOME users should use "Menu System > Administration > Network". (n.b. this doesn't work in etch)
 * Console users can
   * use logical interfaces, as {{{
iface wlan_home inet dhcp
    wpa-ssid mynetworkname
    wpa-psk mysecretpassphrase}}}

   {{{
# ifup wlan0=wlan_home}}}
   * use DebianPkg:ifscheme, see the [[http://www.alwayssunny.com/blog/?p=30|example configuration at alwayssunny.com]].

== Security consideration ==

 1. Every member of a network can ''listen'' to other members' traffic. (whether it's an unencrypted public hot-spot, or a WEP/WPA/WPA2, or LAN). '''Use SSL/TLS protocols (https, imaps...) or VPN to preserve your privacy.'''
 2. WEP is so insecure that it is basically equivalent to not using any encryption at all.
 3. WPA ''1'' is deprecated. '''Use WPA2 instead.'''
 4. Make sure you use '''strong pass-phrase'''.

Network security, see: [[http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=tutorial]].

== See Also ==
 * [[WiFi/AdHoc]] - Establishing a !WiFi network without an access point.
 * [[DebianMan:8/iwconfig|iwconfig(8)]]
 * [[NetworkConfiguration]]
 * [[NetworkManager]]
 * [[WiFi]]
 * [[WPA]]

----
CategoryNetwork | CategoryWireless

Translation(s):french

(!) ?Discussion

How to use a WiFi interface

This page describes how to configure a WiFi interface on a Debian system, for use on a network.

Once your wireless device has an interface available (verifiable with iwconfig), it is required to be configured to access a network. If you do not have a wireless interface present, please refer to WiFi for information on providing a driver for your device.

Wireless network interface configuration can be performed using a connection manager (such as NetworkManager) or through Debian's /etc/network/interfaces file with a special purpose utility (such as wpa_supplicant). Examples of NetworkManager and wpa_supplicant configuration are described below.

<!> The WEP algorithm is insecure and deprecated by WPA. Use of WEP is not recommended and is not covered within this document.

NetworkManager

NetworkManager is configured through graphical interfaces, which are available for GNOME and KDE. Your wireless interface should not be referenced within Debian's /etc/network/interfaces file.

NetworkManager is also a front-end for wpa_supplicant.

GNOME

  1. Ensure your user account is a member of the netdev group.

  2. Install the network-manager-gnome package:

    $ su
    # aptitude update
    # aptitude install network-manager-gnome
  3. Log out of GNOME, then log back in to your system.
  4. A new applet (computer icon) will appear in the notification area / system tray. Left-click this icon to present the nm-applet pop-up menu.
  5. Neighboring wireless networks with a broadcasted SSID should be listed:
    • Click on the desired network's name.
    • If the network uses WPA encryption with a password (aka passphrase/pre-shared key), you will be prompted to enter it. After providing, click the "Connect" button.
    • The wireless network connection will be activated.
    If the desired network is not listed (e.g. SSID not broadcast/hidden):
    • Click "Connect to Other Wireless Network...".
    • Enter the network's SSID at "Network Name".
    • If encryption is used, select the method from the "Wireless Security" drop-down list (usually "WPA Personal" or "WPA2 Personal").
      • Enter the passphrase/pre-shared key at "Password".
    • Click the "Connect" button to activate the wireless network connection.

See the NetworkManager page for frequently asked questions, documentation and support references.

KDE

  1. Ensure your user account is a member of the netdev group.

  2. Install the network-manager-kde package:

    $ su
    # aptitude update
    # aptitude install network-manager-kde
  3. From the K Menu, select "Run Command". Enter "knetworkmanager" and click "Run".
  4. A new applet (wallplug/socket icon) will appear in the system tray. Right-click this icon to present the KNetworkManager pop-up menu.
  5. Neighboring wireless networks with a broadcasted SSID should be listed:
    • Click on the desired network's name.
    • If the network uses WPA encryption with a password (aka passphrase/pre-shared key), you will be prompted to enter it. After providing, click the "Connect" button.
    • The wireless network connection will be activated.
    If the desired network is not listed (e.g. SSID not broadcast/hidden):
    • Click "Connect to Other Wireless Network...".
    • Enter the network's name in "Name (ESSID)".
    • Tick "Use Encryption" if in use on the network.
      • Select the encryption method used (usually "WPA Personal").
      • Enter the passphrase/pre-shared key at "Password".
      • Select "WPA 1" or "WPA 2" for the protocol version, as used by the network.
    • Click the "Connect" button to activate the wireless network connection.

See the NetworkManager page for frequently asked questions, documentation and support references.

Other GUI

The network-manager-kde package will work for icewm and Xfce too

wicd - for Xfce, LXDE, Fluxbox

wicd (Wireless Interface Connection Daemon) is an alternative to NetworkManager. It is environment independent, making it a perfect replacement for other desktop environments (e.g. Xfce, LXDE, Fluxbox, etc.). Like NetworkManager, wicd is configured via a graphical interface. Your wireless interface should not be referenced within Debian's /etc/network/interfaces file.

Lenny users: wicd is not included in Lenny, but is available as a backported package. Configure /etc/apt/sources.list as explained in the Backports page before continuing.

  1. Update the list of available packages and install the wicd package:

    $ su
    # aptitude update
    # aptitude install wicd
  2. Amend /etc/network/interfaces to contain only the following:

    # This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
    # and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).
    
    # The loopback network interface
    auto lo
    iface lo inet loopback
  3. If not already performed, add your regular user account to the netdev group and reload DBus:

    # adduser yourusername netdev
    # /etc/init.d/dbus reload
  4. Start the wicd daemon:

    # /etc/init.d/wicd start
  5. Start the wicd GUI with your regular user account: 

    # exit
    $ wicd-client -n

See also wicd frequently asked questions.

wpa_supplicant

wpa_supplicant is a WPA client and IEEE 802.1X supplicant.

The wpasupplicant package provides wpa-* ifupdown options for /etc/network/interfaces. If these options are specified, wpa_supplicant is started in the background when your wireless interface is raised and stopped when brought down.

  • {i} GNOME and KDE users shouldn't configure wpa_supplicant manually. Use NetworkManager as explained above.

Before continuing, install the wpasupplicant package:

  • $ su
    # aptitude update
    # aptitude install wpasupplicant

WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK

{i} Also known as "WPA Personal" and "WPA2 Personal" respectively.

  1. Restrict the permissions of /etc/network/interfaces, to prevent pre-shared key (PSK) disclosure:

    # chmod 0600 /etc/network/interfaces
  2. Open /etc/network/interfaces in a text editor:

    # sensible-editor /etc/network/interfaces
  3. Define appropriate stanzas for your wireless interface, along with the SSID and PSK. For example:

    auto wlan0
    iface wlan0 inet dhcp
        wpa-ssid mynetworkname
        wpa-psk mysecretpassphrase
    The "auto" stanza will bring your interface up at system startup. If not desired, remove or comment this line.
  4. Save the file and exit the editor.
  5. Bring your interface up. This will start wpa_supplicant as a background process.

    # ifup wlan0

Additional wpa-* options are described within /usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/README.modes.gz. This should also be read if connecting to a network not broadcasting its SSID.

For general /etc/network/interfaces information, see the interfaces(5) man page.

WPA-EAP

For networks using EAP-TLS, you are required to establish a wpa_supplicant configuration file and provide the client-side certificate. An example WPA2-EAP configuration file can be found at /usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/examples/wpa2-eap-ccmp.conf.

Once available, reference your configuration file in /etc/network/interfaces. For example:

  • auto wlan0
    iface wlan0 inet dhcp
        wpa-conf /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

More information can be found in the wpa_supplicant.conf(5) man page. A fully-commented wpa_supplicant configuration file example is at /usr/share/doc/wpasupplicant/README.wpa_supplicant.conf.gz.

Switching Connections

To switch between multiple distinct configurations:

  • GNOME users should use "Menu System > Administration > Network". (n.b. this doesn't work in etch)

  • Console users can

Security consideration

  1. Every member of a network can listen to other members' traffic. (whether it's an unencrypted public hot-spot, or a WEP/WPA/WPA2, or LAN). Use SSL/TLS protocols (https, imaps...) or VPN to preserve your privacy.

  2. WEP is so insecure that it is basically equivalent to not using any encryption at all.
  3. WPA 1 is deprecated. Use WPA2 instead.

  4. Make sure you use strong pass-phrase.

Network security, see: http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=tutorial.

See Also


CategoryNetwork | CategoryWireless