Configuring wpa_gui

Introduction

Connecting to a wireless network is a two stage process:

  1. Associating with the wireless access point.
  2. Authenticating user credentials and establishing an encrypted connection.

The first step is handled by the hardware drivers for your wireless card, and the second step relies on a program called wpa supplicant. The configuration for wpa supplicant resides in `wpa_supplicant.conf' (documentation is here.)

Installing wpa_gui

  1. Edit /etc/network/interfaces and insert the following at the bottom of the file (change wlan0 to your wireless interface): 

iface wlan0 inet manual
      wpa-roam /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
iface default inet dhcp

  1. If /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf does not already exist, create it and insert the following: 

ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
        key_mgmt=NONE
        disabled=1
}

  1. Run sudo ifup wlan0.

  2. Install wpa_gui with apt-get wpagui.

  3. Run sudo wpa_gui. It must be run with root privileges. You should now be able to select your wireless adapter, scan, and connect to the wireless network.


Tip: Network profiles can be created either by doing a Scan and double clicking on a network, or by using the button on the Manage Networks tab. To connect using a specific profile, select it from the Network list (that's all). To automatically run through the profiles until one connects, click Connect.