Ten top wireless connection tools for Linux

• Tags:
• Connectivity,
• Tools,
• Wi-Fi,
• Wireless

Jack Wallen

Published: 14 Aug 2009 12:59 BST

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Mobile Linux users have so many options when it comes to wireless connectivity tools, it is worth homing in on the strongest candidates, says Jack Wallen.

I spend much of my time on wireless networks. The distribution of Linux and the hardware I am using will dictate which application I choose to connect to any given access point.

Some of these tools are distribution-independent. Some are not. Some were created for a specific desktop, but will still work with other desktops.

For many mobile Linux users, being able to use a wireless connection is just a matter of finding the right tool. Here are 10 tools that will help you connect your Linux machine to a wireless access point. If one fails to work or install, try another. Eventually, you will get connected.

1. Gnome NetworkManager
Gnome NetworkManager is the nm-applet tool. It is the default connection method in many distributions that default to Gnome and is one of the best-designed tools.

The nm-applet resides in the Gnome panel and matches the OS X wireless connection tool for simplicity and reliability. This tool is so good, I have found it can be used without Gnome running.

Say, for example, I am in the Enlightenment window manager. I can open up a terminal window, issue the command nm-applet and connect to a wireless access point that has previously been configured.

To that end, I place a menu entry in the E16 menu for nm-applet and when it is clicked, I see nothing — no GUI opens, no text flies by — yet I am connected.

Of course, this approach will not work with a wireless access point you have not previously connected to. For that to work, you will have to be in Gnome and set up that connection through the Gnome NetworkManager. Works with most encryption schemes.

2. Wicd
Wicd is one of my favourite wireless network managers. It can be used in many distributions and many desktop environments or window managers. I have used this tool on nearly every laptop I have had.

Like the Gnome NetworkManager tool, Wicd can work with both wireless and wired networks and can connect to most encryption schemes. Wicd has the edge on Gnome NetworkManager by allowing you to add your own encryption scheme.

The most useful aspect of Wicd is that it does not have the dependencies you will find on the default Gnome or KDE tools, which makes it much more portable.

3. Wifi-Wiz
If you use a Debian system, you should take advantage of the Wifi-Wiz tool — regardless of your desktop environment. I have one particular laptop with which no other wireless connection tool will work except Wifi-Wiz.

I discovered this tool thanks to the Elive Linux distribution. Wifi-Wiz is a PyGTK program, and is a front-end for iwconfig, iwlist, ifconfig, ifup and ifdown.

One of Wifi-Wiz's strong features is that it contains a daemon that will run in the background to check the status of your connection. If your connection fails a gateway ping, it will check for other networks and connect to one if available.

4. YaST2
If you are a Suse user, you will be familiar with YaST, which is one of those all-in-one tools that handle the bulk of administration for Suse. Networking is no exception.

The YaST2 wireless network is one of the easiest to use if you are inexperienced, because it does not bombard you with advanced settings. Equally, more experienced users will be happy to know that they can easily access the advanced settings.

5. Getwifi
Getwifi is one of the few command-line tools on this list. I am including command-line tools because they can often be the only option and are very flexible.

This particular tool is configured via a flat text file where you can configure multiple networks, so that when you issue the getwifi command it will...

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