Ten top wireless connection tools for Linux
Jack Wallen
Published: 14 Aug 2009 12:59 BST
...connect to the first available wireless network listed in the configuration file.
This feature is handy because you do not have to bother to select a network. There is no installation of the application: you simply mv the getwifi executable file to /usr/bin and then mv the configuration file to /etc/getwifi.con.f — it is called config in the tar file.
6. Wireless Tools
Wireless Tools is the command-line foundation for many front-end tools. The tools that are included are iwconfig to manipulate wireless connections, iwspy to list wireless information, and iwpriv to manipulate wireless drivers.
These tools are best used by advanced users or those wishing to create GUI tools for wireless devices or other tools that require the use of underlying wireless connections.
7. Wireless Assistant
The wlassistant tool is a KDE tool that simplifies the process of connecting to a wireless network.
Although Wireless Assistant is a KDE application, it is not integrated like the Gnome NetworkManager. Because of this, you have to start the application when you want to make a connection.
What it lacks is the ability to minimise to the Notification Area. But this is not such a significant issue, because you can quit the application and your connection will remain up.
8. WiFi Radar
WiFi Radar is an exceptional wireless tool that has packages for Debian, Gentoo, OpenSuse and Ubuntu.
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It is a Python-PyGTK2 application that allows you to drag and drop your configured networks in order of importance for connection.
One oddity with WiFi Radar is that you need to run it using sudo. Even though the application will install under Fedora, it will not run unless sudo is used.
This makes WiFi Radar an obvious choice for Ubuntu or any other distribution that depends on sudo.
9. GTKWifi
GTKWifi is a simple applet for Gnome, written in PythonGTK, that is similar to the Zeroconf tool used in Windows XP. It shows your network status and all available access points, and allows you to connect to one.
GTKWifi does not offer much that sets it apart from other tools, except for an easy-to-use interface. It is a good alternative if you are using Gnome and find that Gnome NetworkManager cannot connect to your access point.
10. Wavemon
Wavemon gives you a lot of information that can help you troubleshoot a wireless connection, even though it is not a tool that will connect you to a wireless access point. Wavemon allows you to see real-time information on signal levels, as well as wireless and wired network information.
From the main ncurses screen, you can see interface information such as SSID, interface name, noise level, signal level, signal to noise ratio, frequency and sensitivity. If you are serious about wireless networking, this utility should definitely be in your toolkit.
What is your favourite?
Have you tried any of these tools? Or have you found a tool not listed here that has helped you manage your wireless connections with Linux?
Credit: 10 tools to connect to wireless networks in Linux from TechRepublic.com
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