Arch Linux

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,344

NetworkManager vs. WICD (vs. others?)

I'm looking for a network connection utility that will allow me to "roam" between networks and simply connect to the best network in range that I have a key for.  NetworkManager is just about perfect, but there's a weird glitch I haven't been able to overcome where editing a network hangs for an honest ~30 seconds before pulling up the menu.  Really strange.

On the other hand, I really wouldn't mind using WICD.  People seem to rave about it and claim that it's much better than NetworkManager.  Why, though?  And I have a showstopper problem with that too: when I pull up the network list, it pegs 100% CPU and starts leaking memory like crazy.

netcfg would be optimal, but net-auto-wireless only connects to the best network at startup, that's it.  If I move from my home to my office, it'll lose a connection without attempting to connect to something else.

Any thoughts?

hellomynameisphil

Member

From: /home/phil/Vancouver

Registered: 2009-10-02

Posts: 257

Website

Re: NetworkManager vs. WICD (vs. others?)

I think people tend to like wicd more than NetworkManager because it is lighter and simpler; more Arch-like. I recommend it.

Wicd has a few different interfaces: gtk, ncurses and cli. Have you tried all of them? Do you have the same trouble with each?

Mektub

Member

From: Lisbon /Portugal

Registered: 2008-01-02

Posts: 647

Re: NetworkManager vs. WICD (vs. others?)

I use netcfg, Still, sometimes while traveling i use wicd and do find it simple and neat,

However:

Does Wicd support controlling two interfaces at the same time?

No. Support for this is planned for wicd 2.0.

from the wicd homepage faq:

http://wicd.sourceforge.net/moinmoin/FAQ

In most cases this is for me a showstopper.

There is a;ready a wicd 2.0 test source, perhaps I will try to install that, if I have the time and patience.

Mektub

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ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,694

Re: NetworkManager vs. WICD (vs. others?)

I think people tend to like wicd more than NetworkManager because it is lighter and simpler; more Arch-like. I recommend it.

On the other hand, It causes me no end of grief with a couple of the access points with which I must associate.  I've no trouble with Network Manger.

Try them both (or others) Vive la différence

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synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,344

Re: NetworkManager vs. WICD (vs. others?)

When I start the NetworkManager daemon, my mouse freezes at random times for a split second ... kind of a stuttering effect.  Has anyone seen this?