Wifi

ukpaul33 · 2012-03-10 20:10:03

I am pretty new to linux but really want to learn about it properly and this is why I have installed Arch. I have been very encouraged by the initial install of the base system as this has taught me much about editing various config files etc and using commands to do this and that and its very exciting as you feel your kind of communicating with the computer and controling it.

The first thing I wanted to do was have access to the internet, so I assumed that all I had to do was edit the "rc.conf" file and where it says interface=, I just add wlan0 and add new line underneath saying wlan0=dhcp and all would be well. To my surprise I read a message as I was rebooting saying device wlan0 is unknown.

I then typed out the command "lspci | grep -i net" and saw message as follows :
00:03.0 ethernet controller: intel corporation 82540EM Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev02)

Because I saw the word "ethernet" I then decided to to go back into "rc.conf" and change wlan0 to read "eth0" and reboot

I then did the command " ping -c 3 www.google.com " and to my surprise 3 packets of data went back and forth and all was showing that my wireless setup was perfect.

My confusion is how come the eth0 is being used instead of the wlan0 as i am using my wireless connection

Any answers to this would be much appreciated!!

Many thanks

karol · 2012-03-10 20:19:37

Where have you read that rc.conf supports wireless connections? It doesn't http://www.archlinux.org/news/deprecation-of-net-tools/

Edit: Do you have an ethernet cable plugged in?

Last edited by karol (2012-03-10 20:21:39)

quasifilmie · 2012-03-10 20:21:53

To me, it makes sense that the computer would favour the wired connection (typically faster) over the wireless connection and so that is probably why "etho" is being used instead. When the ethernet is not plugged in or the proper module is not loaded that is when the wireless "wlan0" would be used. And like karol said rc.conf does not support wireless.

Last edited by quasifilmie (2012-03-10 20:22:36)

tomk · 2012-03-10 20:42:13

Everything you need to know to get your wifi running is here.

ukpaul33 · 2012-03-13 18:34:23

Hey Guys, I appreciate your replies

Please let me assure you I do not have an ethernet cable plugged into my laptop. This is why I am surprised it is working. You mentioned that rc.config does not support Wireless? but in this file one would set their eth0 device to read "dhcp" yes?

This I have done and my wireless is working, I have no cables plugged in at all.

So this is why I am confused !!

karol · 2012-03-13 18:36:31

Hmmm, interesting

Can you post your rc.conf?

Starfall · 2012-03-13 18:39:28

Hi Paul

rc.conf is just a configuration file. The 'network magic' you're experiencing will be coming from a network daemon listed in the daemons array in rc.conf

marceloasfor · 2012-03-13 19:29:28

Just install networkmanager. It does everything for you. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NetworkManager

ukpaul33 · 2012-03-13 19:56:05

Hi everyone..... just realized something and I am sorry if I caused any confusion here. Basically I was playing around with LFS just now and again I was able to ping out and all was well on my wifi. Then I suddenly understood why and my face went RED with embarrassment

I have been running everything within virtual box

Anyway, its great that you guys/girls are generous with your knowledge and its been appreciated. I hope one day I will be able to share in helping others too

karol · 2012-03-15 19:33:07

Please remember to mark the thread as solved and next time please use a more descriptive thread title :-)

Arch Linux

#1 2012-03-10 20:10:03

Wifi

#2 2012-03-10 20:19:37

Re: Wifi

#3 2012-03-10 20:21:53

Re: Wifi

#4 2012-03-10 20:42:13

Re: Wifi

#5 2012-03-13 18:34:23

Re: Wifi

#6 2012-03-13 18:36:31

Re: Wifi

#7 2012-03-13 18:39:28

Re: Wifi

#8 2012-03-13 19:29:28

Re: Wifi

#9 2012-03-13 19:56:05

Re: Wifi

#10 2012-03-15 19:33:07

Re: Wifi

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