Connecting

NetworkManager manages wired, wireless, mobile broadband, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connections. It does not currently support dialup modem connections but there is help available in the section called “Modems”.

Wired Connection

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) connections (where settings are configured by your router) are automatically configured. Wired network connections are selected as default when connected.

DHCP Connections

Most routers use DHCP to allocate IP addresses.

  1. Click the NetworkManager icon in the system notification area.

  2. Under Wired Network click the Radio Button next to the network you want to connect to.

Static Connections

If you don't use DHCP then you can configure a static connection.

  1. Right-click the NetworkManager icon in the system notification area.

  2. Click Edit Connections.

  3. Click the Wired tab.

  4. Select the connection and press Edit.

  5. Click the IPv4 tab.

  6. Choose Manual from the Method drop down.

  7. Enter your details and press OK.

  8. Press Close.

Wireless Connection

To connect to a wireless network:

  1. Ensure that your wireless device is turned on.

  2. Click the NetworkManager icon in the system notification area.

  3. Under Wireless Network click the radio button next to the network you want to connect to.

If you are connecting to a network for the first time, security details may be needed. If so, a dialog box will open. Enter your security details as follows.

  1. In most cases the security type will be detected automatically. If not, select the security type from the Wireless Security drop-down box. This will depend on how the wireless network is set up. Examples of security types are WEP, WPA and LEAP.

  2. Enter the password, key or other authentication details as appropriate.

  3. Press Connect.

[Note]

If you have a wired network connection as well as an wireless connection, the wired connection will be used by default.

Mobile Broadband

Mobile Broadband means any kind of high speed internet connection which is provided by an external device such as a 3G USB device or mobile phone with built-in HSPA/UMTS/GPRS data connection. Some laptops have recently been produced with mobile broadband devices already inside them.

Most Mobile Broadband devices should be recognised automatically when you connect them to your computer. Xubuntu will prompt you to configure the device.

  1. The New Mobile Broadband Connection Wizard will open automatically when you connect the device. If not, right-click the NetworkManager icon, select Edit Connections, click the Mobile Broadband tab and press Add.

  2. Press Forward and select the country where your Mobile Broadband device was issued.

  3. Press Forward and select your network provider or select I can't find my provider and I wish to enter it manually and type the provider name in the Provider field.

  4. Press Forward and review your mobile broadband selections, then press Apply.

  5. The Editing Provider connection window will appear, you can:

    • edit the Connection name

    • input the Username and Password under the Mobile Broadband tab

    • select whether to Connect automatically or allow the connection to be Available to all users

    • select the Authentication and Compression methods under the PPP Settings tab

    then press Apply and press Close to the close the Network Connections window.

  6. Your connection is now ready to use. To connect, left-click the NetworkManager icon in the top right of the panel and select your new connection.

  7. To disconnect, left-click the NetworkManager icon in the top right of the panel and click Disconnect.

VPN

  1. Left-click the NetworkManager icon and click Configure VPN... from the VPN Connections option.

  2. Press Add.

  3. Select the VPN Connection Type.

    [Note]

    If the VPN connection type you are seeking is not present in the list (e.g. Cisco Compatible VPN (vpnc)), you will need to search for and install the appropriate NetworkManager plugin (e.g. vpnc) via Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic Package Manager.

  4. Press Create.

  5. The Editing Name of VPN connection window will appear, under the VPN tab, you can:

    • edit the Connection name

    • input the Gateway, Group name and User password and/or Group passwordunder the VPN tab

    • select whether to Connect automatically or allow the connection to be Available to all users

    • select whether the passwords are Saved, Not Required, or if the computer will Always Ask for them.

  6. Under the IPv4 Settings tab, you can input additional information if needed.

  7. Press Apply and press Close to the close the Network Connections window.

  8. To connect to the newly created VPN connection, left-click the NetworkManager icon, then click VPN Connections+Configure VPN...Name of the VPN connection.

DSL

  1. Right-click the NetworkManager icon and click Edit connections...

  2. Click the DSL tab.

  3. Press Add.

  4. The Editing Name of DSL connection window will appear, under the DSL tab, input the Username and Password of your DSL account

  5. Select whether you want the DSL connection to Connect automatically or allow the connection to be Available to all users.

  6. Select the Authentication and Compression methods under the PPP Settings tab. (This information should be provider by your ISP.)

  7. Press Apply and press Close to the close the Network Connections window.

  8. To connect to the newly created DSL connection, left-click the NetworkManager icon, then click Name of the DSL connection.