Distribution: How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux

This updated guide examines Distribution: How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 3:

Set up your new router

1. Plug your router into your internet socket if you want to share your internet.
2. Plug your router into your PC with an ethernet cable.
3. Go to your browser and type in the address "http://192.168.0.1" or whichever address the router's web server is listening.
4. Enter your username and password from your router (often "admin" and "admin") then your internet service provider.
5. Enable wireless and set your encryption (WEPor WPA) and type a memorable passkey.

Method 2of 3:

Detecting your wireless adapter

1. Your wireless adapter should be detected automatically by your distribution and should be available in your distribution's network config tools (as of early 2012 most distributions use Network Manager). Only if the card is *not* detected, go through the following troubleshooting steps:
2. Typeiwconfiginto the terminal to see what wireless network interfaces have been detected.
3. Typesudo lshw(orlspciorlsusb) to list hardware and get details on the chipset that your card uses. Try searching the Internet or posting in the help forums for your Linux distribution to see if there's support for the chipset your card uses.
4. If you're using Linux Mint, try MintWifi.
5. You may need to use a ndiswrapper and your Windows driver, look up the ndis wrapper documentation or ask for help in the forums/mailing lists for your distribution.

Method 3of 3:

Connecting to a network

1. If your distribution is using NetworkManager there should be an icon near the clock which you can click on.
2. Choose your "Encryption" (WEP or WPA) and enter your passkey.
3. If your distribution is not using NetworkManager you may need to look up its documentation or ask for help in it its forums.