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How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux

A walkthrough of wireless (IEEE 802.11 also known as WiFi) home networking with Linux. Most wireless adapters are not designed for use in Linux and depend on non-free proprietary drivers and firmware which inevitably leads to problems....
Method 1 of 3:

Set up your new router

  1. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 1How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 1
    Plug your router into your internet socket if you want to share your internet.
  2. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 2How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 2
    Plug your router into your PC with an ethernet cable.
  3. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 3How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 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. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 4How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 4
    Enter your username and password from your router (often "admin" and "admin") then your internet service provider.
  5. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 5How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 5
    Enable wireless and set your encryption (WEP or WPA) and type a memorable passkey.
Method 2 of 3:

Detecting your wireless adapter

  1. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 6How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 6
    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. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 7How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 7
    Type iwconfig into the terminal to see what wireless network interfaces have been detected.
  3. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 8How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 8
    Type sudo lshw (or lspci or lsusb) 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. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 9How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 9
    If you're using Linux Mint, try MintWifi.
  5. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 10How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 10
    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 3 of 3:

Connecting to a network

  1. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 11How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 11
    If your distribution is using NetworkManager there should be an icon near the clock which you can click on.
  2. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 12How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 12
    Choose your "Encryption" (WEP or WPA) and enter your passkey.
  3. How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 13How to Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Picture 13
    If your distribution is not using NetworkManager you may need to look up its documentation or ask for help in it its forums.
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