Network Manager

[nesrail]

I just install freebsd for the first time ever. First of all, Nice software:). I use gnome but I need a network manager, just like there is for example, ubuntu or debian.
Is there anything like "wicd" og "network-manager" for freebsd and maybe a guide how to install it????

[trev]

I need a network manager

Why? What does it do?

[Brandybuck]

Why? What does it do?

It shows you a list of available wifi connections. Then you select one, enter the password, and you're good to go. It's great for laptops, when you need to connect to a different wifi all the time. Even for a single wifi connection a GUI can be rather convenient for those not steeped in the ifconfig arcana.

[fbsduser]

you might want to just download the source packages at packages.ubuntu.com (this applies for both networkmanager and wicd) and try to see if they build (dunno how linux-centric these things are since I don't run them in the NetBSD side of my current dualboot setup).

[estrabd]

I use wicd on ununtu, but I want to go back to freebsd.....let us kow how it works out :)

[leo2501]

does it compile under freebsd? the only thing is holding me from trying freebsd is wicd, i use a netbook so i need a way to easily switch networks, maybe there's a CLI alternative

[richardpl]

PC-BSD comes with its own version of NetworkManager

[Oko]

does it compile under freebsd? the only thing is holding me from trying freebsd is wicd, i use a netbook so i need a way to easily switch networks, maybe there's a CLI alternative
man ifconfig

http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/network-wireless.html

[phoenix]

Using wpa_supplicant, you don't need any kind of graphical wireless management tool (so long as all the networks are DHCP). Put ifconfig_int0="DHCP WPA" into /etc/rc.conf, then put all the details for all the networks you'll connect to in /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf. Done. :)

When you are within range of one of the listed networks, wpa_supplicant will automatically connect to, and dhclient will be run, and you'll be connected.

If you need to manually set the IP for a network, use ifconfig. wpa_supplicant will still connect automatically.

Supports no encryption, WEP, and WPA.

(Another reason I really dislike NetworkManager is that it doesn't work with FreeBSD's rc.conf and wpa_supplicant setup -- or any of the text config file setups for any of the OSes that NetworkManager runs on.)

[SirDice]

In case you're wondering about NetworkManager:

Port NetworkManager to FreeBSD. This will require someone with C programming experience, and a good knowledge of wireless networking in FreeBSD. Additionally, this will require some FreeBSD userland changes especially to ifconfig.
http://www.freebsd.org/gnome/docs/volunteer.html

[grocha]

Found this info in wiki:

I am Nikhil Bysani, a junior at University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign. For Google Sumer of Code, I will port Netowork Manager to FreeBSD. Network Manager controls and manages network devices and settings, such as ethernet and wireless. I will port over the base system, and hopefully apply the patches upstream.

A timeline:

May 23 - 30th, Get Network Manager to compile on FreeBSD (no functionality)

May 30 - June 13th Get Ethernet working

June 13th - June 27th Get Wireless working.

June 27th - July 6th Pass test cases in ethernet/wireless.

July 6th - July 24th Have generally working NetworkManager daemon.

July 24th - August 17th Complete extra components such as plugins and nm-applet if possible, try to commit to upstream.



Maybe anybody know's what is the status with this one?

[TzunTzai]

Just googled it... can't find any updates.

[rhyous]

Hey,

I had this post bookmarked as I was looking for a solution too. I just found wpa_gui in ports and got it working.
FreeBSD Wireless – Configuring a wireless interface on FreeBSD 8.1 (http://rhyous.com/2010/12/03/freebsd-wireless-configuring-a-wireless-interface-on-freebsd-8-1/)

I would still be nice to have one that integrates with KDE.

[vermaden]

I would still be nice to have one that integrates with KDE.
LOL, wpa_gui is written in QT mate (which is used by KDE) ;p

There is also one that uses GTK2 in the ports, but I do not remember its name.

Also, if You need KDE integration, then try PC-BSD, it comes with 'their' wireless manager in KDE.

[grigorovl]

Sorry to resurrect an old topic, but in case people are still wondering, there is a port of a GTK wireless networks manager: net-mgmt/wifimgr

It's in a pretty obvious place, too. I wonder how people don't see it.

[rhyous]

It is never too late to add a good answer to the question. :)