Set up a Wireless Network in Linux Via the Command Line

A walkthrough of wireless (IEEE 802.11 also known as WiFi) home networking with Linux.

Steps

1. Note that if you are buying a router, all routers are compatible with Linux. It is wireless adapters that have varying levels of Linux compatibility. If your router isn't new, then turn it on and skip to "Detecting your wireless adapter" (below).
2. Set up your new router.
   • Plug your router into your internet socket if you want to share your internet
   • Plug your router into your PC with an Ethernet cable
3. Go to your browser and type in the address: "192.168.0.1"
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 (WEP or WPA) and type a memorable passkey.
6. Detecting your wireless adapter: Your wireless adapter should be detected automatically by your distribution.
   • Type ifconfig into the terminal to determine whether it's been detected.
     • lshw -C network
7. Use ndiswrapper, if needed, and your Windows driver.
8. Connect to a network.
   • sudo ifconfig <interface> down
   • sudo dhclient -r <interface>
   • sudo ifconfig <interface> up
   • sudo iwconfig <interface> essid "ESSID_IN_QUOTES"
   • sudo iwconfig <interface> mode Managed
   • sudo dhclient <interface>
9. Connecting to a network on boot.
   • Add those commands to /etc/rc.local
     • Make /etc/rc.local executable with chmod

Related Articles

• Set up a Wireless Network in Linux
• Create a Wireless Network
• Secure Your Wireless Home Network
• Add an HP Printer to a Wireless Network
• Connect to a Wireless Internet Connection

Sources and Citations

• Ubuntu forums How To: Manual Network Configuration without the need for Network Manager

See also

• Add a Password to Your Wireless Internet Connection (WiFi)
• Make Your Wireless Internet Connection Faster (Comcast)
• Create a Mobile Hotspot on a Windows 10 PC
• Create a WiFi Hotspot Using the Command Prompt
• Set Up a Wireless Router
• Create a Wireless Network
• Build Antennas
• Hook Up Roku
• Set Up a D‐Link WBR‐2310 Wireless Router
• Tell If an Outside User Is on Your Wireless Network

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What links here

• Change the Root Password in Linux
• Connect to a Wireless Internet Connection
• Find Your WEP Code
• Set up a Wireless Network in Linux
• Set up a Wireless Network in Windows XP
• Start the Control Panel from the Command Line
• Add a Password to Your Wireless Internet Connection (WiFi)