1. Network and Internet Connection Management

1. Network and Internet Connection Management
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	Tip
	Before connecting to the Internet, you are encouraged to set up a firewall on your machine so as to avoid bad surprises such as intrusions into your system. You can set up a very simple, yet effective firewall using DrakFirewall. Please refer to Section 1, “Securing your Internet Access via DrakFirewall” for more information.

The drakconnect set of tools allows you to easily configure your network access, whether it be to the Internet or to a local network. Open Mandriva Linux Control Center and select the Network & Internet section to access drakconnect tools. A view of the main interface is shown in Figure 7.1, “DrakConnect Tools”.

Figure 7.1. DrakConnect Tools

1.1. Setting Up a New Network Interface

drakconnect supports different types of Internet and network connections. The first step consists of choosing which type of connection you want to configure. Always make sure you have all the information provided by your ISP or network administrator at hand.

	Note
	After a connection has been configured, it can be further modified using the Manage Connections interface (see Section 1.3, “Reconfiguring Interfaces”).

1.1.1. Wired Ethernet Connection

Select the Ethernet type

Your NICs are detected automatically; if you have more than one, you need to select the one you want to configure. You can also load a driver for your NIC manually.
Automatic or Static Configuration

You now have to specify whether the network parameters are automatically set up (Automatic IP (BOOTP/DHCP)) or not (Manual configuration): fill the next steps with the parameters that your ISP or network administrator gave you.
Connection Control

Allow users to manage the connection

If you want users to be able to bring up or shutdown the connection without having to provide the root password (see Section 1.4, “Monitoring Connections”) check this box.

Start the connection at boot

Uncheck this if you want the connection to be activated on demand only.

	The Net Applet
	An applet appears in the desktop's panel indicating that the connection is up or down . Right click on it to access a menu that also lets you control the connection's state, as well as other parameters.

1.1.2. Wireless Connection

This entry allows you to configure WiFi PCMCIA or PCI devices.

Select the Wireless type

If your WiFi card is not listed, choose the Use a Windows driver entry. Then, select the driver from the manufacturer's card drivers CD.
Choose Network

A list of detected networks is then shown. Select yours; otherwise, choose unlisted.
Wireless Settings

Operating Mode

The mode the card will operate on, with respect to the other WiFi devices in the network. The most common one is Managed to simply connect to an existing access point.

Network Name (ESSID)

The name of the network you want to connect to. Ask your network administrator.

Encryption Mode

This depends on the network settings, ask your network administrator.

Encryption Key

This also depends on the network settings, ask your network administrator for the key the network uses.
Network Configuration

This is similar to the traditional Ethernet network setup: see Section 1.1.1, “Wired Ethernet Connection”.
Connection Control

Check the Allow access point roaming box if you want the connection to automatically switch from one access point to another, depending on its signal strength. This is particularly useful when moving a laptop around.

Managing Connections. Consult Section 3, “Managing Wireless Connections (Roaming)” to learn how to configure and manage various wireless networks.

1.1.3. ISDN Connection

Simply make sure you select the right parameters in all steps, concerning your area and provider.

The last step gives you the option to handle the connection status through the net applet. This can prove useful if you only need the Internet connection from time to time.

1.1.4. Modem Connection (POTS)

A list of detected modems is shown. If no modem was detected, only the Manual choice option is shown, click on Next and choose the communications port the modem is connected to. The required packages are installed.
You then see a list of countries/ISPs. If yours is listed, select it and continue to the next step: some parameters (connection name, phone number to dial, and authentication scheme) will be automatically set. If not, select the Unlisted - edit manually option.
Verify the parameters, add the missing ones provided by your ISP.

Figure 7.2. Entering Dial-up Connection Parameters

All parameters should be obvious, except for the authentication type. The value in the Authentication pull-down depends on what your ISP supports: Script-based (an old type of authentication method based on “expect” and “send” types of chat between your system and your ISP); Terminal based (a terminal window pops up when the connection is made and you have to login interactively); PAP, CHAP, or PAP/CHAP (authentication information exchange protocols, CHAP is preferred because it is more secure, PAP/CHAP will automatically choose the supported one).
Then come the IP, DNS and gateway settings. Nowadays, most ISPs provide them automatically when a connection is made, so selecting the Automatic option on them is usually a safe bet.
Connection Control

Allow users to manage the connection

You are then asked whether you want to allow users to start the connection. That allows them to do so without needing the root password.

Start the connection at boot

It is probably safer and cheaper to choose No.
Finally you are asked to test the connection: we recommend you to do so to make sure all parameters are accurate. You can now control your Internet connection using the net applet. You can also use the kppp remote access connection dialer (package kppp) by choosing Internet+Remote Access → KPPP from the main menu.

1.1.5. DVB Connection

This connection type is used for satellite connections.

Choose the connection card you want to configure, and then the adapter settings.
Network configuration is then similar to the LAN connection type (see Section 1.1.1, “Wired Ethernet Connection”).

1.1.6. GPRS, Edge and 3G

This connection type supports Internet connections through cellular phone networks, accessed through a PCMCIA card. Third generation (3G) technologies, as well as older ones (GPRS/Edge) are supported. Support for newest HSDPA standard is also available.

1.2. Internet Settings

Figure 7.3. Configuring the Internet Access

This tool allows you to specify Internet access parameters if they need to be modified after your initial configuration. Please bear in mind that these parameters are system-wide and apply to all interfaces. To change the gateway address see Section 1.3, “Reconfiguring Interfaces”.

1.3. Reconfiguring Interfaces

Figure 7.4. Managing Network Connections

This tool allows you to modify network interface-specific parameters, after you have set them up through the new interface wizard (see Section 1.1, “Setting Up a New Network Interface”). Use the drop-down list at the top to select the interface you want to configure. The tabs allow you to change parameters and options according to the network interface type selected.

1.4. Monitoring Connections

Figure 7.5. Real-Time Network Connection Monitoring

This tool shows network interface activity. You can specify some options for the traffic graphic and statistics: update interval, scale, etc. (see Figure 7.5, “Real-Time Network Connection Monitoring”). It can also be used to control the status of the network connection, bringing it up or down using the button at the lower left.

	Note
	The network monitoring interface can be brought up by users through the net applet to monitor traffic.

1.5. Removing a Connection

This tool simply allows you to remove a network interface. Select the interface to be removed in the Net Device pull-down list.

	Warning
	You will not be asked for confirmation. Once an interface is selected for removal, pressing the Next button deletes it immediately.

1.6. Proxy Settings

If your Internet connections must (or can) pass through a proxy, this tool allows you to define the hostnames or IP addresses of proxies for the FTP and HTTP protocols. Fill the fields with the required values and click OK.

What's a Proxy. A proxy is a server that retrieves information from the Internet on your behalf, keeping a local copy of the web pages that are most frequently requested. They are referred to as “caching proxies”, and optimize bandwidth usage. In some organizations, you cannot access the Internet directly. You must pass through a proxy that authenticates you before allowing you to connect to the Internet. This is usually combined with a firewall that only guarantees the proxy direct access to the Internet. They are referred to as “authentication proxies”. In corporate or business environments, proxies perform both caching and authentication functions for performance and security reasons.