Re: using dhcpcd-gtk and wpa_gui questions

[Roy Marples <roy%marples.name@localhost>]

Jeremy C. Reed wrote:
> I am looking for a gui client to find and choose networks my wife can use 
> on her laptop as she travels.
>
> It is running NetBSD/amd64 5.0_STABLE and:
>  /sbin/dhcpcd --nohook resolv.conf --nolink rum0 
>  /usr/sbin/wpa_supplicant -B -i rum0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
>
> These versions are:
> dhcpcd 5.0.1
> wpa_supplicant v0.6.4
>
> The rum0 hardware is
> rum0 at uhub7 port 2
> rum0: Belkin Belkin 54g USB Network Adapter, rev 2.00/0.01, addr 3
> rum0: MAC/BBP RT2573 (rev 0x2573a), RF RT2528, address 00:11:50:c1:a9:40
> rum0: 11b rates: 1Mbps 2Mbps 5.5Mbps 11Mbps
> rum0: 11g rates: 1Mbps 2Mbps 5.5Mbps 11Mbps 6Mbps 9Mbps 12Mbps 18Mbps 
> 24Mbps 36Mbps 48Mbps 54Mbps
>
> (this is an external hardware since the internal wireless doesn't work)
>
> I also have these packages installed:
>
> wpa_supplicant-0.6.7 Wireless connection client daemon for WPA, WPA2, and WEP
> wpa_gui-0.6.9       QT GUI for wpa_supplicant(8)
> (I updated the package for wpa_gui, not committed yet.)
> dhcpcd-5.0.6        RFC2131 compliant DHCP client
> dhcpcd-dbus-0.4.1   DBus binding for dhcpcd
> dhcpcd-gtk-0.4.0    GTK+ systray monitor for dhcpcd
> dbus-1.2.4.2nb2     Message bus system
> dbus-glib-0.80      GLib bindings for the D-BUS message bus system
> libnotify-0.4.5     Desktop notification framework
> (and xfce4 which I think will handle the notify.)

You say you use dhcpcd-5.0.1, but have dhcpcd-5.0.6 installed? I assume 
base vs pkgsrc. Try using dhcpcd from pkgsrc (either adjust 
/etc/rc.d/dhcpcd or copy /usr/pkg/sbin/dhcpcd -> /sbin)

> $ dhcpcd-gtk                                                                   
> ** Message: Connecting ...
>
> ** (dhcpcd-gtk:12355): CRITICAL **: libdhcpcd: Failed to connect to socket 
> /var/run/dbus/system_bus_socket: No such file or directory
> Memory fault (core dumped) 

> What are the steps to run to get the dhcpcd-gtk working?

Well, as the developer, all the latest dhcpcd* versions Work For Me.
Just ensure you are running the latest versions. If you're not running 
-current, then prefer the version in pkgsrc.

> And is the dhcpcd-ui the same program? (Maybe old name?)

Yes. dhcpcd-gtk became dhcpcd-ui  -although pkgsrc just has dhcpcd-gtk 
using the dhcpcd-ui tarball.
When I get the time, qt and etk front ends will be added.

> Once I have dhcpcd-gtk working, should I consider not using wpa_gui?

Depends.
dhcpcd-gtk is very simplistic, but also more friendly. Probably better 
for your wife if you can get dhcpcd-gtk to work. My wife prefers it ;)

> Do I need to run a newer wpa_supplicant? (Note I have one in pkgsrc but 
> not running.) Or Should I install a newer version of wpa_supplicant?

Should not matter.

> Also she will also be using pppd as an alternative by connection through a 
> phone device. What is best way to turn off or make the 
> wpa_supplicant/dhcpcd combination not affect the network when using pppd?
> (Any way using a gui?)
>
> I haven't used a gui for PPP in a long time and I am not sure I can if it 
> uses a different configuration that I already have working with pppd.
>
> To re-explain my goal in different words: allow my wife to get her network 
> connection up and going without my assistance and without using shell 
> commands and manually editing text configuration files :)

Well, dhcpcd works fine with PPP also.
The only crux is DNS - if both dhcpcd and PPP have an active interface, 
which wins? I can't answer that, and it's hard for you to as well unless 
you install net/openresolv and plug PPP into that.

Thanks

Roy