Questions tagged [wireless]

Questions about using Wireless connections in Ubuntu. This tag is not limited to Wifi only.

What Questions Should Have This Tag?

Questions include:

  • Wireless printers
  • Wireless keyboards
  • Wireless mice
  • Other wireless devices

Basic Definitions

Bluetooth - Short range UHF, wireless technology

WLAN (Wireless [Local Area] Network) - A series of devices connected in a network configuration with at least 1 device being connected wirelessly.

Infrared Devices (IrDA) - Devices which communicate by transmitting signal via LEDs on the Infrared spectrum of light

802.11x (a, b, g, n, ac) - Standards by which specific wireless devices (commonly on network) comply. Depending on the end character specifies rate/frequency of transmissions.


Brief Introduction To The Subject

Wireless devices communicate by transmitting data over the air via light/radio waves. Depending on the specification certain devices will operate at differing frequencies (usually UHF or VHF). Many wireless networks will have a WAP (Wireless Access Point) through which devices can connect. These devices will use a wireless NIC (Network Interface Card), and often are set into a different subnet (in many business topologies).

Another way of connecting is Ad-Hoc, which is a full mesh form of connecting (all devices connect to each other directly). This can be a good way to connect for a small, or impromptu network, but does not function well in larger networks.

Most wireless peripherals (mice, keyboards, etc.) will use Bluetooth technology, because there is low cost, and relatively low power consumption versus other technologies.


Important Links For Learning More

12755 questions
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3 answers

My wireless/WiFi connection does not work. What information is needed to diagnose the issue?

Your situation You have successfully installed Ubuntu. You have just downloaded and booted Ubuntu live media. The latest LTS (see also HWE) or latest non-LTS release are preferred. See the list of Ubuntu releases that are currently supported.) You…
Wild Man
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A tool to measure signal strength of wireless

I want to know if there exists any command line option or GUI tool (Ubuntu 11.10) so that I can measure the strength of wireless signal at a given location. I have a house where the wireless is not easily accessible at all corners I want to know at…
48
votes
4 answers

Share Wireless connection with Wired Ethernet Port

That's pretty much it. If I connect to the Internet on wlan0, how can I share this connection with a device plugged into my wired Ethernet port eth0?
Nerdfest
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33
votes
5 answers

How to connect to Wi-Fi AP through WPS?

How to connect to Wi-Fi AP through WPS? All ways will be nice: configs, CLI, GUI - anything.
Michael
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29
votes
4 answers

How do I reset the network adapter using a terminal command?

Well ,when I turn the Router off and then I turn it on again while running Ubuntu , it doesn't obtain an IP address automatically : I click on disconnect , but it remains like above. It works only if I log out and switch to another session and…
Binarylife
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25
votes
1 answer

How can I adjust the preferred WiFi order?

I am using 13.04 Ubuntu. I want to make order on multiple wireless access. Is there any way to do this?
regex
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23
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2 answers

How do I get a Ralink RT3290 wireless card working?

I just installed Ubuntu 12.10 on an ASUS X401U, and after installation there is no list of wireless connections. I didn't have that problem with an installation on HP. What I can do to enable Wifi? 07:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Ralink corp.…
22
votes
6 answers

On Ubuntu 14.04 Centrino Wireless-N 1030 constantly disconnects

I've installed Ubuntu 14.04. My wifi occasionally disconnects and I have to turn it off then back on to get wifeless again. I am using Centrino Wireless-N 1030.
21
votes
9 answers

Automatically reconnect wireless connection

The wireless connection in my house unfortunately often disappears, requiring a wireless router reboot. Making this worse is that my ubuntu media pc, does not automatically reconnect to the wireless network when it's been gone, and then comes up…
20
votes
1 answer

Wifi drops and won't reconnect until reboot (14.04 with RTL8723BE)

I have a new Sager NP2650 laptop with a fresh Ubuntu 14.04LTS install. It has a Realtek RTL8723BE wireless adapter in it. Initially after installation I had no wireless, but I was able to get it working after following the instructions on this…
19
votes
5 answers

Show BSSID of an access point?

I want to get the BSSID for a known SSID, how can I do that? Thanks :-)
15
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2 answers

Automatically connect to a wireless network using CLI

I need my machine to connect to a wireless network automatically every time it starts I'm running a headless server (10.04) and I use following commands to manually connect to the network sudo iwconfig wlan0 essid "SSID_Name" sudo iwconfig wlan0 key…
loo3y35
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15
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2 answers

Get MAC address of a network access point

How can I find out what the MAC address (BSSID) of the wireless access point I'm connected to is?
gro
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14
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2 answers

Is there a way to run a script every time I connect to a specifc wireless network?

There is a specific wireless network I connect to that requires me to use vpnc to access the internet. If I make a script to do this, is there a way to set it up so every time I connect to this network, the script is run? To be clear, I don't want…
Eugene M
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14
votes
4 answers

How can I install and download drivers without internet?

I have recently installed ubuntu 12.04 LTS, but as in previous versions; I need a driver for wireless. When booting from USB, I could download and install the Broadcom Wireless STA driver: now I can't (note: this was from my house and I am moving…
Ruben
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