Ask Klaus!
Ask Klaus!
Klaus Knopper is the creator of Knoppix and co-founder of the LinuxTag expo. He currently works as a teacher, programmer, and consultant. If you have a configuration problem, or if you just want to learn more about how Linux works, send your questions to: klaus@linux-magazine.com
Password Type
Question:
I have had my IBM ThinkPad R50e for about three years, and I have been running Ubuntu Linux on it reasonably satisfactorily. Originally, I used Ubuntu 6.06 LTS and could only get the wireless networking to work in open mode.
I now have Ubuntu 8.04 LTS installed and can use WPA2 with the password setting that my router requires. However, I have to set the network password type and password each time I switch the laptop back on. The password type has changed from WPA2 to WPA and the number of password blobs has increased from the correct 12 to more than will fit in the text box.
I attach the lspci details. The networking worked immediately, except for the annoyance of having to re-enter the password and type each session. Can you suggest anything I might do to make things better?
Answer:
Please check that the password is correctly saved in /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf, and ensure that wpa_supplicant has been automatically started once your computer boots.
The entry in wpa_supplicant.conf should be similar to Listing 1.
Listing 1
/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
Some distributions set up wpa_supplicant via wpa_cli and entries in /etc/network/interfaces instead, but the basic configuration idea is the same. wpa_supplicant needs a while to authenticate, so maybe in your setup, the DHCP request just comes a little too early.
To check on the WPA status, enter the following:
$ sudo wpa_cli status
which should give an output like the following when WPA is operational and an IP address has been obtained:
Selected interface 'eth1' bssid=00:01:02:03:1b:89 ssid=my_network id=0 pairwise_cipher=CCMP group_cipher=TKIP key_mgmt=WPA2-PSK wpa_state=COMPLETED ip_address=10.0.0.100
Why Windows?
Question:
In the September 2008 issue, page 56, Klaus rhetorically asks why anyone would need Windows. I work for a company that uses VPN security to allow us to log in from home. This security package only runs on Windows XP (not earlier or later versions) and is called SC_XP_2k_ngxR60_hfa1.exe. Of course, this works in a virtual WinXP window, but this critical application must have Windows.
For those of us who cannot select the software packages that big organizations use, we are stuck with their choices. These choices almost always mandate Windows. In my case, it must be WinXP.
Answer:
My rhetorical answer would be: "Why choose a proprietary VPN with an uncertain security level and uncertain future maintenance costs over a standardized, open source solution like OpenVPN or SSH?"
I'm not attempting to discuss whether or not SC_XP_2k_ngxR60_hfa1.exe would run under Wine, because in my opinion, it does not offer much advantage using an open source operating system just as a loader for a proprietary software base.
Of course, you are right: Often the users are simply not allowed to make a choice on their own, which is a problem that, sadly, has no technical solution.
USB Modem
Question:
I am currently running Debian 4.0 "Etch" on a home-built PC (AMD Athlon, 1GB DDR RAM). I'm trying to connect to the Internet using a USB modem (Huawei E160G) in the UK. I have managed to load the drivers for the modem using dmsg and lsusb, in conjunction with modprobe alterations. However, when it comes to configuring the modem using kppp, I need to provide usernames and passwords, which my ISP tends not to supply, therefore making it impossible to connect.
I decided to install Debian 5.0 "Lenny," which I found to be a lot better when it comes to hardware detection. Lenny sees my modem as a GSM modem, without me making any alterations. However, when I try to connect, I am faced with similar unfriendliness regarding kppp.
I know that "Lenny" sees my modem but cannot get past this problem of configuring it so that it actually works. I have followed numerous online tutorials, only to be let down. Wvdial and Gnome PPP are equally unfriendly. My whole problem is probably between the chair and keyboard.
Also, will future Knoppix distros provide support for USB modems?
Answer:
Debian/Knoppix, as well as all recent GNU/Linux distributions, support USB modems. A USB serial module called USBSerial works with many devices that identify themselves as serial modems. Check with lsmod | grep usbserial for the presence of this module once the modem has been plugged in, and check dmesg | grep ttyUSB. If it doesn't appear, try modprobe usbserial as root. For your modem, the serial line autodetection seems to work, so /dev/ttyUSB0 is operational.
The E160G is an UMTS modem, which means that the connection procedure is similar to dialing a provider's number via phone line, except that some parts have to be changed in the standard setting of your modem program.
I'm describing two alternative configurations here: One is via kppp, the graphical modem tool in KDE, and the second one is a plaintext configuration of wvdial.
Don't worry about the unknown login/password for authentication. Actually, you don't need them because your modem identifies you using the SIM card number, so your Internet connection gets charged to your phone bill. But because kppp demands a login and password, you can literally give both of them as three.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.