• Wicd on Ubuntu

Overview

Installing and configuring Wicd on Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty), Hardy and Intrepid.

Instructions most likely apply to future versions.

Installing

On Jaunty, Wicd is in the Universe Repository. To install:

. First, reintstall network manager in case you wish to switch back.

sudo apt-get install -d --reinstall network-manager network-manager-gnome

This will download the packages for network manager. If you don't do this, you won't be able to do it after you install wicd, because you may not have the packages available, and maybe you can't get the network working either.

• sudo aptitude install wicd

Aptitude will attempt to remove network-manager and gnome-network-manager. Allow it to do so.

For Hardy and Intrepid Wicd is not in the official repositories. You need to set up the Wicd repository (this may also be used with Jaunty to get the most recent version). Open System > Administration > Software Sources and click the Third-Party software tab. Hit Add and insert:

• deb http://apt.wicd.net hardy extras

Change the release name to match the release you are using, hardy to intrepid for example, and hit "Add Source". Please leave the Software Sources running while you perform the next step

You need to install the Wicd gpg key by running in a terminal as root:

• wget -q http://apt.wicd.net/wicd.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - 

Now you may close Software Sources. If it asked to reload the package information do it. Install the same as on Jaunty. Configuration follows.

One may also install from the .deb file provided on the website. This is not suggested, as a user will have to manage updating of the package on their own.

Configuration

• Configuration of Wicd is extremely simple, and automatic for wired clients. To configure a wireless connection:

  1. Open the Wicd network manager in Applications > Internet > Wicd Network Manager (you may also click the tray icon if present).

  2. See if the wireless network you're looking for shows on the list. If it is a hidden network, click the down arrow next to the Network button, and type in the ESSID of the network.
  3. If the network you want to connect to is listed, press the "Connect" button next to it.

  4. If you get the message "This network requires encryption to be enabled." hit OK, then click the arrow next to the network name.

  5. Hit the "Advanced Settings" button.
  6. Check the "Use Encryption" checkbox, choose your encryption type and type in the key. You may also assign a static IP or DNS in here, but most users will not need to.
  7. Hit OK.
  8. Now hit connect again. This time the connection should come up relatively quickly.
  9. If you plan to use this connection all the time, consider pressing the "Automatically connect to this network" checkbox. You have to open the arrow next to the network name to choose it.
• Once a connection is configured, there is no need to open Wicd again unless you need to set up a connection for a different location or did not chose an automatic connection. If configured, Wicd will connect to the network before the desktop has even loaded (this is unlike Network-Manager, which will wait for a GUI).