http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/item/4/
[8371 votes] Solution #1: Single Unified Network Tool


[80 votes] Solution #2: Add functionality for configuring multiple IP addresses to Network Manager GUI


[47 votes] Solution #3: Create context-sensitive help for network setup


[65 votes] Solution #5: Implement concurrent connections to NetworkManager


[44 votes] Solution #6: Add "Automatically connect to VPN..." option to wireless network settings


[29 votes] Solution #7: Allow network connection categories


[27 votes] Solution #8: Easy windows domain support


[26 votes] Solution #9: Detect networked media applications


[25 votes] Solution #10: Windows 7 "Homegroup" compatibility


[31 votes] Solution #11: Sharing Internet and network configuration automatically.


]]> en-us Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:50:43 +0000 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:34:57 +0000 QAPoll module http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/4/
http://www.mail-archive.com/networkmanager-list@gnome.org/msg08013.html
http://blogs.gnome.org/dcbw/category/networkmanager/]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:57:34 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:45:50 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:48:15 +0000
So just be patient, it'll come some time soon.]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:01:01 +0000
My school uses that and I know it works with wpa_supplicant because I'm using it right now.

Thanks so much!]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:25:02 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:42:03 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:57:24 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:50:57 +0000
Look at that..

- Saving preference for multiple Wireless Network
- Clean User interface
- easy confiuration

wicd.sourceforge.net]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:38:17 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:50:27 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:59:34 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:19:41 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:16:29 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:41:13 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:38:45 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:40:11 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:34:25 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:06:02 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:29:05 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:33:35 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:51:52 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:54:05 +0000 Really needs work.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:28:17 +0000 Really need this (most people hate the console, and pppoeconf command).]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:36:59 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:12:45 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:18:30 +0000
that would allow real "roaming" between wired and wlan. i hate it when everything dies just because i plug in / plug out a cable.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:30:48 +0000
It violates standards because it places the configurations in /var/lib/NetworkManager instead of /etc/network, where it belongs. It also creates security and management problems because it relies on avahi-daemon and avahi-autoipd (a/k/a the "Paint a Target on My Tee Shirt" protocol).

I vote -1]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:31:17 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:39:29 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:41:11 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:19:50 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:41:54 +0000
+1]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:09:02 +0000
For example, setting up DHCP/Firewall:
eth0: internet
eth1: local network

Do you have any idea how much trouble you have to go through to set up a simple server like this? Add another NIC and it gets even more complicated.

I've been in situations where I had two private networks and one internet connection, but no way to specify that the private connections should just browse computers, and the public should be firewalled and providing net services.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:02:16 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:10:21 +0000 http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.network.networkmanager.devel/8835
]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:44:52 +0000
The main problems:

1. PPPoE providers don't offer DHCP on the same line. The network manager repport the connection as inactive then, so it cannot be used for a PPPoE connection.
By the way, for wireless connections a NO ENCRIPTION option shuld be made available; it isn't quite intuitive to select encription and put a empty key....

2. The pppoeconf script is asking too much unneeded questions and missing important ones.
For example it doesn't offer a way to specify using only encrypted passwords ( to protect the password on the wire).

3. A pppoe connection should work on any available/active interface, as the user may move the cable across interfaces or use wireless for access. Right now only the interface configured in pppoeconf is used, so the service doesn't work at all on other interfaces.

4. PPPoE connection status and control should be available in the NM applet; teaching users pon dsl-provider isn't going to fly. Of course the configuration should be done there as well.

5. The sistem should try to reconnect a session, ideally using all available interfaces (point 3 above). Right now the user have to issue a pon dsl-provider command on the terminal after losing connectivity.

6. Multiple pppoe configurations should be kept ( for different accounts, providers, settings, etc).
This is already available in the Ximian Linux on the ASUS EEPC.

Most of this points are to be expected by users as they are standard issue on Windows ( both native and add-ons like raspppoe).

]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:13:06 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:13:34 +0000
Should be solved...than it would be very powerful manager.

But thanks to NM project, it is better and better!]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:51:08 +0000
It works nicely with HSDPA in OpenSuse and quite well in Ubuntu (Novatel Merlin XU HSDPA).

I would like to see the functionality merged with Network Manager.

Also a facility to display upload/download speed and volume in numbers and graphically would be much appreciated.

;o))]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:21:08 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:36:15 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:39:05 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:49:27 +0000
]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:18:29 +0000
multiple simultaneous network interfaces.

quickly switch from one to another without crashing or having to reboot.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:23:18 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:49:53 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:15:38 +0000
NM has no problem connecting to hidden essid's in my current install of Ubuntu 7.10. Although I have to point out that configuring networks with hidden essid info is pretty much worthless. It induces instability in the connection on several different OS's and distros as well as not providing even the smallest modicum of additional security. Having a hidden essid is like painting your car black so it blends in with parking lot to avoid it getting stolen. No matter how black you paint the car it is still obviously a car and anyone who wants it or it's contents is just gonna crack away at it.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:29:30 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:05:36 +0000
PLEASE

test if your software works through a PROXY (squid)

/PLEASE

Thank you. Keep up the good work :-)]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:30:52 +0000
The user in question had a winmodem, and had to install and configure a bunch of drivers and *still* found it to not work. The user is back to windows vista until this issue can be fixed :S

The way the distro is setup, its almost impossible to fix it if you don't have a working internet connection! Remember not everyone on the planet has wireless or broadband... these ugly winmodems need some love ;)]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:11:46 +0000
Personally I have been always installing the vpnc and the networkmanager vpnc plugin to be able to access my workplace by using NetworkManager. Puzzling why it has not been installed by default. It's more important than many other things crammed on the livecd :(]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:20:41 +0000
Get Network Manager working with the same depth of options and profile management as WICD!

Additionally to networkmanager:
- Profile switching should just work.
- Ability to not auto-connect to unknown networks and just try saved profiles only.

And add the ability to easily circumvent the dreaded keyfile manager!

Frankly, not sure why networkmanager isn't just dropped with primary support for wicd added instead.

Cheers.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:44:57 +0000
Also PPPOE, Tunneling and Connection Sharing (ipmasq?) would be nice.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:54:35 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:05:50 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:34:01 +0000
2. Include a button to switch IPv6 on/off

3. Give the user the options to use OpenDNS as the default DHCP server (and explain why this is a good idea)]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:29:33 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:42:33 +0000
That being said, if some work is done on a single unified tool incorporating many different single tools (such as Network Manager and others), then the way everything is described is paramount.

I've realized that using Ubuntu means some tools are written in "baby computer" language, and others are explained in "geek computer" language. I'm halfway between both, so it's great for a learning curve - but really, not everyone is understanding the geek approach. Any tools written specifically for Ubuntu must reflect the simplicity it's been known to have.]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:07:21 +0000 1. Fixed entries for resolv.conv, no matter the "location" (e.g. OpenDNS)
2. Location dependent entries for resolv.conf and hosts. Although many in places resolv.conf is given by DHCP it is not true everywhere (e.g. home). And I have static addresses for home so whenever Network Manager overwrites the hosts I have to manually "re-overwrite".]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:25:19 +0000 But I'm fairly stupid and cannot configure the system properly on my own too! I need help... ]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:46:49 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:21:37 +0000
- Profiles consisting of an Internet access part (eg.: wired, wireless, 3G), with their own resolution setup, and a VPN part supporting at least OpenVPN and PPTP for roadwarriors.
- Ability to swap the internet access support while keeping the VPN up (but stalled why switching) if the server supports it
- Usage monitoring for mobile broadband connection (3G/Edge)
(note : vodafone betavin forge hosts a dashboard project wich is still really buggy)
- Setup wizzard for mobile devices, either via bluetooth, PCMCIA or internal PCIe cards]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:28:39 +0000 (And yes, NetworkManager is sluggish - but if it worked otherwise ...)]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:21:44 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:56:09 +0000 https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-ppp/+bug/61180

the latest patched version of course
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-ppp/+bug/121487
http://launchpadlibrarian.net/10692409/gnome-pppfixedforgutsy_0.3.24-1_i386.deb


also a serious bug in nm: it does not recognize when you have connected using gnome-ppp (many apps wont work, like pidgin, evolution, etc):
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager/+bug/147119


this would help hundreds of thousands who only have internet access on dial up.]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:31:16 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:40:47 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:00:11 +0000 Being able to automatically use proxy at work and turn off proxy at home (or use another one) is i think best implemented using network profile's based on subnets you're connected to, being connected with multiple subnets might make this a bit tricky though, but you could say that the subnet where you have the default gateway on is the one that should be used as profile...]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:32:59 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:38:14 +0000
I think this is mainly a question of UI design.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:47:01 +0000
I manually set up a wpa_supplicant.conf file and use that in a script to connect, but that is far from the way I would like it to be. Would be cool if this would work.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:51:28 +0000
At the moment, Bridged connections are ignored, and this hampers use of Virtualbox networking.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:33:50 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:08:35 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:30:21 +0000
For instance, I use network-manager-vpnc whenever I'm connecting to my school's wireless network. However, if you enter a blank field while using that, network-manager dies.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:23:35 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:34:03 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:36:02 +0000 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:24:51 +0000 At this moment with network manager i have difficulty to config my network connection because i use ADSL 3G and satellite connection.]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:31:20 +0000
Especially for laptop users, look at:

see: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/4015/

A more detailed wishlist making connections automatic.
]]> Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:06:06 +0000 There are too few options in the OpenVPN GUI. It would be nice to see more options place in the advanced tab or at least to have a config file to change. Enabling a openvpn connection via desktop is a nice feature (if it works). From the several configured connections that I have, some do not work, mainly due to non-default MTU settings.]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:50:59 +0000
One of the problems with such an approach are the APIs to gather all the information you would like to see in such a for sure very useful tool. Also updating different parameters requires to use different APIs for different wireless interfaces.

There is an open source project called the Unified Link-Layer API or ULLA for short that tries to solve this problem:
http://ulla.sourceforge.net/

Further documentation is available from the related research project:
http://www.ist-gollum.org/
]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:56:05 +0000 Nothing worked. Then I tried grpsec (http://darrenalbers.com/gprsec/), worked out of the box!!
Network-Manager 0.7 should take a look at it!!

]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:08:56 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:09:13 +0000 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:32:27 +0000 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:36:39 +0000 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:28:22 +0000 +1]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:16:28 +0000 Here is what is happen:
1. I already have configured the Internet connection with pppoeconf
2. I decide to use the Network Manager GUI to configure the connection
3. I stopped the connection done with pppoeconf
4. I configure the ppoe connection with the Network Manager GUI
5. It do not start the new connection, I had to start the connection manually from the panel applet (connect with pon dsl-provider)
6. After a few testings I realize that in order to start the connection at boot time I have to tick the "Make this connection the default connection" option.
7. There is no help available to guide the user into configuration steps. The help pages talk about something else, it might as well talk about making ubuntu bread and it was just as helpful.
8. When I boot it up I ended with 2 active pppoe connections: the one made with pppoeconf and the one made with the Network Manager GUI. This doesn't happen if I use only pppoeconf.
CONCLUSION:
1. The GUI do not check if there is an other pppoe connection configured and will configure as many connections as he can.
2. There are no options to make the connection active as soon as is configured.
3. There are no help pages to guide the user through the configuring process.
4. If the configuring was intended to set an Internet connection even if the user do not have administrative power
it still have to check if the administrator have configured the connection and do not attempt to initiate a new one.
5. This solution wasn't made for humans.
6. I don't know if that is was made on purpose or if is a bug because I don't know what the intentions were.]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:31:00 +0000
Consider a common UNIX enterprise environment: autofs needs to obtain information on automount maps from NIS. NIS needs to bind to an NIS server. So, NIS needs the network to be started before it can come up, and autofs needs NIS to bind before it can come up. NM wants all these things to happen "asynchronously" during boot; so that services needing the network wait for a message on dbus. Well, it's really gross to have to go into the code for NIS and autofs, which are completely generic tools used by all different versions of UNIX, and customize them to listen for dbus messages!

Someone has done that already for NIS so now that works, but it's not been done for autofs. So now when my Ubuntu Hardy system boots up, autofs is disabled because when it tries to retrieve its information from NIS it can't because NIS is waiting for NM to bring up the interface. There's just no way to fix this except disable NM entirely and go back to static interface definitions. And yes, I have filed a bug.

To me this is entirely wrong. What should be done is to create a generic program that can interact with dbus and perform simple operations based on those messages, such as bring up/down a service etc., then have the init system changed to invoke that tool (on Ubuntu) to manage the (unmodified) NIS, autofs, etc. daemons.]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:41:18 +0000
Just take a look at my blog[2] for additional information.

[1] http://www.kaijanmaki.net/kesakoodi/projectplan.pdf
[2] http://www.kaijanmaki.net/blog]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:40:29 +0000 http://moblin.org/projects/projects_connman.php

I am not sure if it is yet part of ubuntu-mobile but it may be in the future.
]]> Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:43:04 +0000 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:32:47 +0000 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:20:25 +0000 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:29:13 +0000
The only items that seem to be missing or Bluetooth DUN and modems.]]> Sat, 10 May 2008 03:00:07 +0000 Thu, 15 May 2008 03:47:48 +0000
1) Faster wireless connection for known nets: my wireless network is hidden, and it takes a long time to auto connect to it. Sometimes I have to manually connect to it. When we enable the wireless, it should first try to auto-connect on the saved networks.

2) the saved networks should be accessible from the icon on the sys tray to easily change network configurations.

3) Is it possible to show network activity ?]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:42:44 +0000 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:14:18 +0000
I'm currently using it with Intrepid Ibex Alpha 2
and now that I can set a static IP I don't need
to rely on gnome-network-admin anymore
(which lost the wpa options for whatever reasons?)
or fiddle with config files...
]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:23:22 +0000
PPTP out-of-the-box, pleeaaase!!
]]> Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:35:05 +0000 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:27:04 +0000
+1]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:30:49 +0000 However, we must make Ubuntu's more "exotic" network applications easier to install and configure.
Network Manager will support the many protocols available, but will download only the software that handles user's chosen protocols
This solves the problem of an eclectic user interface without feature bloat.]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:27:58 +0000 User Doug has a laptop computer with a Bluetooth card and a wireless B/G card, which he wishes to use to connect to his wireless router and his Bluetooth enabled phone, respectively.
Once Doug installs Ubuntu, network-manager informs him that his wireless card needs proprietary drivers, which he installs.
When he clicks the network manager applet, just below the "create new wireless network", he sees the option "install new protocol".
Once he clicks it, he sees a dialog with two tabs.
One tab gives him the option to answer questions to figure out what kind of protocols he wishes to install.
Another tab simply lists the available protocols.
He selects Bluetooth, and clicks "close".
Network Manager now updates itself with configuration options for Bluetooth, and installs the drivers and other related software.
Thanks for your time and consideration,
Nate B.]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:38:55 +0000 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:46:46 +0000
Graphical explication

1. Delete de windows networks icon
http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=85330472bu1.png


2. In the new Network:// detected the protocols in host
http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=95376211hx7.png

3 Show the host detectes in local network
http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=83103217gu9.png


4 Clic in host 1 for more details os the procotols avaibles
http://img259.imageshack.us/my.php?image=46306862qe0.png


5. Clic in protocos nfs for share the folder in the local host
http://img259.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11026040at8.png ]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:47:15 +0000 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:46:24 +0000 Plugin support for network-manager. As that would let you add your own optional features after distro release]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:29:15 +0000 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:43:16 +0000
1. CDMA Phone listings for the US Cell carries. Yeah I know this will take some work, but ATT and TMobile only cover half of the major carries in the US.

2. I notice that for wireless, where there are multiple access points with the same name the wireless will jump around when trying to connect to one. Specifying the MAC address doesn't help as it will continue to hop around. So unfortunately I had to switch back to using Wicd instead. In Wicd it will list each AP as a separate entry even if it has the same name.

I think if these two features were incorporated it would really help 9.04.]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:05:25 +0000 Current Network Manager (0.7) should be improved also for Wi-Fi connectivity.
You should have an option to Enable and Disable particular Access Points (providers), and put some priority for connections.
It would be nice to have Profiles as well - so you define list of APs for Home location (and only those APs are visible when you select this profile).
Another set for Work location. And third one - for Airport. :-)

Anyway - good idea, this is a step in right direction.

+1
]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:17:30 +0000
+1]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:35:10 +0000
This is a huge issue. I can't believe this has been simmering for years (all the way back to Dapper in the forum threads I've seen) and still NOTHING.

I thought Gnome was supposed to be all about usability. Their concept of usability seems to have degenerated to "my way or the highway." Grrr. (Can you tell I'm a wildly frustrated user?) GIVE ME THE CHOICE OF WHICH NETWORKS I WANT TO USE WHEN I WANT TO USE THEM.

One person even noted that there's a legalistic aspect to this. It's braindead, I know, but there have been cases of people hauled off to court for hopping on to others' wireless networks. Given the state of tech knowledge in the legal world, it'd cost you a lawyer to say, "Sorry. Can't help it. It's a stupid default I can't change in gnome."]]> Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:28:17 +0000 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:20:35 +0000 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:32:50 +0000 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:07:40 +0000