dhcpcd-discuss

On 08/07/2010 23:32, Jeremy C. Reed wrote:
> I am using dhcpcd-gtk version 0.5.2 (I updated my pkgsrc locally). I am
> using dhcpcd from pkgsrc but is 5.2.6. I started dbus.
>
> When ran at first, the console and its popup says "dhcpcd not running".
> I fixed this by restarting dhcpcd without the interface on command line.
>
> When I run it, it says "Received scan results" and the popup showed my
> IP. But left-clicking on icon (missing by the way so is a small red
> "X"), nothing happens.

Although dhcpcd-gtk ships with some icons from the Tango project, it 
will use the current gnome theme icons by choice.
If you're using a stock pkgsrc gnome  install then icons should be fully 
operational (or at least are on my system).

> Also got:
>
> ** (dhcpcd-gtk:1447): WARNING **: ral0: (null)

Basically if we assumed that if a wireless interface did not return any 
stations it was an error. Fixed here:
http://roy.marples.name/projects/dhcpcd-ui/changeset/671d92b00d0d30217bf5a5ecd46034d80955ee7c

> and
>
> (dhcpcd-gtk:993): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_object_unref: assertion
> `G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed
>
> (dhcpcd-gtk:993): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_object_unref: assertion
> `G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed
>
> (dhcpcd-gtk:993): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_object_unref: assertion
> `G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed

I cannot replicate this, either with wpa_supplicant running or without.

> I recall the left-click working before. But maybe that is only with
> wpa_supplicant running.

Correct. Left click just shows a list of wireless networks to connect 
to. So if none are retured, nothing is shown.

> I have a few questions ... maybe the answers can be used to supplement
> the manual page:
>
> - what can it do with wpa_supplicant? can it configure and save to its
> wpa_supplicant configuration file?

Yes. I've updated the man page to reflect this and what needs to be done 
to allow this.
http://roy.marples.name/projects/dhcpcd-ui/changeset/150f2075782d12d36eef0d507dc478bd9bfcfbf9

> - why is the second drop down for the interface blank by default (in
> the Network Preferences)? When I click on it, then it shows my
> interface,

It just is.

> - why does it have IP address, etc, for the "ssid" choice? (I think is
> greyed out though.)

So you can set static information per ssid.
ssid foo is DHCP
ssid bar is static 192.168.1.2/24

> - should the Network Preferences show the values after a "Rebind"?

I don't understand the question, sorry.

> I am still trying to understand what purpose I can use dhcpcd-gtk for.
> What do you use it for?

I use it to inform me which wirless network I'm connected to, how good 
the signal strenth is and the address receieved.
Once configured it's mainly informational.

> My goal is to have an easy-to-use GUI that offers wifi configuration,
> scans, shows network names with strength and if/how secured, and allows
> enabling/disabling, and optionally stores key/credentials/settings. I
> also looked at wpa_gui (qt4).

dhcpcd-gtk allows this, provided you need nothing more than a pass 
phrase or key to connect.

> The system will use a mix of pppd and wireless. For now I will use a
> shell script to start the pppd.

I am hesitant to add any ppp (or vpn or other) support because it varies 
so much from system to system. Also, with the emergance of cheap home 
routers a PPP setup is moving away from the desktop, reducing the need 
for it.

> p.s. the manual page as a typo "frotend"

Fixed.

Thanks

Roy