ndiswrapper + wpa_supplicant

[George N. White III]

On Dec 6, 2007 8:03 AM, Dan Williams <dcbw at redhat.com> wrote:

> [...]
> > 2.  Iwlist wlan0 scan often shows multiple "dlink" AP's, but only
> > one "dlink" appears in the NetworkManager list.  Even if I give my AP a name,
> > an evil perp could use the same name and NM might well use that AP.
> > NM needs a way to present multiple AP's with the same name.
>
> With 0.7, the applet will only combine SSIDs that have the same mode
> (infra/adhoc), band (a/bg), and security settings (none/wep/wpa/wpa2).
> If there are, say, two linksys access points, both with WEP and both on
> channel 11, the applet will certainly combine those APs.  NM itself
> always presents each AP split out via the D-Bus interface.  UI bits are
> responsible for combining (or not) the results.
>
> You simply cannot fix this situation at all unless you start displaying
> BSSIDs in the menu.  We know what a BSSID is, but I have no clue what my
> AP's BSSID is right now, and I just don't care.  Nor do 90% of users.
> The nm-applet won't be showing each separate BSSID in the menu, but
> you're certainly welcome to write your own tool that shows each BSSID
> and allows you to select the exact one you want using the NM D-Bus
> interface.

I prefer a way to give NM some hints, e.g., show AP's configured in
/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf or show only AP's with
(specified) security.

I think there are a couple intermediate UI options.

1.  show the number of AP's in one line in the menu: e.g., "dink (4)".

2. NM could invent names "dlink.a", "dlink.b", etc.

Both suggestions let the user know that there are multiple AP's.

-- 
George N. White III <aa056 at chebucto.ns.ca>
Head of St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia