Find me a network, somehow!

rcs · n00b Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 5

Is anyone aware of an existing application to cycle through different networking options and set them up?

For instance: Try wireless. If it doesn't work, try wired. Try to find what network you're on. Set that up. If not, try modem. If not, try GPRS modem through bluetooth, if not, try packet radio.

That kind of thing.

I've found things that'll help the switch between them, but nothing to just run through and try these out, preferably with diagnosing link level failures. (No AP, no connected cable, no modem, no bluetooth enabled phone) and fail to next one.

Trying to make my laptop super spiffy here.

Korr.ban · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:37 pm Post subject:

Why not write a script.

if(Ping wireless google.ca=true) return network wireless
if(Ping wired google.ca=true) return network wired
if(Ping modem google.ca=true) return network modem

basic ex.
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rcs · n00b Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 5

Obviously the first thought that crossed my mind. But my vision of what that would spiral out to be is too complex.

Writing link layer detection for all possible manners of connection, making it pluggable, easy to extend, writing really good net connection scripts, possibly checking to see the kind of network connection you get (automatic connection to a t-mobile hotspot, which only leaves you access to port 80 to their logon server, in which case I'd rather have a gprs modem connection, etc), the kind of failover and event handling you'd need (cat5 just got pulled out, can I connect to wireless now?), makes it something I'd much rather find a software package.

In the event that none exist, scripting would be the way I'd go, and maybe change over to programming something full blown in perl or python to do all that when I get bored.

But it's always easier to not reinvent the wheel.

Korr.ban · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:03 am Post subject:

On my apple iBook its built in. It auto searches and finds an internet either on my modem, ethernet, or wifi. It also continuously searches for wireless networks around the laptop. Once it finds a network it automatically asks if you want to connect to it.

Try searching for the source code to that if your feeling lucky. Its the best system of what you are talking about I have ever seen.

Good luck. And PM me if you find something, that sounds like a neat thing for Gentoo to have.
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UberLord · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:30 am Post subject:

Well, there's a few things in portage that should be able to help somewhat

ifplugd - starts and stops wired ethernet if cable is plugged in / removed
waproamd - starts and stops wireless if ap is associated with / deassociated
both are by the same author btw