Wifi is making me nuts

[elecht]

Forgive me if this has been beaten to death; I did do some digging, to no avail.

I know this ought to be easy, but I'm having trouble w/ wifi.

Specifically, getting NetworkManager-wifi working. Which should make getting wifi up and working easy.

First, release details (upgraded today). I'm using gnome.
Dell Optiplex 790.
===================================
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ cat /etc/*elease
CentOS Linux release 7.3.1611 (Core)
NAME="CentOS Linux"
VERSION="7 (Core)"
ID="centos"
ID_LIKE="rhel fedora"
VERSION_ID="7"
PRETTY_NAME="CentOS Linux 7 (Core)"
ANSI_COLOR="0;31"
CPE_NAME="cpe:/o:centos:centos:7"
HOME_URL="https://www.centos.org/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.centos.org/"

CENTOS_MANTISBT_PROJECT="CentOS-7"
CENTOS_MANTISBT_PROJECT_VERSION="7"
REDHAT_SUPPORT_PRODUCT="centos"
REDHAT_SUPPORT_PRODUCT_VERSION="7"

CentOS Linux release 7.3.1611 (Core)
CentOS Linux release 7.3.1611 (Core)
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$

###############################

Yum says NetworkManager-wifi exists:
===================================
[elecht@Beirut etc]$ sudo yum install NetworkManager-wifi
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
* base: mirror.compevo.com
* epel: mirror.sjc02.svwh.net
* extras: centos.unixheads.org
* nux-dextop: li.nux.ro
* updates: centos.gbeservers.com
Package 1:NetworkManager-wifi-1.4.0-20.el7_3.x86_64 already installed and latest version
Nothing to do
[elecht@Beirut etc]$


Ok, great. How do I RUN it? --I can't seem to find it anywhere. It isn't in /bin or /sbin;
I find NetworkManager fine in /sbin. But, that isn't going to help my wifi.
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2627000 May 25 10:27 NetworkManager

I *don't* have any icon/symbol for *anything* --Ethernet or wifi-- and from reading I seem to feel I ought to see something in the upper-right hand corner? In Mint Linux this all just works. --I provide linux Mint PCs for, well, anybody who might want one --refugees, for starters. A starter box that just works, and nobody's going to get in any trouble on linux.

My own box, however, is CentOS.

lsusb sees my wifi adaptor fine (as i see it):
================================
[elecht@Beirut sbin]$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 006: ID 1c4f:0002 SiGma Micro Keyboard TRACER Gamma Ivory
Bus 002 Device 005: ID 047d:102a Kensington Mouse*in*a*Box Optical
Bus 002 Device 007: ID 0bda:8179 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8188EUS 802.11n Wireless Network Adapter
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
[elecht@Beirut sbin]$

iwconfig isn't seeing anything wireless ...
============================
[elecht@Beirut sbin]$ iwconfig
p2p1 no wireless extensions.
lo no wireless extensions.
virbr0-nic no wireless extensions.
virbr0 no wireless extensions.

[elecht@Beirut sbin]$

Contents of /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts:
==============================
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ls -la | more
total 256
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4096 Jul 11 19:11 .
drwxr-xr-x. 6 root root 4096 Jul 11 17:18 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 0 Jul 10 18:51 ifcfg
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 306 Jul 10 20:37 ifcfg-em1
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 254 Sep 12 2016 ifcfg-lo
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 431 Jul 11 12:34 ifcfg-p2p1
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 357 Jul 10 19:22 ifcfg-qwest7776.old
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 191 Jul 11 16:46 ifcfg-wlan0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 24 Jul 11 12:48 ifdown -> ../../../usr/sbin/ifdown
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 627 Sep 12 2016 ifdown-bnep
...etc...

Interface configs (for the record); I'm currently up on my p2p1 interface, pc to dsl switchport:
==================================================================
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ cat ifcfg-p2p1
TYPE="Ethernet"
BOOTPROTO="static"
DEFROUTE="yes"
IPV4_FAILURE_FATAL="no"
IPV6INIT="yes"
IPV6_AUTOCONF="yes"
IPV6_DEFROUTE="yes"
IPV6_FAILURE_FATAL="no"
NAME="p2p1"
UUID="7579bf39-1682-486f-b7e5-b3286517850b"
DEVICE="p2p1"
ONBOOT="yes"
DNS1="192.168.0.1"
DNS2="4.2.2.2"
IPADDR="192.168.0.96"
PREFIX="24"
HWADDR="60:e3:27:05:13:27"
GATEWAY="192.168.0.1"
IPV6_PEERDNS="yes"
IPV6_PEERROUTES="yes"
IPV6_PRIVACY="no"
NM_CONTROLLED="no"
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$

I configured --is it right??-- a wlan0 port:
============================
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ cat ifcfg-wlan0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
ONBOOT=no
TYPE=wireless
NETWORKING_IPV6=no
NAME=wlan0
PEERDNS=yes
PEEROUTES=yes
DEFROUTE=yes
ESSID="qwest7776"
MODE=managed
RATE=auto
WPA=yes
KEY_MGMT=WPA-PSK
DNS=192.168.0.1

And, what ifconfig sees.
=================

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ifcfg
Usage: ifcfg DEV [[add|del [ADDR[/LEN]] [PEER] | stop]
add - add new address
del - delete address
stop - completely disable IP
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ^C
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ifconfig
lo: flags=73<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING> mtu 65536
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 255.0.0.0
inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128 scopeid 0x10<host>
loop txqueuelen 1 (Local Loopback)
RX packets 24 bytes 1460 (1.4 KiB)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 24 bytes 1460 (1.4 KiB)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

p2p1: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
inet 192.168.0.96 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255
inet6 fe80::62e3:27ff:fe05:1327 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x20<link>
ether 60:e3:27:05:13:27 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
RX packets 1102 bytes 677878 (661.9 KiB)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 938 bytes 126877 (123.9 KiB)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

virbr0: flags=4099<UP,BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
inet 192.168.122.1 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.122.255
ether 52:54:00:5c:f6:a5 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

What am I missing here? Where does NetworkManager-wifi live, how do I get it up and running, and/or how to I get wireless working? --appreciate any guidance. Never too proud to learn.

respect,

Eric / Boise ID

[philippeback]

I am using MATE and there is not much of a nice NetworkManager applet in sight.

But NetworkManager-tui works okay for me and looks clearer than the other options.

So,

Code: Select all

yum install NetworkManager-tui

And then

Code: Select all

nmtui

Activate a connection
Get a list of Wifi networks
Pick one, put password

There, you should be able to connect.

Just got that done this morning where I needed to connect my CentOS7.3 box, worked.

[TrevorH]

There is a package network-manager-applet-1.4.0-2.el7.x86_64 to provide the icon to allow configuration via the taskbar icon in a GUI. You can also use nmcli or nmtui from the command line.

[elecht]

JUST saw this; funny, but I been watching my email all week for a reply notification

*smile*.

Thanks; I'll give all this a whirl and report back. Appreciate you!!

Eric / Boise, ID

[elecht]

OK, I just had an interesting hour.

nmtui? --it was already installed.

The installation of network-manager-applet.x86_64 0:1.4.0-2.el7? It gave me a little icon for *Ethernet* immediately after.
Huh. I figured the wifi icon might appear after a reboot.

The reboot made the Ethernet icon disappear, AND killed the port.
I fought with that a spell. I had a solid green light on the pci nic. Weird. Who fights with Ethernet cards anymore?
Tried a different cable and switchport. No difference.

I was losing hope. ifconfig only showed lo0, and a damnable virbr0 port that doesn't appear in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts. No p2p1. Anybody have a theory on why virbr0 persists? It has no ifcfg, and I have no config I'm aware of that would create/associate it. I'll google THAT later.

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ifconfig

lo: flags=73<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING> mtu 65536
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 255.0.0.0
inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128 scopeid 0x10<host>
loop txqueuelen 1 (Local Loopback)
RX packets 34 bytes 2820 (2.7 KiB)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 34 bytes 2820 (2.7 KiB)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

virbr0: flags=4099<UP,BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
ether 52:54:00:5c:f6:a5 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$

I was ABOUT to fish out an exfat usb fob to get what I'd done from the Centos box to my Mac, to status the post when in desperation I did ifdown p2p1 and ifup p2p1.

The port came back up!

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ifconfig
lo: flags=73<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING> mtu 65536
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 255.0.0.0
inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128 scopeid 0x10<host>
loop txqueuelen 1 (Local Loopback)
RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

p2p1: flags=4163<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
inet 192.168.0.96 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255
inet6 fe80::62e3:27ff:fe05:1327 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x20<link>
ether 60:e3:27:05:13:27 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 20 bytes 2674 (2.6 KiB)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

virbr0: flags=4099<UP,BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
inet 192.168.122.1 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.122.255
ether 52:54:00:5c:f6:a5 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ ping 4.2.2.2
PING 4.2.2.2 (4.2.2.2) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 4.2.2.2: icmp_seq=1 ttl=58 time=56.2 ms
64 bytes from 4.2.2.2: icmp_seq=2 ttl=58 time=48.6 ms
64 bytes from 4.2.2.2: icmp_seq=3 ttl=58 time=49.4 ms
64 bytes from 4.2.2.2: icmp_seq=4 ttl=58 time=48.2 ms

*phew*.

nmcli and nmtui see only virbr0. Maybe this is normal?
I'm not terribly versed in either utility, but they seem straightforward.
Why I even see virbr0 is curious.

And, no wifi still. I *assume* since lsusb sees the usb wifi fob that wifi should work? This fob worked under Mint on a different box.
Maybe Centos hates this usb fob.

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 005: ID 1c4f:0002 SiGma Micro Keyboard TRACER Gamma Ivory
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 047d:102a Kensington Mouse*in*a*Box Optical
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0bda:8179 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8188EUS 802.11n Wireless Network Adapter
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$

Fallacious thinking?? I am fresh out of other spare usb fobs with which to try.
Anybody recommend a garden-variety usb fob Centos likes (I'm aware the chipset matters), easily available on amazon??

Eric

[philippeback]

I made it work in MATE.

There is a parameter in /etc for the applet that is hiding it from the panel when it matches 'gnome'.

I guess that is because Gnome3 has another thing and MATE is Gnome2 but matches.

I will post the config once I have access to my box.

This is indeed a pain and I had to use nm tui for my wifi as well without the applet showing.

[hunter86_bg]

I 've done this over the cli, but it should be in the NetworkManager's applet (click and forget - aka Windows style).

What is the output of:

Code: Select all

[root@Desktop ~]# nmcli device wifi 

It should show something like this:

[root@Desktop ~]# nmcli device wifi
SSID MODE CHAN RATE SIGNAL BARS SECURITY
Network1 Infra 4 54 Mbit/s 49 ▂▄__ WPA2
Network2 Infra 11 54 Mbit/s 39 ▂▄__ WPA1
Network3 Infra 11 54 Mbit/s 32 ▂▄__ WPA1 WPA2
Network4 Infra 6 54 Mbit/s 25 ▂___ WPA2

To connect :

Code: Select all

nmcli device wifi connect <SSID> password <PASSWORD>

Hint: "bash-completion" is your first friend with 'nmcli'

[elecht]

SOLVED.

I am a meat popsicle. IT WAS THE DANG WIFI FOB.

I ponied up for a couple of wifi fobs off Amazon; the garden variety Panda 802.11n fired right up. A systemctl stop network.service and a start brought the wifi to life.

*thwack* --sound of head pounding against desk.

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ lsusb
...
...
...
Bus 002 Device 007: ID 148f:5372 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT5372 Wireless Adapter

[elecht@Beirut network-scripts]$ sudo nmcli device wifi
[sudo] password for elecht:
* SSID MODE CHAN RATE SIGNAL BARS SECURITY
HP-Print-71-Officejet Pro 8610 Infra 11 54 Mbit/s 100 ▂▄▆█ WPA2
--- Infra 11 54 Mbit/s 95 ▂▄▆█ WPA2
* qwest7776 Infra 11 54 Mbit/s 85 ▂▄▆█ WPA1 WPA2
MOTOROLA-3E73F Infra 1 54 Mbit/s 49 ▂▄__ WPA2


Peace on y'all,

Eric