Welcome to Linux Forums! With a comprehensive Linux Forum, information on various types of Linux software and many Linux Reviews articles, we have all the knowledge you need a click away, or accessible via our knowledgeable members.
Find the answer to your Linux question:
New to Linux Forums? Register here for free!
    Linux Forums > GNU Linux Zone > Wireless Internet > How to find wireless networks available?

Forgot Password?
 Wireless Internet   Anything related to getting wireless set up in Linux. WLAN, WiFi, etc.

Site Navigation
Linux Articles
Linux Forums
Linux Downloads
Linux Hosting
Free Magazines
Job Board
IRC Chat
RSS Feeds


Linux Forum Topics
Linux Forums
Your Distro
Linux Resources
GNU Linux Zone
The Community
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-21-2006   #1 (permalink)
Linux Newbie
 
hughitt1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Posts: 167
How to find wireless networks available?

Anyone know a way to see what wireless networks are available? I'm running ubuntu 6.10 right now, and i can connect fine if i know the network name before hand, but would be helpful to be able to list the wireless networks in my area.

thanks!
__________________
Keith
http://opennfo.wordpress.com
hughitt1 is offline  


Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2006   #2 (permalink)
Linux Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 597
There are a few tools available, but the simplest (and always available) method is to open a shell and type in this command

Code:
iwlist scan
If you want to you can specify the network device after iwlist. Wifi radar does it with a nice gui, but I always prefer to work on the command line.

Let us know how you get on,

Chris...
__________________
DRM keeps an honest user loyal
kakariko81280 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2006   #3 (permalink)
/etc/init.d/moderator
 
bigtomrodney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sunny South-East of Ireland
Posts: 6,038
I personally find that method a little laborious in day to day life - so I installed NetworkManager and nm-applet. It is really handy, shows all available networks, you can join any with one mouse click and it's also handy for setting up wired ethernet connections.
__________________
Registered Linux user #378740
New members read here / Forum Rules
#linuxforums on irc.freenode.net
bigtomrodney is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2007   #4 (permalink)
Linux Newbie
 
hughitt1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Posts: 167
Cool, thanks guys. I tried out all of your suggestions. The command line tool is pretty useful- thanks! I will probably use mostly gui tools though unless they are too slow. I did have luck with wifi-radar, and that is what i use mostly now. I installed the gnome-network-manager, and it runs in my system tray, but the wierd thing is that is says "no network connection" even when i am connected to a wireless network. if i left-click it says "no network devices found".. i could not find any way to change the settings for it. Any ideas?

Thanks
__________________
Keith
http://opennfo.wordpress.com
hughitt1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2007   #5 (permalink)
Just Joined!
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by hughitt1
Anyone know a way to see what wireless networks are available? I'm running ubuntu 6.10 right now, and i can connect fine if i know the network name before hand, but would be helpful to be able to list the wireless networks in my area.

thanks!

<<hughitt1>> Using Ubuntu 6:10 Linux OS, is not like using a window OS that will allow you to view your various wireless network at range, Ubuntu also see various wireless connection at range but will not display it as Windows OS, when choosing the wireless network of your choice at Ubuntu wireless network connection dialog , scroll down there you will see other wireless network at range which your wireless card can sense. with this i think you have answer to your question.
sholylaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2007   #6 (permalink)
Linux Newbie
 
easuter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Portugal
Posts: 194
kismet and ethereal are also good, but they already start encroaching on the realm of security auditing...
__________________
All Empires rise and fall. The Microsoft Empire has already risen, only one way to go now...
easuter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2007   #7 (permalink)
Just Joined!
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by hughitt1
Anyone know a way to see what wireless networks are available? I'm running ubuntu 6.10 right now, and i can connect fine if i know the network name before hand, but would be helpful to be able to list the wireless networks in my area.

thanks!

I'm using ubuntu 6.10 too. I'm just opposite of you! I know how to scan the WiFi around me by using "iwlist scan" and it shows the WiFi available at that time, but i'm having problem at connecting the WiFi. I don't know what command should i use in order to connect the WiFi. How did you connect it? What command did you use? And about the Network-Manager you guys talking, is it the one in Systems > Administration > Networking ?
tigerltf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2007   #8 (permalink)
Linux Guru
 
antidrugue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 3,213
As bigtomrodney mentions, the easiest solution is to install network-manager-gnome (reboot your machine when it's done). Then you won't have anything to worry about (given your wireless card drivers are installed).
__________________
"To express yourself in freedom, you must die to everything of yesterday. From the 'old', you derive security; from the 'new', you gain the flow."

-Bruce Lee
antidrugue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2007   #9 (permalink)
Just Joined!
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by antidrugue
As bigtomrodney mentions, the easiest solution is to install network-manager-gnome (reboot your machine when it's done). Then you won't have anything to worry about (given your wireless card drivers are installed).
Okay, I did what you suggests. But it doesn't connect. When i left-click on the icon next to the clock at the upper bar, it only shows the word "Wired Connection" (blurred). It doesn't show the list of wireless connection even thought my router is on. By the way, i installed it by using .DEB file that i found in "packages.ubuntu.com" instead of ".tar.gz" because i don't know how to compile it. Does it matters? If i can scan and sees the available WiFi through "iwlist eth1 scan", does it mean my driver is working and it has no problem?
tigerltf is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Free Magazines
Run Your Own Web Server Using Linux & Apache - Free 191 Page Preview
Learn about everything you'll need to build and maintain your Linux servers, and to deploy Web applications to them.
subscribe
Open Source Security Myths Dispelled
Dispel the five major myths surrounding Open Source Security and gain the tools necessary to make a truly informed decision for your IT organization
subscribe
InformationWeek
InformationWeek is the only newsweekly you'll need to stay on top of the latest developments in information technology.
subscribe



All times are GMT. The time now is 10:57 AM.






© 2000 - 2009 - All Rights Reserved - Property of  MAS Media

Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0 RC2