Gene Heskett wrote:

> On Monday 04 July 2016 03:46:38 deloptes wrote:
> 
>> Gene Heskett wrote:
>> > But, anything that looks or acts like network manager has been
>> > removed from my system. So any comments I might make about NM should
>> > be taken as the best swag* I can make based on 18 years of running
>> > linux.
>>
>> NM is useful on notebooks that change locations, interfaces etc. If
>> one uses a home network with many computers I would advise setting up
>> proper dhcp and perhaps name server. You don't have to take care of
>> each machines own files. But this is usually an individual preference.
>>
>> regards
>>
> The last time, several years ago, that I tried using dhcp on my lappy,
> which is itself an antique, I had 3 problems.
> 
> 1. NM insisted on using the bcm-4318 radio in the lappy even if it was
> powered down by the switch.  It totally ignored a radio in a usb dongle
> that actually worked where the bcm-4318 never worked for more than 1
> minute, even when useing the drivers from xp that came installed to run
> it.  Rebooting to xp disclosed that this pos radio was junk from the
> gitgo.
> 

You have the strangest problems. Amazingly you solve them the "gene" way.

> 2. Getting it setup via dhcp with a usb radio dongle, so I could sit down
> while out in the shop, and write gcode for one of the 2 machines out
> there worked flawlessly over an ssh -Y machinename connection, until I
> wanted to ssh -Y lappy, which is its own name from the house machine.
> So the dns lookup which NM should have set up, wasn't there, forcing me
> to string a 25' hunk of cat5 plugged into its ethernet port.  Adding its
> ip address and name to all the hosts files, and fixing all the network
> related files to be immutable after edited correctly, and then its just
> one of the family.
> 

I never had a problem using dhcp. At home we have a server (many disks) that
has dhcpd and dns server running. This serves the local network. It stays
behind a firewall. The router has wireless access point and is infront of
the firewall. The router has also a dhcpd and nameserver, but when
connecting via wireless I use the vpn (running on the firewall).

> Strangely, when NM found it couldn't rewrite those files, it made no
> complaint in any log.  And it didn't spin its wheels, burning up the cpu
> either.
> 
> 3. I've left it that way in all subsequent installs.  Now I remove NM and
> other than making /etc/resolv.conf a real file, its a 10 minute job
> after a fresh install to have a working network regardless of which
> socket I plug its cat5 cable into.  With 2, 8 port switches available,
> soon to be 3 as I'll need another in the garage as I bring a bigger
> Sheldon 11x36 lathe to life with LinuxCNC.  So the end of the cat5 I
> strung thru the nether regions of the house to get to the garage, will
> eventually have an 8 port switch on the end of it.  That cable was 4
> days getting run, a right PITA.
> 

I had the issue with the resolv.conf being not a symlink when experimenting,
but I prefer the standard solution, which seems to be working fine.

I takes 1minute to set a new machine up. Just add mac/hostname to dhcp and
hostname/ip to bind and restart both - done. Many physical and virtual
machines reside there. I even use the conf files to remember what is setup
where :)

> I think by now in 2016, if the computer has a working radio, or an
> ethernet over cat5 port, that it may be able to be made to work by now
> by people willing to do whats needed, but my long term experience with
> it has caused me to shoot it on sight. Bug squawks were ignored, or told
> to buzz off, and fixed versions were way too long working their way thru
> the pipeline to the users install. Several times I pulled the src and
> built it here, and it was better but still kept tearing down a working
> link and trying to find another, so it would eventually go back to the
> working link, which took it a good 2 minutes to do, then 3 minutes later
> I'm typing in the dark to /dev/null again.  And I still have at least
> half my hair by using my lambasted by everybody methods. All I can say
> is that I can carry that lappy to anyplace on my local network, plug it
> in and boot it up, and the network Just Works(TM).  Call me an idiot,
> and quite a few have, but simpler is better when it just works 100% of
> the time here. I have no reason to take it to mcd's and use their radio
> because there I would not have dd-wrt in my router standing guard. Its
> very very good at that.  Recommended as the network guard dog by Grandpa
> Gene.
> 
> Cheers, Gene Heskett

I also prefer cat5 because of nfs, but my wife uses heavily the wireless
from here (smart) phone. I think she finds typing with one finger on the
touch screen sexy :)

The great thing of FOSS software is you can fix and customize it the way you
like it. Thumbs up, Gene!

regards