Wired Networking

Connect to a wired (Ethernet) network

To set up most wired network connections, all you need to do is plug in a network cable. The wired network icon is displayed in the system menu with three dots while the connection is being established. The dots disappear when you are connected.

If this does not happen, you should first of all make sure that your network cable is plugged in. One end of the cable should be plugged into the rectangular Ethernet (network) port on your computer, and the other end should be plugged into a switch, router, network wall socket or similar (depending on the network setup you have). Sometimes, a light beside the Ethernet port will indicate that it is plugged in and active.

If you are still not connected, your network may not support automatic setup (DHCP). In this case you will have to configure it manually.

Connect to a VPN

A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) is a way of connecting to a local network over the internet. For example, say you want to connect to the local network at your workplace while you’re on a business trip. You would find an internet connection somewhere (like at a hotel) and then connect to your workplace’s VPN. It would be as if you were directly connected to the network at work, but the actual network connection would be through the hotel’s internet connection. VPN connections are usually encrypted to prevent people from accessing the local network you’re connecting to without logging in.

There are a number of different types of VPN. You may have to install some extra software depending on what type of VPN you’re connecting to. Find out the connection details from whoever is in charge of the VPN and see which VPN client you need to use. Then, go to the software installer application and search for the NetworkManager package which works with your VPN (if there is one) and install it.

If there isn’t a NetworkManager package for your type of VPN, you will probably have to download and install some client software from the company that provides the VPN software. You’ll probably have to follow some different instructions to get that working.

To set up the VPN connection:

Open the Application Menu and click on Settings.
Click on Network to open the panel.
At the bottom of the list on the left, click the + button to add a new connection.
Choose VPN in the interface list.
Choose which kind of VPN connection you have.
Fill in the VPN connection details, then press Add once you are finished.
When you have finished setting-up the VPN, open the system menu from the right side of the bottom corner, click VPN off and select Connect. You may need to enter a password for the connection before it is established. Once the connection is made, you will see a lock shaped icon in the top bar.
Hopefully you will successfully connect to the VPN. If not, you may need to double-check the VPN settings you entered. You can do this from the Network panel that you used to create the connection. Select the VPN connection from the list, then press the gear button to review the settings.
To disconnect from the VPN, click the system menu on the top bar and click Turn Off under the name of your VPN connection.

Create a connection with a fixed IP address

Most networks will automatically assign an IP address and other details to your computer when you connect to the network. These details can change periodically, but you might want to have a fixed IP address for the computer so you always know what its address is (for example, if it is a file server).

To give your computer a fixed (static) IP address:

Open the Application Menu and click on Settings.
Click on Network to open the panel.
In the left pane, select the network connection that you want to have a fixed address. If you plug in to the network with a cable, click Wired, then click the gear button in the lower right corner of the panel. For a Wi-Fi connection, the gear button will be located next to the active network.
Click on IPv4 or IPv6 in the left pane and change the Addresses to Manual.
Type in the IP Address and Gateway, as well as the appropriate Netmask.
In the DNS section, switch Automatic to OFF. Enter the IP address of a DNS server you want to use. Enter additional DNS server addresses using the + button.
In the Routes section, switch Automatic to OFF. Enter the Address, Netmask, Gateway and Metric for a route you want to use. Enter additional routes using the + button.
Click Apply. The network connection should now have a fixed IP address.

Manually set network settings

If your network doesn’t automatically assign network settings to your computer, you may have to manually enter the settings yourself. This topic assumes that you already know the correct settings to use. If not, you may need to ask your network administrator or look at the settings of your router or network switch.

To manually set your network settings:

Open the Application Menu and click on Settings.
In the left pane, select the network connection that you want to set up manually. If you plug in to the network with a cable, click Network. Otherwise click Wi-Fi.

Make sure that your wireless card is turned on or a network cable is plugged in.
Click the gear button.

For a Wi-Fi connection, the gear button will be located next to the active network.
Click on IPv4 or IPv6 in the left pane and change the Addresses to Manual.
Type in the IP Address and Gateway, as well as the appropriate Netmask.
In the DNS section, switch Automatic to OFF. Enter the IP address of a DNS server you want to use. Enter additional DNS server addresses using the + button.
In the Routes section, switch Automatic to OFF. Enter the Address, Netmask, Gateway and Metric for a route you want to use. Enter additional routes using the + button.
Click Apply. If you are not connected to the network, click the system status area on the top bar and connect. Test the network settings by trying to visit a website or look at shared files on the network, for example.