This article shows how to configure wireless connections in IGEL OS.

If you have to frequently switch between LAN and WLAN networks, it is useful to activate Enable Wi-Fi automatic switch.

For the Wi-Fi tray icon to be displayed, Show wifi connection status tray icon on desktop needs to be enabled under User Interface > Desktop > Taskbar Items. For details, see Taskbar Items.


Menu path: Network > Wireless



You can find details of compatible wireless hardware in the IGEL Linux 3rd Party Hardware Database.


Predictable Network Interface Names (PNINs)

The names of Ethernet and WLAN interfaces are predictable network interface names (PNINs), see Predictable Network Interface Names. This ensures the stability of interface names on reboot and generally improves the reliability of associating configurations with interfaces.

  • As "eth0", "eth1", and "wlan0" have been replaced by PNINs, configurations or custom scripts that include the old names of Ethernet and WLAN interfaces, e.g. eth0, eth2, wlan0, have to be adjusted. 
    The following already existing configurations do NOT require manual adjustment since old names eth0, eth1, etc. will internally be replaced by the correct PNINs automatically: 
  • To view the PNINs and the order of the configured interfaces, you can use the following commands. The default interface is always listed first, the second interface is listed second, etc.
    Ethernet (LAN): cat /config/net/en-interfaces
    WLAN: cat /config/net/wl-interfaces
    (Note: Only the first wireless interface (former wlan0) is supported. All other wireless interfaces will be ignored.)
  • If you need to configure more than two Ethernet interfaces, go to System > Registry > network.interfaces.ethernet.device% and add an instance by clicking Add Instance.
    To explicitly assign a configuration instance to a certain interface, enter the corresponding PNIN for the registry key network.interfaces.ethernet.device%.ifname.


Activate wireless interface

☑  The wireless interface is enabled. (Default)

☐  The wireless interface is disabled. 


Get IP from DHCP server

The IP address of the endpoint device will be obtained automatically using DHCP. (Default)

DHCP options can be specified under Network > DHCP Options. For details on the configuration, see DHCP Options.


Specify IP address

The IP address and the network mask are entered manually.


IP address

IP address of the endpoint device


Network mask

Network mask of the endpoint device


IPv6 configuration:

  • Compatibility mode: Behavior of earlier firmware versions. (Default)
  • Disabled: IPv6 is completely disabled.
  • Automatic: IPv6 auto-configuration is based on router advertisements (can include DHCPv6).
    You will find further information in RFC 4861.
  • DHCPv6: IPv6 configuration using DHCPv6 if router advertisements are not available.
    You will find further information in RFC 4862 Section 5.5.2.


Enable Wi-Fi automatic switch

☑ Wi-Fi is turned on automatically when a wired LAN connection is disconnected and Wi-Fi is turned off automatically when a wired LAN connection is established.

☐ Wi-Fi is not turned on automatically when a wired LAN connection is disconnected and Wi-Fi is not turned off automatically when a wired LAN connection is established. (Default) 

If the toggle button in the Wi-Fi tray app is used for turning the Wi-Fi on or off, the Wi-Fi automatic switch gets disabled until the reboot of the device. On reboot, the previously configured setting will be restored.

For more information on the toggle button, see Switching the Wi-Fi Connection Off or On.