How to Configure the Permanent Storage of User-Provided Network Credentials (Wi-Fi and Ethernet)

In the following article, you will learn how you can configure the permanent storage of the username (identity) and password in IGEL OS that are provided by an end user via an entry mask when connecting to the enterprise network.

Problem

Username and password are required for IEEE 802.1x authentication for wireless and Ethernet connections with certain authentication methods like e.g. EAP-PEAP-MSCHAPv2 or EAP-TTLS-PAP, see Wi-Fi Networks Configuration in IGEL OS 12 and Authentication in IGEL OS 12. If you do not preconfigure the username (identity) and password via a UMS profile or the device’s local Setup, these credentials can be entered by an end user via an entry mask. However, they are not saved, so the end user has to re-enter the credentials each time the endpoint device reboots or resumes from suspend (sleep) mode.

Solution

You can enable the permanent storage of the credentials entered by an end user for enterprise network connections using the following registry keys. If enabled, the credentials are stored securely on the device.

The credentials for the following networks can be stored:

Wi-Fi (WPA Enterprise)
Ethernet (IEEE 802.1X)

This applies to those use cases where the network credentials are not preconfigured via a UMS Profile or the device’s local Setup.

Wi-Fi

For the relevant Wi-Fi network, edit the configuration as follows:

→ Go to System > Registry > network > interfaces > wirelesslan > device0 > alt_ssid[number of the relevant Wi-Fi network] > wpa > allow_saving_credentials and set Allow saving credentials to permanent.

IGEL OS - WLAN WPA Enterprise - permanent storage of the network credentials

If you have activated the above registry key, the entry mask will include the option for saving the network credentials:

Ethernet (IEEE 802.1X)

For the relevant network device, edit the configuration as follows:

→ Go to System > Registry > network > interfaces > ethernet > device[number of the relevant network device] > ieee8021x > allow_saving_credentials and set Allow saving credentials to permanent.

IGEL OS Ethernet - Saving username and password permanently

If you have activated the above registry key, the entry mask will include the option for saving the network credentials: