Connecting to a Wireless LAN with Linux, Part 2 - page 3

Getting Online

On Debian you can configure all Ethernet interfaces in the /etc/network/interfaces file. This is an example for a static IP on a PCI wireless adapter. Use the "auto eth1" line only for PCI cards, to start them at boot. Don't use it for PCMCIA:

auto eth1
iface eth1 inet static
 address 192.168.1.100
 network 192.168.1.0
 netmask 255.255.255.0
 broadcast 192.168.1.255
 gateway 192.168.1.1
 wireless_essid Office
 wireless_mode Managed
wireless_key 5e5d5e66255b75464a492b4b42

The "wireless_" settings come from the iwconfig command options; you may use any iwconfig option except nick, in this format: wireless_[command] [value]. See man iwconfig for a complete list.

This is how to configure it for DHCP:

auto eth1
iface eth1 inet dhcp

Be sure to list your Ethernet devices in order: lo, eth0, eth1, and so forth. They will be started in the order listed.