WiFi configuration and iptables basics on Slack 12.2
 

hello.
First of all I must state I am a newbie to Linux.

My question is how to connect to wireless networks?

I assume the driver for the card is present and loaded by the output of iwconfig:

but how do I search and connect to the access point?


Furthermore, are there any basics rules I should add to iptables?
Regardless of wifi. my iptables is empty at the moment.

If this is a laptop, there might be a switch on the side or a button on the top surface to turn Wireless transmitter on.
Tx power = 0 isn't good.
you could do a ifconfig to see if the wireless interface is pulling an IP address

if you are pulling an ip address and you have some power reading for your transmitter. just open up your browser and you should connect and be able to surf.

you are correct I forgot to mention this is a laptop.
when I turn the switch on nothing happens. but if I go to KDE control center > internet & network > wireless network and tell it to "activate" a configuration then I get Tx-Power=15 dBm .

in ifconfig lo has 127.0.0.1 as an IP.

Im pretty sure everything is working, I just don't know how to choose a network to which to connect.

Edit:
I have installed Wicd and now I get a gui for searching networks.
only problem is Ill only be able to check if it allows me to connect to it tomorrow in class.

can anyone answer my question about iptables?

Edit2:
wicd worked.