Bug 28179 - Allow ISOs to install wpa_supplicant where no wired LAN but WIFI module is present at installation
Summary: Allow ISOs to install wpa_supplicant where no wired LAN but WIFI module is pr...
Status: NEW
Alias: None
Product: Mageia
Classification: Unclassified
Component: Installer (show other bugs)
Version: Cauldron
Hardware: All Linux
Priority: High major
Target Milestone: Mageia 8
Assignee: Mageia tools maintainers
QA Contact:
URL:
Whiteboard:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2021-01-21 07:15 CET by Ben McMonagle
Modified: 2021-04-25 20:36 CEST (History)
3 users (show)

See Also:
Source RPM: meta-task
CVE:
Status comment:


Attachments

Description Ben McMonagle 2021-01-21 07:15:12 CET
Description of problem: If a system is installed to hardware with WiFI module and no wired LAN port, currently with some hardware, particularly if i586 CI.iso is used as install media, there is no easy way for the user to connect to the internet, as it is difficult to install wpa_supplicant, due to the install media (USB) is not auto-mounted. 
there is a method posted in the errata, but internet needed to access it.
a new user would be put off and try another Linux system. 

examples of such hardware that are affected are Asust T100TA  and Acer C730 ex-chromebook. 


Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):


How reproducible:


Steps to Reproduce:
1.install from Mga8-rc1-i586 CI.iso onto low spec hardware such as above
2.attempt to enable internet wifi at config page at end of install
3.
Comment 1 Morgan Leijström 2021-01-21 09:52:06 CET
Not only allow - i think it should by default install it unless user deselect it in advanced package selection.

Alternatively only if a wifi module is detected, if that is reliable and easy to implement.

Also see https://bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=28155#c4

And I think this is important to try to get into mga8 ISOs as such hardware is out there.

CC: (none) => fri
Priority: Normal => High
Target Milestone: --- => Mageia 8

Comment 2 Morgan Leijström 2021-01-21 09:54:45 CET
Installer enhancement, or add dependency to drakx-net-applet?

Component: RPM Packages => Installer

Comment 3 Thomas Backlund 2021-01-21 13:55:50 CET
the proper place is to add it to meta-task as part of default install without forcing it on systems... ( think servers that does not need wifi )

Source RPM: drakx-net-2.54-1.mga8.src.rpm => meta-task

Comment 4 Thomas Backlund 2021-01-21 13:57:09 CET
(In reply to Thomas Backlund from comment #3)
> the proper place is to add it to meta-task as part of default install
> without forcing it on systems... ( think servers that does not need wifi )

meaning so it can be removed if admin wants a cleaner install...

but we need to check the orphans routine so it does not remove it
Comment 5 Thomas Backlund 2021-01-21 14:34:42 CET
of course this brings us to the next point... firmwares..

that means we should always install all firmware as most usb plugs need them and so on...

(In reply to Morgan Leijström from comment #1)

> Alternatively only if a wifi module is detected, if that is reliable and
> easy to implement.
>

This part we already do, but it does not cover times when the wifi module is plugged after install...

a little chicken and egg problem :)
Comment 6 Lewis Smith 2021-01-21 20:00:45 CET
This should really have remained as the original bug 28155.
I repeat a comment I made there: we should always install WiFi "in case". It is almost normal today. 
>> Alternatively only if a wifi module is detected, if that is reliable and
>> easy to implement.
> This part we already do
Good! That should cover most cases. Live & Classic ISOs?

> it does not cover times when the wifi module is plugged after install...
@Ben: was this your case? Did you perhaps have only 1 USB slot for the installation, none for the plug-in WiFi?

I have always thought that all installations should (may already) recommend before starting the importance of a working Internet connection - if possible. That would prompt pluggable WiFi-ers to stick it in, when it would be discovered in time.

But I think this is best:
(In reply to Thomas Backlund from comment #3)
> the proper place is to add it to meta-task as part of default install
> without forcing it on systems... ( think servers that does not need wifi )
> meaning so it can be removed if admin wants a cleaner install
Certainly if it worries anyone, it can be removed manually (but not by the "remove unnecessary h/w support" option).
This multi-desktop M7 ex-Classic ISO system has wpa_supplicant, but no WiFi...

CC: (none) => lewyssmith

Comment 7 Morgan Leijström 2021-01-21 20:25:55 CET
Another idea is to install it if *wired* interface is *not* found.
Then it will "never" be installed on servers, and no tom computers with both types of interfaces.
But will be installed on laptops with no wired - regardless of modem is plugged in or not.
Comment 8 Lewis Smith 2021-01-21 20:49:14 CET
I had thought of that too, so second the idea; accepting that it is installed if WiFi h/w *is* found. But it would be a bit more complicated.
Comment 9 Ben McMonagle 2021-01-21 21:05:44 CET
(In reply to Lewis Smith from comment #6)

> 
> > it does not cover times when the wifi module is plugged after install...
> @Ben: was this your case? Did you perhaps have only 1 USB slot for the
> installation, none for the plug-in WiFi?
> 


yes single usb port
Comment 10 Lewis Smith 2021-01-22 10:04:12 CET
To summarise what looks like agreement:
1. It is essential for most things (except where you have to live with the installed system/installation medium as-is) to have a working Internet connection; ideally during installation (on-line repos etc); vital afterwards.

2. If WiFi h/w is detected during installation, it is catered for.

3. WiFi-only users with pluggable USB dongle who cannot plug it in before installation (see previous comment), so it gets noticed & taken into account, currently find themselves with no WiFi software - hence Internet - so cannot install it!
[Surely there is a way of getting it off the installation ISO? Perhaps this is what is in Errata - on-line...]

4. We can cover this situation by one of:

- *Always* install WiFi software: "the proper place is to add it to meta-task as part of default install". People who do not want it can either deselect it from Classic ISO install; or remove it subsequently. (It should NOT be removed by the installer along with other unnecessary support). This looks the easiest solution.

- Install it if no Ethernet is found (and not already installed because WiFi is found). (It should NOT be removed by the installer along with other unnecessary support). This looks more elegant, probably slightly more work.

Assigning to the tools group; CC'ing Martin since it may affect ISO content.

Assignee: bugsquad => mageiatools
Severity: enhancement => major
Summary: allow CI.isos to install wpa_supplicant where no wired LAN is an option, if WIFI module is available => Allow ISOs to install wpa_supplicant where no wired LAN or WIFI module is present at installation
CC: lewyssmith => mageia

Ben McMonagle 2021-01-29 09:10:52 CET

Summary: Allow ISOs to install wpa_supplicant where no wired LAN or WIFI module is present at installation => Allow ISOs to install wpa_supplicant where no wired LAN but WIFI module is present at installation

Comment 11 Martin Whitaker 2021-01-30 11:35:32 CET
An entry in rpmsrate of

  HW_CAT("network/wireless") || !HW_CAT("network/") wpa_supplicant

might do the job, although that still leaves a problem with missing firmware.
david Cossé 2021-04-25 20:36:14 CEST

CC: (none) => saveurlinux


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