Network Settings: Requirements Notes

VPN settings are actually applied per machine but effectively per session.

Proxy (HTTP, SOCKS) settings are only per session.

RFKill is effectively only all-radios or per-device-class (eg all WiFi). Four device types offer rfkill: Mobile Broadband - WWAN (3G), WiFi, Bluetooth, and WiMAX.

System can only provide one wireless access point at a time. Creating an AP will drop any existing connections on that device. Should only offer the option of creating an access point if you have another connection available. Creating an AP is like changing a mode on the device from client to server.

Connection sharing means creating an access point and routing requests through to the other connected device. This occurs when tie connection's IP method is set to "Shared to other computers" (this is the default). As mentioned above this changes the nature of the device connection. The connected clients share any other connections the host system has so we don't have to configure sharing per device. (tech: NAT-ed to your current connection). Internet connection sharing may also have a relationship with the Privacy & Sharing panel.

WiMAX can be treated like mobile broadband except it doesnt have PIN number or APNs or "shit like that".

Mobile Broadband should should a warning when you are "roaming." Might be useful to show data usage for Mobile Broadband connections too - for both home and roaming. Showing minutes remaining and balance information inline would be sweet. In any case, should offer a link to the authoritative website to show usage accounting details.

Open Questions

Are VPN gateways similar to access points for wireless networks?

Required Information

Setup

Wired

• a wire
• if DHCP, nothing
• if not DHCP:
  • IP Address
  • Subnet Mask
  • Router
  • DNS Server(s)

Wireless

• Network name
• If prompted, security key

Mobile Broadband

• Provider/network name
• account name?
• password/PIN?
• APN?

WiMAX

• ????

Bluetooth

• device?

VPN

• (ugh!) vpn plugin type?
• Must name it
• Gateway
• Group name
• Group password
• (optional) username

Connecting

Wired

• Nothing

Wireless

• Pick access point
• (if requested) Authentication key

VPN

• Authentication key

Status

Wired

• Plugged in or not
• Speed of connection
• Security
• IP settings

Wireless

• Connected or not
• AP/Network name
• Security
• Speed
• IP settings

Mobile Broadband

• Connected or not
• Provider name
• Roaming or not
• Time / data usage
• Time / data remaining
• Link to account summary

Bluetooth

• Connected or not

WiMAX

• Connected or not

VPN

• Connected or not
• measure of speed?