Bugzilla – Bug 143587
NetworkManager: Method of refreshing the interface is unintuitive in nm-applet
Last modified: 2006-03-17 14:38:26 UTC
This is filed as a feature in the feature db, but it is more of a UI bug. You can refresh the current interface by clicking on the interface (or wireless network) in nm-applet. However, this is not very intuitive. We should have this option in the left-click menu for nm-applet.
How common is needing to refresh the interface?
As much as I love The Pete, I am disinclined to add a 'Refresh' option under the left click menu. It clutters up the menu with a confusing option not intended for non-advanced users. There are two ways to refresh a connection, right now: Click on the existing connection, and NM will reconnect. Or right click and disable and then re-enable networking (I added this new feature for Guy - it might solve this issue?). What are the use cases for this? The user should never /have/ to refresh the connection, so it should not be common. Also, as I doubt this will be accepted upstream, we'd have to want to carry this patch ourselves.
(In reply to comment #2) > As much as I love The Pete, I am disinclined to add a 'Refresh' option under > the left click menu. It clutters up the menu with a confusing option not > intended for non-advanced users. > > There are two ways to refresh a connection, right now: Click on the existing > connection, and NM will reconnect. Or right click and disable and then > re-enable networking (I added this new feature for Guy - it might solve this > issue?). > > What are the use cases for this? The user should never /have/ to refresh the > connection, so it should not be common. > > Also, as I doubt this will be accepted upstream, we'd have to want to carry > this patch ourselves. > I can understand not wanting to clutter the left-click menu. What about the right-click menu? To say this is an advanced user option and that you should never have to use this is assuming that NetworkManager is perfect. Although it works very well, it is not perfect. Sometimes when I plug in my wired connection the icon doesn't update to reflect that. In addition, sometimes my connection randomly drops. Yes, these are bugs and should be reported. However, refreshing the interface is just a troubleshooting step that many not-so-advanced users look to use. In addition this could be a troubleshooting step for a support tech to use with him customers. Why do you think this will not get accepted upstream?
It won't get upstream for the reasons you admit: It is only needed because of bugs.
Further, FWIW, these bugs don't seem very common and are not being reported.
JPR: What is the order from above? What is the command, the requirement, the authorization, behest, bidding, charge, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, injunction, instruction, law, mandate, ordinance, permission, precept, regulation, rule, say-so, stipulation, word? Keep in mind my opinion on this issue, which, at least to me, counts for a lot.
Hold for now, its not nearly as important as WPA-Enterprise.
*** Bug 151025 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Alright. Now that we have the "Enable Networking" toggle, which the user can use to disconnect and reconnect, I think this is solved. And of course the user can still recycle the connection by clicking on it. JP and Pete, whatcha say?
I'll relent. We don't need this. Kelli, you came to me with this bug.