Networking

This document describes how to configure networking on Alice Linux using eiwd/wpa_supplicant + udhcpc/dhcpcd.

Overview

Alice Linux uses simple, modular networking tools:

Link (connection)

LAN: automatic (cable)
Wi-Fi: eiwd or wpa_supplicant

IP configuration

udhcpc - BusyBox DHCP client
dhcpcd - DHCP client

Establish Network Link

Wired (LAN)

Bring interface up:

ip link set eth0 up

A physical cable connection is usually sufficient.

runit service enabled later will automatically bring up the interface.

Wi-Fi

Bring interface up first:

ip link set wlan0 up

runit service enabled later will automatically bring up the interface.

Then choose ONE method:

Option A: eiwd

Install eiwd and resolvconf

# apkg -I eiwd resolvconf

To prevent iwd from scanning continuously while not connected, add the following lines to /etc/iwd/main.conf:

[Scan]
DisablePeriodicScan=true

To prevent iwd from destroying / recreating wireless interfaces at startup, add the following line to [General];

UseDefaultInterface=true

Add network configuration.

# printf 'password\n' | iwd_passphrase ssid > /var/lib/iwd/<ssid>.psk

The iwd daemon monitors /var/lib/iwd and automatically loads new network configurations.

Enable eiwd service:

# ln -s /etc/eiwd /var/service

Option B: wpa_supplicant

Install wpa_supplicant package.

# apkg -I wpa_supplicant

Configure wpa_supplicant.conf:

wpa_passphrase "SSID_NAME" "PASSWORD" > /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf

Enable wpa_supplicant service:

# ln -s /etc/wpa_supplicant /var/service

Obtain IP Address (DHCP)

Once the interface is connected (LAN or Wi-Fi), obtain an IP address.

This step is identical for both LAN and Wi-Fi.

Option A: udhcpc (BusyBox)

Enable udhcpc service:

# ln -s /etc/sv/udhcpc /var/service

Interface and DNS settings can be adjusted in /etc/sv/udhcpc/conf.

Option B: dhcpcd

Install dhcpcd first:

# apkg -I dhcpcd

Enable dhcpcd service:

# ln -s /etc/sv/dhcpcd /var/service

Static Network Configuration

To use a static configuration instead of DHCP:

# vi /etc/sv/net-static/conf

Set the following variables:

IFACE
IP
NETMASK
GATEWAY

# ln -s /etc/sv/net-static /var/service

Troubleshooting

Check interfaces:

ip addr

Test connectivity:

ping -c 3 8.8.8.8

Test DNS:

ping -c 3 google.com

Quick Reference

LAN (DHCP)

# ip link set eth0 up
# ln -s /etc/sv/udhcpc /var/service

Wi-Fi (iwd + DHCP)

# ip link set wlan0 up
# printf 'password\n' | iwd_passphrase ssid > /var/lib/iwd/<ssid>.psk
# ln -s /etc/sv/eiwd /var/service
# ln -s /etc/sv/udhcpc /var/service

Wi-Fi (wpa_supplicant + DHCP)

# ip link set wlan0 up
# wpa_passphrase "SSID" "PASS" > /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
# ln -s /etc/sv/wpa_supplicant /var/service
# ln -s /etc/sv/udhcpc /var/service