How to use the command `iwctl` (with examples)

iwctl is a command-line utility that allows users to control the iwd (iNet Wireless Daemon) network supplicant, which manages wireless connections on Linux systems. The tool provides an interactive way to work with wireless networks directly via the terminal, which makes it especially useful for system administrators and those who prefer command-line operations.

Use case 1: Start the interactive mode

Code:

iwctl

Motivation:
Interactive mode is beneficial when you need to perform multiple consecutive operations involving wireless networks. This mode supports command autocompletion and can ease complex tasks by providing immediate feedback and minimizing errors.

Explanation:
The command iwctl with no additional arguments launches the interactive shell of the iwd network supplicant. This allows you to interact with wireless configurations and controls in real-time without the need of appending extra parameters for each specific command.

Example Output:

[iwd]#

This prompt indicates that you have successfully entered the interactive mode and can now input various commands directly.

Use case 2: Call general help

Code:

iwctl --help

Motivation:
Using the help command is essential for new users or those who need a quick refresher on the available command options and their descriptions. It is a handy feature that helps users navigate through the command’s capabilities without needing to look for external documentation.

Explanation:
The --help argument is a common flag used in command-line utilities to list available commands, their syntax, and sometimes a brief description of what they do. It is meant to be a quick-reference guide directly from the terminal.

Example Output:

Usage: iwctl [options] <command>
Commands:
  station        Connect to and manage stations
  device         Manage devices
  ...

This output provides a list of top-level commands that can be used with iwctl, giving users a starting point for their tasks.

Use case 3: Display your Wi-Fi stations

Code:

iwctl station list

Motivation:
Listing Wi-Fi stations helps users quickly identify which wireless interfaces are available on their device, which is the first step before managing network connections or gathering further information on them.

Explanation:
The command iwctl station list targets the stations (wireless interfaces) on the system. Here, station is the context, and list is the specific action that displays all stations recognized by the iwd supplicant.

Example Output:

                                    Stations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Name               State          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  wlan0              connected      

The output shows all wireless interfaces, along with their statuses (e.g., connected, available).

Use case 4: Start looking for networks with a station

Code:

iwctl station station scan

Motivation:
Scanning for networks is necessary when a user wants to connect to new or available wireless networks. This action refreshes the list of all accessible networks that the station can detect and connect to.

Explanation:
The command station station scan is composed of the command station, followed by the specific station name (replace station with the actual interface, e.g., wlan0), and scan to initiate the search for networks. This effectively tells the specified station to look for available wireless networks nearby.

Example Output:

[iwd]# station wlan0 scanning done

This message indicates that the scan process is complete, and the station has updated its list of detectable networks.

Use case 5: Display the networks found by a station

Code:

iwctl station station get-networks

Motivation:
After scanning for networks, checking the list of detected networks helps in deciding which network to connect to. This command is crucial for users to view the available wireless networks along with their signal strengths and additional parameters.

Explanation:
The command begins with station, followed by the actual station name (replace station accordingly), and get-networks as an action to display the results of the previous scan. This command retrieves network data captured during the scanning process.

Example Output:

                                    Available Networks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Network Name     Security     Signal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  HomeNetwork      psk          ******
  CoffeeShopNet    open         ****  

The output provides a list of networks within range, including their security types and signal strength indicators.

Use case 6: Connect to a network with a station

Code:

iwctl station station connect network_name

Motivation:
Connecting to a wireless network is the primary function for using network utilities like iwctl. This command enables users to join a desired Wi-Fi network, ensuring internet connectivity.

Explanation:
The command station station connect network_name connects a specified station (replace station accordingly, e.g., wlan0) to a network given by its network_name. If the network requires authentication, the system will prompt for credentials such as a Wi-Fi password.

Example Output:

Type the network passphrase for HomeNetwork:
[iwd]# Connected to HomeNetwork

This output sequence confirms a successful connection, involving user input if the network is secured, followed by a confirmation message.

Conclusion:

By understanding and applying these commands, users can efficiently manage their wireless connections using the iwctl utility and the iwd service. These examples demonstrate the versatility and power of command-line tools in handling Wi-Fi networks, from setting up to maintaining internet connectivity in various environments.