Linux WLAN Graphical User Interface

Customer: Tier1 Semiconductor Company

Requirement: To develop GUI for a Wireless Applications

Solution Provided:

The Team developed a Linux WLAN GUI to configure profile and establish wireless connections over 802.11b/g Wireless Cards

The Features Included

• Gtk+ based GUI
• Scan list display and connection establishment
• Profile management and connection establishment
• Transmit Throughput, Receive Throughput & Signal Strength graphical indicators
• Display of Wireless statistics
• Display of Network statistics

Approach

The solution that was provided to the customer was “gwconfig” a Gtk+ based Linux application that could be used to configure and initiate wireless connections. This application could automatically detect the insertion of a Wireless Card into the system, configure it and connect it to an appropriate AP based on a set of profiles that were set up in the application. Additionally it was also possible to select a particular AP to associate with or to create a Wireless Ad-hoc network using the GUI interface.

The application also provided for real time monitoring of the Wireless connection, displaying graphs for Receive and Transmit throughput as well as for Signal Strength. The applications display routines were optimized to decrease the latency of the information being displayed

Filtering options were provided to filter the AP and Stations that were scanned over the wireless network.

As is expected from all GUI interfaces - all input values were validated at the time of entry and helpful messages were displayed to provide the user with additional information on certain options.

Before handing over the application to the QA team for testing the code was run through test tools to check for memory leaks and other errors.

Benefits:

• This solution saved a lot of time is configuring the profiles and establishing wireless connection, which otherwise took a lot of time if done manually.
• Modular in nature to further enhance the application

Technology & Tools:

Target Platform:  x86
OS: Linux 2.4.xx
Tools : gcc 3.2.x, GTK+, X-Windows