Network problem during debian based disto installation

[clockshell]

Hey there linux.org, it has been quite a while!

I have a new issue which wants to be fixed and I am stuck.

I wanted to install a debian based distro (I admit, it is Kali, cause so kewl bla bla...) on my experimental laptop and I am stuck from the very beginning.

I enter the non-graphic installation interface and give the first few parameters. When it comes to ask for wifi-connection, it is only able for me to enter an ESSID and a Passphrase.

The problem is, that I need to enter my username and my password which I find no possibility in the installer to do that. So I browsed the net and stumbled over this: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=88366

tl;dr:

I create a /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf in the shell and fill it with my data like this:

network={ ssid="<network>" key_mgmt=WPA-EAP identity="<username>" password="<password>" }

The thread also says it is recommended to change wpa-conf to /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf if I want to use netcfg (highly recommended by them!).

I have no single clue how to do that, my /etc/network/interfaces does not exist yet and I really don't know what to fill in there, especially what is not recognized by the installer's recognition.

This is quite disturbing, also because I wanted to switch my desktop distribution to Arch for which WLAN access also ist obligated :/

If anyone could help I'd be glad.

Kind Regards,

clockshell

 

[atanere]

No offense, but maybe you should not be using advanced distros like Kali and Arch just yet?

I've been using Linux a long time, and I don't have a clue for you. Sorry! My only experience with WiFi in all this time has never needed a username. Lucky me, I guess.

Good luck!

 

[ryanvade]

Welcome back @clockshell .

Am I correct in assuming that your wifi is using enterprise encryption? That explains the username and password.

Anyway, I'm not sure what network management system Kali is using these days. They used to rely on Network Manager like everyone else which would have made enterprise wifi easy to setup (I use it all the time on campus). I do want to ask, why not use the graphical setup? I believe it supports enterprise wifi setup.

You probably want to look at this page: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/WPA2_Enterprise

I will say that unless you NEED the Offensive security features of Kali there is no reason to use it. (Though it is really cool).

If you plan on using Arch, make sure to use Network Manger with a GUI interface (https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NetworkManager#Graphical_front-ends) as they can setup enterprise networks with ease.