Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

  1. #1

    How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

    Hello, I am running ubuntu 18.04, kernel 5.4.0-42-generic. I am trying to communicate with a hardware device over an ethernet connection. I am able to do this by setting a manual static IP address in the settings/network section. I am also able to connect to wifi. However, I am unable to do both simultaneously. As soon as I plug in the ethernet cable, the wifi switch in the settings menu goes off, and I can't turn it back on until I unplug the cable. I tried disabling the "connect automatically" on the ethernet network settings, and also checking the "use this connection only for resources on its network" checkbox under the Routes section. But no dice.

    I have found a lot of similar forum posts, but either they're not running the same version of ubuntu as me, or they don't have the same settings menu. They reference a "disconnect on wired connection" checkbox under the wifi settings, which I do not see on my end. They also frequently reference changing settings in "network manager", but I don't have such an application. I am accessing settings by clicking the start menu, and then typing in settings.

    Any ideas? Help would be greatly appreciated!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Beans
    26
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

    If this happens on a Laptop, check bios/firmware settings, some laptops have disable lan on wifi connection or vice-versa.
    Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Maine
    Beans
    2,420
    Distro
    Kubuntu

    Re: How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

    As has been said it's usually a bios setting not a software setting. So check you bios.
    Wireless script
    Dave
    Registered Linux User #462608
    Morse Code an early Digital Mode.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Boston MetroWest
    Beans
    16,326

    Re: How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

    The two interfaces should be on separate subnets, e.g., 192.168.1.0/24 for the wifi, and 192.168.2.0/24 for the wired connection. Otherwise you can encounter routing problems.

    If you need to communicate between the subnets, make sure to uncomment the line
    Code:
    net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
    in /etc/sysctl.conf and then run "sudo sysctl -p" to reload the configuration.
    If you ask for help, do not abandon your request. Please have the courtesy to check for responses and thank the people who helped you.

    Blog · Linode System Administration Guides · Android Apps for Ubuntu Users

  5. #5

    Re: How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

    Ok, cool, I found the bios settings and disabled them--unchecked both "control WLAN radio" and "Control WWAN radio" under power management-->wireless radio control. Now I can have both connected at the same! Or at least nominally.

    As SeijiSensei suggested, I also changed the subnet of my hardware device and connection to be a different subnet than that of the wifi. However, it seems the connections are still interfering with each other. When the hardware device is on and plugged in, my wifi connection goes out (although it still claims to be connected in the settings).

    Any ideas?

    Thanks everyone!

  6. #6

    Re: How to connect to ethernet device without disconnecting wifi?

    Actually, stratch that. They just started working in parallel now! Not sure what the problem was, or how it worked itself out. I will repost again here if it stops working again.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •