Managing Configuration Profiles

Abstract

A profile is a specific set of configuration settings suited for a computer in a given environment. Profiles allow you to store configuration parameters specific to certain environments and to switch between them, according to the context.

By default the Mandrakelinux Control Center profiles system enables you to configure the network set-up for different locations. This is especially useful for laptops which constantly change configuration between home, office, the coffee shop, etc.

Profiles handling

Handling profiles is very easy: when you want to create a new profile, it is based on the active one. All modifications are automatically recorded in the active profile. A single menu (Profiles) lets you manage them.

Figure 2. The Control Center Profiles Menu

The Control Center Profiles Menu
New

Creates a new profile based on the settings of the active one. A dialog pops up asking for the new profile's name. Don't forget to switch to that profile after creating it.

Delete

Shows a list of profiles so you can select the one to be removed. It must not be the active one.

Default

Displays the profiles list, the active one being checked. Simply click on a profile name to switch the host configuration to that profile.

So let's imagine you come back home with your brand new laptop which your system administrator configured in order for you to connect to your corporate network. You now want to be able to configure the network to be able to access the Internet from your home.

  1. Create a new profile named, for example, “Home”.

  2. Switch to it.

  3. Reconfigure your network so that the modem, instead of the network card, is used to access the Internet (see the section called “Network and Internet Connection Management”).

  4. Connect to the Internet.

  5. When back at the office, switch back to the “default” profile.