Changing Device Driver for NetworkManager (nm-applet)

As Ubuntu’s NetworkManager applet (nm-applet) has no option to change the driver you’re required to do it manually, which this reference will demonstrate. As an example we’ll be changing the default driver (rtl8180 for me) to use ndiswrapper.

To determine what driver your using right click on the NetworkManager icon (in the top panel by default) and click “Connection Information”.

NetworkManager Applet Connection Information

Removing and Adding Drivers

To remove the current driver we need to remove the module from the Linux kernel. Before removing the driver note that it will disconnect you from the internet!

In the terminal use the following command to remove a module from the kernel:

sudo modprobe -r <drivername>

Now that the module/driver has been removed you may as well go ahead and kill the NetworkManager Applet.

killall nm-applet

To load the new module in the terminal use:

sudo modprobe <drivername>

Now that we have the new driver loaded start the NetworkManager Applet again:

sudo nm-applet

Viewing the Connection Information should show whether the switch has been successful. To switch back follow the process above again.

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