Changing Current Network Location

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
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#1

Under Mac OS X Version 10.1.5, how do you script changing the current “Location” in System Preferences “Network”. Everything that I have tried so far has not worked.

#2

I know of no preference panes that are scriptable but it is sometimes possible to change settings by manipulating preference files/plists or, in OS X 10.2.3 or later, by using GUI Scripting, which is still in beta.

#3

Alternatively, can “Location” be selected from the Apple menu sub-item?

#4

If you use a utility that allows you to assign custom keyboard commands to menu items, you could assign a keyboard command to each location and then use Extra Suites to simulate the keyboard commands with a script.

#5

Such as QuicKeys X2?

#6

No need for QuicKeys if you use GUI scripting:

set the_location to (choose from list (my switch_location("", true)) with prompt "Choose a Location to Activate:" OK button name "Activate")
if the_location = false then return
my switch_location(the_location as string, false) --of course you could hard code it: my switch_location("home", false)

on switch_location(the_location, return_locations)
	tell application "System Events"
		tell (item 1 of (processes whose frontmost = true))
			tell menu bar 1
				tell menu bar item "Apple"
					tell menu "Apple"
						tell menu item "Location"
							tell menu "Location"
								if return_locations = true then return name of menu items
								click menu item the_location
							end tell
						end tell
					end tell
				end tell
			end tell
		end tell
	end tell
end switch_location

Jon

#7

Can someone help me find a way to CREATE a specific Computer-to-Computer network upon start up? It seems like this is close?

Thanks,
Peter
PS: My laptop got swept off a table top by a stiff wind, smashing the screen. I want to be able to use airport networking to let my new MacBookPro use the broken Mac’s internal Modem. I have been able to set up a computer-to-computer network via airport and it works fine. The only problem is I have to plug the broken Mac into a projector to see the “screen” to go under the airport menu and create the network. I would like to automate this. The network is to be named “SmashedMac HD” . Thanks in advance for an Applescript to operate at start up on the broken Mac to create the computer to computer net ???

Model: MBpro 2.33GHz, 2GB ram
Browser: Safari 419.3
Operating System: Mac OS X (10.4)

#8

Hi Jon, this script doesn’t cause the creation of a computer-to-computer network. It generates a box someone has to physically click to select a location. That is not what is needed. I am seeking to have the machine CREATE a new airport network upon startup called SmashedMac HD, that is secured (5 characters) and selected in the airport menu.

Thanks for anyone who might help?

#9

Hi Peter,

take a look at Scripting Additions: XNetwork 2.0

#10

For the intial question, try:


do shell script "scselect DHCP"

with DHCP or any other location predefined in Network PrefPane.

(Works on Tiger, hope Leopard does not break on this)

#11

Thank you gentlepersons, I will try your suggestions and persevere! This is really tough for a beginner… I haven’t seen any good tutorial sites that deal with Applescripting the Airport Menu, specifically assigning a computer to computer networking name and encryption. Thanks for the continued assistance!
peter

#12

I tried your suggestion and get this error message:

Set “DHCP” not available.

Defined sets include: (* == current set)
the there is a list of my locations. but the script or command doesn’t lead me anywhere near setting up an airport network!

thanks anyway!

peter

#13

scselect doesn’t work with Computer-to-Computer networks

#14

Hello!,
I’m looking for a way to automate the creation of ad hoc network too, with no luck.
I have installed XNetwork 2.0 but running the creation script I got a 4113 error (???).

create ad hoc wireless network "huntz's Net" password "1234567890123"

Is it available under OS X an utility like iwconfig under Linux?

Thank you for any suggestion.

#15

Well it’s consistent anyway; I get exactly the same result. I’m suspicious that XNetwork 2.0 is not up to speed on the latest security additions in OS X 10.4. It is dated on my machine in May of 06, several versions of the OS back.

#16

Thank you for the reply, Adam.
I have also tested the ascii password option with buggy results (the error change, and the XNetwork class is not able to correctly handle any password used…)

So:
a) or XNetwork is outdated
b) or XNetwork is buggy (at least the ad hoc stuff)

And the bad news is no activity and reply on the XNetwork website… :expressionless: