sorry I was wrong. I had the netbook going so it was trying to connect. The behavior is NOT different under the mainline kernel. It is fairly consistent... with the netbook off, when I toggle Network Manager's "Enable Wireless" off and then on, I get a series of messages in syslog: Apr 22 07:39:35 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 3 -> 2 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:39:35 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): deactivating device (reason: 0). Apr 22 07:39:35 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): taking down device. Apr 22 07:40:02 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): bringing up device. Apr 22 07:40:02 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 125.661418] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready Apr 22 07:40:02 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant interface state: starting -> ready Apr 22 07:40:02 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 2 -> 3 (reason 42) Apr 22 07:40:03 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: Failed to initiate AP scan. Apr 22 07:41:14 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 3 -> 2 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:41:14 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): deactivating device (reason: 0). Apr 22 07:41:14 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): taking down device. Apr 22 07:41:30 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): bringing up device. Apr 22 07:41:30 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 213.378302] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready Apr 22 07:41:30 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant interface state: starting -> ready Apr 22 07:41:30 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 2 -> 3 (reason 42) Apr 22 07:41:31 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: Failed to initiate AP scan. (this was two toggle attempts with nebook asleep) After connecting the netbook, here's what happens in syslog: Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) starting connection 'Auto aureola' Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 3 -> 4 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete. Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 4 -> 5 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0/wireless): access point 'Auto aureola' has security, but secrets are required. Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 5 -> 6 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete. Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 6 -> 4 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete. Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting... Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 4 -> 5 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0/wireless): connection 'Auto aureola' has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed. Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Config: added 'ssid' value 'aureola' Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1' Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK' Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Config: added 'psk' value '' Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: nm_setting_802_1x_get_pkcs11_engine_path: assertion `NM_IS_SETTING_802_1X (setting)' failed Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: nm_setting_802_1x_get_pkcs11_module_path: assertion `NM_IS_SETTING_802_1X (setting)' failed Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete. Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Config: set interface ap_scan to 1 Apr 22 07:43:03 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: inactive -> scanning Apr 22 07:43:05 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: Trying to associate with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (SSID='aureola' freq=2452 MHz) Apr 22 07:43:06 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: scanning -> associating Apr 22 07:43:06 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 308.902791] wlan0: direct probe to c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (try 1/3) Apr 22 07:43:06 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 309.100088] wlan0: direct probe to c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (try 2/3) Apr 22 07:43:06 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 309.301099] wlan0: direct probe to c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (try 3/3) Apr 22 07:43:06 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 309.500088] wlan0: direct probe to c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 timed out Apr 22 07:43:16 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: Authentication with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 timed out. Apr 22 07:43:16 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: associating -> disconnected Apr 22 07:43:16 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: disconnected -> scanning Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: Trying to associate with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (SSID='aureola' freq=2452 MHz) Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: scanning -> associating Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.805357] wlan0: authenticate with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (try 1) Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.808327] wlan0: authenticated Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.808397] wlan0: associate with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (try 1) Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.810811] wlan0: RX AssocResp from c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 (capab=0x411 status=0 aid=3) Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.810823] wlan0: associated Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: Associated with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.813177] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: associating -> associated Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: associated -> 4-way handshake Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.948251] Intel AES-NI instructions are not detected. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 320.971163] padlock_aes: VIA PadLock not detected. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: WPA: Key negotiation completed with c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 [PTK=CCMP GTK=CCMP] Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 wpa_supplicant[874]: CTRL-EVENT-CONNECTED - Connection to c0:3f:0e:b9:f3:b2 completed (auth) [id=0 id_str=] Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: 4-way handshake -> group handshake Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): supplicant connection state: group handshake -> completed Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0/wireless) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful. Connected to wireless network 'aureola'. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started... Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 5 -> 7 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Beginning DHCPv4 transaction (timeout in 45 seconds) Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: dhclient started with pid 1492 Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: Internet Systems Consortium DHCP Client 4.1.1-P1 Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: Copyright 2004-2010 Internet Systems Consortium. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: All rights reserved. Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: For info, please visit https://www.isc.org/software/dhcp/ Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: Listening on LPF/wlan0/00:19:7d:1c:82:d3 Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: Sending on LPF/wlan0/00:19:7d:1c:82:d3 Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: Sending on Socket/fallback Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: DHCPREQUEST of 192.168.1.32 on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 Apr 22 07:43:18 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): DHCPv4 state changed nbi -> preinit Apr 22 07:43:19 AcerAspire5100 avahi-daemon[759]: Joining mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv6 with address fe80::219:7dff:fe1c:82d3. Apr 22 07:43:19 AcerAspire5100 avahi-daemon[759]: New relevant interface wlan0.IPv6 for mDNS. Apr 22 07:43:19 AcerAspire5100 avahi-daemon[759]: Registering new address record for fe80::219:7dff:fe1c:82d3 on wlan0.*. Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: DHCPREQUEST of 192.168.1.32 on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: DHCPACK of 192.168.1.32 from 192.168.1.1 Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 dhclient: bound to 192.168.1.32 -- renewal in 33327 seconds. Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): DHCPv4 state changed preinit -> reboot Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) scheduled... Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) started... Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: address 192.168.1.32 Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: prefix 24 (255.255.255.0) Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: gateway 192.168.1.1 Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: nameserver '192.168.1.1' Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Scheduling stage 5 Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) scheduled... Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Done scheduling stage 5 Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) complete. Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) started... Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 avahi-daemon[759]: Joining mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv4 with address 192.168.1.32. Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 avahi-daemon[759]: New relevant interface wlan0.IPv4 for mDNS. Apr 22 07:43:21 AcerAspire5100 avahi-daemon[759]: Registering new address record for 192.168.1.32 on wlan0.IPv4. Apr 22 07:43:22 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: (wlan0): device state change: 7 -> 8 (reason 0) Apr 22 07:43:22 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Policy set 'Auto aureola' (wlan0) as default for IPv4 routing and DNS. Apr 22 07:43:22 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) successful, device activated. Apr 22 07:43:22 AcerAspire5100 NetworkManager[781]: Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) complete. Apr 22 07:43:28 AcerAspire5100 kernel: [ 330.920051] wlan0: no IPv6 routers present Apr 22 07:43:31 AcerAspire5100 ntpdate[1546]: adjust time server 91.189.94.4 offset -0.217750 sec