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Problem with SSID broadcast WRT54G

W

wearetheborg

Member
I'm using Linksys WRT54g v3.1 latest linksys firmware.
I'm using WEP encryption.
windows xp (for now).

If I turn on SSID broadcast, laptop detects the netwrok, I enter the key and it works fine.
Then I turn off SSID boadcast, still fine (I see network as being avaibale in list). But then if I change SSID, and then revert back to the old SSID (without broadcast), laptop does not show the network as being available, and I cannot connect.
Same problem if I reboot after turning off broadcast.

What is the fix for this ? I'm going nuts.

Thanks
 
Don't change the SSID.

That and without an SSID you have to input the network manually in your preferred network settings (it is a button caleld advanced that appears in the windows networkign utility)
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Don't change the SSID.

That and without an SSID you have to input the network manually in your preferred network settings (it is a button caleld advanced that appears in the windows networkign utility)
Click to expand...


Even if I dont change SSID (just turn off the brodcast), and reboot laptop, the laptop cannot find the network.

I dont have a networking utiliity - when I click view wireless networks, there is an "advanced" button there - is that what u were referring to ? That button takes me to key, SSID etc, and I have been putting in data manually.

There should be some way to turn the SSID broadcast off 😕
 
i have this router and same thing. if i turn off SSID broadcasting, my computers won't detect the network. that said, if SSID is really necessary for proper workings of wireless networking, why do so many "professionals" recommend turning it off - if it ultimately renders the networking useless?

thanx,
chipy
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
Disable the SSID, why?
Click to expand...
I agree with Jack. I think that disabling SSID broadcast creates more trouble than it's worth. And anybody who REALLY wants to see your network or monitor your transmissions doesn't need an SSID broadcast to do so.

My recommendation:
Keep SSID broadcast ON.
Use WPA Encryption with a strong key.

Use MAC filtering if you feel you must (I don't)....but MAC filtering ALONE won't keep others from reading everything you transmit across your WiFi. You still have to Encrypt.

The "bad guys" will go for your next-door neighbors (home or business), who aren't using encryption.
 
Originally posted by: chipy
i have this router and same thing. if i turn off SSID broadcasting, my computers won't detect the network. that said, if SSID is really necessary for proper workings of wireless networking, why do so many "professionals" recommend turning it off - if it ultimately renders the networking useless?
Click to expand...

It doesn't render the network useless. Turning off SSID broadcast keeps the device from, well, broadcasting its SSID. Now it's those SSID broadcasts that Windows is using to populate the list of available networks. Two posters in the thread seem surprised that if that is turned off, it doesnt automatically show on the list! (doh!).

With it off, you have to preknow the SSID and go into advanced (as another poster mentioned) and manually add it. Otherwise, Windows has no way of discoverying it...

Bill
 
I don't think disabling SSID is useless. It keeps less savvy neighbors from seeing and trying to connect to my network.
 
Originally posted by: scottws
I don't think disabling SSID is useless. It keeps less savvy neighbors from seeing and trying to connect to my network.
Click to expand...
If the savvy neighbor has the Free Netstumbler on is Hard Drive and he uses it occasionally it does Not Matter what you SSID look like, or does not look like.

Switching Off SSID is a snake oil.

Snake Oil can help people that their problems are psychosomatic in nature, but that does not mean that Snake Oil a real Medical drug.

:sun:
 
One thing I DO recommend:

Whether you broadcast it or not, make your SSID name innocuous. DON'T use the Default Name (it tells the listener what kind of router you have). DON'T use your name or your business name. Use something like "Red" or "Blue".
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
One thing I DO recommend:

Whether you broadcast it or not, make your SSID name innocuous. DON'T use the Default Name (it tells the listener what kind of router you have). DON'T use your name or your business name. Use something like "Red" or "Blue".
Click to expand...
Good advice.

What about SSID=I_will_Catch_You 😉

Let me clarify the SSID issue.

Personally I can not care less whether the SSID is on or off as long as it works.

The problem has to do with the simple fact that many Entry Level Wireless Hardware do not work at all, or are Quirky when SSID is Off.

There are thousands of people that end up paying for unnecessary support because somewhere they heard that it is a good idea to disable SSID and when they start to experience Wireless problems they are at lost.

:sun:
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
There are thousands of people that end up paying for unnecessary support because somewhere they heard that it is a good idea to disable SSID and when they start to experience Wireless problems that are at lost.
Click to expand...
Or they end up here for free support. 😉
 
if your gear is flakey with ssid off, then it's time for better gear (imho)


I didn't think netstumbler would sniff the SSID (never really used it for long enough). I know that kismit will. To sniff the SSID from the air, you have to see a client association request that has the SSID in it, and unless you have an association timeout (that would be dumb) or have many clients coming/going then it's just an easy to use layer of security.

As an FYI, to pass CCXv2+ testing, cards are required to function with SSID turned to off. If your low end card flakes out on that, what else is flakey? (sorry, biased toward crap soho gear)
 
This post is not directed toward any one in particular.

The whole thing starts to be ridiculous.

So short of starting a howto.:shocked:

You switched the Beacon Off and your Wireless works, good for you.:cookie:

It does not work, Good too, you can use Cat5e, it is very cheap these day.:shocked:

:sun:
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
This post is not directed toward any one in particular.

The whole thing starts to be ridiculous.

So short of starting a howto.:shocked:

You switched the Beacon Off and your Wireless works, good for you.:cookie:

It does not work, Good too, you can use Cat5e, it is very cheap these day.:shocked:

:sun:
Click to expand...


if your device fails to support one feature in the standard, what other features have been scrimped?

I won't argue that missing SSID in beacons is a poor excuse for security....it's just another layer you can add, but if your gear isn't supporting the standards, then it's time to push back and tell them we are tired of crap in soho network gear. My bro in law reboots his WRT54GV5 every day, or every other day (no p2p), and that is flat out not acceptable, neither is broken f/w/drivers that don't support SSID off functionality.
 
Originally posted by: nweaverThen it's time to push back and tell them we are tired of crap in soho network gear. My bro in law reboots his WRT54GV5 every day, or every other day (no p2p), and that is flat out not acceptable, neither is broken f/w/drivers that don't support SSID off functionality.
Click to expand...
You absolutely right.

The problem is that the "Push Back" has to come from the crowd and the crowd is very happy with the ?Get a Combo Wireless Router and Wireless Card for $29.99 after rebate?.

The crowd demands for top notch harwadware and sub $100 prices do not go together.

As you know even if Cisco would cut the price into half it would much more expensive than the Reabate/sales schemes.

P.S. Tell you brother in law that the WRT54G is particularly Bad.

If he likes playing around he should try to find v4 and flash it.

Otherwise he his better of with a BuffaloTech. Unit (which are more expensive than the v5).

:sun:
 
I'll point out that WiFi routers, especially Linksys routers, sometimes "forget" their programming. It never hurts to re-write the Firmware, even if you have the latest version already installed. I've fixed and seen fixed a couple of Linksys routers, simply by re-flashing.
 
This is probably more of a problem with the network card than the router. Try installing the actual drivers for your card instead of letting windows manage it. We see some problems at work with letting windows manage the wireless.

I've never had a problem with having the SSID off. We have nice CIsco APs at work that have SSID off and we enter everythign in manually and it always works just fine.
 
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
This is probably more of a problem with the network card than the router. Try installing the actual drivers for your card instead of letting windows manage it. We see some problems at work with letting windows manage the wireless.
Click to expand...
You are likely correct that's an issue with the network card or the software controlling it.
 
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