wireless network problems

[NeoV]

wireless newb here...

My new laptop connects at hotels just fine to public wifi...but at work, it doesn't even see the network, which isn't hidden at all...

any ideas on where to start?

 

[nweaver]

security settings...turn SSID on, no WEP, Open authentication.


Also helps to let us know what you have, my ESP buffer is full today, but let me guess...you have a bluetooth usb card with a 900 MHZ custom router running on a radio coller, right?


Card model,
Computer model
Computer OS
Router model
ANy non default configs on the router

 

[corkyg]

It would also help to know what Wi-Fi spec your laptop operates at, and what your work network is.

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Wireless - Basic Configuration: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless - Security Setting: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

:sun:

 

[NeoV]

I have a Compaq nx9500 notebook, WinXP pro....integrated wireless broadcom 802.11.b/g...looking for router info now

 

[NeoV]

our sys admin apparently is using the MAC address to allow PC's in, but he says my MAC addy is in there..... 3Com router....802.11b

 

[corkyg]

MAC address is a further security layer which usually has a keyword access that has to be in your laptop setup for that network.

 

[nweaver]

I would say it's a borked AP thing...either it's a radius or config issue (if they do mac auth via raidus). If it works everywhere but there, it's not a client issue, unless you have settings wrong in the config utility, but mac authentication is a wide open thing.....is it Open with Mac, SHared with Mac, EAP with Mac?

I would say it's time for that admin to earn his paycheck!

 

[NeoV]

still no solution on this....can someone explain what is in nweaver's post...

we do have PC's that connect to the wireless network just fine...including a new one we just set up.....

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: NeoV
still no solution on this....can someone explain what is in nweaver's post...

It means let your sys admin configure the Laptop to match the work network.

If you want to be able to use the Wireless in work and elsewhere read this: http://www.ezlan.net/faq#fewtcp-ip

:sun:

 

[NeoV]

the sys admin has no fix...and he reports to me, which is why I'm looking for help here!

we just put in an SMC card to the laptop and it connected just fine....still don't understand why the built-in wireless didn't detect anything though..

 

[nweaver]

what band? is it an A network? That card is (most likely) CCX v2 certified, meaning it should take anything that the 3com can throw at it as far as authentication/encryption.


I would...

1. Turn of mac authentication (for now)
2. Turn on ssid (if it's off)
3. report back on if you see it or not.


there are 2 parts to wireless that are often intermingled/interused (but are seperate)
1. Authentication: Open, Shared, Eap/Leap. What one are you using? any of those can be used with mac, so you could have open with mac, shared with mac, leap with mac, etc.
2. Encryption. This is the WPA/WEP/TKIP/CKIP, etc. Again, what are you suing.