Automatically Connect - Wireless

[Guest]

I've setup a wireless network now using a new Dell Laptop with Intel Centino
with Windows XP SP2.

More often that not when I shutdown my laptop or restart it doesn't
automatically connect to the Wireless network upon startup.
I have to right click the connection and hit repair, then it works fine.

On the router I disabled broadcasting the SSID and also set it to "hide".
Also restricted access via MAC addresses & enforced WPA. I've also made sure
the "automatically connect when within range" is setup.

Anyone have any clues ?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I've setup a wireless network now using a new Dell Laptop with Intel Centino
with Windows XP SP2.

More often that not when I shutdown my laptop or restart it doesn't
automatically connect to the Wireless network upon startup.
I have to right click the connection and hit repair, then it works fine.

On the router I disabled broadcasting the SSID and also set it to "hide".
Also restricted access via MAC addresses & enforced WPA. I've also made sure
the "automatically connect when within range" is setup.

Anyone have any clues ?

Disabling and hiding SSID broadcasting can't prevent a determined
hacker from breaking into a wireless network, and it can cause
connection problems like you're having. Enable SSID broadcasting,
un-hide it, and see if the problem goes away.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Ok, removing the "Hide Wireless Network (SSID)" has improved the laptops
ability to automatically connect to the wireless network.

I've implemented WAP and am using the MAC address control. I've renamed the
default SSID and changed the default username & password for the router.

What else can I do to secure my network ? I could remove DHCP as well ?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Ok, removing the "Hide Wireless Network (SSID)" has improved the laptops
ability to automatically connect to the wireless network.

I've implemented WAP and am using the MAC address control. I've renamed the
default SSID and changed the default username & password for the router.

What else can I do to secure my network ? I could remove DHCP as well ?

In my opinion, the steps that you've already taken are enough security
for a typical home wireless network. With so many wide-open,
unsecured wireless networks out there, I don't think that anyone will
bother trying to break into yours.

For additional security, you could remove DHCP and assign static IP
addresses in an obscure private IP range such as 172.27.x.x.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com