My laptops already got connected to those WAPs in the past, so I am assuming they are all set correctly...
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Wireless Preferred Networks (Manual) vs (Automatic)
I have configured my Access Point (LinkSys WAP54G) to not broadcast, with WPA-PSK in TKIP, changed my administrative password too. So basically, should be secured. Now, under my Wireless Networks tabs off the Wireless Network Connection Properties, Preferred Networks, I can see my list of all configured WAPs I did. Some of them are marked (Manual) and some are (Automatic). To be able to connect to my WAPs, they seems to "have to be" (Automatic), when (Manual) they do not connect. I already tried to delete a (Manual) one and recreat it. That WAP then went to (Automatic). My question is why they go from (Automatic) to (Manual) and how can I connect to a (Manual) one. Hopefully I do not have to recreat them all the time ... because most of them are leaving office soon to be installed on our remote site...
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Answers
Do you have windows service pack 2? If so, when you right click the wireless connection there should be a "view wireless networks" option, then it shows you a list of all the networks, and there will be a connect button next to them, that is where you can connect to networks that you have set as manual
I have contacted LinkSys support yesterday and according to them, it is an XP issue since XP is working with broadcast WAP. If WAP does not broadcast, then it will work sometime and will not connect other times... I am kind of disapointed since I consider enabling broadcast will open a door within my wireless security
Linksys was basically telling you what I said in the first comment. But you dont have to give up. It is all a matter of channel and access protocol (and distance of course less obstructions), so if you want to set them all the same, then you should be able to roam between them and the signal clicks from one to the other. However I fail to see why you are trying to set up all manually -- if they are going to a remote site where you dont have control over them, the strategy will break down in a day!! That is why the B and G protocol uses BROADCAST AND AUTOMATIC detect, that is the only way it works reliably in an uncontrolled environment. So you should set them back to that and be done with it, that is how they are designed to work best.
Well, this is alittle late but I think I know what you were really asking.
For the most part, all WAPs you connect to will have (Automatic) connections and your computer will connect to all of them in the Preferred Order of availability. However, if you disconnect from any of them, it puts them into (Manual) mode and will not connect to them even if they were the only one on your Preferred Order list that is in range.
You do not need to recreate them each time this happens in order to reconnect to them. All you need to do is go into the properties on the SSID you want to connect to and re-enter the password (aka Network key).
Hit OK and watch the magic happen.
You're right, that's a little while ago ! Since, I discovered the "On Demand" option into prefered network. That is really great since laptop is not always switching between any available network. Where this is really not making any sense, is when my laptop is at 8 inches of a WAP and there is a very low signal also available. Believe it or not, laptop is enough stupid to switch to the about no signal "prefered network", loosing my network files access in the same time. Solution: make all "prefered network" On Demand (Wireless Network Connection Properties, Wireless Networks tab, Connection sub tab and uncheck the Connect when this network is in range.
Thanks for your comment :)
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by: scrathcyboyPosted on 2006-06-09 at 11:25:20ID: 16872675
With the broadcast turned off, you would have to set all parameters right (Channel, type, protocol etc) for a connection. With automatic, it scans the channels and connection protocols squentially to make a connect, so I think the manual would only work if you match the exact parameters between computers and WAPs. Is there anything wrong with the Automatic scanning of the channels and protocol types?