Question

Restrict Wireless to only one preferred network

Asked by: Pber

We have several Laptops that we have deployed in vehicles that have wireless access to our network.   We also have EVDO modems installed on these laptops.  The logic is they would use our wireless access points when within range and then switch to the cellular EVDO network when out of range of our wireless access points.  

We have a GPO setup to configure the laptops with our "preferred network" as well as have it set to "Access Point (infrastructure) networks only.  We also have the "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks" setting not selected.

The problem is our laptops are picking up other access points and populating the Preferred Networks (below our SSID).  When out of range of our access points, this is causing the laptops to attempt to connect to those access points instead of attempting to connect via our EVDO network.

Is there a way to only allow our configured Preferred Network and reject all others for being discovered?

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Asked On
2007-11-14 at 10:45:13ID22960845
Tags

restrict

,

wireless

,

network

,

only

,

preferred

Topics

Wireless Technologies

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

Windows Networking

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: StevenTodd00Posted on 2007-11-14 at 10:51:01ID: 20282523

If thier is a known SSID you don't want them to try to conenct to, try to create a profile, but put in false codes.  You won't be able to keep SSID's from displaying (that would be counter to what Wifi for all is all about).  You could also set them as lower SSID's on the preferred list.

 

by: johnb6767Posted on 2007-11-14 at 10:52:44ID: 20282547

What kinds of NICs are they?

 

by: administradoresPosted on 2007-11-14 at 11:05:43ID: 20282675

Well if you disable "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks" and delete all SSID from the list, then the WZCS won't connect but will show a message telling that a network is available, but the user can connect manually.

An alternative is to disable WZCS and use another connection manager (if there are any for your wireless cards), or to create a little application that replace WZCS.

You can read more about WZCS at microsoft site .

http://technet.microsoft.com/es-es/library/bb878124.aspx

 

by: DToolshedPosted on 2007-11-14 at 11:09:24ID: 20282713

A little user education would help. In your configuration, the preferred list will not populate with any SSID, unless a connection has been attempted by the user.

 

by: administradoresPosted on 2007-11-14 at 11:21:59ID: 20282825

But the user can always attempt the connection manually and the list will populate, and the admin can prevent that an user will try to connect.....

 

by: administradoresPosted on 2007-11-14 at 11:22:34ID: 20282832

where i say can i mean can't, sorry.

 

by: PberPosted on 2007-11-14 at 11:39:30ID: 20282998

Thanks for the input.

The problem didn't show up in the pilot and now that we've gone into production we got the problem dropped on our laps to try and solve.  Poor pilot in my opinion.  

We have multiple vehicles with over 100 preferred networks after driving around for a few hours.  Despite the settings indicating not to "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks".   The users also say they haven't been attempting manual connentions.

Administradores,
I'll look into the WZCS.

I the Wireless NIC is: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
the EVDO modem is: Sierra Wireless 1xEV-DO Network Adapter

 

by: johnb6767Posted on 2007-11-14 at 11:52:08ID: 20283110

Are you allowing the MGMT app (VZAccess mgr by any chance?) to handle WWAN AND WAN connections?

I would reaaaally try and use the Intel proset again. under the application settings, you can specify to connect with Profiles only, and this problem should be resolved. The proset wireless is easily packaged, and supports Single Sign On and Pre login authentication to contact the WIFI prior to the DC for logging in wirelessly.

You can also create Administratively assigned profile's which a user cant accidentally delete....

 

by: PberPosted on 2007-11-14 at 11:55:27ID: 20283143

John6767,

Interesting information, I will pass it on and see what comes of that.

Thanks.

 

by: PberPosted on 2007-11-23 at 07:18:27ID: 20339256

Hey guys, thanks alot for the help.

Looks like the Proset is going to do the trick.

 

by: johnb6767Posted on 2007-11-25 at 11:11:33ID: 20346382

Good to hear...

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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