Blank Duplicate SSID With Identical MAC address - Wireless Signal
I recently connected a D-Link Xtreme N wireless router from my Dell PC to a D-Link Xtreme N notebook adapter on my Toshiba Laptop, both running Windows XP home SP2. Although I maintain a very good/excellent connection between the two, I find that when I use D-Link's Wireless Manager program to "scan" signals in my area, I find a duplicate SSID with no name but having the same MAC address that I am using to connect the two computers. The signal strengths are different, but they are using the same channels. I am sending the signal invisible (not broadcast) and I have tried changing the signal to just 802.11b,g, and n alone but the "ghost" signal is still seen by my notebook adapter (DWA-652). Obviously, turning off the wireless signal loses the "ghost" signal... as well as my required signal. I have upgraded the firmware on my Router and tried the newest driver update on my notebook adapter without success (actually when I update the notebook adapter to its newest driver, Wireless Manager doesn't "scan" any signals and I have to use Windows Zero configuration in order to see any available signals). Interestingly, if I use Windows Zero Configuration at any time to "scan" for available signals, it never sees the "ghost" signal - it is only seen with D-Link's Wireless Manager ver 1.10. D-Link support says "not to worry about it" as my signal is still secure (WPA2) but it troubles me to know that this notebook adapter can see a duplicate signal. I cannot "connect" to this ghost signal even with the proper key, and if I turn off my wireless signal from the router, the ghost signal disappears. I suppose I will have to live with this but I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of this problem or more realistically found a solution. I even bought a new notebook adapter and router without success. D-Link support told me they have no answer.
ASKER
Thank you for your explanation, but I guess I'm not explaining myself clearly. My connection between the Laptop and PC is good. But when I use DLink Wireless Manager to view the available wireless networks, I see my named SSID (ex. dlink, with a specific MAC address, signal strength and channel) but I also see listed another network with no name under the SSID, that has the SAME MAC address and SAME channel used, but a different signal strength. In other words, there are 2 listings for my network connection, one with a named SSID and another without a name (just blank), both with different signal strengths.
When both wireless networks are listed and I try to connect to the unnamed network (by adding the proper SSID name and passkey), I cannot connect to my PC.
What it sounds like you are saying is that the DLInk Wireless Manager is able to see the "nonbroadcast" signals, and it gives them "hidden" or "no broadcast" for SSID names. What I am looking at though has absolutely no name for the SSID... it's totally blank. Let's say the DLink Wireless Manager provides a blank SSID instead of "hidden" or "no broadcast". Then wouldn't the signal strength be equal to my duplicate named SSID? Also, since I know the SSID name and passkey, shouldn't I be able to connect onto my PC by inserting these on the blank SSID? Lastly, shouldn't an isolated 802.11b or g or n signal only provide one network listing to view (I don't know, but it just seems to make sense)? Any help is appreciated.
When both wireless networks are listed and I try to connect to the unnamed network (by adding the proper SSID name and passkey), I cannot connect to my PC.
What it sounds like you are saying is that the DLInk Wireless Manager is able to see the "nonbroadcast" signals, and it gives them "hidden" or "no broadcast" for SSID names. What I am looking at though has absolutely no name for the SSID... it's totally blank. Let's say the DLink Wireless Manager provides a blank SSID instead of "hidden" or "no broadcast". Then wouldn't the signal strength be equal to my duplicate named SSID? Also, since I know the SSID name and passkey, shouldn't I be able to connect onto my PC by inserting these on the blank SSID? Lastly, shouldn't an isolated 802.11b or g or n signal only provide one network listing to view (I don't know, but it just seems to make sense)? Any help is appreciated.
ASKER
Sorry. What happens when I try to connect to the blank SSID with the proper name and passkey, is that I lose my connection to my PC. I have to return to Windows and "Use Window to configure my wireless network settings". Then I connect to my Preferred Network that I configured earlier.
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ASKER
Thank you for your recommendations. I do not broadcast my SSID as I was under the assumption that if a SSID was not broadcast, it would increase its security. After talking with others, and yourself, I am learning that this is not so.
The auto channel scan is turned on with my wireless setups. I have set it at specific channels in the past though, but I still get the same blank duplicate SSID (using the same frequency channel as my named SSID). You are correct, I am using a DLink DIR-655.
Thank you for your uninstall/installation recommendations. I have done what you recommed in the past multiple times with different versions of updates (available on DLINK SUPPORT) for my DWA-562 DLink network card and get the same result (an inability to "scan" for signals). The only one that scans for signals is the original version that came with the network card (which I end up using).
I am in the process of talking with a Level 3 DLINK technical assistant who I hope willl provide some insight. Thank you for your help!
The auto channel scan is turned on with my wireless setups. I have set it at specific channels in the past though, but I still get the same blank duplicate SSID (using the same frequency channel as my named SSID). You are correct, I am using a DLink DIR-655.
Thank you for your uninstall/installation recommendations. I have done what you recommed in the past multiple times with different versions of updates (available on DLINK SUPPORT) for my DWA-562 DLink network card and get the same result (an inability to "scan" for signals). The only one that scans for signals is the original version that came with the network card (which I end up using).
I am in the process of talking with a Level 3 DLINK technical assistant who I hope willl provide some insight. Thank you for your help!
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If you set a good WPA-PSK password you don't need to 'hide' the SSID. I think the windows wireless utility must be the only software that pretends it's not there, because every other site monitor I've tried sees them... they just say 'not broadcast' or 'hidden' for the name.
As far as you not being able to connect to it, what exactly do you mean by that? You are already connected to it - it's your router! It sounds like you're trying to connect to the 'hidden' network without putting the proper SSID name in the connection profile.