Option to choose which Wireless access to use

[bernieckm]

Hi ... just wanted to find out from those who use WiFi often whether it
is possible for the netbook to detect 2 different ISPs that are like side by side for example and then allow you the option of choosing which one to log on to.

From what i know, if i set the netbook to auto detect, it would detect one carrier and then bring you to the login page for that ISP. How would we be able to select the alternative, if it could be detected?

thanks

[diem]

Its a fair question. To date, I have only been in the presence of one access point when connecting so I've not hit the problem.

Since one has to select a connection entry (entered via Control Panel) when attempting to connect, if both networks are present, I would assume the netBook would attempt to connect to the one with a matching SSID (AKA 'WaveLAN name'). Thus you will never get the option of choosing between two local wireless LANs, because the netBook will be looking for one specific one.

[bernieckm]

if set to auto, the netbook wont actually be looking for a specific ISP but rather one which I suppose is within range or what it actually picks up.

to me, the only logical alternative to select is therefore, to know what is the exact IP address etc. but i dont think that is so easily obtained. I dont suppose the local Starbucks waiter will know what the IP add is. =)

anyone else have a more novel idea? perhaps an add-on software could do the trick?

[diem]

I think we need to define some terms here. When you say ' set the netbook to auto detect', what exactly do you mean?

[fladda]

Indeed the original questioner appears to be confused here. You do not 'log onto' WiFi as such. Not in the same way as a modem.

I suggest defining multiple WiFi card setups in the system control panel Ethernet settings. Each with different access point IDs and/or channel numbers as appropriate. At 'connect time' you simply select the WiFi connection of your choice using the menu in the connexion dialogue box.

Or if you want to connect to a specific access point in Starbucks or wherever, then enter the access point ID into your Orinoco/Cisco card's settings ('WaveLAN network name'). If you leave this field blank, Netbook will auto connect to any available access point.

Ralph

[bernieckm]

what i meant by auto detect was simply this ...

1) went to control panel and selected Ethernet settings
2) Under current settings i selected Cisco RLan
3) Editted the properties of this setting namely setting it at DHCP for configuration method instead of Manual.

If going on DHCP, i believe the Wifi card will just connect to the signal which it receives. I believe for me the difficulty is knowing the IP addresses to key in, if I select Manual instead of DHCP.

Fladda mentioned getting the access point IDs and configuring different settings for different AP IDs. Would the access point ID be the same as the IP address?

Apologies for my ignorance, but what is an SSID and would i need to use that setting in anyway?

I suppose the question i have at the end of the day is whether i can get the Wifi card to detect 2 different access point IDs and have the option to choose either one, just by a key press etc.

Rgds

[diem]

Thought you meant DHCP, but needed to check.

DHCP only auto-configures the TCP/IP settings, not the choice of access point. TCP/IP is set up only after the wireless connection has been established.

SSID (also known as WaveLAN name) is the 'name' of the wireless network, set by the access point (prabably the same as Access Point ID). If you tap the 'Options' button in the ethernet driver you will see an entry box for this, so that you can match the WLAN you are trying to connect to. Note that the Ethernet settings in control panel allow you to set up many separate configurations, each of which can use any of the available ethernet card drivers; there is not one 'Ethernet setting' per driver.

Since you have to select an ethernet setting to use as soon as you attempt to connect, you are at that point selecting the SSID (and therefore the wireless LAN access point) to search for; thus you will not be presented with a choice of whichever ones can be found.

Using NetStatRF (once you have initiated a connection and therefore 'woken up' your Cisco card), you will be able to see what SSIDs are being presented if you walk between your two access points; you could then set up one ethernet configuration for each access point.

[bernieckm]

i know i probably have to try it out myself to find out but ...

if I key in the name of the access point ie the access point ID in the SSID, do i need to make sure that i got my capital letters and small letters correct?

thanks for your clarification. I will try putting a name to the SSID the next time i do wifi surfing.

cheers ian.

[diem]

D'you know I'm not sure! I'll try an uppercase SSID next time I'm near Starbuck's ;)