Access point: Second laptop kicks first one out

I added a Netgear WG602 wireless access point to my home network today.
Everything works fine as long as I'm the only one connecting to this access
point. When a second laptop is started though after a couple of seconds the
first laptop is not online any more. Actually the wireless connection to the
access point still exists. The laptop keeps sending data but does not
receive anything (or nearly anything). When I try to ping the gateway all
packets are lost.

When I repair the connection (the first laptop has Windows XP Pro. SP2
installed) everything works again. However you see the same problems after a
few seconds on the other laptop (which has Windows XP Home SP2 installed).
Again Windows says everything's fine (there is even a strong signal).
However no data is received anymore.

I would appreciate any hints how to get two laptops to work with an access
point at the same time. I don't know if it's important but the network is
currently WPA/TPK encrypted and uses channel 10. There are a few other
wireless networks around me.

Thanks in advance,
Boris

Hmm it sounds to me like you are using static addressing, and have assigned
both laptops the same IP address.

Wireless - Basic Configuration - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless - Basic Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
My New Wireless does not work - http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html
http://www.ezlan.net/#wireless
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm

--
David Hettel

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

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, made in relation to the accuracy, reliability
or content of this post. The author shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or
inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post and confers
no rights.


"Boris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I added a Netgear WG602 wireless access point to my home network today.
>Everything works fine as long as I'm the only one connecting to this access
>point. When a second laptop is started though after a couple of seconds the
>first laptop is not online any more. Actually the wireless connection to
>the access point still exists. The laptop keeps sending data but does not
>receive anything (or nearly anything). When I try to ping the gateway all
>packets are lost.
>
> When I repair the connection (the first laptop has Windows XP Pro. SP2
> installed) everything works again. However you see the same problems after
> a few seconds on the other laptop (which has Windows XP Home SP2
> installed). Again Windows says everything's fine (there is even a strong
> signal). However no data is received anymore.
>
> I would appreciate any hints how to get two laptops to work with an access
> point at the same time. I don't know if it's important but the network is
> currently WPA/TPK encrypted and uses channel 10. There are a few other
> wireless networks around me.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Boris
>

John Navas wrote:
> [...]
> Try it with *all* security (WPA, MAC filtering, etc.) disabled. Make
> sure SSID broadcast is enabled, and is a *unique* value. Best to
> start with the access point reset to factory default settings, with
> just the SSID changed.

I switched off all security functions and made sure SSID is broadcast. The
SSID is unique, too. I also use DHCP and no static IP addresses. Again only
one of the two connected laptops could actually use the Internet.

There doesn't seem to be any problem with the wireless connections
themselves. While one laptop is used to browse the Internet the other laptop
can talk to the webserver in the access point (for remote configuring).
However both laptops browsing the Internet at the same time is not possible.

Could this be a problem caused by the router and/or Internet provider? The
access point itself has been patched to the latest firmware.

Boris

Boris wrote:
> [...] I switched off all security functions and made sure SSID is
> broadcast. The SSID is unique, too. I also use DHCP and no static IP
> addresses. Again only one of the two connected laptops could actually
> use the Internet.
> There doesn't seem to be any problem with the wireless connections
> themselves. While one laptop is used to browse the Internet the other
> laptop can talk to the webserver in the access point (for remote
> configuring). However both laptops browsing the Internet at the same
> time is not possible.
> Could this be a problem caused by the router and/or Internet
> provider? The access point itself has been patched to the latest
> firmware.

I forgot to add that I changed the channel from 10 to 1 for testing
purposes. However I couldn't find then the wireless network anymore - it
didn't show up in WZC. I had to connect to the access point with an Ethernet
cable to change the channel again as the network had completely disappeared.

Boris

What is the IP address of your Laptop and the subnet mask? To me it sounds
as if your WG602 is not configured correctly, or it's DHCP server has been
disabled. I suggest posting the details of the laptop's IP addresses and
subnet mask both when connected to the WG602 and when the WG602 is removed
from the network. You may also want to check that the two laptops have
different MAC addresses, there's a very slim chance that for some reason
they might have the same address.

--
David Hettel

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

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, made in relation to the accuracy, reliability
or content of this post. The author shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or
inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post and confers
no rights.


"David Hettel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hmm it sounds to me like you are using static addressing, and have
> assigned both laptops the same IP address.
>
> Wireless - Basic Configuration - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
> Wireless - Basic Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
> My New Wireless does not work - http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html
> http://www.ezlan.net/#wireless
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm
>
> --
> David Hettel
>
> 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
>
> DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
> either expressed or implied, made in relation to the accuracy, reliability
> or content of this post. The author shall not be liable for any direct,
> indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of,
> or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post and
> confers no rights.
>
>
> "Boris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I added a Netgear WG602 wireless access point to my home network today.
>>Everything works fine as long as I'm the only one connecting to this
>>access point. When a second laptop is started though after a couple of
>>seconds the first laptop is not online any more. Actually the wireless
>>connection to the access point still exists. The laptop keeps sending data
>>but does not receive anything (or nearly anything). When I try to ping the
>>gateway all packets are lost.
>>
>> When I repair the connection (the first laptop has Windows XP Pro. SP2
>> installed) everything works again. However you see the same problems
>> after a few seconds on the other laptop (which has Windows XP Home SP2
>> installed). Again Windows says everything's fine (there is even a strong
>> signal). However no data is received anymore.
>>
>> I would appreciate any hints how to get two laptops to work with an
>> access point at the same time. I don't know if it's important but the
>> network is currently WPA/TPK encrypted and uses channel 10. There are a
>> few other wireless networks around me.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Boris
>>
>
>

Hi

Access Point was added to which device?

Do you have a Router?

Did you configure the Access Point so that there would be only one DHCP
active?

Is the Access Point core subnet the same as what ever is doing the Routing?

Jack (MVP-Networking).



"Boris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I added a Netgear WG602 wireless access point to my home network today.
>Everything works fine as long as I'm the only one connecting to this access
>point. When a second laptop is started though after a couple of seconds the
>first laptop is not online any more. Actually the wireless connection to
>the access point still exists. The laptop keeps sending data but does not
>receive anything (or nearly anything). When I try to ping the gateway all
>packets are lost.
>
> When I repair the connection (the first laptop has Windows XP Pro. SP2
> installed) everything works again. However you see the same problems after
> a few seconds on the other laptop (which has Windows XP Home SP2
> installed). Again Windows says everything's fine (there is even a strong
> signal). However no data is received anymore.
>
> I would appreciate any hints how to get two laptops to work with an access
> point at the same time. I don't know if it's important but the network is
> currently WPA/TPK encrypted and uses channel 10. There are a few other
> wireless networks around me.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Boris
>

David Hettel wrote:
> What is the IP address of your Laptop and the subnet mask? To me it
> sounds as if your WG602 is not configured correctly, or it's DHCP
> server has been disabled. I suggest posting the details of the
> laptop's IP addresses and subnet mask both when connected to the
> WG602 and when the WG602 is removed from the network. You may also
> want to check that the two laptops have different MAC addresses,
> there's a very slim chance that for some reason they might have the
> same address.

Thanks for all your replies so far! Here are some more details to track down
this problem:

* DHCP is enabled.
* The two laptops have differenct MAC addresses.
* The access point is connected with an Ethernet cable to a ADSL modem -
actually a set top box. See
http://www.homechoice.co.uk/overview/set_top_box.html. This set top box
isn't mine and wasn't configured by me. I just plugged in the access point
to the port called "network" and all worked until I started a second laptop.
* The IP address of laptop #1 is 89.168.23.181 currently. Subnet mask:
255.255.248.0. Gateway: 89.168.23.254
* The IP address of laptop #2 is 89.168.24.165 currently. Subnet mask:
255.255.248.0. Gateway: 89.168.31.254
* The IP addresses of the DHCP and DNS servers are the same.

What I don't understand is why the IP address of the gateway is not the
same. Could this be a problem?

Boris

Boris wrote:
> [...] * DHCP is enabled.
> * The two laptops have differenct MAC addresses.
> * The access point is connected with an Ethernet cable to a ADSL
> modem - actually a set top box. See
> http://www.homechoice.co.uk/overview/set_top_box.html. This set top
> box isn't mine and wasn't configured by me. I just plugged in the
> access point to the port called "network" and all worked until I
> started a second laptop. * The IP address of laptop #1 is
> 89.168.23.181 currently. Subnet mask: 255.255.248.0. Gateway:
> 89.168.23.254 * The IP address of laptop #2 is 89.168.24.165
> currently. Subnet mask: 255.255.248.0. Gateway: 89.168.31.254
> * The IP addresses of the DHCP and DNS servers are the same.
>
> What I don't understand is why the IP address of the gateway is not
> the same. Could this be a problem?

After browsing the website of HomeChoice which seems to be the provider here
where I am I found this on
http://www.homechoice.co.uk/faq/IfIg...computer.html:
"You can connect up to three desktop computers without using wires."

Can someone explain what that means? Where does this limit come from? Can
they configure something on their end that you can't connect more than three
desktop computers? If there is such a limit and as I simply plugged in my
own access point - is it possible that their connection is configured for
one desktop computer by default (the website says something that *they* can
provide wireless access; maybe they change the limit then once they can
charge money for it)?

Boris

From what you've posted, it appears to me that your DHCP server is NOT
working in the Netgear WG602 box. You should be getting an address in the
192.168.xxx.xxx range generally 192.168.0.xxx and the netgear would be at
192.168.0.1. What appears to be happening is you're pulling and address from
the ADSL modem. And if that is indeed what is happening then yes the network
can limit how many computers can connect.

Sorry I just did a search on you Netgear WG602 it is a Wireless access
point, not a wireless router, that means the netgear doesn't have a DHCP
server in it. That it is not the correct thing for your needs.
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Wire...nts/WG602.aspx I
should have done that first. You don't have the hardware that you need. What
you need/want is something along the lines of the KWGR614 wireless router.



--
David Hettel

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

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, made in relation to the accuracy, reliability
or content of this post. The author shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or
inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post and confers
no rights.


"Boris" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Boris wrote:
>> [...] * DHCP is enabled.
>> * The two laptops have differenct MAC addresses.
>> * The access point is connected with an Ethernet cable to a ADSL
>> modem - actually a set top box. See
>> http://www.homechoice.co.uk/overview/set_top_box.html. This set top
>> box isn't mine and wasn't configured by me. I just plugged in the
>> access point to the port called "network" and all worked until I
>> started a second laptop. * The IP address of laptop #1 is
>> 89.168.23.181 currently. Subnet mask: 255.255.248.0. Gateway:
>> 89.168.23.254 * The IP address of laptop #2 is 89.168.24.165
>> currently. Subnet mask: 255.255.248.0. Gateway: 89.168.31.254
>> * The IP addresses of the DHCP and DNS servers are the same.
>>
>> What I don't understand is why the IP address of the gateway is not
>> the same. Could this be a problem?
>
> After browsing the website of HomeChoice which seems to be the provider
> here where I am I found this on
> http://www.homechoice.co.uk/faq/IfIg...computer.html:
> "You can connect up to three desktop computers without using wires."
>
> Can someone explain what that means? Where does this limit come from? Can
> they configure something on their end that you can't connect more than
> three desktop computers? If there is such a limit and as I simply plugged
> in my own access point - is it possible that their connection is
> configured for one desktop computer by default (the website says something
> that *they* can provide wireless access; maybe they change the limit then
> once they can charge money for it)?
>
> Boris
>

David Hettel wrote:
> From what you've posted, it appears to me that your DHCP server is NOT
> working in the Netgear WG602 box. You should be getting an address in
> the 192.168.xxx.xxx range generally 192.168.0.xxx and the netgear
> would be at 192.168.0.1. What appears to be happening is you're
> pulling and address from the ADSL modem. And if that is indeed what is
> happening then yes the
> network can limit how many computers can connect.
>
> Sorry I just did a search on you Netgear WG602 it is a Wireless access
> point, not a wireless router, that means the netgear doesn't have a
> DHCP server in it. That it is not the correct thing for your needs.
> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Wire...nts/WG602.aspx
> I should have done that first. You don't have the hardware that you
> need. What you need/want is something along the lines of the KWGR614
> wireless
> router.

I just looked up the documentation to be sure: You are right, the WG602 has
DHCP *client* support. However I actually don't care as the laptops do get
different IP addresses? That said everything should still work fine no
matter from which DHCP server the IP addresses come from? From what I
understand now the restriction is an articifial one coming from the
provider?

Boris