broadcasting SSID

Tom wrote:
> Windows XP requires you to broadcast SSID. So, you'll
> need to enable this option. Details here.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
> us;811427

That's interesting. I'm running XP Home SP1 on a laptop, and the
Netgear WGR614V5 router is set NOT to broadcast SSID, and I'm not having
any problem accessing the router from the laptop.

Stranger

>
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>There is real no good reason to disable the broadcast of
>
> your network SSID. Your much better off
>
>>using strong encryption, strong passwords, etc...
>>
>>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...tworking/exper
>
> t/bowman_03july28.mspx
>
>>--
>> Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)
>>
>>Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news
>
> group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
>
>>The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>>This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>
> confers no rights...
>
>>"Sam" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>
> message
>
>>news:265a601c46107$7e7ea1b0$(E-Mail Removed).. .
>>
>>>I have a two computers connected by a wireless router.
>>>I'm configuring the router and it has an option to
>
> enable
>
>>>or disable the SSID broadcast. I'm going to be
>>>configuring an Windows XP machine via a wireless
>>>connection. Do I disable the SSID broadcast option?
>>
>>
>>---
>>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>>Checked by AVG anti-virus system
>
> (http://www.grisoft.com).
>
>>Version: 6.0.714 / Virus Database: 470 - Release Date:
>
> 7/2/2004
>
>>.
>>

It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a wireless router
and their signal overlaps yours.

It's all explained here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427

Carey

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Tom wrote:
>> Windows XP requires you to broadcast SSID. So, you'll need to enable this
>> option. Details here.
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
>> us;811427
>
> That's interesting. I'm running XP Home SP1 on a laptop, and the Netgear
> WGR614V5 router is set NOT to broadcast SSID, and I'm not having any
> problem accessing the router from the laptop.
>
> Stranger
>
>>
>>
>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>There is real no good reason to disable the broadcast of
>>
>> your network SSID. Your much better off
>>>using strong encryption, strong passwords, etc...
>>>
>>>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...tworking/exper
>>
>> t/bowman_03july28.mspx
>>
>>>--
>>> Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)
>>>
>>>Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news
>>
>> group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
>>
>>>The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>>>This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>>
>> confers no rights...
>>
>>>"Sam" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>>
>> message
>>>news:265a601c46107$7e7ea1b0$(E-Mail Removed). ..
>>>
>>>>I have a two computers connected by a wireless router.
>>>>I'm configuring the router and it has an option to
>>
>> enable
>>
>>>>or disable the SSID broadcast. I'm going to be
>>>>configuring an Windows XP machine via a wireless
>>>>connection. Do I disable the SSID broadcast option?
>>>
>>>
>>>---
>>>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>>>Checked by AVG anti-virus system
>>
>> (http://www.grisoft.com).
>>
>>>Version: 6.0.714 / Virus Database: 470 - Release Date:
>>
>> 7/2/2004
>>>.
>>>

"Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a wireless router
> and their signal overlaps yours.

And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
(so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to "capture" your PC -
in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can help )
--PA

> It's all explained here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
>

No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and re-read the
knowledgebase article please.


"Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a wireless
>> router
>> and their signal overlaps yours.
>
> And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
> (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to "capture"
> your PC -
> in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can help )
> --PA
>
>> It's all explained here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
>>
>
>
>

"Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and re-read the
> knowledgebase article please.

Carey, I've read it.
Again: a non-hidden AP will override any hidden AP *with same SSID*.
If the SSID of a non-hidden AP is not in the preferred list, and connection
to non-preferred APs is disabled - then no problem, you won't connect
to it anyway.

Regards,
--PA

> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a wireless
> >> router
> >> and their signal overlaps yours.
> >
> > And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
> > (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to "capture"
> > your PC -
> > in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can help )
> > --PA
> >
> >> It's all explained here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>
>

I have no idea where you got that quote. The name of the SSID is irrelevant.
Let me quote it for you:

When your Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 (SP1 or SP2)-based
Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) client computer is in the proximity of two
wireless access points, and one of the access points is broadcasting its
Service Set Identifier (SSID) but the other is not, your computer always
connects to the access point that is broadcasting its SSID. This occurs
regardless of the preference order of the networks that are configured on
the Preferred Networks list.

Additionally, when your computer is connected to an access point that is not
broadcasting its SSID, and another access point that is broadcasting its
SSID is enabled nearby, your computer automatically connects to the access
point that is broadcasting its SSID.

"Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and re-read
>> the
>> knowledgebase article please.
>
> Carey, I've read it.
> Again: a non-hidden AP will override any hidden AP *with same SSID*.
> If the SSID of a non-hidden AP is not in the preferred list, and
> connection
> to non-preferred APs is disabled - then no problem, you won't connect
> to it anyway.
>
> Regards,
> --PA
>
>> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> > news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a wireless
>> >> router
>> >> and their signal overlaps yours.
>> >
>> > And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
>> > (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to "capture"
>> > your PC -
>> > in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can help )
>> > --PA
>> >
>> >> It's all explained here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

Apologies for being not clear enough. What I wrote
was not a quotation from that KB article, it was in addition to it
(based on some "insider knowledge" and experience ).

If XP machine is is connected to AP1 that is not
broadcasting its SSID, and AP2 that is broadcasting its
SSID (*different from that of AP1*) appears nearby, and XP switches to
AP2 - then the 802.11 driver is defective and needs to be updated.
(assuming Wireless configuration is done properly and no other applications
interfere with Wzcsvc, and no unusual RF conditions )

Regards,
Pavel A.

"Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have no idea where you got that quote. The name of the SSID is irrelevant.
> Let me quote it for you:
>
> When your Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 (SP1 or SP2)-based
> Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) client computer is in the proximity of two
> wireless access points, and one of the access points is broadcasting its
> Service Set Identifier (SSID) but the other is not, your computer always
> connects to the access point that is broadcasting its SSID. This occurs
> regardless of the preference order of the networks that are configured on
> the Preferred Networks list.
>
> Additionally, when your computer is connected to an access point that is not
> broadcasting its SSID, and another access point that is broadcasting its
> SSID is enabled nearby, your computer automatically connects to the access
> point that is broadcasting its SSID.
>
> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and re-read
> >> the
> >> knowledgebase article please.
> >
> > Carey, I've read it.
> > Again: a non-hidden AP will override any hidden AP *with same SSID*.
> > If the SSID of a non-hidden AP is not in the preferred list, and
> > connection
> > to non-preferred APs is disabled - then no problem, you won't connect
> > to it anyway.
> >
> > Regards,
> > --PA
> >
> >> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> > news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> >> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a wireless
> >> >> router
> >> >> and their signal overlaps yours.
> >> >
> >> > And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
> >> > (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to "capture"
> >> > your PC -
> >> > in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can help )
> >> > --PA
> >> >
> >> >> It's all explained here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
> >> >>

Thanks for info Pavel. I have personal experience with this issue with at
least three different customer locations where there was no setting that
made a difference on the XP machines. The SSID in each case was not being
broadcast and they each had a different SSID that was being broadcast that
the wireless PCs would randomly connect and disconnect to.

By enabling the SSID for each of these three customers, the wireless
problems went away.

Carey

"Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Apologies for being not clear enough. What I wrote
> was not a quotation from that KB article, it was in addition to it
> (based on some "insider knowledge" and experience ).
>
> If XP machine is is connected to AP1 that is not
> broadcasting its SSID, and AP2 that is broadcasting its
> SSID (*different from that of AP1*) appears nearby, and XP switches to
> AP2 - then the 802.11 driver is defective and needs to be updated.
> (assuming Wireless configuration is done properly and no other
> applications
> interfere with Wzcsvc, and no unusual RF conditions )
>
> Regards,
> Pavel A.
>
> "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I have no idea where you got that quote. The name of the SSID is
>> irrelevant.
>> Let me quote it for you:
>>
>> When your Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 (SP1 or SP2)-based
>> Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) client computer is in the proximity of
>> two
>> wireless access points, and one of the access points is broadcasting its
>> Service Set Identifier (SSID) but the other is not, your computer always
>> connects to the access point that is broadcasting its SSID. This occurs
>> regardless of the preference order of the networks that are configured on
>> the Preferred Networks list.
>>
>> Additionally, when your computer is connected to an access point that is
>> not
>> broadcasting its SSID, and another access point that is broadcasting its
>> SSID is enabled nearby, your computer automatically connects to the
>> access
>> point that is broadcasting its SSID.
>>
>> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and
>> >> re-read
>> >> the
>> >> knowledgebase article please.
>> >
>> > Carey, I've read it.
>> > Again: a non-hidden AP will override any hidden AP *with same SSID*.
>> > If the SSID of a non-hidden AP is not in the preferred list, and
>> > connection
>> > to non-preferred APs is disabled - then no problem, you won't connect
>> > to it anyway.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > --PA
>> >
>> >> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> > news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> >> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a
>> >> >> wireless
>> >> >> router
>> >> >> and their signal overlaps yours.
>> >> >
>> >> > And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
>> >> > (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to
>> >> > "capture"
>> >> > your PC -
>> >> > in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can
>> >> > help )
>> >> > --PA
>> >> >
>> >> >> It's all explained here:
>> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
>> >> >>
>
>
>

Carey , AFAIK this is a bad driver. Good drivers should return the SSID
of the associated AP in the scan list, even if the SSID is missing in the
actual AP beacon. Then wzcsvc will see that it still is connected
to a prefferred AP and has no reason to switch away.
If you connect to a hidden AP, and it becomes visible
in the scan list - the driver does this correctly.

Unfortunately, the spec on 802.11 divers in WinXP DDK is outdated,
the latest spec is available separately on the WHDC site. Also, Windows HCT
does not test working with hidden APs. Recent driver updates
most probably have this issue fixed.

Regards,
--PA

"Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for info Pavel. I have personal experience with this issue with at
> least three different customer locations where there was no setting that
> made a difference on the XP machines. The SSID in each case was not being
> broadcast and they each had a different SSID that was being broadcast that
> the wireless PCs would randomly connect and disconnect to.
>
> By enabling the SSID for each of these three customers, the wireless
> problems went away.
>
> Carey
>
> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Apologies for being not clear enough. What I wrote
> > was not a quotation from that KB article, it was in addition to it
> > (based on some "insider knowledge" and experience ).
> >
> > If XP machine is is connected to AP1 that is not
> > broadcasting its SSID, and AP2 that is broadcasting its
> > SSID (*different from that of AP1*) appears nearby, and XP switches to
> > AP2 - then the 802.11 driver is defective and needs to be updated.
> > (assuming Wireless configuration is done properly and no other
> > applications
> > interfere with Wzcsvc, and no unusual RF conditions )
> >
> > Regards,
> > Pavel A.
> >
> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> I have no idea where you got that quote. The name of the SSID is
> >> irrelevant.
> >> Let me quote it for you:
> >>
> >> When your Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 (SP1 or SP2)-based
> >> Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) client computer is in the proximity of
> >> two
> >> wireless access points, and one of the access points is broadcasting its
> >> Service Set Identifier (SSID) but the other is not, your computer always
> >> connects to the access point that is broadcasting its SSID. This occurs
> >> regardless of the preference order of the networks that are configured on
> >> the Preferred Networks list.
> >>
> >> Additionally, when your computer is connected to an access point that is
> >> not
> >> broadcasting its SSID, and another access point that is broadcasting its
> >> SSID is enabled nearby, your computer automatically connects to the
> >> access
> >> point that is broadcasting its SSID.
> >>
> >> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> >> No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and
> >> >> re-read
> >> >> the
> >> >> knowledgebase article please.
> >> >
> >> > Carey, I've read it.
> >> > Again: a non-hidden AP will override any hidden AP *with same SSID*.
> >> > If the SSID of a non-hidden AP is not in the preferred list, and
> >> > connection
> >> > to non-preferred APs is disabled - then no problem, you won't connect
> >> > to it anyway.
> >> >
> >> > Regards,
> >> > --PA
> >> >
> >> >> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> >> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> >> > news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> >> >> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a
> >> >> >> wireless
> >> >> >> router
> >> >> >> and their signal overlaps yours.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
> >> >> > (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to
> >> >> > "capture"
> >> >> > your PC -
> >> >> > in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can
> >> >> > help )
> >> >> > --PA
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> It's all explained here:
> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
> >> >> >>
> >
> >
> >
>
>

That may be true. I have avoided this configuration ever since. The only
commonality was it was all Linksys equipment (routers, nic's) with the
latest drivers and firmware available at the time.

Thanks for the added info.

Carey

"Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Carey , AFAIK this is a bad driver. Good drivers should return the SSID
> of the associated AP in the scan list, even if the SSID is missing in the
> actual AP beacon. Then wzcsvc will see that it still is connected
> to a prefferred AP and has no reason to switch away.
> If you connect to a hidden AP, and it becomes visible
> in the scan list - the driver does this correctly.
>
> Unfortunately, the spec on 802.11 divers in WinXP DDK is outdated,
> the latest spec is available separately on the WHDC site. Also, Windows
> HCT
> does not test working with hidden APs. Recent driver updates
> most probably have this issue fixed.
>
> Regards,
> --PA
>
> "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Thanks for info Pavel. I have personal experience with this issue with at
>> least three different customer locations where there was no setting that
>> made a difference on the XP machines. The SSID in each case was not being
>> broadcast and they each had a different SSID that was being broadcast
>> that
>> the wireless PCs would randomly connect and disconnect to.
>>
>> By enabling the SSID for each of these three customers, the wireless
>> problems went away.
>>
>> Carey
>>
>> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Apologies for being not clear enough. What I wrote
>> > was not a quotation from that KB article, it was in addition to it
>> > (based on some "insider knowledge" and experience ).
>> >
>> > If XP machine is is connected to AP1 that is not
>> > broadcasting its SSID, and AP2 that is broadcasting its
>> > SSID (*different from that of AP1*) appears nearby, and XP switches to
>> > AP2 - then the 802.11 driver is defective and needs to be updated.
>> > (assuming Wireless configuration is done properly and no other
>> > applications
>> > interfere with Wzcsvc, and no unusual RF conditions )
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Pavel A.
>> >
>> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> I have no idea where you got that quote. The name of the SSID is
>> >> irrelevant.
>> >> Let me quote it for you:
>> >>
>> >> When your Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 (SP1 or
>> >> SP2)-based
>> >> Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) client computer is in the proximity
>> >> of
>> >> two
>> >> wireless access points, and one of the access points is broadcasting
>> >> its
>> >> Service Set Identifier (SSID) but the other is not, your computer
>> >> always
>> >> connects to the access point that is broadcasting its SSID. This
>> >> occurs
>> >> regardless of the preference order of the networks that are configured
>> >> on
>> >> the Preferred Networks list.
>> >>
>> >> Additionally, when your computer is connected to an access point that
>> >> is
>> >> not
>> >> broadcasting its SSID, and another access point that is broadcasting
>> >> its
>> >> SSID is enabled nearby, your computer automatically connects to the
>> >> access
>> >> point that is broadcasting its SSID.
>> >>
>> >> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> >> No, the name of the SSID has nothing to do with it. Go back and
>> >> >> re-read
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> knowledgebase article please.
>> >> >
>> >> > Carey, I've read it.
>> >> > Again: a non-hidden AP will override any hidden AP *with same SSID*.
>> >> > If the SSID of a non-hidden AP is not in the preferred list, and
>> >> > connection
>> >> > to non-preferred APs is disabled - then no problem, you won't
>> >> > connect
>> >> > to it anyway.
>> >> >
>> >> > Regards,
>> >> > --PA
>> >> >
>> >> >> "Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> >> > "Carey Holzman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> >> > news:ep$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> >> >> It becomes a problem when you have a neighbor who also has a
>> >> >> >> wireless
>> >> >> >> router
>> >> >> >> and their signal overlaps yours.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > And also the neigbor's SSID must be same as yours.
>> >> >> > (so a hijacker can sniff your SSID and set it to their AP to
>> >> >> > "capture"
>> >> >> > your PC -
>> >> >> > in this case only mutual authentication of PC and network/AP can
>> >> >> > help )
>> >> >> > --PA
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> It's all explained here:
>> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811427
>> >> >> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>