"kbloch2001" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>Lots of interesting asnwers but wrong on most parts in my opinion. The
>problem has to do with the Windows Zero Configuration program and the
>setting to check for other networks periodically. Periodically to
>microsoft is to check once every 60 seconds. When it does its check it
>goes into a scan modem and searches for other access points that may
>offer a better signal. It does not matter if you are sitting on top of
>the other access point and have a maximum signal strenght indicated it
>will still look.
That would make sense if Microsoft bothered to search for other
networks AFTER it has successfully connected. The problem is that it
doesn't. Wireless Zero Config will tenaciously stick to a connection
even if there is a much stronger signal available using the same SSID.
You can demonstrate this for yourself by attempting to roam between
access points (using the same SSID). WZC will not switch to the
stronger access point until it has literally lost the connection to
the original access point. That's where the approximately 60 seconds
happens as a keep alive. It tries to reconnect by assuming that there
was no traffic to move. When it doesn't find the original access
point, it will then switch to scan mode. Note that scan mode takes
much longer than the 1 second or so shown on the ping responses. You
can also unplug the first access point and time how long it takes for
the client to switch to another access point with the same SSID. Last
time I tried it, the connect time was about 10 to 40 seconds depending
on where in the 60 second timing cycle the first access point was
unplugged.
There are some other client managers that do a better job of switching
access points. Intel Proset 10.x is one example. It even has
settings at to how tenaciously it will remain connected to the initial
access point.
>As far as the comments on the vendor software being bloated I disagree.
>If Microsoft would quit trying to control everything on a PC and let
>the vendors for hardware use there drivers by default it would be much
>easier to solve problems or avoid them alltogether.
I don't care if the driver is 1 GBloat big. All I care is that it
works. A clue as to how well the MS WZC client manager is written is
the stupid requirement to enter the WPA key twice. That may make
sense for the access point, where a mistyped WPA key or password will
prevent future access. However, it makes no sense on the client,
where a typo error is simply corrected and retried.
--
Jeff Liebermann
(E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558