Linksys WAP11

I just purchased a Linksys WAP11, and inserted into my existing network,
which contains a Linksys BESFR41 router with a cable modem connection. I
made all the recommended changes, but still my laptop was logging onto a
generic "linksys" SSID, even though I had turned my SSID broadcast off, and
changed the name to something cryptic. Then it occurred to me to check the
IP address. The laptop had an IP address that was beyond the limits of my
DHCP server. We live in a townhome, and I realized, I was logging onto
someone else's wireless router, maybe upstairs, or across the hallway.

Is there a way to tell my Windows XP laptop to NOT log onto this other
wireless network? It seems that if the laptop and WAP11 are in the same
room, then the laptop chooses "my" network, but anywhere else in the house
and the laptop chooses the neighbors network, which of course isn't secure.
Guess I need to ask around, to see who else has it, and to get them to
secure their network. They didn't even change the password to their router.
But in the meantime, how can I force XP to choose my own network, which does
have 128 bit WEP enabled, and also only allows the mac address from the
laptop?

Thanks,
Van (remove the _remove from email if replying personally)

"Van DeWald" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Q8b6b.64601$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> I just purchased a Linksys WAP11, and inserted into my existing network,
> which contains a Linksys BESFR41 router with a cable modem connection. I
> made all the recommended changes, but still my laptop was logging onto a
> generic "linksys" SSID, even though I had turned my SSID broadcast off,
and
> changed the name to something cryptic. Then it occurred to me to check
the
> IP address. The laptop had an IP address that was beyond the limits of my
> DHCP server. We live in a townhome, and I realized, I was logging onto
> someone else's wireless router, maybe upstairs, or across the hallway.
>
> Is there a way to tell my Windows XP laptop to NOT log onto this other
> wireless network? It seems that if the laptop and WAP11 are in the same
> room, then the laptop chooses "my" network, but anywhere else in the house
> and the laptop chooses the neighbors network, which of course isn't
secure.
> Guess I need to ask around, to see who else has it, and to get them to
> secure their network. They didn't even change the password to their
router.
> But in the meantime, how can I force XP to choose my own network, which
does
> have 128 bit WEP enabled, and also only allows the mac address from the
> laptop?

Turn SSID broadcast back on. XP will always connect to an AP that
broadcasts it's SSID. It's designed that way.

Yes, I agree it's dumb.

Do a search on "SSID" in the Microsoft Knowledgebase. There is an article
on this.

Turning off SSID broadcast is really only a "feel-good" secutity ploy that
is, in reality, totally useless.


Bob

Van DeWald wrote:

> Is there a way to tell my Windows XP laptop to NOT log onto this other
> wireless network? It seems that if the laptop and WAP11 are in the same
> room, then the laptop chooses "my" network, but anywhere else in the house
> and the laptop chooses the neighbors network, which of course isn't secure.
> Guess I need to ask around, to see who else has it, and to get them to
> secure their network. They didn't even change the password to their router.
> But in the meantime, how can I force XP to choose my own network, which does
> have 128 bit WEP enabled, and also only allows the mac address from the
> laptop?

Turn off the option to allow windows xp to manage the connection, and set it up
with your details in the software that comes with your card.