PPC won't retreive network without SSID broadcast

Hello,

On my network there is a pocket PC (Dell Axim 3i).

As long as it is connected, it is all well. But after, say, a soft reset, it
won't find back the network ("unavailable") _unless_ I turn on SSID
broadcast. Only then, I can turn it back off and the PPC will continue to
connect until the next reset.

This is rather tedious, so I leave SSID broadcast on for now.

There is surely a better way.

TIA for any advice,

--

Daniel CLEMENT

I am hoping the Dell Axim x30 does not have this issue. I just ordered one
and I also don't broadcast my SSID. That would be a pain if mine did the
same.

Nite Rider
"Daniel CLEMENT" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cgmlpr$dn1$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello,
>
> On my network there is a pocket PC (Dell Axim 3i).
>
> As long as it is connected, it is all well. But after, say, a soft reset,
it
> won't find back the network ("unavailable") _unless_ I turn on SSID
> broadcast. Only then, I can turn it back off and the PPC will continue to
> connect until the next reset.
>
> This is rather tedious, so I leave SSID broadcast on for now.
>
> There is surely a better way.
>
> TIA for any advice,
>
> --
>
> Daniel CLEMENT
>
>
>

leave ssid on. turning it off provides no security contrary to urban legend.
it just causes problems.

jtm

Taking a moment's reflection, Daniel CLEMENT mused:
|
| As long as it is connected, it is all well. But after, say, a soft reset,
| it won't find back the network ("unavailable") _unless_ I turn on SSID
| broadcast. Only then, I can turn it back off and the PPC will continue to
| connect until the next reset.

By disabling SSID Broadcast you have, essentially, stepped out of the
spec for wireless. I assume you have encryption enabled. If so, there is
no real reason to disable SSID Broadcasting. Here are some reasons:

1. You risk breaking connectivity and functionality of some wireless
components (as you discovered);
2. You risk a nearby neighbour setting up a wireless network on the same
channel you are using, and causing interference. If the neighbour also
disables SSID broadcasting, you may never learn why your performance is in
the tank;
3. Anyone who has the hardware/software to attempt cracking your
encryption, also has the ability to sniff your SSID whether it is broadcast
or not. So, when you disabled SSID Broadcast, you are only hiding it from
people who cannot crack your system anyway.

Leave SSID on, enable encryption (WPA preferable), and change your
encryption key frequently.

Thanks to all for these helpful replies. I won't bother about hiding SSID if
it doesn't add safety.

Now, I sure have encryption turned on, but I can do no better than WEP
(because at least one of my devices does not support WPA).

I have one question about WEP: on the wifi cards setup software, there is
room for 4 keys among which you can cycle easily. But is this reserved for
WEP-40 bits? (I think I have read that somewhere...)

Given that I use WEP-128 bits, can I still take advantage of this 4-key
choice?

TIA,

--

Daniel CLEMENT


"mhicaoidh" <®êmõvé_mhic_aoidh@hotÑîXmailSPäM.com> a écrit dans le message
de news: lTHXc.54864$9d6.33023@attbi_s54...
> Taking a moment's reflection, Daniel CLEMENT mused:
> |
> | As long as it is connected, it is all well. But after, say, a soft
reset,
> | it won't find back the network ("unavailable") _unless_ I turn on SSID
> | broadcast. Only then, I can turn it back off and the PPC will continue
to
> | connect until the next reset.
>
> By disabling SSID Broadcast you have, essentially, stepped out of the
> spec for wireless. I assume you have encryption enabled. If so, there is
> no real reason to disable SSID Broadcasting. Here are some reasons:
>
> 1. You risk breaking connectivity and functionality of some wireless
> components (as you discovered);
> 2. You risk a nearby neighbour setting up a wireless network on the same
> channel you are using, and causing interference. If the neighbour also
> disables SSID broadcasting, you may never learn why your performance is in
> the tank;
> 3. Anyone who has the hardware/software to attempt cracking your
> encryption, also has the ability to sniff your SSID whether it is
broadcast
> or not. So, when you disabled SSID Broadcast, you are only hiding it from
> people who cannot crack your system anyway.
>
> Leave SSID on, enable encryption (WPA preferable), and change your
> encryption key frequently.
>
>