Wireless SSID

I've set up a home network using a Linksys WAG54G, cable
connected to my primary desktop computer.

I have a laptop in the link, using a Linksys Wireless-B WPC11 v.4
Notebook Adapter.

I have desktop computer #2 in the network, using a Linksys WMP54G
Wireless - G adapter.

The setup works very well except I can not set the SSID Broadcast
to Disabled. That is, when I do set it to Disabled, desktop
computer #2 goes blind and deaf. It drops the connection, then
can't find the gateway, and obviously, it can not connect to the
internet. The primary desktop and the notebook don't have a
problem with this, just the second desktop computer.

You need to manual set the SSID on your client (PC) card to match what it is
set to on the AP. When SSID Bcast is enabled you don't need to set anything
on the client card (it can be automatically read and set).



"Gordon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I've set up a home network using a Linksys WAG54G, cable
> connected to my primary desktop computer.
>
> I have a laptop in the link, using a Linksys Wireless-B WPC11 v.4
> Notebook Adapter.
>
> I have desktop computer #2 in the network, using a Linksys WMP54G
> Wireless - G adapter.
>
> The setup works very well except I can not set the SSID Broadcast
> to Disabled. That is, when I do set it to Disabled, desktop
> computer #2 goes blind and deaf. It drops the connection, then
> can't find the gateway, and obviously, it can not connect to the
> internet. The primary desktop and the notebook don't have a
> problem with this, just the second desktop computer.

Gordon,
I can't really help you, but can tell you my own experience.

I'm using Netgear router. It was working fine with SSID disabled until I
setup my new ADSL modem. Although people saying disabled SSID won't help
much I just can't stop trying to disable it, because I know it has worked
before :-) So, I tried everything. I can see my notebook scanning and
receiving signal. Even with the right SSID it doesn't stop at that
channel. The most interesting thing is that I can see the SSID in the
survey list althought it not broadcasted ( I think that what people mean
useless). Anyway, there's some kind of security because I couldn't connect
myself hahaha...

Actually, I've already given up. Until I bought my PDA lately. I can
connect my PDA without SSID broadcast. Then I played around with my
notebook again. I updated the driver and all of sudden it works. I'm not
sure, but I thought I tried that driver before. Anyway, I still can't
understand why it was working at the very beginning.

One more thing want to share... It's good to put a special character in
the SSID, e.g. '/'. When I entered my SSID on my PDA it doesn't allow \/#
etc. The only way to get it set up, I had to broadcast the SSID first and
accept the new network, then disable it. So, you can see that there was a
little additional security. Even I know the SSID I couldn't log on :-)

Phuoc Can HUA

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 19:28:53 GMT, Gordon <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I've set up a home network using a Linksys WAG54G, cable
> connected to my primary desktop computer.
>
> I have a laptop in the link, using a Linksys Wireless-B WPC11 v.4
> Notebook Adapter.
>
> I have desktop computer #2 in the network, using a Linksys WMP54G
> Wireless - G adapter.
>
> The setup works very well except I can not set the SSID Broadcast
> to Disabled. That is, when I do set it to Disabled, desktop
> computer #2 goes blind and deaf. It drops the connection, then
> can't find the gateway, and obviously, it can not connect to the
> internet. The primary desktop and the notebook don't have a
> problem with this, just the second desktop computer.



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My Homepage is my Castle

Taking a moment's reflection, Gordon mused:
|
| The setup works very well except I can not set the SSID Broadcast
| to Disabled. That is, when I do set it to Disabled, desktop
| computer #2 goes blind and deaf. It drops the connection, then
| can't find the gateway, and obviously, it can not connect to the
| internet. The primary desktop and the notebook don't have a
| problem with this, just the second desktop computer.

Disabling SSID Broadcast, while commonly touted as a security measure,
is actually outside of the specification set forth in 802.11x ... therefore
it can (and often does) break functionality of many network cards.
Therefore SSID Broadcast should be left enabled.

Regarding its use as a security measure, there is no security benefit.
Use WEP, but use WPA if you have it. Those with the ability to sniff WEP
keys and potentially crack your security will be able to also detect your
SSID whether you are broadcasting it or not ... same as your MAC addresses.

Also, disabling it can create unintended consequences as well. For
example, your neighbours will not know that there is already a wireless
network on the channel you are already using. So, they may set their
network up on that channel as well ... assuming it is clear (since no
networks show up). If they also hide their SSID, then you (and they) will
have no idea why your connections are being dropped and throughput is
terrible.

Leave SSID on, and enable WPA-PSK (or WEP if that's all you have).