WPA TKIP and different routers

I recently changed both router and cable modem. I would like swap back
to the old router to t/s whether recent (since these changes) network
instability is the router, or the cable modem.

Both routers support WPA-PSA TKIP. Both use the same Network key and
SSID. However, when I switch between them, I have to reinstall the
wireless card driver on my desktop computer, and our PS3 needs to have
the key re-entered by hand (arduous process). My son's PSP just won't
go online at all since the switch.

The desktop may just have a flaky wireless card. But, I don't see why
the PS3 and PSP would also take exception to the network settings. I
would expect (since no network info has changed and they're set to use
DHCP) that they would get online easily.

Is there a way to switch from router to router invisibly, without the
networking computers noticing there's been a change?

Gwen
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On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:45:25 -0500, Gwen Morse
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I recently changed both router and cable modem. I would like swap back
>to the old router to t/s whether recent (since these changes) network
>instability is the router, or the cable modem.
>
>Both routers support WPA-PSA TKIP. Both use the same Network key and
>SSID. However, when I switch between them, I have to reinstall the
>wireless card driver on my desktop computer, and our PS3 needs to have
>the key re-entered by hand (arduous process). My son's PSP just won't
>go online at all since the switch.
>
>The desktop may just have a flaky wireless card. But, I don't see why
>the PS3 and PSP would also take exception to the network settings. I
>would expect (since no network info has changed and they're set to use
>DHCP) that they would get online easily.
>
>Is there a way to switch from router to router invisibly, without the
>networking computers noticing there's been a change?

No. All 802.11 wireless networking is based on MAC addresses, not IP
addresses. You can make the IP addresses the same between the two
routers, but you can't change the MAC addresses on the wireless
interface.

Your various clients connect to the wireless access points using the
MAC address, which by necessity will be different, thus necessitating
a new connection. The reason you're having problems is that most
wireless client software isn't particularly smart about juggling two
wireless access points, both with identical settings, except for the
MAC address. The PC probably has a "profile" or "saved setting" for
the previous connection setup. Delete it, and recreate it every time
you swap routers. That should work. Same with the PS3.

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