Wireless SSID

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, 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

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).