Wireless on IBM thinkpad T40

[redcivic]

Okay, I boot up it sees my access point no problem. I have my linksys WAP11 set up to only allow access to certain Mac Addresses. I enter the Mac address to my new thinkpad and it connects great. But every once in a while (like today) I cannot connect. My daughters PC is connected through a USB wireless card and I have never messed with it since I installed the set-up well over a year ago. Her Computer is connected fine but my thinkpad shows a great connection (99% under the IBM wireless icon and excellent strength under the windows icon) but I cannot get access to the web. What gives? Which software is controlling the wireless connection? The box under wireless connection properties in windows is not check to let windows manage the connection so I am assuming the IBM software is managing it. But why does it work some of the times and not all the time? When I plug in a lan cable it gets access just fine. I double checked every thing I could think of. The only concerning thing is that the IBM connection software shows another network availble with the same SSID. This is in the profile (whatver that means) My daughters computer does not detect any other availbel networks and neither does my dell laptop but each of those wireless connections are managed by windows. Any input would be great. Also any input on how to access networks at hotels and airports would be great too. Sometimes it works but not all the time.

 

[redcivic]

Anyone?

 

[bearone2]

let it obtain the ip address automatically in tcp/ip properties.
why do you limit, not sure you can, mac address access?

wi-fi cards can roam but now days there's no free access, you have to be a subscriber.

i checked into wi-fi at borders and the system they used was unique to them, same way at airports, you have to be on the system.

 

[jghost5]

netstumbler is a good tool to find settings in hotels and airports. Most hotels have setups where you just set to find ip automatically. I was at a hotel in October that had wireless coverage all through the hotel.

 

[bearone2]

didn't they have to give you login/pw to access it?

 

[redcivic]

TCIP is set to retrieve automatically. It is set-up for DHCP. I have the access point set-up to only allow mac addresses I specify in the properties. This way I don't have to use WEP which is PIA IMO. This way a random person in my neighborhood cannot connect to my AP.

 

[bearone2]

how do you acquire the mac address you shield yourself from?

how do you limit mac addresses? within the ap?
not sure i can do it on mine, wep offers protection and seems easier.
different strokes.....for different folks.

is the ap separate from router? are you even using a router?
ap mfg?

 

[redcivic]

No, you tell your ap what mac addresses to allow connection. Take the mac address from your computer, enter it into the setup page of the AP and then your AP will only allow that mac address access to the network.

 

[JohnWill]

FYI, MAC addresses are very easy to spoof, and the protection you think you have is pretty much as flimsy as it comes. The only way to keep someone else from connecting is to stay on the wireless connection 24/hr a day.

In addition, all of your traffic is sent out unencrypted, so even without connecting to your router, someone can monitor what you're doing.

There is a good reason why WEP/WPA is so popular, it's much more effective than feel-good measures like restricting MAC addresses, or not broadcasting the SSID.

 

[redcivic]

How can you tell the AP to accept request from a MAC address that is not listed in it's set-up? Oh, and I got my thinkpad working. I upgraded my AP to a new Wirelss G AP and the thinkpad now connects. Go Figure......