Configure WiFi Access Points Through Group Policies

[Nick_Parker]

Quick question, I think I already know the answer (which I don't like) so I thought I'd double check with you guys

 

We have about 10 Wireless Access points around our campus, all set to WPA-PSK. This allows me to connect staff who only come in a few days a week, or a guest user etc, very quickly and easily by just typing in the password - so I'd like to keep it this way if possible.

 

For all our staff with laptops who do log onto the domain. I've been looking through the "Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies" options on Server 2008 and I see that you can add wireless networks, set the security type and choose the network preference. However, when I pick WPA-PSK, there is never an option to put in the password. Does this mean that it'll add the connect to everybody's laptop, but I'm going to have to manually type in the password on every laptop everytime they log onto one of the APs that they haven't been to before?

 

Thanks guys!

[SYNACK]

You could try this method:

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/networks/6774-scripting-wireless-windows-xp-vista.html#post68992

 

or

 

http://www.edugeek.net/wiki/index.php/Automating_WiFi_Configuration

[PiqueABoo]

There is a CL util on here that you can use to configure WZC connections, including the password:

 

labs.arubanetworks.com

 

But it relies on the key lying around (which is pretty much the same reason MS don't let you put it in GPOs).

[Jose]

There is a command line utility called wpscp.exe

This can works fine on sp2 and sp3 xp machines.

 

just create a batch file that look something like this

 

wpscp -n "Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter" -s WHSG -c ESS -a WPAPSK -e TKIP -k password

 

wpscp -n "Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter" -s tech1 -c ESS -a WPAPSK -e TKIP -k password

 

wpscp -n "Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter" -s tech2 -c ESS -a WPAPSK -e TKIP -k password

 

Works like a dream