Wireless logging on

[mattx]

I have some laptops [ 24 of them to setup on our wireless network ] - the laptops are Ergo's Microlite range with the Intel® Pro/Wireless 3954ABG chipset for the wireless access.

Problem I currently have is when try and logon [ after making the connection ] using the on-board network card is that when you go wireless it states the domain is not available.

I checked our older RM Laptops and they work fine - but these Ergos arn't playing. Any help would be appreciated..

I have switched between using the Windows Config for the Wireless and the Proset but this had made no difference.

[Ric_]

Have you used the Proset Administrative Config tool to enable Pre-Logon Connect?

[mattx]

It was ticked [ the check box ] but nothing was set as in a user name / password / domain. Is there a user name / password / domain that has to be set here ?

[ I am at home at the moment and don't have one of them in front of me... ]

[mattx]

Just checking the manual - http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-022084.htm

 

Page 101 - I'll give this a go tomorrow.

Strange thing is I have not had to do this with a different set of laptops on our wireless network, they just go straight in !!

[Ric_]

Don't confuse pre-logon connect with auto-login. The boxes that must be completed will vary depending upon the type of encryption used.

 

You could maybe try configuring an unencrypted SSID for testing so that you can narrow it down to authentication.

[mattx]

Good idea, the encryption is WPA at the moment - I have an old AP Linksys which I'll setup in the office first to test. This must be possible otherwise whats the point of having wireless access if you can't logon wirelessly to start with !!

[Ravening_Wolf]

whats the point of having wireless access if you can't logon wirelessly to start with !!

 

It looks good for visitors and school press releases

[DMcCoy]

using the very latest intel drivers? ones I used in the past were broken, a logon issue was fixed in a later edition.

[mattx]

It looks good for visitors and school press releases

 

Tell me about it......

Funny thing is, the 24 laptops were to replace 12 NEC desktops which were already installed.

Guess whats being delivered in two weeks time ?

 

Drivers - interesting point - I up-graded to the latest version and the pro-set software then informed me there were no wireless cards installed !!

[Halfmad]

I had similar problems with Dell D620s, exactly the same problem! Intel pro cards.

 

I had the pre-login connect option ticked but it wouldn't work. There is an "export configuration" option on it that makes a preconfigured setup, using that and then running the .exe it makes oddly enough actually worked!

 

Now if I'm setting one up I just have to double click that exe and jobs done..

[mattx]

I take it you export the config once you have made it ?

And then you copy the exe over to a USB drive or share, run it on another laptop and that will sort the config out ?

[Ric_]

@mattx: Yes... it's in the admin bit I mentioned earlier.

[mattx]

Well configured the Pre Logon and that did the job. Although for some reason the laptop does not pick up a specific AP in our Nursery somtimes.....

I did notice that the Pro Set software icon is still in the system tray after someone logs on and can be messed around with.

Before I go hunting in the policies, can someone let me know if there is one to hide it, or if there is a way to stop users messing - as they can choose the option to let the windows software maintain the wireless config !! AAAGHHH.

[NetworkGeezer]

Are we talking staff or student laptops. Students won't be running as admin so that's not an issue.

 

As for staff they should get the idea after a few emails.

[mattx]

Students - even as a student, the option of messing with the settings is still there, specially messing with the way the software [ either the pro set or windows ] configs the wireless connection.

I have to say I am not impressed with this on board wireless chipset.

I setup a load of older laptops in 15 mins. These are just giving me problem after problem.

[mattx]

Anyone else running an Aruba wireless switch and Access Points ?

If so - what are your experiences ? Specially with the 3954ABG Intel Pro Set chipset.

[Halfmad]

Well configured the Pre Logon and that did the job. Although for some reason the laptop does not pick up a specific AP in our Nursery somtimes.....

I did notice that the Pro Set software icon is still in the system tray after someone logs on and can be messed around with.

Before I go hunting in the policies, can someone let me know if there is one to hide it, or if there is a way to stop users messing - as they can choose the option to let the windows software maintain the wireless config !! AAAGHHH.

 

pretty sure if you rebuild the default profile after setting to hide the icon it'll stay hidden. I know it doesn't show up on any of my images Dell D620s regardless of staff/student login.

[mattx]

There is a setting to hide the icon ? I have not found that yet - I had better check it out...

Been reading up this evening about SSO - single sign on - not much documentation on that in the manuals so trying to work out how this would be better than a pre logon connection.... reading up on them ( what I can find ) it states they are related in some way - what way is something I am still trying to work out...On my last check there is SSO, PLC and also persistent connections.... At least I can get clients to connect, I want to improve the performance though..

Also going to try turning off power save polling to see if that makes any difference.

 

Thanks for all the advice given so far btw - apprecaite it.