Prizm2

Forum: Networking
Topic: Prizm2
started by: borgward

Posted by borgward on Sep. 26 2008,04:10

Having trouble connecting to wireless in a public place (like a bookstore, Starbucks ...)

I do not know what to enter in channel and sid

Usually there no one at a public acces point that has a clue.

I do not have a problem connecting in those places using other Linux distros, or windows.

Is there something else that I can use to connect?

Posted by curaga on Sep. 26 2008,10:43

If your card supports scanning, you can get a list of all channels and ssid's with:

Quote

iwlist scan

Posted by borgward on Sep. 26 2008,14:27

Quote (curaga @ Sep. 26 2008,10:43)

If your card supports scanning, you can get a list of all channels and ssid's with:

Quote

iwlist scan

I ran iwlist scan.

Got:

lo Failed to read scan data : Operation not supported

wlan0 Failed to read scan data : Operation not supported

When do I run iwlist? Before of after running prism?

The Netgear MA401 ver 2.5 finds the info for other LINUX distros

Where do you find whether a card supports scanning?

Posted by roberts on Sep. 26 2008,16:21

Typically you can leave them default/blank and it will try to connect to the strongest signal. It is usually easy to get the network name (signal id) and enter that in the sid field. I have used ma401 with many coffeeshops' free wifi.

Posted by borgward on Sep. 26 2008,20:59

I brought up prism 2. It comes up with 11 for Channel

I left sid empty and pressed "OK" sid came up w/"" I am now connected.

It did not work if I deleted the channel info and left it blank.

You stated that It is usually easy to get the network name (signal id) and enter that in the sid field. How do you do that easily? I usually can not find anybody in public places that understand what I am asking for.

Sometimes I luck out by guessing dlink or linksys.

Posted by roberts on Sep. 27 2008,23:26

Yes you need a channel number. It cannot be blank.
I have found that both sid and wep can be blank.
The sid, essid, or network name is usually something a user chooses from a list. With newer kernel, wireless-tools, and wifi cards scanning usually produces a pick list from which to connect. I would imagine it would be similar for Windows.