Unable to connect to Wireless Network
Hello, Few weeks back I loaded SUSE10.1 on my laptop. Since then I was facing one problem or the other and many a times I had to reinstall as I was helpless and didn't know way out. I am sure there must have been solutions but to me back then reinstallation was the easiest option. In my latest installation the Wireless card went undetected last week I had posted in this list that I am unable to install the Intel Pro 2200 BG on my IBM R52 thinkpad. With valuable inputs I was able to do that. Now, comes another problem. The area I am putting up, has around 8-9 wireless networks, mostly unencrypted and the one of my campus is encrypted. I can connect to the unencrypted networks but not to my campus's network. The unencrypted networks are no good as they don't provide connectivity to the internet. (probably they are in testing phase or something) I had a talk with the system administrator. He told me that he has set the wireless configuration to 64 bit WEP passphrase on channel 8. He also told me that he doesn't clearly remember thing so he asked me to meet him again on Friday as that day he will show me the entire configuration. Now, my question is, since I am unable to connect, and I have an appointment with him; what should I look for. He is having little knowledge of Linux and operates a windows machine. What exactly happens is that when I select the desired wireless ESSID, the Knetwork manager progresses to 58 % where it says committing ip configuration and exits. Sometimes, it even exits at 27% where it says configuring the device. I did a tail -f /var/log/NetworkManager from console and at one point I read that DHCP took too long, more than 45 sec to connect. I had posted this problem of not able to connect sometime back also but didn't get much help on it. I hope someone can help me this time. -- Puneit Singh 0091-9350832020
On Tue, September 5, 2006 3:38 am, Puneit Singh wrote:
I had a talk with the system administrator. He told me that he has set the wireless configuration to 64 bit WEP passphrase on channel 8. He also told me that he doesn't clearly remember thing so he asked me to meet him again on Friday as that day he will show me the entire configuration.
If you are not using KWallet and he's using WEP, then here's what you need to do to connect. (This is the same as my home network.) Click on the KNetwork icon in the system tray. This should bring up a list of networks available. Select the one you are trying to connect to. You then need to switch the passphrase type prior to typing in the passphrase. The passphrase type will be listed in "Use Encryption" and be one of several settings depending on your configuration. For example, here at work, I have "WPA Personal" and "WPA Enterprise" available. At home, I have 64 bit ASCII, 128 bit ASCII and HEX (not the rock band) available. I'm sure there are others to discover. (Wardriving anyone?) Here at work, I use the "WPA Personal" selection and at home I use the "64 bit ASCII" selection. These, I've found, equate roughly to what your router configuration has available.
Now, my question is, since I am unable to connect, and I have an appointment with him; what should I look for. He is having little knowledge of Linux and operates a windows machine.
This is irrelevant for your situation. He just needs to be able to tell you the network type the WEP/WPA passphrase and what encryption is being used. You can then make the selection. Even my Wintendo laptop has these selections available.
What exactly happens is that when I select the desired wireless ESSID, the Knetwork manager progresses to 58 % where it says committing ip configuration and exits. Sometimes, it even exits at 27% where it says configuring the device.
Yeah, basically that is KNetwork manager telling you that you're SOL and you are not getting on the network. Keep in mind, too, that many WiFi networks are also locked down to only utilize certian MAC addresses. (Both my work WiFi and my home WiFi employ this added layer.) If this is the case, your admin will need to add your MAC into his list. Oh, and don't forget to give him a 10.1 Live DVD. Tell him to come to the dark side...we have cookies! Good luck!! -- Kai Ponte www.perfectreign.com || www.4thedadz.com remember - a turn signal is a statement, not a request
On Tuesday 05 September 2006 20:14, PerfectReign wrote:
On Tue, September 5, 2006 3:38 am, Puneit Singh wrote:
I had a talk with the system administrator. He told me that he has set the wireless configuration to 64 bit WEP passphrase on channel 8. He also told me that he doesn't clearly remember thing so he asked me to meet him again on Friday as that day he will show me the entire configuration.
If you are not using KWallet and he's using WEP, then here's what you need to do to connect. (This is the same as my home network.)
Click on the KNetwork icon in the system tray. This should bring up a list of networks available. Select the one you are trying to connect to. You then need to switch the passphrase type prior to typing in the passphrase.
The passphrase type will be listed in "Use Encryption" and be one of several settings depending on your configuration. For example, here at work, I have "WPA Personal" and "WPA Enterprise" available. At home, I have 64 bit ASCII, 128 bit ASCII and HEX (not the rock band) available.
I'm sure there are others to discover. (Wardriving anyone?)
Here at work, I use the "WPA Personal" selection and at home I use the "64 bit ASCII" selection. These, I've found, equate roughly to what your router configuration has available.
Now, my question is, since I am unable to connect, and I have an appointment with him; what should I look for. He is having little knowledge of Linux and operates a windows machine.
This is irrelevant for your situation. He just needs to be able to tell you the network type the WEP/WPA passphrase and what encryption is being used. You can then make the selection. Even my Wintendo laptop has these selections available. He said, when he configured the system, he made a provision for Linux. I don't know how true or valid is that.
Yeah, basically that is KNetwork manager telling you that you're SOL and you are not getting on the network. Keep in mind, too, that many WiFi networks are also locked down to only utilize certian MAC addresses. (Both my work WiFi and my home WiFi employ this added layer.) If this is the case, your admin will need to add your MAC into his list. No, I really don't think its the MAC address. We got names like 'activity
palza' (should have been plaza but its fed wrongly); cafeteria, mess, library All these have the same 64bit WEP key. Atleast this much I know for sure. When I click on KNetworkManager, I get the available networks and I select the one I want to connect to, but connection doesnot happen. I have even tried giving static ip address just in case, but that also didn't help. When I was using windows on the same machine, I didn't face this problem. So I am very sure either its the driver or the configuration or if it is possible then the network doesnot accept linux systems. I have installed IPW2200 firmware. Shall I try with ndiswrapper. I have an Intel pro2200 bg wireless card. -- Puneit Singh 0091-9350832020
On Tue, September 5, 2006 8:21 am, Puneit Singh wrote:
On Tuesday 05 September 2006 20:14, PerfectReign wrote:
layer.) If this is the case, your admin will need to add your MAC into his list. No, I really don't think its the MAC address. We got names like 'activity palza' (should have been plaza but its fed wrongly); cafeteria, mess, library All these have the same 64bit WEP key. Atleast this much I know for sure. When I click on KNetworkManager, I get the available networks and I select the one I want to connect to, but connection doesnot happen. I have even tried giving static ip address just in case, but that also didn't help. When I was using windows on the same machine, I didn't face this problem.
I feel your pain. WiFi on linux appears to be less mature than on Windows. You said you select the one you want to connect to. Did you type in the password? Did you try different options in the select list?
So I am very sure either its the driver or the configuration or if it is possible then the network doesnot accept linux systems. I have installed IPW2200 firmware. Shall I try with ndiswrapper. I have an Intel pro2200 bg wireless card.
No, that wouldn't help, in my opinion. Since the Intel chipset has native drivers, you'd only be adding a layer of translation on top of yoru system. If the driver works, it is an issue with either your config or the network. Oh, and when you get to it - a fantastic reason to have Linux is the new GL Matrix screen saver. I'm watching it right now on my laptop, and it is mesmerizing! -- Kai Ponte www.perfectreign.com || www.4thedadz.com remember - a turn signal is a statement, not a request
On Tue, September 5, 2006 8:21 am, Puneit Singh wrote:
On Tuesday 05 September 2006 20:14, PerfectReign wrote:
layer.) If this is the case, your admin will need to add your MAC into his list.
No, I really don't think its the MAC address. We got names like 'activity palza' (should have been plaza but its fed wrongly); cafeteria, mess, library All these have the same 64bit WEP key. Atleast this much I know for sure. When I click on KNetworkManager, I get the available networks and I select the one I want to connect to, but connection doesnot happen. I have even tried giving static ip address just in case, but that also didn't help. When I was using windows on the same machine, I didn't face this problem.
I feel your pain. WiFi on linux appears to be less mature than on Windows.
You said you select the one you want to connect to. Did you type in the password? Did you try different options in the select list?
So I am very sure either its the driver or the configuration or if it is possible then the network doesnot accept linux systems. I have installed IPW2200 firmware. Shall I try with ndiswrapper. I have an Intel pro2200 bg wireless card.
No, that wouldn't help, in my opinion. Since the Intel chipset has native drivers, you'd only be adding a layer of translation on top of yoru system. If the driver works, it is an issue with either your config or the network.
Oh, and when you get to it - a fantastic reason to have Linux is the new GL Matrix screen saver. I'm watching it right now on my laptop, and it is mesmerizing!
-- Kai Ponte www.perfectreign.com || www.4thedadz.com
remember - a turn signal is a statement, not a request Yes, I have tried all options and I am entering the correct passwords. Anyways, I shall wait for my meeting with that guy. I hope it works out. Since, the admin is also not very comfortable with Linux, is there anything
On Tuesday 05 September 2006 21:09, PerfectReign wrote: that I need to tell him or anything that I should check in the configuration -- Puneit Singh 0091-9350832020
On Tue, September 5, 2006 10:03 am, Puneit Singh wrote:
Yes, I have tried all options and I am entering the correct passwords. Anyways, I shall wait for my meeting with that guy. I hope it works out. Since, the admin is also not very comfortable with Linux, is there anything that I need to tell him or anything that I should check in the configuration
I wouldn't really think that there is much in your config that could disable your ability to connect, with the exception of not using the right password/ connection type combination. I'm glad that your admin is willing to help you out and not simply blowing you off for using an advanced OS. :) -- Kai Ponte www.perfectreign.com || www.4thedadz.com remember - a turn signal is a statement, not a request
On Tuesday 05 September 2006 23:30, PerfectReign wrote:
On Tue, September 5, 2006 10:03 am, Puneit Singh wrote:
Yes, I have tried all options and I am entering the correct passwords. Anyways, I shall wait for my meeting with that guy. I hope it works out. Since, the admin is also not very comfortable with Linux, is there anything that I need to tell him or anything that I should check in the configuration
I wouldn't really think that there is much in your config that could disable your ability to connect, with the exception of not using the right password/ connection type combination. I am dead sure, that the password is right, because everyone in the campus shares the same password. And just to check and recheck, I have made my friends enter the WEP passphrase. In windows, it used to connect in an Open mode, so I am using open. though I have tried with other modes too. Network was infrastructure type in windows so here it becomes Managed.
Can you tell me how can I increase the time limit of 45secs after which it times out saying DHCP server took longer than 45 secs. This I found out from tail -f /var/log/NetworkManager
I'm glad that your admin is willing to help you out and not simply blowing you off for using an advanced OS. :) Initially, I was blown off, and it took a great deal of persuasion and convincing to get him talk. I will let you know what is the outcome of our meeting on Friday Thanks for responding -- Puneit Singh 0091-9350832020
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Puneit Singh