Script or automator to auto-log into wireless network?

Question

Is it possible to write a script or automator action to automatically log into a wireless network? I'd like to run this at startup to auto connect to a wireless access point.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm certainly no expert on this topic, but...doesn't your computer already do this automatically? Mine certainly does.
In your System Preferences, click on the "Network" pane, then click on "Airport" on the left column, then make sure the "Ask to join new networks" click-box is checked. When it is, you will see this text below it:
"Known networks will be joined automatically. If no known networks are available, you will be asked before joining a new network."
Final step: Now click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the Network pane, and make sure "Remember networks this computer has joined" box is checked. That is essential! Then close the System Preferences window. Done!
Henceforth, each time you encounter a hitherto as-yet unknown network for the first time, you will be asked before joining it. But once you have joined it, even only once, you will never be asked again! The computer will automatically rejoin any previously recognized wireless network you encounter.
One final detail: if you find yourself in a cloud of two or more overlapping wireless hotspots simultaneously, and the computer is not joining the one you prefer, then go back to that "Advanced" button in the Network pane, and rearrange the list of remembered Networks to have the one you prefer at the top. Then the computer will always join that one first, if it is available.
This is how I have my computer set up, and each time I restart or log on at home, it instantly and without asking automatically joins my home wireless network -- I'm not even conscious of it happening. By the time I sit down and launch Safari or Mail, I'm already online with no actions having been taken on my part. And if I find myself in my favorite cafe, I open my MacBook and it instantly and automatically joins the cafe's network, without asking, since my home network is now out of reach and the cafe's network is the second-highest on my priority list and thus the highest among available detected remembered Networks.
Hope this answers your problem. If you instead were seeking a different answer to a slightly different problem, then please re-clarify! Hopefully then someone who's more of an expert in Networks can answer it.