SSID Broadcasting problem

Hi,
until yesterday I used a Linksys WAP4400N access point to connect my MacBook via WLAN to my LAN. When SSID broadcasting was enabled, everything worked fine. However, as soon as I disable SSID broadcasting, my MacBook does not find my WLAN anymore. My WLAN is entered in the list of 'known' WLANs.
Yesterday, I bought an Apple Time Capsule and with SSID broadcasting everything works fine, but without SSID broadcasting, my MacBook is not able to connect anymore. It thus seems to be a problem of my MacBook instead of a problem with the access points.
I tested another notebook running Windows XP, and that notebook connects fine (both with and without SSID broadcasting).
Is this problem known to any of you? If so, does anyone of you know how to fix this problem?

OK, so it finally happened again. Here are some screenshots:
Hovering over the network icon, I see the factory SSID:
http://www.delorenzo.ca/temp/a.png
Click to open it, it shows two different SSIDs:
http://www.delorenzo.ca/temp/b.png
My network scanner only shows one network, no factory SSID:
http://www.delorenzo.ca/temp/c.png
This condition persists until I disconnect and reconnect the network.
Windows 7 only knows one network (Starbuck). Apple Network is not in my network list. When this is happening, Windows 7 thinks I am connected to a public network and so firewall blocks some of my applications.

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SSID broadcast problems when using security

My windows PC does not detect the network once I turned security on (either WEP or WPA). As soon as I set security to NONE, Windoes will detect the network and I can join it without any problems.
I already changed the channel from automaic to 8 (as some threads indicate this might be an issue)
My iBook however does always detect the network, regardless of the security settings
Appreciate any ideas !

Is this problem experienced on a Windows XP system? I too am experiencing such problems and am trying to discover the cause / solution.

Disable SSID broadcast solve the E4200 continuous flashing problem

I was quite excited about E4200 I got yesterday. Everything works perfect except front LED light start blinking a few hours later. Don't know why it happens in a sudden and non-stop.
After several tries, I found that disabling SSID broadcast for both 2.4 and 5GHz stops the blinking.
Of course, before doing that, I upgraded firmware to 1.0.02, reset to factory defaults and finally set up E4200 manually rather than using Cisco Connect.
Now the LED light is continuously lit.
I hope this hint could help you to solve the poblem as well.

I wonder if the 'flasjhing logo' problem (which indicates WPS connection is in process) could be due to using Cisco Connect initially.
I am thinking of doing a '30-30-30' rest, using the web browser for all the configuration.(I have been doing this ever since ditching Cisco Connect early on).

SSID Broadcast in WLC4402 and connecting problem.

When there are multiple wlans in the preferred networks list and I disable SSID broadcast, Windows XP client would not connect to network even if it`s first in the preferred network list. If I enable broadcast, connecting to network works just fine. Have anyone solved this problem?

Typically I see that issue with only some wireless cards. Turning off SSID broadcast doesn't really gain you much in the way of securing your network. There is freeware that can find the SSID of your network with the broadcast off.

IPod Touch - WiFi - SSID Broadcast Works/SSID No Broadcast Doesn't Work

This is maddening in so many different ways:
I have two (2) 2nd Generation iPod Touch 8Gb products. Both are nearly identical in every way -- how they connect, OS, Library, similar Apps (but not the same all the time), etc.
iPod Touch "A" works flawlessly. No issues, no problems, no complaints
iPod Touch "B" started behaving badly by first loosing my WPA security but recognizing my home network. Strong password creation was a hassle but I got cleaver. Over time, it got worse to the point that it would not even recognize the existence of my 802.11g home network.
CAVEATS 1) We live in a rural area and on my property, not another network can be found. 2) Plenty of 2.4 Ghz stuff around including other wireless computers but... 3) This is my profession and I am flummoxed but have ideas....
FINDINGS: 1) iPod "B" works fine in the public space. All wireless networks work just fine and dandy. 2) I turn on my home network SSID BROADCAST and this iPod works fine (after being set up again). 3) Turn off SSID Broadcast and once this iPod sleeps or is turned off/on, no more network but go to any place that has a public broadcast SSID and no security and it's fine again... 4) No matter what I have and what I do, iPOD "A" works flawlessly.
WHAT I HAVE DONE: 1) made sure that I have plenty of DHCP scope -- yup. 2) Checked my leases - when connected I see perfectly valid MACs and leases without incident. 3) Check for overlapping or conflicts in IP Address allocation and MAC addresses (you never know...) - no problems there. 4) Quadruple checked "A" vs. "B" settings -- identical. 5) Dumped the entire flash and OS and started with a clean slate -- same issues with no apps, music, photos, movies -- nada... just a raw iPod like it came out of the box... same problem 6) Asked Apple to replace it as it's under warranty -- done. 7) Started testing again as a clean slate and found that it worked... replacing the iPod did the trick...
So, I "RESTORE" the iPOD to garner all the hard work that was put into it -- contacts, settings, etc. I "SYNCH" the iPOD to recover my angel's precious photos, apps, movies, music.... I return it back to it's originally desired state EXCEPT that one must completely reconfigure things like networking by hand -- OK.
It's back to normal, as desired, in the configuration we want and it WORKS!!!! Albeit... only for a day... and now we are back to where we started -- again...
iPod "A" works flawlessly and the new "B" is back to it's same old tricks --
OK - What does a restore do anyway? Is there some small pile of firmware that writes over the fresh load from OS? In order to preserve my contacts and other things a restore supports, did I uncover the super secret bug that Apple will refuse to acknowledge? Can I still say that I hate iTunes without being flamed a thousand deaths? Is there a diagnostic easter egg I can try?
And before I started this soliloquy -- I watched my functioning iPod "B" go to sleep with a working home network... only to wake her from her slumber... tuned out - with Not Connected living in her Wi-Fi field.... <sigh - simply maddening>
The only thing that sets these two apart are the nuances associated with configs that are part of the user's own personal interface desires and resident app input (contacts, calendar, etc...).
AGE

First off -- thank you all for replying and providing your insight, stories, and findings with your own iPod Touch, MAC, and iPhone WiFi fun...
You are all wonderful contributors.
Just to be clear, as others have mentioned -- this is not a feature and we should not have to tolerate it. This iPod, like the other one and yours too, once worked flawlessly and then continued to degrade to a point of not functioning according the 802.11g ieee standard. Something that has been in development for over 10 years and has been an adopted standard in consumer electronics for more than 7 years -- an eternity in this industry.
To be clear, I performed TWO ultimate resets -- completely wiping the firmware and OS of the original hardware and tested a completely wiped iPod Touch to no avail and the second "reset" was a brand new replacement -- right out of the box -- under warranty. No network resets necessary. The new iPod worked as expected without any original data loaded. Once a backup was "restored," and the iPod was synch'd with the library of choice, then the troubles started again. The networking does not restore -- you have to build a secure network from scratch. And again, the "A" iPod exhibits none of this odd behavior.
It is a testament that Apple has a problem in code when other iPods running similar OS behave the same. The reason that I mention the geeky standard above is because we should not have to broadcast our SSID for this to work -- it's an open standard, not something proprietary. We should not have to conform to "work around" solutions. And, yes, NOT broadcasting SSID is part of the entire package of sound security. I have to strongly disagree with all the nay-sayers. You don't go walking around the streets with money hanging out of your pockets or your wallet sticking out of your shirt pocket for a reason -- but I bet that you have cash on you and I can find it pretty quickly. It's why purse snatching is a crime of violence and rampant in larger cities and pick-pockets use finesse. One is easy pickings for anyone to try and the other requires tools and skills. If you don't flaunt it, the low level threat is removed.
As for strong security, the option for WEP is not an option. I use multiple levels of acceptable stronger encryption, logging, limited DHCP scopes, MAC controls at times, stateful firewall controls, and other radio tricks of the trade. My only failings is having to pander to the lowest common denominator within my home network.
Anyway, I spent a bit more time surfing and find this problem ubiquitous in 2.2.1 and forward. Something is amiss at Apple. All my Window based products work just fine (as does my Wii).
Keep those cards and letters coming folks.
AGE

WRT54G with USB11 v 2.6: Can't automaticaly reconnect after SSID broadcast disabled

Hi All,
I'm trying to make my network more secure. I've done all the basics, including disabling the SSID broadcast. The only problem is that after a few hours, I lose connectivity on the USB 11 wireless adapter and have to directly connect to the router via a cat 5 cable and reset the SSID to broadcast, which causes my network to find it and logs in. I reset the SSID broadcast to disable and get a few more hours of conenctivity until it drops again.
My router is ver 2.0 and my adapter is 2.6. This is the first time in 4 years I've had any probs with my wireless network.
My PC is brand new and pretty mid-high-end. Intel duo-core, 2 GB ram, etc...
Any help would be appreciated.

Best thing is to just enable SSID. It's a myth that disablling helps with security, it does for the average joe... a bit. but not really.
I found a great article about how disabling SSID doesn'treally do much for security at all, but i can't seem to laocte ti right now. I was googling wireless security stuff about a month or so ago, guess i should have bookmarked that one.

SSID broadcasts a secure network but no security configured

Hi,
I have a wireless network using Cisco 1231G AP's in autonomous mode. Each AP is configured with a guest VLAN and this points to a BBSM server.
The issue I'm having is the SSID for guest access is configured as open with no security parameters set. However, my client (CB21AG) sees the network being broadcast sometimes as open and other times as secure.
AP configuration:
ssid bbsm
vlan 295
authentication open
guest-mode
IOS Version: 12.2(13)JA4
Output captured from AP scan logs:
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F5:30,-50,Secure,G,1
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F3:B0,-71,Open,G,11
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:A7:B0,-78,Secure,G,2
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:7B:90,-91,Open,G,10
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:58:60,-91,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:66:F0,-92,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,BTOpenzone,00:02:8A:A3:04:A4,-71,Open,B,6
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,hpsetup,02:13:02:00:02:15,-88,Open,G,11
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,Voyager test,00:16:E3:32:58:A9,-43,Open,G,5
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F5:30,-52,Secure,G,1
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F3:B0,-69,Secure,G,11
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:A7:B0,-77,Secure,G,2
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:7B:90,-89,Secure,G,10
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:58:60,-91,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:66:F0,-92,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:9B:00,-93,Secure,G,5
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F5:30,-52,Open,G,1
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F3:B0,-67,Open,G,11
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:58:60,-91,Open,G,13
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:A7:B0,-75,Open,G,2
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:7B:90,-94,Open,G,10
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,BTOpenzone,00:02:8A:A3:04:A4,-69,Open,B,6
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,Voyager test,00:16:E3:32:58:A9,-40,Open,G,5
Any ideas or help on why I sometimes see the ssid broadcast as secure?
Thanks
Simon

It is one of mine. Yes. It connects to it no problem, just doesn't connect to the actual internet. Network diagnostics has all green lights until the ISP and/or Internet point. If I walk through diagnostics, it will get to the point where it says that the network requires a WEP password. I don't know why it does that because my network is not password-protected (husband claims it doesn't work well with his VPN system to get into work network). If I leave it blank, the connection will work. Eventually, after the computer is put to sleep, I will have the same problem upon waking up. I just tried renaming the network and removing all preferred networks and rebooting. Let's see how that works.

Adapter can't detect router if the SSID Broadcast is disabled, why? =(

Why can't my Linksys WUSB300N Adapter detect my Linksys WRT54GX SRX Router unless I broadcast the SSID?
I want my Router to be hidden, but everytime I try to disable the SSID Broadcast of my Router, my Linksys Adapter fails to locate it and I end up losing my connection to the router altogether. I am running Windows Vista and I have the 1.0.0.1 driver for Vista. What could I be doing wrong? Please help.

This is a common problem. Are there several other networks in your neighborhood? Are other users also not broadcasting their SSID?
I used to recommend that SSID broadcast be set to "disabled" for security reasons. But newer cracking methods have made this old trick worthless. It adds little or no security to your system. I now recommend that SSID broadcast be set to "enabled". This will help your computer find, and lock on to your router's signal. And this should give at least some slight boost in network performance.
For wireless security, you should be using WPA2, or at least WPA encryption, and a strong password. By strong password I mean at least 24 random characters including capital letters, small letters, and digits (but no spaces.). If you are using this type of security, you do not need to worry about broadcasting your SSID.

SSID Broadcast

Okay, I just have a quick question.
I have my router all set up; it's sa WRT54GS v7. Everything works, but there's one problem. I want to distinguish it from the million other 'linksys' routers, but there's a problem. I go to Wireless on the 192.168.1.1 page. When I change the SSID name, and click save changes, it doesn't give me a "Changes successful" message, and my router stops working, so I have to reset.
Note: I have also tried turning the SSID broadcast off, since that's what directions I saw on the internet read, and it does the same thing.
Thanks.

Are you trying to do this SSID change wirelessly? If so, then you are probably successfully changing your SSID, then, the router is kicking you off because its new SSID does not match the "linksys" SSID that your wireless adapter is setup to use.
When making changes to your router, you should always used a computer that is wired to your router.
To fix this problem, use a computer that is wired to the router. Change the SSID to a unique name. Leave the SSID broadcast set to "enabled". Click on "Save Settings", then wait (3-60 seconds) for the screen to refresh. Then power down your router. Wait one minute, then reboot router. Next, in your computer, display all available networks. Highlight your new network and click on "Connect".
If you are already using a computer that is wired to the router, and you are having this problem, then you probably are having a problem with communications between your router and computer. To fix this, try the following:
The router's "web pages" are built into the router, so you do not need an Internet connection to see them.
Use Internet Explorer, it usually works.
JavaScript must be enabled.
Use a computer that is wired to the router.
In the non-working computer, temporarily turn off your software firewall.
Point your browser to 192.168.1.1 , then login to your router. Your user name should be left blank. Your password is "admin" (with no quotes), unless you changed it.
If you are using Zone Alarm, right click on the ZA icon in the system tray (lower right corner of screen) and then click "Shutdown ZoneAlarm", and see if this fixes your problem. If this does not work, try the following with Zone Alarm: Open the ZAISS control center, go to Privacy, then temporarily turn off Ad Blocking and Cookie Control, and see if that fixes your problem.
Some Zone Alarm users have reported that adding 192.168.1.1 to their list of "trusted" addresses fixed the problem. This trick might also work with other firewalls.
If you are using Noton Internet Security with the Add-on Pack, be sure to turn off the Pop-up Blocker, and the Ad blocker. Some users have reported that they needed to uninstall the entire Norton Add-on Pack.
If you cannot get anything at 192.168.1.1 then perhaps this is not your router's address. Go to "Start" > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
A black DOS box will appear. Type in "ipconfig" (with no quotes), then hit the Enter key. Look at the "Default Gateway". Is it 192.168.1.1 ? Point your browser to the "Default Gateway", then login to your router.
If the above fails, disconnect your modem from the router, and try again. If this corrects your problem, then most likely you have a "modem-router" rather than an ordinary modem. Report back with this problem, and also state the make and exact model number of your modem (not the router).
If all of the above fails, power down your entire system, unplug it from the wall, wait one minute, then power up and try again.
If all of the above tips fail, then reset the router to factory defaults: Power down the router and disconnect all wires from it. Wait one minute. Power up the router, allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes), then press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds, then release the button and allow the router to reset and reboot ( 2-3 minutes). Power down router. Wait one minute. Connect one computer, by wire, to a LAN port on the router. Boot up system. It should work.
If you still have trouble, then you need to download and install (or re-install) the latest firmware for your router. After the firmware upgrade, you must reset the router to factory defaults, then setup the router again from scratch. If you saved a router configuration file, DO NOT use it.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 05-08-2009 04:35 AM

Idea Tab a2109a wont connect to wifi without ssid broadcast

I have Idea Tab a2109a that connects to my wifi just fine, until i shut off the ssid broadcast from the router. At that point it stops connecting and says out of range. Laptops and a KindleFire have no problems maintaining a connection without the broadcast.
Running Android version 4.1.1
Kernel version 3.1.10
Model number IdeaTab A2109A
How do i maintain a connection on this tablet WITHOUT the ssid broadcast?

I tried your suggestions as much as I could at the corner coffee shop, but they didn't help.
I didn't follow them exactly because I misinterpreted turn WiFi on as turn it off. But when I sort of made up for that, I could not access it.
I realized my mistake when I came back home, went back to the coffee shop and tried again. Unfortunately, the signal was now one bar, and so I'm not sure that I've proved anything.
As I came back home, I searched for my network. I found it almost at my front door and with a strong signal. I walked around the outside and the access would come and go. Every time I could get access again it was always strong, even as neighbors' networks varied in signal strength. So, I couldn't double check if I would have gotten through with a weak signal.
So, I can access the web on my iPod touch on a closed network but not an open network.
I can access it at home with an ActionTec GT701-WG DSL modem. I can access it with a coffee shop provided access to ClearWire, a wireless Internet provider. This latter requires registration at hotspots.
I have software version 2.0.2 (5C1).

E4200 SSID Broadcast

E4200 not letting my known wireless devices connect when SSID Broadcast is turned off.

It is not your E4200 that doesn't let the device connect. It's the device which has problems with the disabled SSID broadcast.
Don't turn off the SSID broadcast. It only creates problems and has absolutely no benefits.

How can I disable SSID broadcast with Time Capsule?

I have always disabled the SSID broadcast with other devices. It is a big help with securing the networks. Can this be done with Time Capsule? If yes, please tell me how.
Thanks.

I have always disabled the SSID broadcast with other devices. It is a big help with securing the networks. Can this be done with Time Capsule? If yes, please tell me how.
You can by turning on hidden network.
Open the airport utility .. click on your TC, and then edit.. go to the wireless TAB. Click on wireless options. Click Create hidden network.
Let me add in modern world.. it is totally useless. A person can see your hidden network using any standard wireless analysis software. It adds no security at all.. and WPA2 Personal with a decent password 10-20 characters mix of upper and lower case plus numbers is still solid.. add more characters if you are paranoid.. but honestly hiding SSID does nothing.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/28653/debunking-myths-is-hiding-your-wireless-ssi d-really-more-secure/
If you did not know it is not part of the IEEE wireless standard.. it therefore often leads to problems with clients.
There are many other reasons given in the article above..

WRT54G V7 and SSID broadcast disable

have problems connect to the router when ssid broadcast is diablet. I can see the "network", enter the SSID and wep-key, but it will not connect.. If I select to broadcast my SSID I can easily connect to the router.. Strange, anyone who have the same problem ? I also have a wrt54g v1, and this router do not have these problems..With this you can easily connect to the router when ssid broacast is disablet..

I've used Intel PRO 2200GB ver 9.x and earlier version of 10 (driver + management software) to connect to a hidden SSID wireless network without any problem. I manually created a profile for the hidden network and connect to that profile.
On an unrelated note, I've enable SSID broadcast after reading a few articles about it being nothing but trouble. Here's one.
Message Edited by neo27 on 01-23-200709:24 AM

Disabling SSID Broadcast on RE1000

I just set up a brand new LinksysE4200 router at one end of my home, and a Linksys RE1000 range expander at the other end in order to provide full WiFi coverage to my entire house. Everything is working great except for one important detail... There is currently no way to disable SSID broadcast on the RE1000 range expander!! I just flashed it with the latest firmware (v1.0.01 build 2, Jul 22, 2011) , but I'm still unable to disable it, even though it is disabled on the E4200 from which it's receiving the signal it's rebroadcasting. Am I the only one who thinks this is a HUGE PROBLEM??? I am seriously considering returning the RE1000.
Linksys... PLEASE add the ability to disable SSID broadcast on the RE1000 in a (not too distant) future firmware upgrade! As far as I'm concerend, this is a MUST HAVE feature in order for this product to even be considered for use in any sensitive network environment. Thanks!

ellenclary wrote:
It's called Defense in Depth and you need to back up your claim. Yes tools can find non-broadcast SSIDs, but hiding a WPA2 protected SSID is still useful.Dumbest thing to do is hide your SSID. Here's why.http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/28653/debunking-myths-is-hiding-your-wireless-ssid-really-more-secure/ http://www.zdnet.com/blog/ou/the-six-dumbest-ways-to-secure-a-wireless-lan/43 Hiding your SSID will make newer devices not connect.

Disabling SSID broadcast sets NAT to strict for XBOX 360, even if wired to WRT160N

I don't know if this is true with all routers, but with my WRT160N, I found that disabling SSID broadcast causes NAT to go into STRICT mode, and there's no way to get back to OPEN (port forwarding, DMZ, etc, unless you enable it.) Unfortunately I had just upgraded my firmware, which sent me and the Linksys tech down the wrong path. The bummer is that XBOX is wired to my router, so not sure why this would've been affected. Hopefully this helps, since I've seen several **bleep**!?! threads around this. I just happened to stumble across this after my NAT opened up when I reset my router to factory settings. Stepped through the changes I had made from default, and wallah, it was the the stupid disabled SSID broadcasting.
Message Edited by daveyhatton on 01-26-2010 01:42 PM

You are wasting more "cycles" if you disable the broadcast because your wireless devices have to actively search your network instead of simply listening to the list of broadcast SSIDs and connect to the correct one.
If "normal folk" want to crack your network they will quickly give up if they do it manually (assuming you have a strong WPA2 passphrase set on your router). Those few attempts won't cause you problems. Your router and wireless network will far more affected by other wireless networks and interference then some failing connection attempts.
Of course, I assume here that you have changed the SSID from "linksys" to something unique. If you still use "linksys" you will probably see quite a few failing connection attempts, not intentionally but because some people had their computer configured to connect to "linksys" before and still use it or did not remove it from their list of preferred networks. And if it is still "linksys" hiding the SSID won't make a change here, too...
They provide the option because that's what people want to see and buy. It does not matter whether it is really useful or not. Marketing says you can "hide" your router and people believe it. If you take the first computer at hand and look for networks the normal way it won't list it. Great, people believe it's "invisible". Sells good. Just like people need firewalls to "stealth" their computers in the internet which neither hides their computer not makes it any more secure...
As long as marketing does not mention that a simple network sniffer will immediately show the existence of the router and very soon will also reveal the SSID... It wouldn't sell so good anymore...
Of course, the setting should not affect port forwarding and your "NAT" level. Could be a firmware bug in the WRT160N.
Message Edited by gv on 01-27-2010 07:40 PM

SSID Broadcasting problem

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