SSID showing on closed network

I have an original 500GB TC connected to a dual-band AEBS to extend my wireless network.
I have configured the TC to create a closed wireless network (SSID not broadcast). But the AEBS is broadcasting the SSID of my network.
Everything in the network (iPhone, multiple Mac's, other wireless devices) is working fine - just this little annoyance.
I cannot find anything in the AirPort utility to alter this behavior. Anyone out there have any ideas about why this is happening? and how to get the AEBS to stop broadcasting my SSID?

Welcome to the discussions!
In a "closed network", many users are surprised to learn that the SSID is still always being broadcast in the open between any connected clients, so this "feature" is quite limited in it's functionality. Any number of simple utilities readily available on the internet will display a closed network in seconds.
There is not a setting or option in AirPort Utility to tell the "extending" device to "hide" the network that it's extending, so if this is important to you, you might want to provide your thoughts directly to Apple using AirPort Extreme Feedback.

Similar Messages

"Device" with my SSID showing up in WiFi Menu as computer to computer network

OK guys this is weird...
A few weeks ago a noticed my SSID showing up unprotected under "device" in my wifi menu across all my ios devices. It shows up as protected in the list of all the networks in my neighborhood, but not under "device". Out of curiosity, I connected to it, and realized it was a computer to computer network. The problem is that I didn't create this network. It just showed up. I do not have internet sharing turned on. The only time it goes away is when I connect to my wireless network. When I switch back to Ethernet, it shows up again. I thought it would be as simple as deleting the network, but it doesn't show up anywhere else. I've tried formatting my hard drive. Still there. I've tried unplugging my router. Still there. I've tried everything I can think of to get rid of this thing, and it just wont go away. This has me slightly concerned. Any help would be appreciated.

William,
Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure which device it is, if any. It just displays my SSID. One secure, one not. I did not create this network, and I do not have hotspot turned on to my knowledge. I do have all my devices logged in to iCloud so I can message and call on my devices, but I wouldn't think that would automatically create an ad-hoc. I never saw it before last week. I attached a screenshot. Thanks for your help.

Can you open a closed network?

I can no longer access the secure wi fi network set up on my Mac Pro, and must use the (insecure) network that came with my router. The regular network name doesn't show as an available network, but I know it is still there because both the name and security type appear when I click "advanced" on System Preferences/Network. I have apparently changed my regular network to "closed" by accident.
I have tried unsuccessfully to sign in as "other network", providing security type and passwork, but it doesn't work.
I need a way to open this closed network. Is this possible? How?
If it is impossible, what must I do to start over?

I have apparently changed my regular network to "closed" by accident.
Or the network is no longer available, temporarly shut down, or you were purposely locked out. Contact the network admin.

Airport Extreme multicast rate and closed network

New to Airport Extreme.
Is the multicast rate the same as the TX rate on other routers? I chose 11Mbps during the setup and my Macbook was very slow. I moved it back to 2 Mbps and it sped up. Distance from macbook to airport approx. 24 inches.
Other question/ statement. I assume that the closed network portion of the setup is the same as turning off the SSID of other routers. Do I assume correctly?

goldengti, Welcome to the discussion area!
Is the multicast rate the same as the TX rate on other routers?
Sorry I don't know about other routers. The multicast rate defines the minimum data rate the base station will use and maintain the wireless connection. If you set it to 11 Mbps, the wireless connection will be broken if that data rate can't be maintained.
Other question/ statement. I assume that the closed network portion of the setup is the same as turning off the SSID of other routers. Do I assume correctly?
Yes the same useless option. Regardless of how you set this option on any router, the SSID is still broadcast between any connected clients and the base station. Therefore it only takes a few seconds to discover the SSID.

Using WDS and Closed Network

I need to close an office network that I converted to wireless using apple airport's extreme base station and One relay express and a remote express. I already have it setup sucessfully broadcasting the SSID, but the owner doesnt want anybody seeing it, as we are in an office bldg. Any Suggestions? I dont want to start over unless I have to.
Imac G4 flat panel 20 Mac OS X (10.4.1) 3 PC's as well as the Mac's.

There is little advantage, and many disadvantages, of setting up a "closed" network. The two biggest disadvantages are setup administration and "false" security. The AirPort, like most wireless routers, still broadcast their SSIDs to include data used for network data synchronization. Therefore, even "closed" networks can be easily found by "sniffers." Closing a network only keeps the casual users away.
A far better policy is to use wireless encryption, specifically WPA, to ensure no unauthorized access can occur (regardless if they can "see" the network.)

Should iPhone remember connection to a "closed network?"

I chose to keep my network closed by configuring my Airport Extreme to not broadcast it's network name. Laptops have no trouble remember the settings for my closed network after just one configuration. I just got my new iPhone connected to my Airport Extreme, but it seems to lose or forget the settings after it automatically locks. I then have to reconfigure the Wi-Fi settings of the iPhone to reconnect to my wireless network.
Is this normal behavior? Shouldn't the iPhone remember the network settings for networks it successfully connects to, even if the network is not broadcasting its SSID?

Perhaps this is a modem security thing. In France, I use a LiveBox modem. The iphone French help line told me to disconnect then reconnect the modem, wait for 4 buttons to begin flashing and then stay on, until the final 5th button - the one that indicates wifi - starts to flash. During that time, new devices can be added.
I did this, it worked, the iphone's stayed on wifi for two days. I've gone shopping, taken it for walks, and still it connects, no problems, on return.
Pat

SSID showing

SSID showing even though SSID broadcast is disabled.
I had originally set SSID Broadcast to enabled as I was setting it up. But when I disabled it, it was still showing on my laptop when I was viewing available wireless networks.
This was even if it was disabled and I was refreshing the screen.
Why does it show if I am not broadcasting the SSID?
Thanks,
Tom

Are you still using an SSID of "linksys"? If so, then perhaps the network you are seeing is your neighbor. If not, note that some wireless cards seem to leave "ghosts" listed as if they were still broadcasting. Reboot the computer, and check again. On the screen showing available wireless networks, if it does not go away when you hit the refresh button, then unplug your router, then hit the refresh button again. If it is still there, try to connect to it. If you can connect, and your router is unplugged, you have connected to your neighbor's router.
There really is no reason to disable your SSID. This used to be recommended for security reasons, but because of newer cracking methods, this old trick is practically worthless, and is no longer recommended.
Here are my recommendations:
Give your network a unique SSID. Do not use "linksys". If you are using "linksys" you may be trying to connect to your neighbor's router. Also set "SSID Broadcast" to "enabled". This will help your computer find and lock on to your router's signal.
If you want to secure your network (and you should want to), then use WPA2, or at least WPA encryption, with a strong password.

Using an Express to create a closed network

I have a home automation/control system in place. All of the touch panels communicate via ethernet. Three are wireless devices using 802.11g to hit a WAP which is then cabled to the head end processor.
One of the WAPS on the system died last night. (I did temporarily slap in an old linksys WAP4400 which worked after pointing the wireless devices to the net network name) but I want to replace that closed network with 2 air port expresses. (by closed i don't mean hidden but rather a network that doest have a connection to the internet and no modem connected)
I'm wondering if should set up one express to share a public ip and the other in bridge mode or since this network does not hit the internet and is a closed network is there a more appropriate setup.
Also can two ABExp be set to create a wireless network, in bridge mode and with the same ssid and security settings or does one have to be set to share a public ip address or some other setting?
Thanks in advance
Marc
Thanks in advance.

Are these AirPort Express devices connected to a hub via ethernet cable connections, both wireless, etc.?
You can do what you want, you'll just need to click the "ignore" box when AirPort Utility informs you that you don't have an Internet connection, there's no ethernet cable connected (if applicable), etc.

Closed network with AEBS keeps being lost by Macbook...

I've recently changed my network to a "closed" network by ticking the box in the wireless options.
I assume this prevents the SSID from being broadcast. I'm using firmware 7.3.2
However, although everything remains fine with my XP notebook, iPhone and PS3, my Macbook does not remember the network and I need to enter it manually each time.
This is *despite the fact that the network remains at the top of my preferred networks list* for the MB, and passwords etc are correct.
I can't figure it out. Any help much appreciated. thanks.

I've recently changed my network to a "closed" network by ticking the box in the wireless options.
I assume this prevents the SSID from being broadcast. I'm using firmware 7.3.2
Closing the network does stop the broadcast of the Network Name or SSID, but it can easily be found with simple tools freely available from the Internet ... so it offer little or no security at all. However, as you can see, it does in itself cause other problems like reconnecting to the network after your wireless client has gone into sleep mode.
My recommendation is to leave the network open and not deal with the inherent problems that closing it brings.

Connecting to Closed Networks

I have an airport express that I use for wireless access in my dorm. So, it's acting as a traditional router rather than a range extender. I have it set up as a closed network so that it's only visible to those who know the network name. I also have WPA2 enabled for security.
My problem is that, rather sporadically, I will wake my MBP from sleep and a dialog appears stating that "No known networks are available" and gives a list of available open networks. So, I choose "other" and input the network name and the password, making certain that "remember this network" is checked before connecting. Even after doing this multiple times, I still get the dialog periodically (about every other day or so) and I haven't been able to figure out why.
I left the network open for about a week and didn't encounter this issue, so it seems to be associated with the fact that it is a closed network. It wouldn't be a huge deal to have the network visible to anyone who browses for a network since it is encrypted, but I would rather have it closed in a building with a lot of people.
Does anyone have any ideas for a solution?

Yeah, the debate goes on and on, but if you were running aircrack-ng or kisMac and you saw my non-broadcast SSID pop up because I was actively affiliated to my network, wouldn't that pique your interest more in my network than in Alex's whose WPA2-AES-secured SSID you saw every day?
Meanwhile, I don't really know of any fix to Alex's complaint, in order to avoid the hoops that he has to jump through in order to reaffiliate after waking from sleep -- I can't say that I can recall ever seeing anything posted in these forums that adequately addressed the issue. Nobody's piped in on this thread yet with a suggestion to fix this behavior. I'd love to hear of one that is a dependable long-term fix. I'd go non-broadcast then myself.
I used to not broadcast a long time ago when I first went wireless, but I got tired of dealing with this very issue all the time myself, so when I weighed the annoyance of the reaffiliation process after waking from sleep versus the increased likelihood of my WPA2-AES-PSK with truly random passcode getting cracked because I broadcast my SSID, I chose convenience over annoyance. I don't believe that my security has been compromised in any way by my choice.
Alex is apparently annoyed as well, so that's why I recommended he go ahead and broadcast SSID so as to not be annoyed by this behavior anymore. WPA2-AES with a random passcode is as secure as he's gonna get wirelessly, broadcast SSID or not. He needs to weigh the choice of putting up with the annoyance factor or not...until somebody posts a sure-fire cure.

My Macs can't remember visited closed networks

My friend, a new Mac user, brought this problem to my attention. He was frustrated to find that he has to enter the network name and password for the closed network at his job site each time he accesses the network. His Windows laptop "remembers" the information and automatically logs him in.
I thought I would quickly get to the bottom of this problem for him and show him how easy Macs are to configure. I set up a closed network at my home with my AP extreme. I am running Snow Leopard on my main Mac and OS X 10.4.11 on my older Powerbook. Much to my chagrin, I am duplicating my friend's experience. I can connect to the new closed network from either of my computers by entering the network name and password. But neither of my computers "remembers" the closed network between restarts of Airport or of the computer. I have to re-enter the network name and password each time I want to connect. Neither computer shows any memory of the closed network except that the name of the network does appear in the "Preferred Networks" section of the Networks preferences section of System Preferences. "Remember networks this computer has joined" is selected.
I know that in the past it was possible to have my Mac remember closed networks that had been previously visited. What has happened?
Any help would be appreciated.
John

LittleSaint wrote:
Are two threads about the same problem supposed to fix it faster?
I have initiated only one thread on this subject. A search of this forum reveals a half a dozen or more threads on this or very closely related topics. Some of these threads are quite old and dormant. None of them provides an answer. I did respond to a thread initiated by another user. But since his problem and mine are not necessarily the same issue(s) I posted my request for help in this thread. I apologize if this has offended you or any one else.
And to answer your question– I'm not convinced that the two threads you refer to necessarily relate to the "same problem". Perhaps they do. But there is the distinct possibility that by posting my own unique problem with detailed explanations might lead to a "faster fix". By posting in detail my networking problem in another's thread I run the risk of "hijacking" the discussion away from the original poster.
John

"closed network" setting in a WDS network

I've just shifted to the APExtreme after many years in LinksysLand. I've recycled an old old APExpress (circa '04) and combined the two in a WDS network, in order to boost signal on the other side of that metal elevator. (Yes, I know WDS is less efficient...but the price was right, etc).
I prefer to suppress SSID broadcast, so I set both base and remote stations to "closed network." But then the MacBook and iPhone couldn't see the network - either station. Turn that option off on the Express (remote station) only, and the devices see the network and set up on the Express G channels. Meanwhile, down the hall, everybody can see the Extreme, and those that can use the 5gHz channels do so, with that set as a "closed network."
What am I missing? Or not understanding about WDS? thx

Unfortunately that option is simply a deception to the user and offers a false sense of security. The network name is still broadcast between any connected client and the base station. Therefore the network name is easily discovered.
The only thing enabling that option does successfully is cause connection and configuration problems. The option is best avoided.

Closed network issue

I called Apple support yesterday to configure my Time Capsule with my Uverse system. My Apple Tv's and my wireless iMac in my bedroom where the time capsule is located have no problem connecting to my network.
The problem is with my iMac in my living room when after I shut it down at night. When I start it up in the morning, this imac doesn't find my network and I have to constantly re-enter my network name and password to access the internet. Is this because of my closed network setting?
Is there a solution for this?
thanks in advance to all you gurus out there!

Harisn wrote:
I recently created a closed network
is there a particular reason for that ? closed (or hidden) networks do not add any security because they still broadcast their SSID openly. many freely available tools can detect them.
if you are behind a router firewall, use WPA2 security and a long, non-dictionary password made up of letters and numbers, your network is as safe as it gets.
Is this standard behavior, or is there perhaps some sort of fix?
it may not be standard but it's not unusual. again, a closed network doesn't provide extra security but leads to problems such as what you experience.
secure your network as per the above and do away with the closed part.
JGG

Airport 7.4.1 Update and closed networks

I updated my Airport Extreme and Express with the new firmware (7.4.1), both Purchased Dec 2008. After the Express udpated, it didn't show up in Airport Utility. I reset the Express and it showed up, but I had to redo the settings, when I did it didn't show up again. So I plugged an Ethernet cable into the Express and it I could see it in the Airport Utility. The Utility app said the express could not find a wireless network. My network is closed (hidden) and this seems to be a problem with the 7.4.1 update. When I opened the network, the Express worked fine. I'm using WPA2 Personal encryption.
--Scott

guys, I had this problem and have logged an issue on this forum for a similar (exact?) issue of a *TC in bridge mode* on a 5GHz hidden (closed) network that *would not connect after V7.4.1 update.*
HOWEVER after speculating a DEFECT in the V7.4.1 formware that after sometime (an hour???+) the TC doe sfinally hidden network @ 5G and iraculously comes online and connects. I have made a mistake in thinking this is a defect.
so I think I might propose _firing up V7.4.1 firmware back on your TC_ and go visit some mates for a while and it is likley to be back on.
I recycled the TC (just did this again) and waited 10mins and yes it was back online!. Slack latency however it is back with V7.4.1
In anycase backing off to that flaky V7.3.2 is probabaly not a good way to go. V7.3.2 seemed vary unstable and had at least an issue of not corrcetly port forwarding port 21 (FTP control).
just a suggestion.
hth
w

Closed Network not Remembered

With no real change in my system (1.25 GHz PPC G4 running 10.4.10) that I know of, my computer no longer remembers the name and PW for the closed network I have. Specifically, every time I logon, I have to go the Airport icon in the menu bar, choose "Other", enter my network name, WPA Personal, and my PW. Then all runs great until I log off and come back on again, when I must repeat the entire process. Before the unknown event that changed this, my computer "remembered" the network and PW so I didn't have to do all of this each time.
Interestingly, in the Network pane in System Preferences, the option "Rememebr any network this computer has joined" box is checked and dimmed out.
Any advice to get things set so that I don't have to go through this process with each login would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Go to your system preferences, get into Network, and go to the TCP/IP settings. Find the address for your router. Let's say it is 192.168.0.1. Type http://192.168.0.1 into the URL field in Safari and that should get you to your router configuration pages. Now, every different brand and model of router has a different layout of their web-based configuration pages. But in mine, it is under "Wireless Settings" in the "Advanced User" setup. It says Wireless on/off and has a field for SSID and channel number, and radio buttons for encryption type (WPA, WEP, and so on). I'd be surprised, though, that if you don't know how to get there, that SSID broadcast would be off -- they usually come from the factory default to "on" anyways.

SSID showing on closed network

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