Wireless networks w/ multiple APs

bingo · 07-17-2007, 07:58 PM

I'm running Slack 11 on my laptop (will upgrade soon!), which has integrated Intel 2200BG wireless. I've installed the IPW2200 firmware, and it works great at my home. However, when I'm in locations that have multiple access-points with the same ESSID (according to iwlist), it will not connect, like my work and church. This happens in areas that have both encrypted and non-encrypted networks. I've tried specifying the channel # of one of the APs, but it doesn't help. I have no problems in the same areas when I boot into Windows. Any ideas? Thanks!

2Gnu · 07-17-2007, 10:07 PM

Try using the ap option to associate with the BSSID of the desired wireless LAN.

Description and examples from the Wireless Tools (iwconfig) man page:

Code:

       ap     Force the card to register to the  Access  Point  given  by  the
              address, if it is possible. This address is the cell identity of
              the Access Point, as reported by wireless scanning, which may be
              different  from its network MAC address. If the wireless link is
              point to point, set the address of the other end of the link. If
              the link is ad-hoc, set the cell identity of the ad-hoc network.
              When the quality of the connection goes too low, the driver  may
              revert  back to automatic mode (the card selects the best Access
              Point in range).
              You may also use off to re-enable automatic mode without  chang-
              ing  the  current  Access  Point,  or you may use any or auto to
              force the card to reassociate with  the  currently  best  Access
              Point.
              Example :
                   iwconfig eth0 ap 00:60:1D:01:23:45
                   iwconfig eth0 ap any
                   iwconfig eth0 ap off