is it possible to selectively allow users to connect?
 

Hi,

While using school internet, occasionally I cannot connect to their wireless at all. I know it is definitely the school's doing, under both Windows and Linux, my computer is denied connection for about 30 minutes, then it suddenly works. I always have the same address, but setting a static address does not allow me connection either. Everyone else has no problem connecting, so I am pretty sure the school denied my computer connection.

1. Is this even possible? I'm sure it is, but I'm not sure.

2. How can I workaround this? Changing my card's MAC address does not fix the problem. Is there another way to discriminate users?


Thanks,
rabbit2345

If you think this is a problem with the school network, then you need to talk to the network admins. LQ doesn't help people get around legitimate restrictions. If it isn't them blocking you, then their log files might help diagnose the problem.

You'd have to diag the reason it doesn't connect. That could be a number of reasons. Since we don't know how you connect we can't guess.

We'd need you to tell us the exact topology and authentication method.

I agree that the schools IT may be needed to assist.

IF it is happening in both windows and Linux, changing the MAC does not help, and no one else is having issues, it is likely a hardware conflict between the card you are using and the router the school is using. Since the MAC is about the only hardware way the router can tell one card from another, it is unlikely that the school would be able to "ban" you as opposed to someone else. Borrow someone elses card and see if that clears the issue.

Could be a proxy pac or a wpad file.

Could be an authentication key needed.

Dunno if the user needs to log on to a web page or other authentication.

What point does it not connect?