Wireless Laptop connection Process

HI
Does anyone know the exact process a wireless laptop would go through to Pick which AP to use in a multiple AP enviroment?
Is it like the DHCP process?

Here's whats happening.

There are 2 rooms next to each other both have an AP, you go into the first room logon to the network no problem. Then you shut down your laptop and move next door, but the laptop still wants to use the AP in the 1st room which is a much weaker signal than from the AP that's in the 2nd room.

WHY?

I assume you use Windows XP. This keeps a list of wireless profiles for each SSID discovered. The list operates on a priority basis, so items higher up the list will connect first regardless of strength. You can change the priority of networks on the list by opening the advanced connection settings (or similar) link in the wireless network dialog.

If both APs are part of the same network, make sure they both use the same SSID but are on different channels and this should fix the problem.

If you already do that then you may need to tweak the roaming settings of the wireless card. Intel cards let you do this in Device Manager, however other brands of card use different methods and may not allow this to be customised easily.

__________________
Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project

Sorry it took so long to reply (back at work today)

When you say tweak the roaming settings what exactly does this involve?

How do public places get around this problem ( train stations + airports for example) do they use 1 big antenna?

Only some cards let you modify roaming settings, for example Intel cards let you adjust a slider in the network card properties in Device Manager.

Public sites often use multiple access points with the same SSID to both increase range and help load balance clients. For roaming to work properly you simply use the SSID accross all the access points.

ome APs and client will work better than others, big hotspot installs often use enterprise grade equipment so tend to be very reliable.

__________________
Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project