Wireless Networking In Several Locations (XP Service Pack 2 Machine)

Hello All,

I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations with
wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal method would
be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal interaction with XP in
allowing him access to any of the networks when he is in the different
locations. My understanding is that as long as the networks have been
configured at least once, then the user will not have a problem "connecting"
to the different wireless networks when in there presence. The user visits
3 locations in total. Work, home, and client site. All required
information is available (such as SSID's, network keys, etc.). If
configuring them at least once is not enough, is the next best thing to add
each of the 3 networks under "preferred networks" when looking under
wireless network settings?

Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Bobby

Bobby Mir wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations
> with
> wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal method
> would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal interaction
> with XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when he is in
> the different
> locations. My understanding is that as long as the networks have been
> configured at least once, then the user will not have a problem
> "connecting"
> to the different wireless networks when in there presence. The user
> visits
> 3 locations in total. Work, home, and client site. All required
> information is available (such as SSID's, network keys, etc.). If
> configuring them at least once is not enough, is the next best thing
> to add each of the 3 networks under "preferred networks" when looking
> under wireless network settings?
>
> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
> appreciated.
>

Probably the easiest thing for your user would be to use third-party
multi-network management software. First check to make sure he doesn't
already have something like that installed by the laptop OEM, Thinkpads
have have Access IBM for instance. Standard Dells and HPs don't. Here
are a few links to third-party software that may help:

http://www.netswitcher.com - NetSwitcher
http://www.globesoft.com/mnm_home.html - MultiNetwork Manager
http://www.mobilenetswitch.com - Mobile Net Switch

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

So there's no XP native way of doing that even though he can be set up for
each network? The user has a HP NW8240 series laptop, so no HP
configuration software that came with it would allow that. Surely there has
to be a way, no?

"Malke" <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:uiPdl3aBGHA.2704@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Bobby Mir wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations
>> with
>> wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal method
>> would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal interaction
>> with XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when he is in
>> the different
>> locations. My understanding is that as long as the networks have been
>> configured at least once, then the user will not have a problem
>> "connecting"
>> to the different wireless networks when in there presence. The user
>> visits
>> 3 locations in total. Work, home, and client site. All required
>> information is available (such as SSID's, network keys, etc.). If
>> configuring them at least once is not enough, is the next best thing
>> to add each of the 3 networks under "preferred networks" when looking
>> under wireless network settings?
>>
>> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
>> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
>> appreciated.
>>
>
> Probably the easiest thing for your user would be to use third-party
> multi-network management software. First check to make sure he doesn't
> already have something like that installed by the laptop OEM, Thinkpads
> have have Access IBM for instance. Standard Dells and HPs don't. Here
> are a few links to third-party software that may help:
>
> http://www.netswitcher.com - NetSwitcher
> http://www.globesoft.com/mnm_home.html - MultiNetwork Manager
> http://www.mobilenetswitch.com - Mobile Net Switch
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

My laptop handles such situations very handily - as long as the network has
been configured it will find and connect to it again when it sees it. You
may well want to put them under preferred networks, in order that they're
likely to be used, so as to prevent any rogue site from blowing away
previously-remembered settings.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
news:uh08fkaBGHA.2356@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hello All,
>
> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations with
> wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal method
> would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal interaction with
> XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when he is in the
> different locations. My understanding is that as long as the networks
> have been configured at least once, then the user will not have a problem
> "connecting" to the different wireless networks when in there presence.
> The user visits 3 locations in total. Work, home, and client site. All
> required information is available (such as SSID's, network keys, etc.).
> If configuring them at least once is not enough, is the next best thing to
> add each of the 3 networks under "preferred networks" when looking under
> wireless network settings?
>
> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Bobby
>

Hi again,

Richard, thanks for the input. What posed to me post this question was due
to the fact that the last time the user went from one location to another, I
believe XP thought it was in the same location and it was a bit of a
struggle to get him on the network in the location he was at. I'm not sure
why, maybe because the routers were identical (I honestly can't think of any
other reason)? So I thought to add the connections under preferred networks
thus eliminating any possibilities of that happening.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Regards,

Bobby

"Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
news:u3YfCCbBGHA.2664@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> My laptop handles such situations very handily - as long as the network
> has been configured it will find and connect to it again when it sees it.
> You may well want to put them under preferred networks, in order that
> they're likely to be used, so as to prevent any rogue site from blowing
> away previously-remembered settings.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
> news:uh08fkaBGHA.2356@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations with
>> wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal method
>> would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal interaction
>> with XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when he is in the
>> different locations. My understanding is that as long as the networks
>> have been configured at least once, then the user will not have a problem
>> "connecting" to the different wireless networks when in there presence.
>> The user visits 3 locations in total. Work, home, and client site. All
>> required information is available (such as SSID's, network keys, etc.).
>> If configuring them at least once is not enough, is the next best thing
>> to add each of the 3 networks under "preferred networks" when looking
>> under wireless network settings?
>>
>> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
>> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Bobby
>>
>
>

If the routers were identical that wouldn't hurt anything - but if the SSIDs
were, then that would cause problems for certain. If Windows sees one
network called "Linksys" and you configure that network, the next time it
sees a network called "Linksys" it will assume the same settings will work.
If they won't then you have to re-configure the "Linksys" network and in the
process will lose the settings that were there.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
news:OJhvKjjBGHA.3408@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Hi again,
>
> Richard, thanks for the input. What posed to me post this question was
> due to the fact that the last time the user went from one location to
> another, I believe XP thought it was in the same location and it was a bit
> of a struggle to get him on the network in the location he was at. I'm
> not sure why, maybe because the routers were identical (I honestly can't
> think of any other reason)? So I thought to add the connections under
> preferred networks thus eliminating any possibilities of that happening.
>
> Thanks for everyone's help.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bobby
>
> "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> news:u3YfCCbBGHA.2664@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> My laptop handles such situations very handily - as long as the network
>> has been configured it will find and connect to it again when it sees it.
>> You may well want to put them under preferred networks, in order that
>> they're likely to be used, so as to prevent any rogue site from blowing
>> away previously-remembered settings.
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
>> news:uh08fkaBGHA.2356@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>> Hello All,
>>>
>>> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations with
>>> wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal method
>>> would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal interaction
>>> with XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when he is in the
>>> different locations. My understanding is that as long as the networks
>>> have been configured at least once, then the user will not have a
>>> problem "connecting" to the different wireless networks when in there
>>> presence. The user visits 3 locations in total. Work, home, and client
>>> site. All required information is available (such as SSID's, network
>>> keys, etc.). If configuring them at least once is not enough, is the
>>> next best thing to add each of the 3 networks under "preferred networks"
>>> when looking under wireless network settings?
>>>
>>> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
>>> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
>>> appreciated.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>
>>> Bobby
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Hey Richard,

I just realized that after I replied to your last post. I was looking
through screenshots that were taken by the user and this solves all my
problems. I noticed the SSID was identical to the SSID to the other
location, and that for sure will through off a computer and it would act
like it was never set up previously. Thanks for the insight once again!

Problem solved.

Cheers,

Bobby
"Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
news:uxAuxhnBGHA.628@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> If the routers were identical that wouldn't hurt anything - but if the
> SSIDs were, then that would cause problems for certain. If Windows sees
> one network called "Linksys" and you configure that network, the next time
> it sees a network called "Linksys" it will assume the same settings will
> work. If they won't then you have to re-configure the "Linksys" network
> and in the process will lose the settings that were there.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
> news:OJhvKjjBGHA.3408@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Hi again,
>>
>> Richard, thanks for the input. What posed to me post this question was
>> due to the fact that the last time the user went from one location to
>> another, I believe XP thought it was in the same location and it was a
>> bit of a struggle to get him on the network in the location he was at.
>> I'm not sure why, maybe because the routers were identical (I honestly
>> can't think of any other reason)? So I thought to add the connections
>> under preferred networks thus eliminating any possibilities of that
>> happening.
>>
>> Thanks for everyone's help.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Bobby
>>
>> "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
>> news:u3YfCCbBGHA.2664@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>>> My laptop handles such situations very handily - as long as the network
>>> has been configured it will find and connect to it again when it sees
>>> it. You may well want to put them under preferred networks, in order
>>> that they're likely to be used, so as to prevent any rogue site from
>>> blowing away previously-remembered settings.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>>> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>>> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>>
>>>
>>> "Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
>>> news:uh08fkaBGHA.2356@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>>> Hello All,
>>>>
>>>> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations
>>>> with wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal
>>>> method would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal
>>>> interaction with XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when
>>>> he is in the different locations. My understanding is that as long as
>>>> the networks have been configured at least once, then the user will not
>>>> have a problem "connecting" to the different wireless networks when in
>>>> there presence. The user visits 3 locations in total. Work, home, and
>>>> client site. All required information is available (such as SSID's,
>>>> network keys, etc.). If configuring them at least once is not enough,
>>>> is the next best thing to add each of the 3 networks under "preferred
>>>> networks" when looking under wireless network settings?
>>>>
>>>> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
>>>> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
>>>> appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>
>>>> Bobby
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

You're welcome.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
news:uyQvqonBGHA.1008@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Hey Richard,
>
> I just realized that after I replied to your last post. I was looking
> through screenshots that were taken by the user and this solves all my
> problems. I noticed the SSID was identical to the SSID to the other
> location, and that for sure will through off a computer and it would act
> like it was never set up previously. Thanks for the insight once again!
>
> Problem solved.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Bobby
> "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> news:uxAuxhnBGHA.628@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> If the routers were identical that wouldn't hurt anything - but if the
>> SSIDs were, then that would cause problems for certain. If Windows sees
>> one network called "Linksys" and you configure that network, the next
>> time it sees a network called "Linksys" it will assume the same settings
>> will work. If they won't then you have to re-configure the "Linksys"
>> network and in the process will lose the settings that were there.
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
>> news:OJhvKjjBGHA.3408@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi again,
>>>
>>> Richard, thanks for the input. What posed to me post this question was
>>> due to the fact that the last time the user went from one location to
>>> another, I believe XP thought it was in the same location and it was a
>>> bit of a struggle to get him on the network in the location he was at.
>>> I'm not sure why, maybe because the routers were identical (I honestly
>>> can't think of any other reason)? So I thought to add the connections
>>> under preferred networks thus eliminating any possibilities of that
>>> happening.
>>>
>>> Thanks for everyone's help.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Bobby
>>>
>>> "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
>>> news:u3YfCCbBGHA.2664@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>>>> My laptop handles such situations very handily - as long as the network
>>>> has been configured it will find and connect to it again when it sees
>>>> it. You may well want to put them under preferred networks, in order
>>>> that they're likely to be used, so as to prevent any rogue site from
>>>> blowing away previously-remembered settings.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
>>>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>>>> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>>>> * My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Bobby Mir" <bobby@nospamforme.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:uh08fkaBGHA.2356@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Hello All,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a laptop user at our work that frequents different locations
>>>>> with wireless ready internet. I was just wondering what the optimal
>>>>> method would be for him to be set up so that he requires minimal
>>>>> interaction with XP in allowing him access to any of the networks when
>>>>> he is in the different locations. My understanding is that as long as
>>>>> the networks have been configured at least once, then the user will
>>>>> not have a problem "connecting" to the different wireless networks
>>>>> when in there presence. The user visits 3 locations in total. Work,
>>>>> home, and client site. All required information is available (such as
>>>>> SSID's, network keys, etc.). If configuring them at least once is not
>>>>> enough, is the next best thing to add each of the 3 networks under
>>>>> "preferred networks" when looking under wireless network settings?
>>>>>
>>>>> Laptop specs are: Intel Centrino 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive,
>>>>> Wireless NIC/Bluetooth Module, Windows XP SP2. Any help would be
>>>>> appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>>
>>>>> Bobby
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>