Network Settings: "Work" compared to "The Internet"

To obtain the most functionality out of your iPAQ, we suggest you configure your settings to reflect “WORK” instead of “The Internet” whenever possible, as a lot of methods of connectivity are NOT supported under “The Internet” (see table below).

Function/Ability Work The Internet
         
         
VPN     x-mark
ActiveSync     x-mark 
Socks/Winsock   (Both)   x-mark 
Host Access   WINS Style (no periods)   DNS Style (periods)
Proxy Server     x-mark 

 

I would whole-heartedly suggest that EVERYONE set their connection to WORK (aka “My Work Network”), as it offers so much more than THE INTERNET. Here’s how to do it:

1.) Go to START > SETTINGS > CONNECTIONS > ADVANCED (tab). Choose “Select Networks” button and make sure BOTH of the entries on the subsequent page are set to “My Work Network”. Click “OK”.
2.) Then, click on the “Network Card” button, and then choose the Network Adapters tab (if it’s not already the default tab). Make sure this selection also refers to “My network card connections to:” and then the choice “Work”. Click on OK.
3.) Then the last verification: Go to START > SETTINGS > CONNECTIONS, then on the (default) Tasks Tab, choose SET UP MY PROXY SERVER option and make sure the top option “This network connects to the Internet” is checked, and that the 2nd option is UNCHECKED!

You’re done!

Side by Side Comparison of Wireless Formats

If you have ever wondered about the various Wireless protocols like CDMA and GSM, here they are! I have provided all of the formats that I can think of, as well as a run down on the specifications of each format:

PROTOCOL: 802.11a

  • MAIN USE: PC Networking
  • FREQUENCY: 5GHz
  • RANGE: 25-75ft inside/100ft Outside
  • SPEED: ~54Mbps
  • NOTES: Not backwardly compatible with 802.11b, 802.11g. Other 5GHz devices may disrupt connection

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The Different WiFi Authentication & Encryption Standards

WEP:
The 40-bit and 64-bit Question:
Wired Equivalent Privacy uses a streaming cipher, which combines the use of a 40-bit WEP Key with a 24-bit random number (known as the Initialization Vector, or IV ) generated by the Router/AP to encrypt the data. You can think of the IV as simply a header for the key. So, for a 64-bit Cipher, the user actually contributes a key length is 40-bits (5 bytes or 10HEX characters), with an additional 24-bits (3 bytes) of system-generated data, for a total of 64-bits (8 bytes) total.

* If you are entering your Key in HEX format, your Key should be 10 HEX characters long.

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Troubleshooting WEP Problems

When having problems with WEP:

1.) Determine what your cipher length is going to be. For the purposes of troubleshooting, it is suggested that you start with a 64bit encryption.

However, the Router will usually make a contribution to the actual key length, so this will impact what your contribution is. Before proceding any further, please review your Router Documentation to see if your Router contributes to the key-length. If key-length for a 64bit key is expected to be 8 characters, then your Router is NOT contributing any overhead information to the key. The remainder of this article will presume your Router inserts it’s own 3 bytes of data.

 

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Troubleshooting WiFi issues

Things to consider when having trouble with your WiFi connection:

iPAQ RELATED FACTORS
1.) Reset the Wireless Adapter Always start your troubleshooting process by removing your iPAQ’s main battery (this only applies to iPAQs with a consumer accessible battery) for 30 seconds, then replacing the battery. This will force a core-reset of the wireless adapter, as well as a soft-reset of the iPAQ itself.
2.) Update your software: Make sure your iPAQ has the most recent BIOS, Firmware, and Drivers.

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Cirond’s PocketWinC as a Troubleshooting Utility

If you are having problems with your WiFi Wireless connection on your iPAQ, and your encryption needs do not exceed the WEP specification, then please consider purchasing, downloading and installing this utility: PocketWinC from Cirond. The current release is Version 2.0 Build 986.
 
NOTE: Currently, a new utility called "Wi-Fi Companion" (from Socket Communications) is the preferred troubleshooting application for the the Wireless Wi-Fi Problems Forum. This is due to "Wi-Fi Companion" having:
1.) WPA/PSK compatibility.
2.) Easier Graphic User Interface.
3.) Free 14-day Trial period.

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Greetings All!

Today is a wonderful day.  There are a great many things that helped me to arrive at such a decision.

  • This is the first day for my new blog (short for “web-log“). 
  • The consulting business is taking off (it was never meant to be an extra income, just a way to be professional and certified while helping friends and family) and paying for itself now.
  • We have a good client base, and several users signing-up for long term support plans.  
  • A couple of websites that I’m designing are close to being done.
  • I have installed a user-forum, and it’s in place & working!  Clients can post their questions here publicly, and get a response in as short a time as possible. Later clients can benefit from the answers provided to earlier clients!

See?  I told you it’s a wonderful day!