newbie wireless help

adepaolis · #1 12-04-2002, 10:32 PM

I am not new to networking in general, I have been doing it for a few years now; however, I am new to wireless networking. I am hoping someone can shed some light on this for me.

I have 4 computers with wireless network cards configured on a basic network with a linksys dsl router handing out 192.168.0/24 addresses. 2 of the computers exist on floor1 of a building and 2 of the computers are located on floor2.

The problem I am having is I cant see the computers on floor1 from the computers on floor2 in network neighbourhood and vice versa. I cant even ping the computers on floor1 from the wirless computers on floor2 and vice versa.

The funny thing is, when I move a computer from floor1 to floor2, I can ping it.

I am able to ping all 4 computers from the wired network however, on the wirless network side, I cant ping the computers on a different floor.

Is this happening because they are using different access points? The access points are Enterasys Roamabout CS1WSA Access points. I explained the problem to Enterasys Support via email but it's taking a while to get an answer as they think my network settings are suspect, but I dont think so.

Greenstead · #2 12-05-2002, 09:22 AM

Strange problem.

With simple Access Points I can't see how you could even contrive this situation.

I had a quick look at the configuration guide. The Roamabout is quite a complex device with all its different modes and security. Lots of scope for configuration problems or bugs.

Presumably you have both APs with bridge mode set to workgroup?

I suggest you get Enterasys to walk thro the AP configuration with you (by phone) and confirm they are convinced all is setup as they expect. That might uncover something or conclude a bug exists.

adepaolis · #3 12-05-2002, 11:01 PM

Enterasys support came through for me. It turns out that the access points have to have the setting ItraBSS enabled, otherwise the devices attached wireless wont be able to communicate with each other. Even though this is enabled by default, you need to have an updated firmware as the shipping firmware doesnt even have this option. So I had to update the firmware.

Not sure if ItraBSS is specific to the enterasys access points, but perhaps my problem will go on to help others in this forum.