I've searched far and wide on the internet and so far I haven't had any luck finding answers to my question. I don't think there's anything in the forum pertaining to this exact topic but if there is I apologize....anyhow...
A month ago I got a new laptop with an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN card. I operate a Wireless-G network at home but figured I might as well get a card that supports Wireless-N in case I ever decide to upgrade my home network.
I use my laptop nearly every day at work/school (they're the same building) and the first time I connected to their network I was pleased to see that the network I connect to is operating on both the G and N standards. I know N is the faster standard and I'd love to take advantage of my new hardware but for some reason it only ever connects to G.
Now I've never used N before but I'm assuming that using it and connecting to it is just like every other wireless system. Is there something special I need to do in the software to force my card to connect to the wireless-N?
If you need additional info let me know. Thanks for any help you can give.
No, but if I click on the network in IntelPROSet and click properties it shows all of the different access points that output the signal. By default the card chooses the strongest signal.
For some reason it doesn't list an access point for the N network, but it still shows that it's available on the main PROSet window. It shouldn't be showing N if it wasn't available for use.
All of the Draft N routers I've used so far require WPA2 or higher security. If the network is open or uses a lower security standard, Draft N connectivity might be disabled.
It doesn't have a security standard. Anyone can connect to the network but to actually use it you have to login using our student/staff ID & password using a VPN client the school gives you.
If they have N disabled than it shouldn't even show up as available right?
Do you have the AES standard enabled on that particular connection? When I first set up my wireless N network I had a the exact same issue, and the only reason it wasn't connecting at the proper speed, for my equipment anyway, is because I didn't have AES turned on for that specific network on my computer and router. For maximum compatibility you'll most likely want to turn on TKIP + AES, but, if it doesn't work after that, I'd say you're just on two incompatible drafts of N.
ok...how do I enable TKIP+AES on my PC for that? I don't have access to the router that's outputing the signal since it's at school so I can't change any settings on that.
And how can there be two incompatible drafts of N? Aren't they all the same?
(by the way my card operates in both the 2.4 and 5 Ghz ranges if that makes any difference)
Yes and no to the whole "drafts of N" thing. I've not, personally, run into any 2 that are incompatible with one another, but theory suggests that, due to modifications in the draft/what manufacturers do to their equipment, there can be the potential for incompatibility.
As for enabling AES... what version of Windows are you using? Aside from that, are you using Windows networking software to connect to the networks, or are you using the Intel utility?
I haven't used the Intel Pro wireless tool in ages. I'm trying to find some screenshots on there so I can attempt to walk you through it, but no dice thus far. The only thing I can tell you at this point is to attempt to see if you can look at the network properties and/or details through the Intel tool. All I can tell you is that it would be included somewhere in the realm of the wireless security settings and such.
Here's another thing though, those options "may"(I don't really remember honestly) not be available to you if they don't have WPA2 enabled on their network. So that needs to be kept in mind as well.
I also, just now, read something on the net stated Intel's Pro Wireless cards require WPA2 along with AES to use draft N functionality. So it may still not work out for you if their network is wide open. Sorry I couldn't be of more help to you.
There are indeed incompatable versions of N. It has only just recently become standardized (one of those technologies you kind of need to wait on). I'm not surprised it's not doing what you want. It isn't going to do a whole lot more for you anyways if you're just browsing the web.
And 802.11n can not coexist with other a/b/g networks, it needs to have both the a and b/g bands available to work correctly. See this wikipedia page for the technical details, but after reading about the standard for the past 3 years it will be a while before enterprise applications roll out 802.11n. There are several other reasons why the n standard will ever make it out of draft.
I know they do have some A band networks there, though I can't remember if it's included in the network I connect to. I'll have to look. That article was pretty helpful.
Wow all you computer people who give out neg mods for a comment not actually about computers need to get out of your mothers basement and at least make an attempt to touch a real booby.
Actually I should probably rethink starting a battle with computer geeks with free time on their hands.
The "N" standard is still evolving. Of course, for N to work you both have to support it.
Do they offer N and on what standard and equipment? I fear you've jumped the gun a bit on your purchase.
Now, if you're using the N in your own house and both your wireless router and card are from the same manufacturer you're likely to succeed. Outside of that scenario, it's a crapshoot. Just as in a modem, the speed is automatically downgraded (in this case to G) until it finds a compatible protocol and speed.
Best allow the "N" standard to settle before investing $ in equipment.
Well like I said, I'm not using N at home and it was only like...$10 more to get the AGN card so I thought why not. It's really not a big deal if I can't get it work, I just wanted it as a perk if it was available.
