How to get WiFi connected in a snap

[Andy Sjostrom]

<a href="http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2875582,00.html">http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2875582,00.html</a><br /><br />David Berlind of ZDNet explains how he got his iPAQ Pocket PC running on a WiFi network in a snap. The article mentions a special Symbol Technologies utility and is an interesting read both from a technology standpoint as well as from a "what-can-I-do-with-it" standpoint.<br /><br />"A minute later, my iPaq was on the Internet. The systems engineer whipped out Symbol's Wireless Networker CF card and asked "Can you take one of these?" ... The utility has nine tabs, each representing a grouping of card configuration functions. The IP configuration tab not only shows if you picked DHCP (automatic, network determined) or Static IP addressing, it also shows values in the IP settings (address, mask, gateway, DNS, etc.)--even if they were determined via DHCP. Not even my PC does that."<br /><br />David's experiences remind me about a certain day in September, 2000, nearly two years ago. I had just gotten my iPAQ Pocket PC 3630 running on a WiFi network and contacted Brighthand about it. It was most likely one of the first WiFi connected Pocket PC implementations, so they ran with it:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/b_03.jpg" /><br /><br />Imagine if people would still start jumping up and down once they got connected...

[Jason Dunn]

When WiFi works on a Pocket PC, it's a beautiful thing. When I first installed my Symbol WiFi card, it was as simple as:

1) Install the drivers
2) Insert the card
3) Click OK

That was it - DHCP was the default, so I was on in 5 seconds. Beautiful!

[drosenth]

Jason, what do you typically do with your WiFi connected PocketPC? I am considering the WiFi CF purchase, but I am not sure what all I would use it for.

Thanks,
Dave

[jdhill]

I'm not sure how Jason uses his. I use mine to browse the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and sync with Outlook on my desktop.

[iPaqDude]

I am using the Linksys WCF11 card on my iPaq 3630 - came up immiediately, absolutely no configuration issues. Changed the SSID on the card and set up the WEP, and off I ran. I am also using the Linksys WAP11 AP, so I can't comment on what issues may have occured had I been going to a different vendor's AP.

The question about what one does now that they are wireless on a WiFi network - not as much as I thought I would do. It's good for checking email when out back around the pool, checking hits on my web sites, checking on eBay auctions, quick lookup stuff - not nearly as practical as I thought it would - today. I have got to believe that as more public places put in WiFi for customer use, the practical use will increase dramatically. Till then, well, it's pretty cool to show off to my less fortunate but non-the-less geeky friends....

By the way, the Linksys AP that I put in is used by two other system in my PAN, not just the iPaq...

[Dave Beauvais]

Jason, what do you typically do with your WiFi connected PocketPC?
I'm not Jason, but I am a wireless LAN junkie, and will share my uses. :) I use the Socket CF Wireless LAN adapter (http://www.socketcom.com/product/wlan.htm), which is physically identical to the one made by Symbol. (In fact, Symbol manufacturers both cards, as I understand it.) Looking at Symbol's User Guide for their Wireless Networker card, the driver and software are virtually identical. The exact same tabs exist in Symbol's and Socket's implementations, and they look the same. I can tell you, the signal strength graph is kinda cool, giving you a real-time display of your signal strength and connection speed. (There's also a signal meter on the Today screen's menu bar.)

I use ActiveSync across my wireless LAN instead of my Casio E-200's USB cradle. (Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not really sure where its cradle is; it may be in some luggage from my last trip.) Syncing via network is so much faster than USB, I never want to go back. Doing a full backup with ActiveSync over USB takes at least half an hour, often more. Over the wireless LAN, it takes less than two minutes.

I also use it to check e-mail, read the Thoughts site, among others, AvantGo, MSN and Yahoo Messengers for quick conversations, etc. (Though since there are no portable keyboard options for the E-200 :x I keep my instant messaging to a minimum.) One thing I like about AvantGo is that I can sync my channels from the Pocket PC itself, without having to go through ActiveSync. This lets me update channels from a friend's house or other palces with WiFi access. (Go to Start/Settings/Connections tab, tap AvantGo Connect, then tap the Sync all button. I have never used Mazingo before, so I'm not sure if you can do something similar with it. (I keep meaning to give it a try.)

Incidentally, if you all feel like a little chuckle at the expense of whatever tech writer created Symbol's Users Guide, download it (ftp://symstore.longisland.com/Symstore/pdf/downloads/WN_Users_Guide.pdf) and flip to page 9 (which is actually page 15 of the PDF file.) Gee, I've never seen a Pocket PC that looks like that before! :lol: And in the Warning below that image, there's an example of one of my biggest pet peeves. Honestly, how can people get past elementary school and not know the difference between "there," "their," and "they're?!"

--Dave

[Paul P]

I am using the Linksys WCF11 card on my iPaq 3630 - came up immiediately, absolutely no configuration issues. Changed the SSID on the card and set up the WEP, and off I ran. I am also using the Linksys WAP11 AP, so I can't comment on what issues may have occured had I been going to a different vendor's AP.


Hey, I just bought a WCF12 from Linksys and was wondering how satisfied you are with the overall performance of your WCF11? Though I think you have an earlier version, yours is still the more expensive of the two. Apparently, the WCF12 has shorter range, but has less compatibility issues.

Thanks,
Paul

[iPaqDude]

Hey, I just bought a WCF12 from Linksys and was wondering how satisfied you are with the overall performance of your WCF11? Though I think you have an earlier version, yours is still the more expensive of the two. Apparently, the WCF12 has shorter range, but has less compatibility issues.

Very satisfied with the performance. I have decent signal strength throughout a block wall house out to my pool and around in the yard - probably 90 - 110 foot range. It actually has better range thatn the WPC11 card in my laptop - not sure why, but I can surf with my iPaq when I cannot with the laptop. As I had mentioned, configuration was a breeze - came right up. But then that was Linksys to Linksys, and I really don't know about access with with disparate vendors.

[Andy Sjostrom]

Wow! This is what I LIKE with this community. Guys, I appreciate the way you share your experiences and know-how! You add tremendously to Pocket PC Thoughts!

[Techtoys]

I bought a wireless card recently. Adding it to the iPAQ was a sinch - it came with drivers and worked first time. I found 2 wireless networks in my office (neither official :) ) and another one (official) in our head office. I can access all of them and use them for internet, pop3 mail, etc. The card also works in my PC, which is really useful as I can now sit in the work coffee shop and use our network. Itis probably the best £85 I have spent recently.

I'm looking forward to the day that we have a pervasive wireless network in the towns and cities of the UK - even if I had to pay for use, it would be neat.

Andy

[dhpss]

I have been using Cable modem-Linksys router + wireless access -1 desktop (wired) + Laptop (wireless)
I was excited about the Toshiba e740 and purchased one for the Wifi built-in (my previous PPC was Casio E-125). My thoughts were I would use this Wifi enable PPC to wirelessly

ActiveSync with my desktop instead of using cradle (however I just try to use IrDA with my laptop, it works great too).

Browsing the Web (I found out that most Web pages are really not PPC user friendly). I quickly realize it is not useful-beside within WiFi range I prefer using my laptop WiFi.

Hand writing send/receive email using RIteMail (you guys should try this if you have not. It is free and amazing..)

How ever my experience was a nightmare. My Toshiba did could not talk or ping to my router even the signal seems to indicate strong signal. I had to play with the connection settings home, work, internet,....When connect to Internat it seems to run in Infrastructure when using Activesync, I have to change the settings to Ad-Hoc and set the gateway IP address to my desktop PC IP address....(advised by Toshiba support. After several hours up and down spending time with the support people, I decide to stop trying, return the e740 and go back to my old plain Casio E-125. (get better indoor screen, better video playback,....and save $600. Hopefully one day buying a PPC with Wifi will be just buying a cordless phone....

[jdhill]

How ever my experience was a nightmare. My Toshiba did could not talk or ping to my router even the signal seems to indicate strong signal. I had to play with the connection settings home, work, internet,....When connect to Internat it seems to run in Infrastructure when using Activesync, I have to change the settings to Ad-Hoc and set the gateway IP address to my desktop PC IP address....(advised by Toshiba support. After several hours up and down spending time with the support people, I decide to stop trying, return the e740 and go back to my old plain Casio E-125. (get better indoor screen, better video playback,....and save $600. Hopefully one day buying a PPC with Wifi will be just buying a cordless phone....
This might have been the "Connection Mangler". Microsoft meant well with this software, but it is very unintuitive. You may have had more luck with your E-125 because it is running Pocket PC 2000 which does not have the Connection Manager.

The only way I could get my E-200 to work for everything in both the cradle and on the wirless network, was to set the Connection Manger (from top to bottom) to Internet, Internet, Work. To get ActiveSync to work over the network, you need to set the WINS server address on the Pocket PC to the IP address of the desktop with which you want to sync (unless you happen to be running a DNS server and the desktop's name and address is in DNS).

[Greybard]

I am trying to get a Symbol Networker and Linksys Wap11 2.2 working together.

Originally the two would only work together if I didn't use any WEP, now with the latest firmware on the Wap11 (1001) I can at least get WEP128bit working.

The networker links shows the right WAP name and channel and gets out the web; however It will not DHCP negoitiate (I have to set up a static IP address) and when I am on the web it seems to time out alot, it starts downloads then just stops.

I usually have to stop the page load and click the link again.

Any of you have any ideas what I might have miss set?

If any of you have this combo; and you're not getting these problems, please email me your setups?

GB

[st63z]

Can someone explain further the relationship between Symbol's and Socket's CF WiFi card? I have the Socket version, and I've been wondering if there are any differences.

I had thought that Symbol has completely stopped selling their Wireless Networker after they made the manufacturing deal with Socket. And last time I checked, it seemed Symbol's drivers/utilities haven't been updated in a while, but then again I saw that they listed PPC as well as desktop Windows drivers for laptops, whereas Socket only seems to offer PPC drivers!?

Would I be able to use Symbol's drivers/utilities with my Socket card?

[Dave Beauvais]

...Would I be able to use Symbol's drivers/utilities with my Socket card?
I think so. In fact, there's a short thread about this (http://www.socketforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=268) on Socket's forum that even tells what lines must be changed in the driver's INF file. (The cards may be physically identical, but there is an ID string in the card's ROM that would prevent Symbol's driver from installing properly without first being modified.) I haven't tested this myself since I don't have a CF-to-PC Card adapter, and already have a wireless PC card for my laptop. The guy there claims it works, however. Give it a shot and let us know if it works!

--Dave

[Perry Reed]

I have the Symbol CF card for my Jornada 568 and a Linksys access point. The combo was a cinch to set up and works really well!

The only problems I have with it are:

1. IMAP email. Basically doesn't work at all. My Jornada goes so slow as to almost be locked up. But it also does this when I try to access it via the cradle, so it's not a Wi-Fi problem. Not sure why it happens, though. POP3 email works just fine.

2. Instant messaging. Especially on AIM, there is a huge lag between when a message is sent and it is received. Happens both for out-going IMs and incoming. Makes having a real-time IM conversation pretty much impossible.

3. Also, strangely enough, while my signal strength is always high throughout the house, sometimes my connection will get REALLY slow for a few minutes, then it'll pick back up again. Other times it just screams along. Very random.

[Dave Beauvais]

I have the Symbol CF card for my Jornada 568 and a Linksys access point. ...
Over the last year or so, I've found that I get nice, stable connections by doing the following in my Linksys WAP11's configuration: Turn off Auto Rate Fall Back Deselect the 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps checkboxes Change from Long Preamble to Short PreambleThe WAP11 seems to fallback to a slower speed when it doesn't need to, so I just turned off its ability to do so. I can still walk almost six houses down the street with a usable connection. If your access point has similar configuration options, try turning them off and see if your connections improve.

--Dave

[Perry Reed]

I have the Symbol CF card for my Jornada 568 and a Linksys access point. ...
Turn off Auto Rate Fall Back Deselect the 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps checkboxes Change from Long Preamble to Short Preamble
--Dave

Thanks!! I'll try that when I get home.

[Jimmy Dodd]

This might have been the "Connection Mangler". Microsoft meant well with this software, but it is very unintuitive.

This is a real understatement. I have yet to figure out how Connection Manager is supposed to help. All it seems to do is hide any useful information from a user that might be helpful in debugging. So far I haven't had to twiddle too much with it (all my connections are working, though that seems to have been dumb luck) but I'm waiting for the day where I have to make that "one little change" and everything stops working.

Does anyone know of a good link to an explanation of what is happening under the hood with this app?

---
Bwana Jim

[jdhill]

This might have been the "Connection Mangler". Microsoft meant well with this software, but it is very unintuitive.

This is a real understatement. I have yet to figure out how Connection Manager is supposed to help. All it seems to do is hide any useful information from a user that might be helpful in debugging. So far I haven't had to twiddle too much with it (all my connections are working, though that seems to have been dumb luck) but I'm waiting for the day where I have to make that "one little change" and everything stops working.

Does anyone know of a good link to an explanation of what is happening under the hood with this app?
I don't think Microsoft wants us looking under the hood !!!

You might try this article by Chris De Herrera: http://www.cewindows.net/faqs/connectionmanager.htm

There is also an article on the Microsoft PocketPC.Com site: http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/tutorials/connectionmanager/default.asp

[Titanian]

3. Also, strangely enough, while my signal strength is always high throughout the house, sometimes my connection will get REALLY slow for a few minutes, then it'll pick back up again. Other times it just screams along. Very random.

Do you have DSL?
This happens to me both through my wireless and on my main PC.
I find it odd too, because it never happened when I was on cable intenet?

Also, does anyone have any comments on what would be the best wireless card to get, price, and compatibility with a Linksys gateway is a factor.

Thanks for your help people :)

[Perry Reed]

Do you have DSL?
This happens to me both through my wireless and on my main PC.
I find it odd too, because it never happened when I was on cable intenet?


Nope, we have a cable modem. Not sure why it does it, but since it works most of the time, I guess I can live with it. :)

[Titanian]

Odd