iwconfig & Multiple wireless networks?

amphibious

So, I just moved to Boston and I've been using the free wireless connection at a place called Copy Cop on Boylston Street across from the Prudential Center... it's a good connection, fast, stable and I can use BitTorrent without getting booted off the network.

Yesterday a girl came in and tried to use the network, but couldn't get on and asked me for help. She was using Windows XP, I clicked on the little network icon in the taskbar, opened it up and noticed there are SIX wireless networks that her computer is detecting and that the network I've been connecting to is NOT the network at Copy Cop.

So, I'm wondering a couple things...

First, how can I view ALL the wireless networks that my card is detecting?

Second, how does iwconfig choose which network it is going to connect to? The Copy Cop network had full signal on her computer and the network that iwconfig automatically connects to only had like 25%.

Thanks!
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Master Shake · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 7:21 pm Post subject:

I don't know if iwconfig can detect wireless connection points. I know you can set which one it uses with:

Master Shake · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 7:28 pm Post subject:

I did some scanning around for you and I found this out:

syrrus · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:49 am Post subject:

If you want to get fancy, check out kismet,gkismet,airtraf,etc....All those fun wardriving utilties.
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Sloden · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

The correct iwlist command is "iwlist ethX scanning", at least for me. From there you simply specify either

- "iwconfig ethX ap (MAC addess of AP)"
or
- "iwconfig ethX essid (essid of AP)".

Try this.

In addition you can change your receiving-sensitivity with "iwconfig ethX sens ##" (Check the man page)

Kismet, and these network-tools require your wireless-card to support "monitoring" (from what I understand), and this is not necessarily the case with your card. Anyway - iwlist ethX scanning is oyur friend. Happy wardriving!

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amphibious · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:45 am Post subject:

Looks like I don't have an "iwlist" command... also, when I manually set the essid to "copycopcafe" which is what it should be, it doesn't connect...
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Sloden · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 7:08 am Post subject:

Make sure you run iwlist as root, in case you haven't. Iwlist is a part of wireless-tools, the same package iwconfig is a part of. How do you sett your essid? Try emerging "wireless-tools".

Hope this helps!
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