Same SSID, MAC=all zeros

wrampart · 07-04-2005

From time to time, I see an AP show up in netstumbler with the same (and non-default) SSID as my AP, but the MAC is all zeros. It usually has a slightly better SNR; winXP will drop the connection to the 'real' AP. Anyone seen this before?

The AP is a Linksys (cisco) WRT56G.

(I've checked the FAQs and google with no luck in finding an answer. there have been a few posts to usenet groups, but nothing seemed to answer this specific question).

Thorn · 07-04-2005

Stop running NS while connected to the network. It isn't designed to do this, and causes all sorts of problems.

wrampart · 07-05-2005

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestion. I normally don't use NS while using the network. I am troubleshooting a problem where XP will report that I've attached to the same AP that I was previously attached to, but the network stops functioning (so, I'm using the wireless card just fine, with excellent signal, then I get a pop up message saying 'wireless network is now connected...conected to <my AP>'). I started NS, and noticed that when XP reports a 'new' connection, NS sees a second AP with my non-default name and MAC=000000000000.

wrzwaldo · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrampart

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestion. I normally don't use NS while using the network. I am troubleshooting a problem where XP will report that I've attached to the same AP that I was previously attached to, but the network stops functioning (so, I'm using the wireless card just fine, with excellent signal, then I get a pop up message saying 'wireless network is now connected...conected to <my AP>'). I started NS, and noticed that when XP reports a 'new' connection, NS sees a second AP with my non-default name and MAC=000000000000.

Did you not see this in Thorns post?

Quote:

It isn't designed to do this, and causes all sorts of problems.

theprez98 · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrzwaldo

Did you not see this in Thorns post?

Unfortunately July is turning out like June.

Thorn · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrampart

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestion.

You're welcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrampart

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestion. I normally don't use NS while using the network.

OK, but that is contradicted by your next two statements:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrampart

I am troubleshooting a problem where XP will report that I've attached to the same AP that I was previously attached to, but the network stops functioning (so, I'm using the wireless card just fine, with excellent signal, then I get a pop up message saying 'wireless network is now connected...conected to <my AP>').

Please tell us how that isn't using NS while on a network.

Dutch · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorn

You're welcome.

OK, but that is contradicted by your next two statements:

Please tell us how that isn't using NS while on a network.

<June/July joiners mind>

ohh u meant connected to the network that way i thought u meant connected to the network the other way which don't apply because i connected to the network this way and not the other way. so which way do u say I should connect to the network then ?

</June/July joiners mind>

Dutch

beakmyn · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

<June/July joiners mind>

Ohh You meant connected to the network that way, I thought you meant connected to the network the other way, which don't apply, because I connected to the network this way, and not the other way. So which way should I connect to the network then ?

</June/July joiners mind>

Dutch

Do not connect neither this way nor the other as neither is not the way

streaker69 · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by beakmyn

Do not connect neither this way nor the other as neither is not the way

I do not like green eggs and ham.

Dutch · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by beakmyn

Do not connect neither this way nor the other as neither is not the way

<June/July joiners mind>

so it is not one way but two way.. or can i make it a freeway ?

</June/July joiner mind>

Dutch

wrampart · 07-05-2005

[quote=Thorn]You're welcome.

OK, but that is contradicted by your next two statements:

That is hardly a contradiction, its a matter of simple English. Under *normal* circumstances, I don't use NS while using my wireless connection. However, when I saw a problem with XP reporting a new connection to the same AP, I launched netstumbler to see what was happening. I noticed that at the same time as XP sees a new AP with my SSID, NS also will report a new AP with the same SSID, but a MAC of all zeros. I suspect this is not an artifact of NS not being designed to run while using the network.

Thorn · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrampart

That is hardly a contradiction, its a matter of simple English. Under *normal* circumstances, I don't use NS while using my wireless connection. However, when I saw a problem with XP reporting a new connection to the same AP, I launched netstumbler to see what was happening. I noticed that at the same time as XP sees a new AP with my SSID, NS also will report a new AP with the same SSID, but a MAC of all zeros. I suspect this is not an artifact of NS not being designed to run while using the network.

You are running NS while connected to a network. How is that not a contradiction? "Normally" doesn't help. Doing it all it a problem.

Let me make this plain: Do not run NetStumbler while connected to a network under *ANY* circumstances. Period. As I previously stated: It isn't designed to do this, and causes all sorts of problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrampart

I noticed that at the same time as XP sees a new AP with my SSID, NS also will report a new AP with the same SSID, but a MAC of all zeros. I suspect this is not an artifact of NS not being designed to run while using the network.

It very well could be an artifact, since you have two programs attempting to read the card's drivers..

Monitr7 · 07-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

I do not like green eggs and ham.

... 'n stuff.

wrzwaldo · 07-05-2005

@ wrampart,

So what card are you using with NS?

07-04-2005	#1 (permalink)
wrampart Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3	Same SSID, MAC=all zeros From time to time, I see an AP show up in netstumbler with the same (and non-default) SSID as my AP, but the MAC is all zeros. It usually has a slightly better SNR; winXP will drop the connection to the 'real' AP. Anyone seen this before? The AP is a Linksys (cisco) WRT56G. (I've checked the FAQs and google with no luck in finding an answer. there have been a few posts to usenet groups, but nothing seemed to answer this specific question).

07-04-2005	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,084	Stop running NS while connected to the network. It isn't designed to do this, and causes all sorts of problems. __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?" Last edited by Thorn : 07-04-2005 at 07:44 PM. Reason: Typo

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-05-2005	#3 (permalink)
wrampart Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3	Thanks for the quick reply and suggestion. I normally don't use NS while using the network. I am troubleshooting a problem where XP will report that I've attached to the same AP that I was previously attached to, but the network stops functioning (so, I'm using the wireless card just fine, with excellent signal, then I get a pop up message saying 'wireless network is now connected...conected to <my AP>'). I started NS, and noticed that when XP reports a 'new' connection, NS sees a second AP with my non-default name and MAC=000000000000.

07-05-2005	#11 (permalink)
wrampart Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3	[quote=Thorn]You're welcome. OK, but that is contradicted by your next two statements: That is hardly a contradiction, its a matter of simple English. Under normal circumstances, I don't use NS while using my wireless connection. However, when I saw a problem with XP reporting a new connection to the same AP, I launched netstumbler to see what was happening. I noticed that at the same time as XP sees a new AP with my SSID, NS also will report a new AP with the same SSID, but a MAC of all zeros. I suspect this is not an artifact of NS not being designed to run while using the network.

07-05-2005	#14 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,127	@ wrampart, So what card are you using with NS?