How do you know which AP you are connected to?

MarcusJClifford · 01-23-2003

In my setup I have 3 access points setup with the same SSID on Channels 1, 6 and 11 to allow roaming around my property.

My question is as I am roaming around is there a way to tell which access point I am connected to (On the client (roaming) computer)?

Access point seem to be transparent to tools like tracert etc.

rberger · 01-23-2003

Can you get into the APs admin pages and see who gave you your IP address, if they're running DHCP? Otherwise, you should be able to see on the AP who has your MAC address registered as an active user...

gmiller220 · 01-23-2003

I think you can do that with netstumbler. Just watch for the * next to the channel number and that is the current channel that you are associated with. Sombody correct me if I'm wrong.

richcorbs · 01-24-2003

Doesn't the client utility tell you the MAC address of the access point with which you are associated? The handful of cards/utilities that I've worked with do this. If yours does this too then it should simply be a matter of figuring out which MAC address goes with which AP.

Hope this helps.

MarcusJClifford · 01-24-2003

Thanks for all the suggestions, It comes down to running the Client Utilitiy and lookin at the MAC address or Channel Number and then remembering which Access point is which.

I wanted to do it without using the client tools but I guess its the only way.

Thanks again

richcorbs · 01-24-2003

If the access points plug in to a switch or multiple switches then you could check the mac address/bridging tables on the switch(es) for the MAC address of your wireless card. Depending on the port where your wireless card's MAC address shows up you can tell which access point it's using.

01-23-2003	#1 (permalink)
MarcusJClifford United Kingdom User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 130	How do you know which AP you are connected to? In my setup I have 3 access points setup with the same SSID on Channels 1, 6 and 11 to allow roaming around my property. My question is as I am roaming around is there a way to tell which access point I am connected to (On the client (roaming) computer)? Access point seem to be transparent to tools like tracert etc. __________________ Orinoco Gold, Mobile Mark 5 DBi Mag Mount, Belkin WAP, 4x D-Link 1500 WAP / Bridges, 2x 24Dbi Parabolics, 1 12Db Omnidirectional.

01-24-2003	#4 (permalink)
richcorbs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 7	By the MAC Address of the Associated AP Doesn't the client utility tell you the MAC address of the access point with which you are associated? The handful of cards/utilities that I've worked with do this. If yours does this too then it should simply be a matter of figuring out which MAC address goes with which AP. Hope this helps.

01-24-2003	#5 (permalink)
MarcusJClifford United Kingdom User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 130	Thanks Thanks for all the suggestions, It comes down to running the Client Utilitiy and lookin at the MAC address or Channel Number and then remembering which Access point is which. I wanted to do it without using the client tools but I guess its the only way. Thanks again __________________ Orinoco Gold, Mobile Mark 5 DBi Mag Mount, Belkin WAP, 4x D-Link 1500 WAP / Bridges, 2x 24Dbi Parabolics, 1 12Db Omnidirectional.

01-24-2003	#6 (permalink)
richcorbs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 7	Another option: network ports If the access points plug in to a switch or multiple switches then you could check the mac address/bridging tables on the switch(es) for the MAC address of your wireless card. Depending on the port where your wireless card's MAC address shows up you can tell which access point it's using.

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01-23-2003	#2 (permalink)
rberger likes www.FatWallet.com Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 199	Can you get into the APs admin pages and see who gave you your IP address, if they're running DHCP? Otherwise, you should be able to see on the AP who has your MAC address registered as an active user...

01-23-2003	#3 (permalink)
gmiller220 People are dumb Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 466	I think you can do that with netstumbler. Just watch for the * next to the channel number and that is the current channel that you are associated with. Sombody correct me if I'm wrong.