Troubleshooting wireless connectivity: Step 7

• The adapter and router must use exactly the same SSID, including capitalization.
• If Available Wireless Networks does not include the SSID, enable SSID broadcasts on the router.
• If using an 802.11b adapter, make sure the wireless router is set to "mixed" 802.11b+g mode.
• If using an 802.11a adapter, make sure that your wireless router is also using 802.11a.
• If using a MIMO adapter, use a router from the same product line, or configure both to use standard 802.11g.
• If signal appears weak, debug the wireless host right next to your wireless router, then see step 11.
• If using wireless security, you may have a parameter mismatch; go to step 8.

Troubleshooting wireless connectivity

  Step 1: Recheck physical connections
  Step 2: Verify wireless adapter connection
  Step 3: Verify router's LAN port activity
  Step 4: Check wireless adapter's IP address
  Step 5: Verify reachability
  Step 6: Check firewall connection
  Step 7: Verify that the adapter is associating with the wireless router
  Step 8: Find and fix a wireless security parameter mismatch
  Step 9: Debug 802.1X
  Step 10: Fix an 802.1X EAP mismatch or credential problem
  Step 11: RF interference and roaming

About the author
Lisa Phifer is vice president of Core Competence Inc., a consulting firm specializing in network security and management technology. Lisa has been involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of data communications, internetworking, security and network management products for nearly 20 years. She teaches about wireless LANs and virtual private networking at industry conferences and has written extensively about network infrastructure and security technologies for numerous publications. She is also a site expert to SearchMobileComputing.com and SearchNetworking.com.

This tip originally appeared on SearchNetworking.com.