Wireless (802.11 a/b/g) Profile Manager Information

As if wired network connections were not already complicated enough for most users the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g compatible wireless devices, while very versatile, can be very difficult to setup.  Windows XP includes a feature called Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) that, in theory at least, should make the configuration of 802.11 cards simple.  Unfortunately, WZC is limited at best and useless at its worst.  There are other tools like the popular NetStumbler that show what is out there but they offer no facility for connecting to a discovered wireless network or remembering that network's setup so that you can reconnect the next time you want to use it.  That is the purpose of the 802_11 Tester and Profile Builder for NetSwitcher module for NetSwitcher for Windows software.

This module allow you to configure, test, save, and restore 802.11 wireless network settings for your card or cards.  Once the configuration has been tested, verified, and saved, it can be used in NetSwitcher as a part of the normal profile for a location where you work.  As you build a database of locations where you use wireless services, you will finally be able to immediately get to work rather then "fiddling" with 802.11 wireless settings.

The SiteMonitor™ site survey let you see quickly what wireless networks are in range and what their characteristics are.  The real-time display can also be used to find the best orientation for your laptop and/or antenna when operating in fringe reception locations.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What operating systems does this require?
A: The 802_11 Tester and Profile Builder for NetSwitcher requires Windows XP Home or XP Pro with at least SP1.  (SP2 is not required but is supported.)

Q: Why doesn't this work with earlier versions of Windows like Windows 2000?
A: Because the programming interface needed to control 802.11 network cards (in general) is only available on Windows XP.  Microsoft has declined to add support for this into Windows 2000.  Any wireless card support prior to XP requires vendor specific knowledge of the wireless card and is not supportable in general.

Q: What about Windows 95, 98, or ME?
A: No way!  It's time to upgrade.  All of these platforms have been pronounced "dead" by Microsoft.

Q: What network cards work with this feature?
A: In theory any network card that works with Windows XP should work with this tool.  In our testing however, we've found that while most network cards work to some degree, there are "gaps" in what they support as well as idiosyncrasies in how some of them work.  Many cards which have issues (usually related to not being able to set a particular feature) can be corrected by updated drivers or firmware from the card vendor. See Wireless Adapter Notes for information we've gathered on different network adapters. Microsoft also maintains a list of "Designed for Windows XP" wireless network hardware.  You may want to verify that your hardware is XP certified.  While some (especially older) wireless hardware can be made to work with XP, it does so by providing proprietary software rather than supporting the NDIS 5.1 adapter specification.  NDIS 5.1 is required to support this tool.

Q: How does this work with NetSwitcher?
A: In V3.3.0 and later of NetSwitcher a button appears on the tab for a wireless network adapter.  This button allows you to choose a wireless profile (created with the 802.11 Tester application) and associate it with a NetSwitcher profile.

Q: Can this tool be used to "sniff" wireless packets and spy on others?
A: No, it doesn't do that.  It can, however, be used to find and connect to unprotected networks that show up in the SiteMonitor.  We do NOT, however, recommend that you connect to or use networks that are not yours without the permission of the operator of the network. In fact, doing so is a violation of the license agreement for this product.  In some places doing this is illegal and it is your responsibility to use this tool in a legal and ethical way.

Q: Why can't I use NetStumbler?  It's free!
A: Who said you can't use NetStumbler?  It's a very cool tool.  It is, however, what it is and it doesn't do what NetSwitcher's 802_11 Tester and Profile Manager does.

Q: I want this NOW.  How do I get it?
A: It's available for download now as a part of the current NetSwitcher release.  See http://www.netswitcher.com/downloads.htm

Q: How do I use this tool?
A: Click here for the Users Manual.

Q: I have a question that wasn't here.  What do I do?
A: Hmmm.  Do I really have to tell you what to do here?  (Hint: send an email to joe@netswitcher.com and we'll get back to you...)