How many 'digits' in a SSID code?

dwsjarcmcd

Hi,
I have had no luck connecting our laptop to our wireless network (Orange Livebox) at our apartment in France. I have tried everything but still no luck and had effectively given up and use a wired connection.

My wife has brought her ipod touch which is a doddle to connect to a wireless network. When I put in our 7 digit SSID code, which is on the letter from Orange, it demands an additional didgit before the 'join' lights up.

Is a SSID therefore 8 'digits'?

Thanks, David

John_Gray

The SSID is another word for the network name, and can be up to 32 characters, like "David's Home Network - Keep Out!" What you are talking about seems more like the WEP key - the password...

dwsjarcmcd

John_Gray wrote: »

The SSID is another word for the network name, and can be up to 32 characters, like "David's Home Network - Keep Out!" What you are talking about seems more like the WEP key - the password...

Does the WEP key have 8 characters?

Lincoln_Imp

You should be able to log on your router and get the WEP key from there
http://192.168.1.1 should get you in ,not sure on that router but guessing here at system info should tell you what you want to know

have a look here
http://www.orangeproblems.co.uk/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=4

macman

If you are trying to connect by entering the SSID, then it's not surprising that you can't connect. The SSID does not have to be entered to make a wireless connection, it's just a name broadcast to act as a identifier. The encryption code (be it WEP or WPA) is what must be entered to make a connection.
Think of the SSID as the address of your house, but the WEP/WPA is the front door key.

dwsjarcmcd

macman wrote: »

If you are trying to connect by entering the SSID, then it's not surprising that you can't connect. The SSID does not have to be entered to make a wireless connection, it's just a name broadcast to act as a identifier. The encryption code (be it WEP or WPA) is what must be entered to make a connection.
Think of the SSID as the address of your house, but the WEP/WPA is the front door key.

I know this now, it is only the name of thing I got wrong. It is the WEP/WPA code I've been using. It still seems to want another digit from the details Orange have provided (I have 7, the ipod touch wants at least 8)

macman

So is the Livebox set up with WEP or WPA encryption? When your wireless device scans for available networks it should show the name (the SSID) and the encryption protocol.

dwsjarcmcd

macman wrote: »

So is the Livebox set up with WEP or WPA encryption? When your wireless device scans for available networks it should show the name (the SSID) and the encryption protocol.

When I search for wireless connections, I can see my livebox but when I try to connect to it it won't let me. Although I have all the relevant connection codes, I have never been asked for them on the laptop. When I input the WEP/WPA code on the ipod touch, it always seems a didgit short!

Should add that it doesn't help that the livebox is in France and I can't understand some of the terminology behind the livebox icon.

David

Leopard

Get into the Livebox, using your wired connection (if: 192.168.1.1 doesn't let you in, try 192.168.0.1) and change its SSID to something new with eight digits, then.

It's also possible that the Livebox is using an MAC access list. (Meaning that it will only grant network access to devices whose MAC number is on its list.)

If so, you'd need to add the MAC numbers of your own devices to its list.

My favourite little hotel in Provence has had a Livebox for several years. Madame is no techie, so, a week before we're due to arrive, I send her the MAC numbers of the wi-fi equipped devices we'll be taking and she calls in the geek who maintains her kit and he adds them to its Access List. We've never had any trouble connecting wirelessly to the Livebox there: once the MAC numbers are on its list all we have to do is enter her new encryption key every year and every device then connects automatically.

Lincoln_Imp

You can reset the codes in your router ,it will then create new ones and show you what they are

damo24

On a Livebox you need to put it into pairing mode before you connect a new device. To do this you either press a button on the Livebox or reset it. From memory the Livebox will remain in pairing mode for 10-15 minutes. During this time you will be able to connect new devices.