"Unable to join" wireless network...calling all network gurus....

[Bullpen7979]

My wife would like to connect her jailbroken Ipad 2 to the wireless network at her job which is provided by a Netgear WDNR 3700 at her job. (has permission)

It is "unable to connect" to the network, for some reason. Many other clients at same location are able to connect and reconnect to this router, after I tweaked a few router settings (see below) It connects to two different wireless network ap's I have at home just fine, so I know the hardware works.

I have searched the forums on this issue, and it seems there are (were?) a number of people having this issue.

Here, (per the searches and proposed solutions) is what I have tried.

On the iPad,
Have tried DHCP and Static IP scheme to match that of the rest of the network.
Changed between a couple different DNS specs that I saw on other machines (again ,successfully connected to the network)
Switching wireless off, then on again.
Shutting off bluetooth.
Resetting network settings.

No luck with any of that.

Digging deeper, I get into the router settings, and try to change the broadcast channel from "auto' to "1". (someone else hashed it out like that) Nothing.
Try dumbing down the speed to "up to 54 mbps" from "up to 300 mbps". Nothing.

SSID broadcast is disabled, but I don't think this is the issue. I know for a fact that the network name and password I'm using is correct.

The security on the router is set to WPA-PSK (TKIP) + WPA-PSK AES. Is the iPad 2 compatible with this level of encryption??

I have a hunch that dumbing this down to just WEP encryption would solve the problem, but as I am only the 'unofficial' IT guy, I chose not to compromise network security for the sake of accommodating a non mission-critical device without having express permission to do so.

So, I suppose we could go there after hours (wife has a key) and try WEP to see if that solves the problem, but again this is a "talk to the boss" thing for sure before making the change on a permanent basis.

I'm stuck. Can anybody think of anything else that might be tried? I'm about ready to root her android phone and just tell her to tether, but that looks like a bit of a process as well....Ughh. Fun stuff.

Any constructive input related to solving the problem appreciated.

Thanks listers...

 

[hbranha]

Wireless networks has a limited bandwidth, which means that once it reaches it's limit no one else can inter. Also the network adm can also limit the number of users. First go after hours and try to log on. You iPad should automatically find any wireless networks in that location and ask for a password to join. The security settings except for the password on that network should not apply! Make sure that you reboot your device, you want to see the apple icon then proceed. If your device can find and log on to your network at home then it tells me that it's something at the work place that is preventing you from logging on if password is correct.
Sometimes you may have to try four or five times before it connects. Henry

 

[joeyteel]

The encryption is supported. In that mode it selects the strongest of the two methods that the device supports (my own router uses the same setup)

Probably a stupid question, but did you check if MAC filtering is enabled? Based on the symptoms that seems like a likely candidate.

 

[hbranha]

Wireless Network

Wireless networks has a limited bandwidth, which means that once it reaches it's limit no one else can inter. Also the network adm can also limit the number of users. First go after hours and try to log on. You iPad should automatically find any wireless networks in that location and ask for a password to join. The security settings except for the password on that network should not apply! Make sure that you reboot your device, you want to see the apple icon then proceed. If your device can find and log on to your network at home then it tells me that it's something at the work place that is preventing you from logging on if password is correct.
Sometimes you may have to try four or five times before it connects. Henry

Have you checked the settings on the IPads at work that can connect to the network and just transfer them to yours.
Next you might have have to do a VPN to connect to the work place. It's in the settings field under Wifi. Open it up
Write down the info needed an go to your Network Adm to get the info needed and you should be able to connect.
Henry

 

[hbranha]

I also have a net gear router, you should see two possible connections if it is duel ban if not you should see at least one band that you can connect to from your IPad. If not turn on wifi which I know you have right. Henry

 

[Bosvaark]

Don't you just love it when the OP never comes back to check the post.

 

[quake5254]

Guess he found a solution. Amen.

 

[Bullpen7979]

Didn't abandon the thread, guys. Sorry if it seemed like it. Was just kinda looking for that "eureka" suggestion. First reply took a week, so i was beginning to think it was not an issue anyone cared to try and solve. Mac filtering is a good thing to check......will keep y'all posted....

 

[quake5254]

I think I've read somewhere here or a friends own experience having the same problem with netgear. Have you tried with a different router?

 

[Bullpen7979]

Oh yeah. is able to connect to all other routers just fine. it's just this 1 at her job that is a problem.

Sent from the EVO

 

[quake5254]

I see. That is administrator protected. I'd rather ask the companies IT's permission and say something creative that would make work more productive. Other than that, I doubt. I have secured my CCTV's and would be impossible for others to hack in. Safety reasons.

 

[leirdal]

I've had problems with mixed 802.11b+g+n bandwith on routers. It often helps to choose only one of those if your ios device has problems, but remember to choose one that all devices can use. In these cases the g standard seems to be the safest.


Regards
Jon Leirdal
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[joeyteel]

I've had problems with mixed 802.11b+g+n bandwith on routers. It often helps to choose only one of those if your ios device has problems, but remember to choose one that all devices can use. In these cases the g standard seems to be the safest.

Regards
Jon Leirdal
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

That was already tried. That's what the speed setting he mentioned changing on the router actually changes

I see. That is administrator protected. I'd rather ask the companies IT's permission and say something creative that would make work more productive. Other than that, I doubt. I have secured my CCTV's and would be impossible for others to hack in. Safety reasons.

The wife already has permission. He mentioned that in the first paragraph

 

[Bullpen7979]

That was already tried. That's what the speed setting he mentioned changing on the router actually changes

The wife already has permission. He mentioned that in the first paragraph

Joey, thanks for backing me up here. Per your suggestion, I'll check Mac filter switch.

My wife is actually the tech head in the office when it comes to computers. It only falls to me when she is unable to work out the problem. I had permission enough to be poking around in the router config, but again, did not want to compromise anything as there are medical records involved, so security takes absolute precedence.

Looks like rooting the phone is looking more and more like the way to accomplish this. I never imagined that wireless connectivity would be all that difficult to achieve. I haven't tried yet, but I'm pretty sure I could drag my laptop in and it would jump right on....I might have to do that to keep working the problem.

 

[leirdal]

That was already tried. That's what the speed setting he mentioned changing on the router actually changes

I noticed he said he had tried going down to 54, but that means he still can be running both b and g, thats why I mentioned it.

Anyway, I can't help much more than that little fact. It's a tricky one to solve. Some routers just are anoying and need to be replaced.



Regards
Jon Leirdal
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD