WLAN vs MAC, and AP

[Cheng Luo_1]

If the WLAN provider give unopened WLAN card and unopened CD (software)
to client, then the client may be able to access to other WLAN provider (access point, AP)
when he or she move to another place where has a nother WLAN provider.
Is the correct? Thanks! Cheng

[Roger Faucher · Accepted solution]

Cheng:

If I understand your question correctly, the answer is "Yes". Any wireless network card should be able to connect to any wireless AP assuming they're compatible (not 802.11b trying to connect to 802.11a, for instance) and assuming the SSIDs, channels, and encryption are set to match. I have my wireless PC card set up with several configurations, each for a different location. They have different SSIDs, different channels, and some have encryption enabled while others have it disabled. I simply pick the appropriate configuration according to where I am.
Most software today will show you a list of the Access Points it can 'see' and you simply choose the correct one from a list.

I hope this helps you.

Roger

[Cheng Luo_1]

Thank you very much! Roger

In the wireless client manager, link test, I saw these:

The station
adddress: 00-02-20-0D-C3-91

Test partner
Address 00-60-B3-71-95-2F

Do you think one of these is SSID?

Or DO they represent country, or other?

Thank you very much!

Cheng

[Roger Faucher]

Cheng:

Those are MAC addresses. The SSID is a user or vendor-assigned name (such as 'linksys' for Linksys products).

Roger