topic Re: How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP in Wireless Questions and Best Practices

How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP

chris_wanner — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:15:44 GMT

I have 7 Lenovo AIO computers running Windows 8.1 with Intel Centrino 2230 wireless adapters. These units are public facing running a program that connects to a SQL database. If the connection to the database is interrupted, the program crashes. The units are within range of 2 different AP and every time they switch AP, the connection is interrupted. I set the WLAN to tunnel but this didn't help. I tried to use the Intel ProSet software to use a mandatory AP by MAC address but when I enter the MAC address of the AP, it can no longer connect to that AP. I have ZF7363 with a ZD1100 running 9.6.0.0.267. Any thoughts about settings to prevent the loss of connection to the DB?

Re: How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP

keith_redfield — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:24:47 GMT

Can you give them their own dedicated (maybe hidden) SSID on that AP?

--
-create a WLAN Group with all the WLAN's checked that need to be broadcast.

-under the configure >> access points > select the AP and click on edit and select WLAN Group -- override system default and select the Wlan group created earlier under Radio b/g/n and for a/n
--
[from a soon to be posted KB article)

Re: How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP

keith_redfield — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:31:19 GMT

BTW - each WLAN has it's own derived MAC address so the system MAC (which I think you used) would have looked like an invalid match to your Intel card. This will help you poke at what it actually is (from ZD CLI):

ruckus(config-wlan)# called-station-id-type [wlan-bssid | ap-mac]
wlan-bssid Set the called station ID type to ‘BSSID:SSID’
ap-mac Set the called station ID type to ‘APMAC:SSID’

Re: How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP

chris_wanner — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 15:05:16 GMT

Keith,

Thanks for the help. I have a separate WLAN for them but it doesn't prevent it from changing AP. As far as I know, I can't create a WLAN that picks and chooses with AP is part of that group. If I can, then that makes life much easier.

For the MAC address of the AP, I did see that each WLAN gets a separate MAC so I did use the MAC for that specific AP. What I am trying to make work is for the computer to associate only with 1 AP specifically and not any of the 3 that it sees.

Since I am using the web interface for the ZD, let me know if this is right.
Under Monitor/Currently Managed APs, the AP I want is this.

c4:01:7c:0e:f3:30 RuckusKidsDesk2 Above Kids Desk 2 outside main office zf7363 Connected (Root AP)

For the WLAN
BSSID Check-in/CBCKids c4:01:7c:4e:f3:39 802.11g/n Up

If I use the BSSID as the mandatory AP, won't that still allow the computer to switch AP?

Re: How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP

keith_redfield — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 18:45:34 GMT

What I'm suggesting is you create an SSID and apply it specifically to the AP you want those clients to connect to. Here's an older thread describing the technique: https://support.ruckuswireless.com/answers/forums/8/topics/930

Re: How do I prevent a computer for changing associated AP

chris_wanner — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 18:51:49 GMT

Thanks. That is what I have been working on. I was waiting until my test was done today to see if I got the settings right and so far, it is working very well.