Keep Important SSID on Top

[EagleTwo]

Hi,

Does anyone know how to keep a SSID on top, under Manage Wireless Networks?. I know when the users add other SSID's, they go on top of the older ones. Over time our school SSID is pushed lower and lower, so when a user brings in their school issued laptop, the laptop tries looking for the SSID's that are first in line as their cached profile is logging in. Thus, our Proxy Server doesnt authenticate them, therefore they dont get internet access.
I need to keep our school SSID on top. We are using Server 2008 R2 with Windows 7 and a handful of XP's and Active Directory.

Thank you.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hello,

They are probably 'on top' because they have a stronger signal. What wireless access points are you using?



Dave

 

[chev65]

In the Manage wireless connection's window, you can put in the check marks for connecting automatically when the network is in range. Or you can put a check mark to connect to a more preferred network.

Using those two adjustments should allow them to connect regardless of the order they are listed.

They should also be able to just right click on the network icon "lower right" and choose the connection they need to connect too. Assuming the wireless profile is correct they should have no problem connecting to the wireless network.

 

[EagleTwo]

Thanks for Replying!

I have two SSID's entered in my 'Manage Wireless Settings', right now. My home SSID is top of the list because I added it last. I can connect to my schools domain even though it is second. The problem is when the users start adding a dozen, or so, other SSID's, the school's SSID will be searched for later in the users logon process as it is lower on the list, resulting in a delay of authentication by the domain and no authentication by the proxy server. So, I want to ensure that the school SSID remains on top. If I can create a GPO that can prevent them from deleting the SSID, that would be great, too.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hi Eagle,

It shouldn't matter what order the SSID's are in. The Laptops will scan if the wireless connection is there and then try and connect. It wont go through all the connections trying to connect one at a time. Also, the time it takes to do this should be fairly short anyway.

Are the users who have this problem on the Domain or not? Any errors in the event logs to show an authentication error? Any GPO's in place for proxy settings?


Dave

 

[EagleTwo]

Hi Dave,

The users are on a domain. It never occurred to me to check the event logs, though I will now!! It seems to happen when there are a lot of SSID's on top of our SSID. We do not have any GPO's that would include the proxy or any kind of settings for it.
Our old SSID was at the top and it couldn't be deleted by the user. As of late, we have changed our entire wireless authentication type and encryption, so I had to create and push out our new settings via a batch file, so I am trying to get that SSID to remain in place. I did have a GPO in place to keep the old SSID a priority, but perhaps I was mistaken and it was a local setting.
Well, I'll continue to test GPO's to see if I can replicate the results.

I appreciate your help and input. Also, I'll check the event log, when I see another user with that problem, and will post any results.

Thank you!!