sharing printers and files on a wireless network

This is more a statement than a question. This is such
an important topic.

Virtually none of these suggestions offered through
various threads, suggestions and fixes so far
encountered helps me to network four computers on a
wireless network at home. I am using a WRVS4400N VPN
Linksys router. This is one of the very new N series
routers.

As I always say, most networking problems are *very*
simple and elegant. It just takes enormous time and
effort finding the simple switch.

The answer for me, and probably for so many others, is
a simple switch. In the WRVS4400N VPN router there is
a simple switch called
Wireless Isolation(within SSID) located in the
"wireless" "security" tab. All I needed to do was
disable this one switch. Suddenly, after two weeks of
pain all computers are visible to each other and I am
able to share printers and files amongst the four
computers on this home wireless network. That was it.

As a side issue I am still having trouble with the
master browser that seems to float from computer to
computer. This is a separate issue that never seems to
have a definitive solution. So the command NET VIEW
still does not produce a consistent results. But I am
able to share all printers and all files on all
computers. If you think about it, it's very simple.
That is the point of this wireless isolation. But the
documentation is absolutely worthless (pitiful) and
gives no clue as to the critical importance of the
switch.

Again, I know this will probably be hidden in time and
subordinated to the original question. But someone
will find this a value.

phil

Phil

"Phil" <> wrote in message
news:...
> This is more a statement than a question. This is such an important topic.
>
> Virtually none of these suggestions offered through various threads,
> suggestions and fixes so far encountered helps me to network four
> computers on a wireless network at home. I am using a WRVS4400N VPN
> Linksys router. This is one of the very new N series routers.
>
> As I always say, most networking problems are *very* simple and elegant.
> It just takes enormous time and effort finding the simple switch.
>
> The answer for me, and probably for so many others, is a simple switch.
> In the WRVS4400N VPN router there is a simple switch called
> Wireless Isolation(within SSID) located in the "wireless" "security" tab.
> All I needed to do was disable this one switch. Suddenly, after two weeks
> of pain all computers are visible to each other and I am able to share
> printers and files amongst the four computers on this home wireless
> network. That was it.
>
> As a side issue I am still having trouble with the master browser that
> seems to float from computer to computer. This is a separate issue that
> never seems to have a definitive solution. So the command NET VIEW still
> does not produce a consistent results. But I am able to share all
> printers and all files on all computers. If you think about it, it's very
> simple. That is the point of this wireless isolation. But the
> documentation is absolutely worthless (pitiful) and gives no clue as to
> the critical importance of the switch.
>
> Again, I know this will probably be hidden in time and subordinated to the
> original question. But someone will find this a value.
>
> phil
Isn't that 'switch' common to wireless routers but under different names?
On my wireless router it is simply called 'Wireless enable/disable'. I
suppose the 'out of box' setting of the switch may vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer.

Edward W. Thompson

"Edward W. Thompson" <> wrote
in message
news:OmOjEeb%...
>
> "Phil" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> This is more a statement than a question. This is
>> such an important topic.
>>
>> Virtually none of these suggestions offered through
>> various threads, suggestions and fixes so far
>> encountered helps me to network four computers on a
>> wireless network at home. I am using a WRVS4400N
>> VPN Linksys router. This is one of the very new N
>> series routers.
>>
>> As I always say, most networking problems are *very*
>> simple and elegant. It just takes enormous time and
>> effort finding the simple switch.
>>
>> The answer for me, and probably for so many others,
>> is a simple switch. In the WRVS4400N VPN router
>> there is a simple switch called
>> Wireless Isolation(within SSID) located in the
>> "wireless" "security" tab. All I needed to do was
>> disable this one switch. Suddenly, after two weeks
>> of pain all computers are visible to each other and
>> I am able to share printers and files amongst the
>> four computers on this home wireless network. That
>> was it.
>>
>> As a side issue I am still having trouble with the
>> master browser that seems to float from computer to
>> computer. This is a separate issue that never seems
>> to have a definitive solution. So the command NET
>> VIEW still does not produce a consistent results.
>> But I am able to share all printers and all files on
>> all computers. If you think about it, it's very
>> simple. That is the point of this wireless
>> isolation. But the documentation is absolutely
>> worthless (pitiful) and gives no clue as to the
>> critical importance of the switch.
>>
>> Again, I know this will probably be hidden in time
>> and subordinated to the original question. But
>> someone will find this a value.
>>
>> phil
> Isn't that 'switch' common to wireless routers but
> under different names? On my wireless router it is
> simply called 'Wireless enable/disable'. I suppose
> the 'out of box' setting of the switch may vary from
> manufacturer to manufacturer.

Every router that I have used it has slightly different
conventions, probably to confuse us This is an
extremely important switch. I am not certain that the
Wireless Isolation (within SSID) is the same as
'Wireless enable/disable." It is possible. It is
also possible that on some routers the default
convention is opposite to the WRVS4400N VPN router. I
suppose the reason this switch was enabled by default
was for reasons of security. But within your own
subnet LAN this security issue becomes a hindrance and
possibly a source of great pain. I still think there
are way too many "security" switches in all networking
conventions.

Phil

Phil

On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:41:50 -0700, "Phil" <> wrote:

>
>"Edward W. Thompson" <> wrote
>in message
>news:OmOjEeb%...
>>
>> "Phil" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> This is more a statement than a question. This is
>>> such an important topic.
>>>
>>> Virtually none of these suggestions offered through
>>> various threads, suggestions and fixes so far
>>> encountered helps me to network four computers on a
>>> wireless network at home. I am using a WRVS4400N
>>> VPN Linksys router. This is one of the very new N
>>> series routers.
>>>
>>> As I always say, most networking problems are *very*
>>> simple and elegant. It just takes enormous time and
>>> effort finding the simple switch.
>>>
>>> The answer for me, and probably for so many others,
>>> is a simple switch. In the WRVS4400N VPN router
>>> there is a simple switch called
>>> Wireless Isolation(within SSID) located in the
>>> "wireless" "security" tab. All I needed to do was
>>> disable this one switch. Suddenly, after two weeks
>>> of pain all computers are visible to each other and
>>> I am able to share printers and files amongst the
>>> four computers on this home wireless network. That
>>> was it.
>>>
>>> As a side issue I am still having trouble with the
>>> master browser that seems to float from computer to
>>> computer. This is a separate issue that never seems
>>> to have a definitive solution. So the command NET
>>> VIEW still does not produce a consistent results.
>>> But I am able to share all printers and all files on
>>> all computers. If you think about it, it's very
>>> simple. That is the point of this wireless
>>> isolation. But the documentation is absolutely
>>> worthless (pitiful) and gives no clue as to the
>>> critical importance of the switch.
>>>
>>> Again, I know this will probably be hidden in time
>>> and subordinated to the original question. But
>>> someone will find this a value.
>>>
>>> phil
>> Isn't that 'switch' common to wireless routers but
>> under different names? On my wireless router it is
>> simply called 'Wireless enable/disable'. I suppose
>> the 'out of box' setting of the switch may vary from
>> manufacturer to manufacturer.
>
>Every router that I have used it has slightly different
>conventions, probably to confuse us This is an
>extremely important switch. I am not certain that the
>Wireless Isolation (within SSID) is the same as
>'Wireless enable/disable." It is possible. It is
>also possible that on some routers the default
>convention is opposite to the WRVS4400N VPN router. I
>suppose the reason this switch was enabled by default
>was for reasons of security. But within your own
>subnet LAN this security issue becomes a hindrance and
>possibly a source of great pain. I still think there
>are way too many "security" switches in all networking
>conventions.
>
>Phil

Phil,

The "Wireless enable/disable" switch, most likely, turns the radio on and off.
The "Wireless Isolation" switch turns the firewall between the switch ports (and
WiFi clients) on and off. Both switch labels do indeed vary, by vendor. They
are two separate functions though.

I wrote about "Wireless Isolation" aka "Isolation Mode", and a few other titles,
several months ago. I think that this episode should emphasise the importance
of reading the manual that comes with the router.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/0...ther-help.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

Chuck [MVP]

Phil wrote:
> "Edward W. Thompson" <> wrote
> in message
> news:OmOjEeb%...
>> "Phil" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> This is more a statement than a question. This is
>>> such an important topic.
>>>
>>> Virtually none of these suggestions offered through
>>> various threads, suggestions and fixes so far
>>> encountered helps me to network four computers on a
>>> wireless network at home. I am using a WRVS4400N
>>> VPN Linksys router. This is one of the very new N
>>> series routers.
>>>
>>> As I always say, most networking problems are *very*
>>> simple and elegant. It just takes enormous time and
>>> effort finding the simple switch.
>>>
>>> The answer for me, and probably for so many others,
>>> is a simple switch. In the WRVS4400N VPN router
>>> there is a simple switch called
>>> Wireless Isolation(within SSID) located in the
>>> "wireless" "security" tab. All I needed to do was
>>> disable this one switch. Suddenly, after two weeks
>>> of pain all computers are visible to each other and
>>> I am able to share printers and files amongst the
>>> four computers on this home wireless network. That
>>> was it.
>>>
>>> As a side issue I am still having trouble with the
>>> master browser that seems to float from computer to
>>> computer. This is a separate issue that never seems
>>> to have a definitive solution. So the command NET
>>> VIEW still does not produce a consistent results.
>>> But I am able to share all printers and all files on
>>> all computers. If you think about it, it's very
>>> simple. That is the point of this wireless
>>> isolation. But the documentation is absolutely
>>> worthless (pitiful) and gives no clue as to the
>>> critical importance of the switch.
>>>
>>> Again, I know this will probably be hidden in time
>>> and subordinated to the original question. But
>>> someone will find this a value.
>>>
>>> phil
>> Isn't that 'switch' common to wireless routers but
>> under different names? On my wireless router it is
>> simply called 'Wireless enable/disable'. I suppose
>> the 'out of box' setting of the switch may vary from
>> manufacturer to manufacturer.
>
> Every router that I have used it has slightly different
> conventions, probably to confuse us This is an
> extremely important switch. I am not certain that the
> Wireless Isolation (within SSID) is the same as
> 'Wireless enable/disable." It is possible. It is
> also possible that on some routers the default
> convention is opposite to the WRVS4400N VPN router. I
> suppose the reason this switch was enabled by default
> was for reasons of security. But within your own
> subnet LAN this security issue becomes a hindrance and
> possibly a source of great pain. I still think there
> are way too many "security" switches in all networking
> conventions.
>
> Phil
>
>
>
>
>
>

Actually, the default for the "Isolation" setting on the Linksys
WRVS4400N is "disabled".

From the User Guide:
"Wireless Isolation (within SSID). When disabled, wireless PCs that are
associated to the same network name (SSID), can see and transfer files
between each other. By enabling this feature, Wireless PCs will not be
able to see each other. This feature is very useful when setting up a
wireless hotspot location. The default is Disabled."

This feature, as the manual states, is primarily useful in a BUSINESS
setting, such as setting up a wireless hotspot, where the users DO NOT
want their computers to be mutually accessible.

Unlike entry-level equipment intended for individual or Small
Office-Home Office (SOHO) use, business-grade equipment (Linksys
characterizes this "Security Router with VPN" as providing "Secure,
high-speed wireless networking for growing businesses" may require more
than entry-level expertise to configure -- or at least a more careful
reading of the manual.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem