Wifi Connectivity: Difference between revisions

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{{G1G1 Support FAQ}}
{{G1G1 Support FAQ}}


If you want to connect to the internet, and you are using Sugar, see [http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Documentation_Team/User_Manual/Connecting_to_the_Internet Connecting to the Internet] page at the Sugar Labs Wiki.
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= Overview =
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XO laptops were intentionally designed for children in developing nations, where it is faster and less expensive to introduce wireless connections, rather than a traditional telecom infrastructure. The XO Laptop is primarily designed to network with other XO Laptops using a [[mesh network]], but the XO is also wifi capable.


See also [http://laptop.org/8.2.0/manual/XO_GiveMeTheInternet.html Give Me the Internet, Please] for 8.2.0.
At the moment, an XO laptop cannot be on both the Internet and on the mesh network at the same time with a default laptop configuration. This ability will hopefully be re-enabled by default in the future; until then, [[School Servers]] can server as [[Mesh Portals]], and further details can be found on [[Mesh_Network_Details#Mesh_Portals|the Mesh Network Details page]].


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== Troubleshooting Guide ==
= Getting Started =


The [[Wifi Troubleshooting Guide]] provides a step by step checklist to review prior to contacting [mailto:help@laptop.org Technical Support].
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* you must have a Wireless Access Point (WAP) nearby
* verify the network name (SSID) and its password, if it has one
* carefully follow the [http://laptop.org/laptop/start/connecting.shtml Gettting Started instructions]


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== Overview ==
= Special Considerations =


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XO laptops were designed for children in developing nations, where it was faster and less expensive to introduce wireless networks rather than traditional cabled infrastructure. The XO laptop was designed to use these networks, or to connect with other XO laptops using a [[mesh network]] or an ad-hoc network.
== Wireless Access Point Setup ==


== Setting up a Wireless Network ==
The OLPC Support Team has been gathering notes and configuration tips for various Wireless Access Point (WAP) connectivity. We are actively working to resolve minor compatibility issues with various Wireless Access points.


When setting up a wireless network for XO laptops, configure access points as follows:
Some key setup considerations for your Wireless Access Point are:


* A single channel should be selected, not "Automatic"
* use a single channel, not "Automatic",
* Preferred [[#Channel|Channels]] are 1, 6, and 11
* it is generally best to choose channels [[#Channel|Channels]] are 1, 6, and 11, to ensure interference between networks is kept to a minimum,
* The wireless network mode should be "Mixed" or "Wireless-G", not "Disabled" or "Other"
* if available, the wireless network mode should be "Mixed" or "Wireless-G", not "Disabled" or "Other",
* If Wireless [[#MAC Filtering|MAC Filtering]] is enabled, the [[ifconfig#MAC Address|MAC address]] for the XO must be entered
* if Wireless [[#MAC Filtering|MAC Filtering]] is enabled, the [[ifconfig#MAC Address|MAC address]] for the XO laptops must be entered,
* The latest Firmware should loaded on your access point


=== Channel ===
=== Channel ===
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With 802.11b or 802.11g, use channel 1, 6 or 11 in the US or Canada. Use of any other channels will degrade your own wireless signal and that of others.
With 802.11b or 802.11g, use channel 1, 6 or 11 in the US or Canada. Use of any other channels will degrade your own wireless signal and that of others.


Similarly, the [[mesh networking]] between XO laptops is restricted to work only on channels 1, 6 or 11.
Therefore, the [[mesh networking]] and ad-hoc network between XO laptops is designed to work with channels 1, 6 or 11.


=== Security ===
=== Security ===
==== WEP Security ====
==== WPA Security ====


Set up the access point for WPA2 security.
WPA security was not initially supported on XO laptops. If you are a knowledgeable Linux user, you can find instructions here to access the Internet with WPA security, by [[WPA Manual Setting|manually setting up WPA]]. It may be best for less experienced users to wait for the next stable XO software release, which should be available by the end of Janurary 2008. If you absolutely need WPA now, you can get it by performing an [[olpc-upgrade|Upgrade]] to version 653, but in the process you may lose all data on your laptop.


Do not use WEP, it is not secure.
==== MAC Filtering ====


=== Specific WAP Notes ===
=== MAC Filtering ===
====Apple Airport====
====Belkin Pre-N====
====Linksys WRT54GX2====


Wireless MAC filtering is a security measure that restricts access to the access by MAC address. Every XO has a unique address assigned at the time of manufacture.
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== XO Setup ==


However, the measure is only effective against naive users, because MAC addresses can be changed.
=== network.cfg ===
If you want to remove any "memory" of connecting to a particular access point, launch the [[Terminal activity]] to delete the network manager config file by typing:


The [[ifconfig#MAC Address|MAC address]] for the XO is displayed using the [[Linux]] command [[ifconfig]].
rm /home/olpc/.sugar/default/nm/networks.cfg (press "Enter")


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== See also ==
Restart your XO laptop, or restart Sugar by pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Erase keys at the same time; your laptop will NOT automatically try to connect to the "known" access point.


* [[Hidden]] networks,
If you change the configuration of your Access Point (such as adding or removing security features), then you will need to remove this file in order to get your XO to connect to the Access Point.
* [[Manual Wireless Association]]
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* [[Wireless Access Point Compatibility]]


[[Category:Network]]
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= Troubleshooting Guide =

Latest revision as of 01:26, 28 June 2014

This page is part of the XO Support FAQ.     Support Index | Print This Page
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If you want to connect to the internet, and you are using Sugar, see Connecting to the Internet page at the Sugar Labs Wiki.

See also Give Me the Internet, Please for 8.2.0.

Troubleshooting Guide

The Wifi Troubleshooting Guide provides a step by step checklist to review prior to contacting Technical Support.

Overview

XO laptops were designed for children in developing nations, where it was faster and less expensive to introduce wireless networks rather than traditional cabled infrastructure. The XO laptop was designed to use these networks, or to connect with other XO laptops using a mesh network or an ad-hoc network.

Setting up a Wireless Network

When setting up a wireless network for XO laptops, configure access points as follows:

  • use a single channel, not "Automatic",
  • it is generally best to choose channels Channels are 1, 6, and 11, to ensure interference between networks is kept to a minimum,
  • if available, the wireless network mode should be "Mixed" or "Wireless-G", not "Disabled" or "Other",
  • if Wireless MAC Filtering is enabled, the MAC address for the XO laptops must be entered,

Channel

With 802.11b or 802.11g, use channel 1, 6 or 11 in the US or Canada. Use of any other channels will degrade your own wireless signal and that of others.

Therefore, the mesh networking and ad-hoc network between XO laptops is designed to work with channels 1, 6 or 11.

Security

Set up the access point for WPA2 security.

Do not use WEP, it is not secure.

MAC Filtering

Wireless MAC filtering is a security measure that restricts access to the access by MAC address. Every XO has a unique address assigned at the time of manufacture.

However, the measure is only effective against naive users, because MAC addresses can be changed.

The MAC address for the XO is displayed using the Linux command ifconfig.

See also

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