I have installed the Sandisk WIFI on my XDAII for internet and network (Resco Explorer). All is connected to my Wi-fi ADSL Modem/Router with a network cable to my PC. It all works fine.
I do have two questions, just to make myself sure:
Settings > Connections.
1. I set the connection as "Internet". What is the meaning of "Work"?
2. Why should I set up a VPN? And what is it? I set up a VPN with info from my ADSL provider.
Bart
It aint very well explained in the manual and is not intuative at all. An 'internet' connection is one through wish you can obtain internet access, A 'work' connection is one through which you can access your internal servers, but not obtain internet access. In a 'work' profile, you can make a change in the proxy server settings such that you can, through a 'work' profile obtain internet access.
VPN is 'virtual private network' this is a secure connection to your work/home network that is routed over the internet. Via a VPN, you can for instance browse network shares on your work network, or connect to the company intranet. To use a VPN connection, you need to have a VPN server to connect. A VPN server may be provided by your company or your router may support it. NB: A VPN Passthrough on a router is not a VPN server - it simply means that you can VPN out from a natted machine on your LAN, or, in some cases, place a VPN server within your lan.
My device is setup as follows in connections --> Network Management
Under the first drop down for internet I have a profile 'My ISP' with a single GPRS connection to APN: mobile.o2.co.uk defined
Under the second drop down for work, I have a profile 'VPN Settings' which simply has 2 VPN settings defined 'Work VPN' and 'Home VPN' (all other settings, eg 'modem' are left blank).
When I connect via GPRS to mobile.o2.co.uk, I get 2 VPN options appear the connected GPRS connection (in the 'connectivity' speech bubble that appears when you click the connections icon in the bar @ the top). These are 'Work VPN' and 'Home VPN' with a 'connect vpn' option next to them. I just manually connect these as required.
For WiFi, I make sure that my wifi adapter and wifi network I am connected to is labeled as 'internet' rather than 'work'. I then get the VPN options mentioned above appearing below my wifi connection in the 'connectivity' speech bubble. Unfortunately they refuse to connect!! I dont know why. Looking through the forums, it seems that no one is able to get the VPN to connect over an existing wifi connection.
Hope this helps
Nigel
I'm confused about network settings in my Exec (but I guess this question applies to all WM devices).
What's the functional difference between My Work Network and My ISP? When I'm browsing WiFi networks and a new one is discovered, the notification says:
"Wireless Node 2" network connects me to:
O The Internet (or work via a VPN)
O Work
What's the correct answer? Why do I have a choice? In some cases I'll want the WiFi network to allow me to only access the Internet and in other cases (like the WiFi networks in my house) I want to be able to access the Internet AND browse files on other PCs + use Terminal Services. Should these situations require different settings or are they essentially the same?
Second question: If I'm using a program that needs an internet connection, what settings must I choose to ensure that the system uses WiFi if it can, and then GPRS only if WiFi isn't available? I've changed the option in Settings > Connections > Connections > Advanced > Select Networks so that both drop-down boxes show 'My Work Network' (since I don't want to choose a default of My ISP - i.e. GPRS - for network activity if a WiFi connection is available) but now I can't seem to find any GPRS connection options. How do you all connect to GPRS manually? If I tap the signal status icon at the top of the screen I have no 'Connect GPRS' option like I did on my XDA2.
I'm confused by it all. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide, especially links to pages with how-to guides for idiots
PS. Tried searching these forums, but the subject is too generic and there are hundreds of results.
Hi
In my opinion WM2003SE's handling of connections is horrible. I understand you, being confused.
I'll decribe WM2003SE way...
Your exec has WM2005, but as far as I know, the rules are similar.
The general difference between "Internet" and "Work" is that connection set as "internet" allows you to surf web and give your program access to internet. While connections set as "work" should be used only when you connect to your home/office network (and optionally internet).
About disappearing "Connect GPRS". It's pain in the ass really
You can create as many "connection profiles" as you want (like "My ISP" "My Work Network" "My other freakin' ISP" "Etc")
Then you add some connections to certain profile....
eg.: create gprs connection (named "O2 GPRS inet" for internet in "my ISP" profile.
That means that when you change default Internet profile to "My other freakin' ISP", you won't be able to use "O2 GPRS inet"...
Ok.. answering your first, main question.
If you want to use inet, browse shared folders and use Terminal Services you should edit "My work network" properties and check "This network connects me to the Internet".
When at home. Select (in settings->connections->connections) "My work network" for both auto internet and auto private network.
When roaming around, you should change auto inet to "My ISP" which will have a configured GPRS connection inside.
Your phone will use Wifi first (before GPRS) when activated and available.
OMG.. my fingers hurt.
Have fun fighting with WM
Thanks for your reply, robal. It's a big help but I'm still not 100% sure of the situation.
robal said:
The general difference between "Internet" and "Work" is that connection set as "internet" allows you to surf web and give your program access to internet. While connections set as "work" should be used only when you connect to your home/office network (and optionally internet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I want both types to connect to the Internet. I still don't really see the difference. Does My Work Network apply to connections for which a VPN is necessary? If I choose 'The Internet' as the option when connecting to a new WiFi network, will that change any aspect of the way in which the connection works? Perhaps I should just try it and see. Trouble is, if I screw it up I'll never be able to get it working again!
robal said:
If you want to use inet, browse shared folders and use Terminal Services you should edit "My work network" properties and check "This network connects me to the Internet".
When at home. Select (in settings->connections->connections) "My work network" for both auto internet and auto private network.
When roaming around, you should change auto inet to "My ISP" which will have a configured GPRS connection inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps I'm expecting the impossible. I want to set it up and forget about it, so that wherever I am my device can access the Internet. If I'm connected to a WiFi network then that's the connection but if not then it dials up GPRS automatically when a program demands a connection.
Does everybody else use robal's method and change the settings depending on the availability of a friendly WiFi access point?
If this is the case then Windows Mobile has a long way to go before the connectivity is seamless...
I was largely having probs connecting to 02's 3G network as I couldn't find the settings.. now I kind of understand. Kind of.
--O2 Contract 3G settings--
Name of connection: O2 Internet
Select a modem: Cellular Line (GPRS, 3G)
Access Point Name: mobile.02.co.uk
Username: mobileweb
password: *** (it was prefilled for me..)
Advanced Button should be set to auto-assign IPs
--
With regards the original post, I have mine setup so that if I connect to my local WiFi, then I get the internet through that. If I disconnect, or not in range, etc, then it will use the 3G settings.
I'm still a little in the dark with regards WM5.0s handling of network connections, but here's what I think is right:
Start > Settings > Connections Tab > Connections
[Tasks Tab]
You can only have *2* active connections
You can have multiple profiles under each connection.
So, I renamed my O2 Internet connection to something other than "My ISP", I chose "O2 3G Network" to make things a tiny bit less confusing. (This is the network with your 3G settings in as above.)
The second option I renamed to "My Wireless Network", and as far as I can tell, you do not need to change anything in there - unless you want to add VPN information.
[Advanced Tab]
Click "Select Networks"
Here you can choose between your 2 active connections. For the top option I chose "O2 3G Network", the second option "My Wireless Network".
Click OK
--
Now you have two networks setup. Open Internet Explorer..
If you do not have WiFi switched on, it should automagically dial your "O2 3G Network" when you start browsing.
If you're at home, or near a WiFi network, switch it on by holding your stylus on the "U" in the taskbar. This should give you the option to switch on WiFi.
A few handshakes later (this took about 2-3 mins to actually connect to my WiFi) and your "U" should change to the WiFi antenna icon.
*Check you have fully connected to WiFi before browsing!*
Do this by again, holding the stylus on the antenna icon and checking that your WiFi name is displayed, along with the signal strength.
*If you try to browse the web before your WiFi is ready, it will just attempt to dial O2 3G Network!* - Patience is required...
So, whether this answers the original post or not, I mean, it isn't exactly Automatic, but I guess if you leave WiFi switched on, then in theory it will use it, else it will dial your 3G network.
Well, thats my brain dump for my own benefit, hope it helps out others.
That will be very helpful, thanks gaspx. I'll try your suggestions later on and let you know how I get on.
So with those settings when your Exec finds a new wireless network and invites you to set up your connection, which do you choose? "The Internet" or "Work"? I think :?: that those two options are independent of your renaming of "My ISP" to "O2 3G Network"...
I guess I can get it set up right like you have, but I hate not understanding this. It should be so simple but it's not!
"The Internet" or "Work"? I think that those two options are independent of your renaming of "My ISP" to "O2 3G Network"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they are independant and are accessible when you choose Start > Settings > Connections Tab > Network Cards
Then select Network Adaptors tab.
What I'm not fully understanding is how these two options differ(!):
For instance, I have a static IP address on my WiFi, so I choose Network Adaptor Profile "Work", then configure "tiacxwin Compatible Wireless Ethernet" and enter in my static IP and DNS etc..
What I would *expect* to be able to do is choose between "Work" profile and have my static IP, or "The Internet" profile, and have dynamic IP.
But it doesn't appear to work that way.. if I add static IP address, it uses it for both Work and The Internet. Confused ? Me too.
which do you choose? "The Internet" or "Work"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So from my initial playing around, it doesn't appear to make any difference! - Otherwise i'd expect to add a roaming WiFi Hotspot to "The Internet" (and dynamic IP) and any Work related (static IP) to "Work".
Must be missing something fundamental here, but O2 Exec manual (pg.92) isn't especially forthcoming with an answer.. :?
This might help you a bit.
I connect to work with a vpn connection over the internet. the address for the vpn is a url.
1. I set up a gprs connection under internet
2. I set up a vpn connection under work to vpndomain.com.au
3. in the advanced tab of connections I add *.vpndomain.com.au to the exceptions list for work connections
4. I start a terminal session to terminal.vpndomain.com.au
the device connects to internet then connects to work over internet.
if you don't need one connection to occur via another then make them all internet
hope that helps
Okay, a bit more braindumping to understand the differences between "Work" and "The Internet" courtesy of ActiveSync Help..
ActiveSync > File > Connection Settings
This computer is connected to: Auto/Work/The Internet
---
Use ActiveSync to "pass through" this computer. That means the connected device can use the computer's network connection as if it were its own. You can use this feature to perform tasks such as downloading non-Outlook e-mail messages, to connect directly with Exchange Server, or to browse the Internet.
---
So, from that, I set the connection type to "The Internet" in ActiveSync, and I was able to browse the internet on my XDA.
I then set the connection type to "Work Network" in ActiveSync and was *not* able to use the internet.
What does it all mean ?
Well, at the moment all I can think of is that if don't set it to "The Internet", you er, don't get Internet access. :roll:
Applying that to the original question of which do I choose:
"Wireless Node 2" network connects me to:
O The Internet (or work via a VPN)
O Work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would holeheartedly recommend (if its a wireless network you've found whilst walking the streets) that you choose "The Internet" !!
--
Functional Differences
I'm thinking/believing/speculating that the functional difference between the two is that the "Work" option is for connecting to local or internal IP's only, for instance anything on your 10.x.x IP range if that is the subnet you're on.
The "Internet" option allows any *external* IP address to be accessed, and no access to the local IP range. This would then require the VPN option to be used to access local/intranet resources. (This is the passthrough option as mentioned above in the ActiveSync help)
I'm literally typing as i'm testing, and so far it kinda makes more sense to me now.. kinda.
I have an 8125 and access the internet in 3 different ways:
1: work uses a proxy for their secure wi-fi network
2: Cingular uses proxy for gprs
3: Home wi-fi network doesn't have a proxy
Can someone tell me how I can easily switch between these networks without having to change the connections settings? Is there a program that can be downloaded to help with the changes?
Thanks!
I also have a 8125. I have the proxy network settings under the "Work Network" settings, and the non-proxy under the "My ISP" settings. When I want to use WiFi or non-proxy, the 8125 will just automatically connect OK. When I need to use the proxy, I start IE and go to wsp://device.home and that forces it to connect to the Work Network.
Hi all !
look next post for solution
I've been trying to get this thing to work for ages (on both WM5 and WM6) but have been totally unsuccessfull. So far I cannot get the VPN to be dialed over WiFi (!!!).
The idea is to log on a public WiFi hotspot (behind nat) and to be able to "dial" a VPN connection back to my office via PPTP (as it works reliably behind nat) and use that connection for ActiveSync and other needs.
I tried following this howto: http://kb.iu.edu/data/atcn.html
The idea being here is to use "Work Connection" which allows VPN for everything and direct all connections to "work" with an "exception" rule (*.*/*).
Here's a brief summary of the things I did:
1. Create a "dummy" internet connection (My ISP) and select it as the "internet connection" in "connections"
2. Create the "real" connection (My Work) and setup the VPN server with username and password (tested and working with XP). Type PPTP, the rest of the options are default (excluding compression and header compression which are disabled).
3. The "My Work" connection is set as default for "programs that automatically connect to a private network".
4. Create a rule for "exception for intranet addresses" under the "Advanced" tab in Connection settings. Add "*" and "*.*/*" to the URLs which are supposed to use the Work connection (and VPN).
5. Under the "network adapter" settings, select "My network adapter connects to The Internet".
Result: Explorer and ActiveSync don't even try to dial the VPN connection (i.e.... the firewall logs show no activity from the PDA).
It seems that the exceptions is never used, and also that ActiveSync (which is supposed to dial the work + Vpn connection) ignores it completely.
Traceroute/pings (from vxUtil) work to the VPN server. The WiFi connection can be used to surf the internet, so that works too. The VPN server accepts connections from a notebook connected to the same wifi (and it's outlooks syncs properly to the exchange server in the office). I have the same behaviour with both WM5 and WM6 on a Tytn and a Universal...
What am I missing???
Thanks for helping.
Solved.
Oops... the solutions was rather simple and embarassing.
The problem lies in the way WM5 handles the Wireless Profiles. Once you connect a WiFi card to an AP a "profile" is saved for future use. The profile contains the WEP/WPA credentials and the type of network: being either work or internet.
This is where the solution lies: You cannot change the type of network once you save the profile. WM5 (and WM6 as long as I know) remembers the work/internet status but never shows it in any screen.
If the selected type was "WORK" then the VPN is never dialed (because we're already in the WORK network). To get the VPN to be dialed you must select the "internet" network type.
What beats me is:
1. Why you cannot change the type of network (instead of having to delete and recreate the profile.
2. The "network card type" setting in the "network adapters page" is not used for WiFi connections, because it's always overwritten by the WiFi profile.
We have 1 setting that never works and 1 setting that works but which is never shown and cannot be changed.
Beats me!
I configured my private wireless network, and the needed configuration for my cellular carrier web connection.
The issue is that whenever I am trying to surf to any webpage using my wireless LAN, my trinity always trying to connect to the cellular network, without using the available wireless connection. If I'm trying to cancel the conection process, it stopped but I can't surf anywhere.
Any ideas how to force the trinity to use the wireless network when available?
Thanks,
Amir.
In your connections configuration, create a new connection and do not add any entries to the Modem Section. Just configure the Proxy setting according to your ISP requirements. You have to change the connections configuration ach time you want a different connection to the internet. This you can do easily by creating different connctions for different situations.
Regards,
Randy
It sounds as if your connection to the WLAN Router isn't being recognised.
1st thing to try is to go into the WLAn control panel, and in the Power tab, make sure the slider is fully to the left for max performance.
In the Network Cards CP, see if your router is listed, and whether Available or Unavailable.
Recheck the security settings- are you using WEP or WPA? Does your router have any Range Extender features- if so, turn them off.
Once you have a valid WLAN connection, the PPC will use that in preference to the GPRS, as long as you have WLAN conneced before opening PIE, and as long as there is no current GPRS activity when you open PIE (I find that if my Exchange Server is connecting via GPRS, then WLAN won't connect till the data session has completed)
For a quick way to force GPRS off, then on as needed, look for a great free app called Bandswitch. This allows you to force the P3600 to use GSM or 3G if needed to conserve power, and also to quickly enable/disable the various GPRS connections.