Wireless question

[deputy_doofy]

Here in the new building I work, the "host" company - the company renting space to our company - offers wireless guest-internet service.

Both my work laptop (an HP) and my own personal laptop (PB 12") see the wireless signal, called "guest-internet," and seemingly connect without asking for any kind of password.

However, I can't surf with either machine. The Powerbook gives no info as to why it doesn't work, but the HP wireless screen says it cannot obtain an IP address - "connection limited."

What would cause a connection but lack of IP assignment? Is this something done on purpose where, perhaps, someone would have to register their computer with the host company and then be given an IP address first? I know, on my home wireless router, I can create such a scenario where no WPA/WEP is involved, but that I can set the router to limited range of IP addresses along with specific MAC addresses only being acceptable. Therefore, people can see the router, but not necessarily connect.

I guess I'm just asking what you think might cause this lack of connectivity where I am.

Ok. Done babbling..... for now.

 

[emw]

Does your PB have a "self-assigned" IP address - generally a 169.x.x.x IP? If so, it's not getting an address from the router.

I'm not an expert on this, but if the building offers free internet connections, it may just be out of possible connections - that is, the admin set it up to have some limited number of DHCP addresses to provide, and that allotment has been used up.

I've seen this before at hotels as well.

 

[deputy_doofy]

Does your PB have a "self-assigned" IP address - generally a 169.x.x.x IP? If so, it's not getting an address from the router.

I'm not an expert on this, but if the building offers free internet connections, it may just be out of possible connections - that is, the admin set it up to have some limited number of DHCP addresses to provide, and that allotment has been used up.

I've seen this before at hotels as well.

Interesting. In fact, my PB does have a 169.x.x.x IP. Out of curiosity, is there any benefit to the self-assigned IP address? Does it serve a purpose?

I can definitely buy the "limitied number" idea. I suppose they don't want too much bandwidth used up. Appreciate the quick response.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Talk to the network admin. You might have to register your machine(s) to get IPs from the DHCP box (if there is one).

 

[emw]

is there any benefit to the self-assigned IP address? Does it serve a purpose?

I don't know of any benefit - it seems like a bit of an oddity to me since it makes it seem as though you have a valid IP address.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

I don't know of any benefit - it seems like a bit of an oddity to me since it makes it seem as though you have a valid IP address.

I may be mistaken, but I think that the self-addressed IPs (169.x.x.x) are pingable from anyone else with a self-assigned IP.

This means that a downed DHCP server doesn't necessarily kill the entire network.

 

[emw]

Interesting on the self-assigned IP. I hadn't heard that before - although now I'll have to find a way to test it...