Ad-Hoc Mode Issues

[mobile-1]

Hi..
IM hoping that I can get some troubleshooting advice on really gettin ad-hoc mode up and running in a reliable fashion..

so far Im using Redhat Linux 9.0 and pcmcia-cs-3.2.4, using cisco aironet 4800 cards.

I SEEM to have ad-hoc up and running with two laptops belonging to the 10.10.10.x network, 24 bit mask. The ESSID is called "backbone".

The Cisco ACU utility tells me that both cards are in ad-hoc mode, using the same channel, but I cannot ping either host from either host....... I get an ICMP Destination Unreachable message......what am i missing in my ad-hoc setup?

[jatkins679]

Doesn't sound like a WLAN problem, sounds like your machines aren't configured to reply to ICMP messages.

[oshea85]

no, sounds like the machines need static IP addresses assigned, i think.

[jatkins679]

Originally posted by oshea85
no, sounds like the machines need static IP addresses assigned, i think.

IP addresses don't matter. Ad hoc WLANs work on layer 2, not layer 3. So they work with MAC addresses, not IP addresses.

[oshea85]

then why is he getting a layer 3 icmp dest unreach message?

WEP mismatch maybe?

[mobile-1]

Im not using WEP yet because I dont think that I have a a link between the two machines.....

I have also set up a different static IP addresses for both machines 128.50.25.0 network (128.50.25.12 and 128.50.25.10) with a 24 bit mask...

When I use iwconfig I see that both machines have the same ESSID "backbone" and both machines have a cell name
"06:03:8B:03:A0:02"

When I look at ifconfig for both machines, the MAC address is clearly defined for both cards....

Is it possible that in the Ad-Hoc mode That I also need a machine to have the same name as the ESSID? if not how Do I determine that my layer-two communications is operating at all?

[mobile-1]

Hmmm..

No solutions?

[mobile-1]

I upgraded the firmware for the aironet cards from 4.13 to 4.25....

ad-hoc now works like a charm...

[jsicuran]

I use an old laptop running win2k server and routing on it. One wired adapter goes into my lab for internet access and the wireles adapter is in adhoc mode.

I get the same problem you are describing with icmp when I configure clients for testing. You have to have some of the obvious configured on both and or all ad hoc stations

wep on or off
IBSS ID same on all stations
On same IP subnet
Even with IP off you should still be able to associate to another adhoc station

Sometime when I switch adhoc profiles I get the ICMP issue and I just reset the adapter or restart the radio only.

I basically have used that laptop adhoc router as my AP for over a year now with really no issue. My other clients. laptopa and an apple Imac, all connect through it for internet access throughout the house. I have airsnare for Ids to keep any kids away.

As for linux. well I have not tried that one yet but I have heard of some difficult stories getting drivers two work under linux.