Level 1

8 points

Can't reconnect to hidden WPA2 network

I have been piloting a mobile application for my hospital's information system and have been frustrated by the iPhone and iPod touch's inability to remember the network from day to day. The SSID is hidden and it is WPA2 encrypted for security. Some days I can log in; most days I can't. We have not found this to happen with Blackberry's, Samsungs or portable computers. Unless Apple fixes this problem (which clearly appears limited to iPhones and Touches), it is highly likely that our hospital will strongly discourage the several hundred physicians from purchasing iPhones or using the iPod Touch for their next PDA. I have not been able to find a workaround. I can tell the network is there - using WIFI Finder documents the network signal, but the devices don't connect.

I suspect this issue will become even more acute as more business networks provide mobile access.

iPod Touch, Windows XP Pro

Posted on May 28, 2009 9:00 AM

69 replies

HowardNad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 9, 2009 6:44 PM in response to luvlabs

Your thoughts are helpful. I did give my device to IT and they did work with it for a while, duplicating what I found and being unable to keep it connected after either turning it off or going into suspend mode. My MAC address is in the listing - indeed, manually entering SSID and password always connects, but the Touch won't remember both later on. They're particularly puzzled because the other smartphones they've tested do not have this problem. And since a number of the physicians on our staff use iPhones, the lack of reliable connectivity is a great potential dissatisfier for the doctors.

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 9, 2009 7:50 PM in response to HowardNad

Can you get the info in my last post?
We've narrowed it down to our Cisco APs at this point.
Please get me the info above if you can.

Scott

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 10, 2009 4:25 PM in response to A A P L

OK, guess I'm talking to myself now...
Apple has suggested that this may be fixed in the 3.0 update.
We are testing the 5th beta now.
Will let you know.

Scott

Jun 10, 2009 6:03 PM in response to A A P L

Not sure if this will help, but I too have this problem at home if SSID broadcast is turned off. I'm using a Linksys WRT54G with WPA2 TKIP security. We have 3 Touch's (1st and 2nd gen), and as soon as I enable SSID broadcasting then all will automatically re-connect as soon as they're within network range.

Also, my son's year-old MacBook has the same problem, but our Samsung and HP laptops don't. Is this something with Apple's implementation of their wi-fi chipsets?

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 10, 2009 7:04 PM in response to rockmyplimsoul

Thank you.
That does indeed help.

Scott

EnRogue

Level 1

0 points

Jun 11, 2009 7:26 AM in response to A A P L

I am confirming that I am having the SAME problem:

- When the Touch (2nd Gen) comes out of standby, 50% of the time my home WiFi network (hidden SSID, WPA2) has dissapeared and I have to manually re-enter all the network settings to re-connect. Drives me crazy.. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem!

EnR

HowardNad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 12, 2009 6:01 AM in response to A A P L

Scott:

We use Cisco 1131G Access Points in an lightweight configuration.

Howard

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 12, 2009 10:15 AM in response to HowardNad

HowardNad wrote:
Scott:

We use Cisco 1131G Access Points in an lightweight configuration.

Howard

What is a "lightweight configuration"?
Apple engineers have now reproduced and are investigating...
Good news.

SB

EnRogue

Level 1

0 points

Jun 12, 2009 1:52 PM in response to A A P L

On my end - I'm using an Apple Dual Band Extreme with a 2nd Gen Touch.. Ridiculous and annoying bug.

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 12, 2009 2:16 PM in response to EnRogue

Ridiculous?
Well, bugs happen.
They get fixed.
Annoying? Yes.

HowardNad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 12, 2009 8:10 PM in response to A A P L

My understanding is that it's a system that deploys multiple access points connected through a WLAN controller. Here's a description from CISCO:
The Cisco Aironet 1121G Lightweight Access Point provides a high-speed, secure, affordable, and easy-to-use wireless LAN solution that combines the freedom and flexibility of wireless networking with the features and services required in enterprise networks. The access point offers flexibility and investment protection for wireless networks. When configured with LWAPP, the Cisco Aironet 1121G Lightweight Access Point can automatically detect the best-available Cisco wireless LAN controller and download appropriate policies and configuration information with no manual intervention.

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 12, 2009 8:12 PM in response to HowardNad

Thanks Howard.
I'll forward that on.

Scott

Jun 13, 2009 9:03 PM in response to A A P L

Thank you Scott for clueing us in - My 2nd Gen Touch seems to have lost connection to my (hidden) Netgear router; re-entering network's (missing) name did it. Only second time this has happened since new (when 2nd gen. came out - six months ago?). Nothing to substantiate this, but charging seems to have triggered the problem (just a guess, but it's the only thing that changed).

Don't know when I've had so much fun with a new gizmo as I've had with this iPod Touch. Can't wait to see V3!

Best

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 14, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Motorcycle Michael

I know, every new OS is like a new device for $10.
As for the network, un-hide the SSID.
In reality, it's not a good security method anyway.

Scott

HowardNad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2009 7:09 PM in response to A A P L

Scott:
If this issue appears to be solved in version 3, is there a way you can let us know? (It would accelerate my priority for upgrading my Touch!)

I talked to our IT department about not hiding the SSID. Their response was that their auditor (hospital systems are audited for compliance with HIPAA and confidentiality issues) expects the system to be hidden, encrypted and looks favorably on MAC addressing, so - even though it may not be more secure for a dedicated hacker - they do not plan on making the SSID visible, because they're concerned about audit problems. Obviously, that would have simplified all of this work - and highlights the importance of finding a way for Apple wireless devices to be able to reconnect to these systems.

Thanks for your help!

Howard

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can't reconnect to hidden WPA2 network