[OT] Free XP WiFi utility which shows channel numbers of networks?

[OT] Free XP WiFi utility which shows channel numbers of networks?
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[OT] Free XP WiFi utility which shows channel numbers of networks? Frank Slootweg 01-22-2007
Posted by Frank Slootweg on January 22, 2007, 11:27 am
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[Sorry for this off-topic post, but this is the only group (to which I
am subscribed) which is somewhat related, and I trust the judgement of
this audience more than my ability [1] to spot which freeware is safe
and which might contain adware, spyware, etc..]

Can anyone point to a freeware utility for Windows XP which shows on
which channels the available wireless networks are transmitting?

The normal supplied software shows which "Available Wireless Networks"
there are (right-click on the connection icon in the Taskbar and select
"Available Wireless Networks"). It lists the SSIDs, Signal Strength and
whether or not they are "Security-enabled", but does not say on which
channels they are operating. I'm looking for a utility which does list
the channels.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

In case you're interested, this is why I need it:

Recently one of our (private) wireless laptops started to give
problems, even while the Signal Strength was at maximum ("Excellent").
While walking around with the laptop, it worked when 'pointed' at the
wireless router and stopped working when not. The list of "Available
Wireless Networks" showed an extra network which was apparently
installed recently and which probably 'caused' the problem. After some
research (mainly in Wikipedia) I changed my channel from 7 to 1 (I'm in
Europe, i.e. channels 1 through 13). Now things are working again.
However I'd rather make an informed decision on which channel to use
than by trial and error. For that I need to know which channels the
other wireless networks use. Hence my request.
network had been installed somewhere close by.

[1] I Googled for this, but found so many utilities and download sites,
that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Because I normally only
download stuff which is pointed to by people who I trust, I also could
not judge whether the sites/utilities could be trusted or not. I.e. I
just have no experience hunting for software.

Posted by Al Dykes on January 22, 2007, 11:35 am
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>[Sorry for this off-topic post, but this is the only group (to which I
>am subscribed) which is somewhat related, and I trust the judgement of
>this audience more than my ability [1] to spot which freeware is safe
>and which might contain adware, spyware, etc..]
>
> Can anyone point to a freeware utility for Windows XP which shows on
>which channels the available wireless networks are transmitting?
>


Netstumbler (google it)

It's a bit picky about which radio chipsets it supports,
but it's worked on Proxim and Dell SiFI cards for me.

WiFI card manufacturers have been known to change
chipsets without chaning model numbers. it's a PITA.



> The normal supplied software shows which "Available Wireless Networks"
>there are (right-click on the connection icon in the Taskbar and select
>"Available Wireless Networks"). It lists the SSIDs, Signal Strength and
>whether or not they are "Security-enabled", but does not say on which
>channels they are operating. I'm looking for a utility which does list
>the channels.
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
>
> In case you're interested, this is why I need it:
>
> Recently one of our (private) wireless laptops started to give
>problems, even while the Signal Strength was at maximum ("Excellent").
>While walking around with the laptop, it worked when 'pointed' at the
>wireless router and stopped working when not. The list of "Available
>Wireless Networks" showed an extra network which was apparently
>installed recently and which probably 'caused' the problem. After some
>research (mainly in Wikipedia) I changed my channel from 7 to 1 (I'm in
>Europe, i.e. channels 1 through 13). Now things are working again.
>However I'd rather make an informed decision on which channel to use
>than by trial and error. For that I need to know which channels the
>other wireless networks use. Hence my request.
>network had been installed somewhere close by.
>
>[1] I Googled for this, but found so many utilities and download sites,
>that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Because I normally only
>download stuff which is pointed to by people who I trust, I also could
>not judge whether the sites/utilities could be trusted or not. I.e. I
>just have no experience hunting for software.


--
a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m
Harrison for Congress in NY 13CD www.harrison06.com
Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. A Proud signature since 2001

Posted by mak on January 23, 2007, 2:10 am
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Al Dykes wrote:
>> [Sorry for this off-topic post, but this is the only group (to which I
>> am subscribed) which is somewhat related, and I trust the judgement of
>> this audience more than my ability [1] to spot which freeware is safe
>> and which might contain adware, spyware, etc..]
>>
>> Can anyone point to a freeware utility for Windows XP which shows on
>> which channels the available wireless networks are transmitting?
>>
>
>
> Netstumbler (google it)
>
is my choice too,
or (not free I think)

http://www.eeye.com/html/resources/downloads/wifi/index.html


but just to see the channel and ssid, any decent wireless-nic-driver shows them
if you go "browse available networks"
or whatever they call it.
at least belkin, netgear and d-link I can think of.

M

Posted by Todd H. on January 22, 2007, 11:35 am
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> Can anyone point to a freeware utility for Windows XP which shows on
> which channels the available wireless networks are transmitting?

Try cain from oxid.it It includes a wireless sniffer that'll tell
you the channel among other goodies.

> [1] I Googled for this, but found so many utilities and download sites,
> that I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Yup. This is why I roll my eyes at folks who respond to software
requests in newsgroups with "google it."

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Posted by Frank Slootweg on January 24, 2007, 4:08 pm
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>
> > Can anyone point to a freeware utility for Windows XP which shows on
> > which channels the available wireless networks are transmitting?
>
> Try cain from oxid.it It includes a wireless sniffer that'll tell
> you the channel among other goodies.

Just some feedback (to you and the others):

This has been an interesting and somewhat funny/sad experience:

- Because I value your opinion, I started with Cain, but my AV software
(avast!) qualified it as "malware" and I wimped out. "malware" is of
course a relative term, and considering the power of some of the other
functions of Cain - such as password cracking - I think the
qualification "malware" is not unreasonable, at least not for the
intended audience (of avast!) I.e. better safe than sorry.
Also because Cain offered way too much functionality which I didn't
need, I continued my search.

- "mak" pointed to Retina [1]. The company - eEye Digital Security -
seems legit and Retina is advertized as "Free". But when you try to
download it, you have to register and you can only (legitemately)
register if you are a (active) professional, which I no longer am.
Of course I could have put faked information in the registration form,
but that's not my way.

- Al Dykes (and others) mentioned Netstumbler [2], which I downloaded,
installed and used. I had some initial configuration quirk [3], but
other than that, Netstumbler does what I need and not too much more,
which is a good thing.

In closing one more point:

> > [1] I Googled for this, but found so many utilities and download sites,
> > that I couldn't see the forest for the trees.
>
> Yup. This is why I roll my eyes at folks who respond to software
> requests in newsgroups with "google it."

If that (also) refers to Al Dykes' response, then please note that
the required 'search' is rather obvious (a Google "I'm Feeling Lucky"
search on "Netstumbler" is sufficient), or - even simpler - just add
"www." and ".com".

My thanks to you all for your help.

[1] <http://www.eeye.com/html/resources/downloads/wifi/index.html>

[2] <http://www.netstumbler.com>

[3] Netstumbler wanted to do some auto configuration stuff in order to
be able to see the other wireless networks. For that it said I had to
eject my network card or remove it or reboot the system and then click
OK. The first two are a tad hard for an intergrated WiFi adapter, and
the third is impossible. :-)

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