Connecting to WLAN prior to logging into Windows

kendo.igor · ‎08-27-2007

We currently have a WLC 4402. We also have Cisco LAP1131AG Access Points. Our laptops are IBM Thinkpads with built-in wireless adaptors and with Windows XP SP2 on them. We have Microsoft IAS as our RADIUS Server. I've setup the environment, so that AFTER the users login into the Windows by entering a local user credentials or cached credential, they can connect to WLAN . WLAN is setup based on WPA and 802.1x, and that works fine. Is it possible to set the laptop, so that they connect to WLAN BEFORE logging into Windows XP, so that their login scripts are run. The way it's setup at the moment, the login scripts are not run during the login to Wwndows, because there is no network connectivity available at that time.

Thanks.

CHRISTOPHER KANE · ‎08-28-2007

I don't have a Thinkpad to check, but on our Dells we are using the Intel/PROSet/Wireless clients. There is an option to execute a program. Within the Profile Properties > Advanced > Start Application. You can put the path to the app (like a batch program) to execute login scripts after a connection to the WLAN is made. Maybe the client you are using has something similar? Otherwise, you could always write a batch program and leave it on the desktop as an icon for your users to click after connecting to the WLAN.

HTH,

-chris

fynskisb16 · ‎08-28-2007

If you use the Windows Zero Configuration utility to manage the wireless nic and setup the client to use there Windows domain username and password the machine will authenticate to the network. Then at a login prompt the user will be logging in. 802.1x has computer and user authentication. We are using this in our school district. We have over 18000 users loging in this way. Login scripts work and we also push out updates at login also. No issues. I've attached a doc that will give an example of how to set up wireless nic using windows. We are using WEP currently with 802.1x but the setup is the same for WPA 802.1x You just need to change the Data encryption to AES or TKIP, the rest is the same for the setup.

Hope this helps.

cchitwood1 · ‎08-28-2007

Depending on your WLAN NIC and driver version, there is almost always an option to enable connect to WLN before logging into a windows domain. Check the latest version with your manufacturer.