Network Connection Priority

[tlombard]

OS = Windows XP PRO

The Laptops are used by ambulance personnel for Patient Care Reporting.

They connect to the wireless network in the stations when the network is detected...when returning back to the station from a call.

We recently setup a cellular connections with Cingular/ATT&T while the Laptops are in the field.

What now happens is when the Laptop comes back tot he station, the wireless network is detected and a connection is made, AND the Cingular connection is also connected.

The problem is...We have an application that needs to talk to a sever through the LAN's wireless connection...NOT the Cingular connection.

The Cingular shows in my Network Connections List as 'Dial-up'.

I need a utility or a tool or a way that will set the Connection to use as LAN when the wireless signal is detected and connected to...and over ride the priority use of the dial-up connection...currently we need to disconnect from Cingular and everything works fine...I need an automated utility or a setting to handle this.

Ideas, Suggestions, Help!!!

-Tom

[Overman]

Let me see if I understand this correctly... you are using a Wireless LAN at the station for the laptops. Works fine. Now you have added a Cellular connection for when the laptops are out of the Wireless signal so that the laptops still have internet access. Works fine. However, when the laptops do get in range of the wireless it connects to the wireless WHILE still being connected to the cellular signal? What you're looking for is a setting or a program that will switch between signals automatically?? Am I reading to correctly on this?

[tlombard]

overman...you got it...switches to LAN autotically when back at the station (when the wirless network is avalable)

-Tom

[Overman]

I guess the question is, do you want it to connect to the wireless network automatically? Or do you want the laptops to drop the cellular network in favor of the wireless network and pick the cellular connect back up when it looses the wireless network?

[tlombard]

Originally Posted by Overman

I guess the question is, do you want it to connect to the wireless network automatically? Or do you want the laptops to drop the cellular network in favor of the wireless network and pick the cellular connect back up when it looses the wireless network?

It already automatically connects to the wireless LAN when in range.

So we need:

In the station...use the wireless LAN connection instead of the Cellalar Network.

Leave the station...connect to the cellular network

Return to the station...switch to the wireless LAN connection (ideally disconnect the cellular network connection)

-Tom

[Overman]

Well let's see if I can't come up with something ^_^

On the laptop click Start/My Network Place. On the left click "View Network Connections". At the top where it says - FILE, EDIT, VIEW, etc... click Advanced, and then Advanced Settings... This should bring up the Advanced Settings dialog box. First tab first box should say "Connections". Highlight your wireless LAN connection and to the right of the box click the arrow button till it is at the top. Make sure your cellular connection is SECOND in the list. The item at the top of the list has the highest priority while... logically, the item at the bottom has the lowest. Hope this helps! If not let me know.

[tlombard]

Sorry for the delay...a LONG story.

Anyhow.

The wireless Network Connection is the first entry.

Then listed: Local Area Connection, Then (Remote Access Connections)

The cingular connection is not in the list, so I cant set its to a lower priority then the wireless.

It appears since the cingular connection is a 'Dial-up' connection it takes priority over all the other connections...this is what I think I need to adjust...if possible???

-Tom