Solved Simple one: roommates says receiving device 'broadcasts'

My roommate says a device (laptop, tablet) needs to be 'broadcasting' in order to see/join the wireless network. I say he's crazy. Only the router is broadcasting, either with or without the network name being visible.

Who's right?


Thanks,

Mac

As any network based on wireless technology would be severely limited if it only worked in one direction,

Both the router and the device have to communicate, whether this is classed as broadcasting or simply polling the wireless spectrum until a live signal is found is I think semantics

The device polls (broadcasts) it's presence and the router responds or vice-versa gives the same final result - the start of the negation for the connection

You both are half right.....

Madmordigan said:

My roommate says a device (laptop, tablet) needs to be 'broadcasting' in order to see/join the wireless network. I say he's crazy. Only the router is broadcasting, either with or without the network name being visible.

Who's right?


Thanks,

Mac

Click to expand...

Both broadcast and receive. I think what you are referring to above would be the router broadcasting the wireless SSID.

Wireless networks involve a level of broadcasting by members of the network, and those that wish to join.

A router will by default broadcast it's SSID. This is a convenience for anyone wishing to join the network but also somewhat of a security risk.

A device configured for a dynamic IP will periodically broadcast to see if there is a router or other device that is able and willing to provide it an IP address. If it has a static IP it will broadcast to see if it is within range of it's network and to negotiate security if it is. Technically not all of this is by broadcast.

Thanks to all for the feedback. Didn't want to sound stupid but the roommate is also the landlord and he is sometimes sensitive in various ways. I think he's paranoid that another laptop on the wireless network will cause problems/slowdown for his 2 laptops (he's a programmer who works at home). I've been wireless in the past but he's currently being coy about settings even though I know the network name, SSID and WPA2-Personal (unless he's changed that). So I should be able to 'find' the network, by process of elimination.

Sartre was right: hell is other people.