Macs don't connect to wifi access point but PCs will

Posted by Josh on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Josh
Published on 2010-03-11T00:32:22Z Indexed on 2010/03/11 5:28 UTC
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So, as a side project I'm going to try and figure out why the wifi APs in my building exhibit the following behavior:
- They typically allow all types of computers to connect without issues
- Sometimes Apples can't get an IP address but will still connect to the AP's signal
- Less often, PCs can't connect to the wifi (same as above - yes signal, no IP addy)
- Don't let Raiders fans on no matter the time of day!

My first thought was that the DHCP leases were all taken up when the Apples would try to connect, and it was just their unlucky timing, but I would then try to log on with a PC that had a new, unleased MAC address and it would work...

Could this be something to do with interoperability between an apple wifi card, and the APs? Different parts of the DHCP lease being taken up first? The fact that the Seattle Mariners might actually be good this year??

If this hasn't used up everyone's patience (with my crappy sports jokes), something else I could use some help with:
- We don't have the model or type of AP -> This is because there is no documentation available for them, and they literally look like small white boxes with no writing on them. Also, the company that installed them is out of business, so the situation might be that no docs will ever be on the way. -- Do you guys have any ideas on how to figure out what we have?

Thanks as always for all the help, and I'm looking forward to the day when I know enough to start contributing back to the site, Josh

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