When Windows Vista Business computers are using Linksys or Atheros wireless cards, it may become impossible to locate the SSID names for SonicPoint or SonicWALL appliances. The solution to this issue is to ensure the SSID beacon is not hidden and the interval is configured to 400 milliseconds or less on the SonicWALL UTM appliance. Follow these steps to check and modify this setting as needed.

SonicWALL TZ Series Wireless Appliances Running SonicOS Enhanced or Standard

1. Select Wireless > Advanced.
2. Make sure the Hide SSID in Beacon checkbox is disabled.
3. Set the value in the Beacon Interval (milliseconds) field to 400 or less.
4. Click Apply changes to this page.

SonicPoint Profiles

1. Select SonicPoint > SonicPoints.
2. Click the Edit icon next to the profile representing the SonicPoint(s) to which the Mac Book users are attempting to associate.
3. Select the 802.11g Adv tab.
4. Make sure the Hide SSID in Beacon checkbox is disabled.
5. Set the value in the Beacon Interval (milliseconds) field to 400 or less.
6. Click OK.
7. Click the Synchronize SonicPoints button to push the configuration change out to all governed SonicPoints.

Note: The SSID Beacon Interval may be configured on a SonicWALL TZ Series wireless appliance or a SonicPoint profile, but not at the Virtual Access Point level. Beacon Intervals configured for SonicPoint profiles apply to all VAPs. Set Beacon Intervals to a workable value that is as high as possible when VAPs are in use.