wireless newbie....how do I see who is connected

Sorry for the dumb question (I'm a newbie )...

but how can I find out or monitor who is logged onto my network? Right now I'm running a Wireless G router connected to my desktop and laptop. How can I check who all is connected to my network? Is it something I can do within Windows XP? Or is there a SW monitoring program somewhere. THanks much.

 

If it's people connecting to the router, then the router has a built-in feature that lets you monitor all the IP address allocated. It should show you the computer name, IP address allocated to it and MAC address. If you're worried about people hacking/logging onto your network, there's a few things you can do.

1. Enable the MAC Filter and put only the allow MAC address into the list (make sure one of your MAC addresses is the 1st to be added, otherwise you won't be able to access the router). If you have 4 systems at home connect to your router, either by wire or wireless, add all 4 MAC addresses. This will prevent anybody else from logging on.

2. You can turn DCHP off, but I just like to limit the number of the IP adress pool. Since you will only have, let's say 4 computers connected, you can limit the IP pool to 4 addresses.

3. Enable encryption for your wiseless access. This prevents or at least reduces the chance that anybody will intercepting your data or even getting onto your network.

These few things should help make it a bit more secure. But regarding monitoring the people connected, you can do that in the router. Usually on a status page. My SMC & my brother's DLink has these screens.

-Vb-

 

If all you are doing is trying to see if anyone is connected, most routers will show you who all has requested an IP address. Connect to your router's configuration screen (usually by using a browser and entering the router's IP address in the Address space). There will be some area where you can configure DHCP and normally there will be a button there to show all connected devices. Hit that and you will see the names of all the machines who have requested and been issued an IP address. That's the most simple way to see if anyone is jumping on your network connection.

 

Thanks all.
I was mainly meaning to see who has hacked/logged into my network. I did the MAC Filter (hopefully correctly) and enabled encryption. I also turned off DCHP. I guess that's enough to keep my mind a peace (according to your replies). Thanks again.

 

On my wirless router ( Linksys WRT54GS ) there is a DHCP clients table in the status page. However, it doesn't seem accurate because it still shows computers who already logged out of the router.

What I really use is the command 192.168.1.2/WL_ActiveTable.asp

This is a more accurate and it really shows people currently connected through wirelessly and also be able to set mac filtering easily on each compuer logged in.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Corrupted

 

rjay -
You are right the the DHCP table shows machines that are no longer connected. Typically, each IP request is assigned a given expiration for when it needs to be renewed and the table maintains all addresses until they expire. If you are trying to determine current number of connections, that approach doesn't work very well. But, on the other hand, if you are trying to determine whether or not someone has been "borrowing" your network and accessing without your knowledge, as the original poster suggested was their goal, then typically you would want to see everyone listed even if they are no longer connected. And as an added bonus, hitting that one button is an easier approach to recommend to someone when you are not sure as to their level of expertise.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by rjay

 

NetStumbler is a great tool, but just to be clear it is used for finding wireless networks that you can connect to and not seeing who all is connected to your network. It is the tool of choice of the person wishing to jump on someone else's connection and not of the person who owns the connection.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jchastain