With the advent of wireless technologies for creating and connecting to virtual networks, many users are faced with the concept of SSID network. This is what, not everyone knows. Meanwhile, there is nothing complicated in understanding this term. Below we will consider what a WiFi SSID is, and also show how you can find out this parameter and make its change.
SSID network: what is it?
So, from the point of view of computer technology, each wireless network should be determined when trying to connect in some simple way. For this, the concept of the SSID parameter of the network was introduced. What is it? In its broadest sense, the SSID is a unique network identifier that distinguishes it from all the others, in other words, the name or name of the VPN.
Thus, when trying to search for a network and connecting to it, the user does not need to rummage through some digital data or to determine the possible access point. It is enough to know the network name (SSID) and password for access to it.
What is a WiFi SSID and how to change this setting
Typically, the value of the network identifier (name) is set initially when creating a wireless connection. Basic settings are made on the router (router). By default, this can be a model number or brand of equipment, however, for the convenience of determining the network, its own name is set.
This is done in the settings section of the router, which is responsible for the wireless connection. To set a name or change it, just find an item like Wireless Network Name or SSID, where the desired name is indicated. If the user wants to avoid security problems, it is better not to use some personal data for this parameter, which may attract unnecessary attention.
Available Network Viewers
Now let's see how to find the SSID of the network. To do this, when the Wi-Fi adapter is turned on, pay attention to the wireless icon in the system tray.
Left-clicking on it brings up a pop-up window in which all available networks will be displayed.
To check network activity, use the ncpa.cpl command, which is entered in the Run console, and then look at the connection status. If it is inactive, you need to select the inclusion option from the right-click menu. You can also see all connections in the network management section, where the item for changing adapter properties is selected. The Wi-Fi module is turned on either with special buttons on the laptop panel, or with a combination of the Fn key with some else (usually these are F1-F12 function buttons, but there may be exceptions).
With mobile devices, it’s even easier. It is enough to enable communication, and then select the desired network from the list, and then enter the access password, if one is provided.
An advanced user can extract more information using sniffers. With their help, you can view the MAC address of the router, see hidden networks, find out information about the communication channel, signal strength, number of connected subscribers at the current moment, etc.
How to hide network SSID?
In connection with the foregoing, let us look at one more situation with respect to the network SSID. This is what is already clear. Now a few words about how you can hide the network name so that it does not appear in the list of available connections.
The easiest way is to use a router for this , where you need to find a special item with the SSID hiding line (Hide SSID or something like that). If you later need to make a connection to a hidden network, you should create a new connection in the wireless network management section and create a profile manually. After that, you will need to enter the SSID of the network, set the types of security and encryption, and use the security key (password) that was registered in the settings of the router at the initial stage of creating a connection or when changing settings.
Multi-ssid
In principle, for any connection, you can create several access points with their own names and parameters. The essence of this process is that in this way you can divide the connection speed between several user groups. For example, such settings will be relevant if one network is required for the personal use of the head of the enterprise, the second for staff, and the third for general access.
You can set these parameters on the same router, but use the appropriate Multi-SSID section for this, where point names, passwords, and many other parameters are set.
Conclusion
It remains to add that there is nothing complicated in understanding the definition of SSID networks. Another thing is related parameters and additional settings. But it is unlikely that the average user will do such things. Usually, knowledge in this area is required more by system administrators or employees of service providers that provide Internet access services.