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EVDOinfo.com has long been your source for tips, tricks, hacks and suggestions for getting the most out of your EVDO service, and each week we will be highlighting a particularly interesting or popular topic in the "Tip of the Week" feature. To suggest future Tips of the Week, contact us at suggestions@evdoinfo.com or post your suggestions in the EVDO Forums.

Changing WiFi Networks While Pepwave is Connected to Cradlepoint

In Tip Of The Week #49 we showed you how to configure Failover mode on your Cradlepoint router to set your Cradlepoint to always use free WiFi networks via the Pepwave Surf Mini when local WiFi networks are available (if local WiFi isn't available, the Cradlepoint router will automatically switch to your aircard within 30 seconds). This week we are going to show you how to configure your Pepwave Surf Mini to connect to different WiFi networks while it's connected to your Cradlepoint router. Rather than connecting your Pepwave Surf Mini directly to a computer to change your settings, including which WiFi networks the Pepwave is set up to look for, this week's tip will show you how to access your Pepwave's admin page and select different WiFi networks without having to unplug it from the Cradlepoint router!

First, you will need to connect your Pepwave Surf Mini to the WAN port on your Cradlepoint router (remember, if you're using the CTR500 or CTR350, you'll first need to change the ethernet port to "WAN" mode).

1. Connect your computer to your Cradlepoint router via WiFi

2. In your web browser's address bar, enter the following address to access the Pepwave's admin page: http://192.168.20.1

3. You should now be at the Pepwave Surf Mini splash page (note: If you are unable to access the Pepwave Configuration Page, you may need to temporarily disconnect your aircard from the router). Click on Advanced Config.

4. The only settings you will need to change to switch to a new WiFi network are under the Wireless Settings section. Make the following changes:

a) For the SSID, enter the name of the Wireless network you wish to connect to. If you clear out the SSID text field, it will display a list of networks that are available to connect to.

b) Passive Scan should be set to Enabled

c) Channel Scanning Mode should be set to Full

d) Bit Rate should be set to Auto

e) Authentication should be set to Open, unless the WiFi network you are connecting to uses security. Then you will need to find out what type of security the WiFi network uses along with the security key/passphrase and change these settings to reflect the security settings for the WiFi network.

d) Preferred AP can be left blank.

Here is an example of what the Wireless Settings section should look like:

That's all there is to it! Changing the Pepwave's settings while it's connected to the Cradlepoint router is simple and saves a lot of hassle - you can now use the Pepwave to connect to different WiFi networks through your Cradlepoint without having to connect the Pepwave to your computer each time you find a new network!

• Discuss EVDOinfo Tip Of The Week #50 on EVDOForums.com
  
• Purchase the Pepwave Surf Mini from the experts at 3Gstore.com
  
• Purchase a Cradlepoint router from the experts at 3Gstore.com
  
• Read previous Tips of the Week