Network Stumbler v0.3.30

Marius Milner <[email protected]>

This package contains Network Stumbler. It is still undergoing prerelease testing and is provided to you as a convenience. If you don't like it, or if you feel that it doesn't quite do what you want, you are free to delete it from your system.

REQUIREMENTS

Hardware Requirements

You must have one of the supported cards listed below.

Firmware Requirements

The WaveLAN firmware (version 4.X and below) does not work with Network Stumbler. If your card has this version, you are advised to upgrade to the latest version available from www.orinocowireless.com. This will also ensure compatibility with the 802.11b standard.

Operating System Requirements

Other Requirements and Compatibility Issues

• Your card must be configured in such a way that it can be seen by the Client Manager software.
• The Microsoft-provided Orinoco drivers that come with Windows 2000 do not work with Network Stumbler. Please visit www.orinocowireless.com and upgrade to the latest drivers.
• When Network Stumbler is in "auto reconfigure" mode (the default), it will occasionally disconnect you from your network. This enables it to perform its scans accurately.

If you have a system that should work according to these requirements, but does not work, please contact me at the address above. 

Troubleshooting Mini-FAQ

Q1. Network Stumbler reports "No wireless card found". Why?

A1. Please check the compatibility lists above.

Q2. Why doesn't Network Stumbler see the access point right next to my machine?

A2. Perhaps the access point is configured not to respond to broadcast probes. Most manufacturers call this "disable broadcast SSID"; Agere calls it "closed".

Q3. What 802.11 frames does Network Stumbler send?

A3. It sends out a broadcast probe about once a second, and reports the responses. When it is connected to a BSS network, it will attempt to get the name of the access point. When it is connected to an IBSS network, it will try to get the names of all locally visible peers.

Q4. Does Network Stumbler listen for beacons?

A4. Not this version.

Q5. Does Network Stumbler put my card into promiscuous mode?

A5. Not this version.

Q6. Why does Network Stumbler disconnect me from the network?

A6. If you have "Options->Reconfigure card automatically" checked, it will configure your card with a profile that uses a null SSID and BSS mode (It will not change your WEP settings). Also, when it sees another network that has a better signal than the one you're connected to, it may disconnect the current connection so that it can get the AP name on the other network.

Q7. Does Network Stumbler detect ROR and COR installations?

A7. No. They are not fully compliant with 802.11b and therefore are not visible to Network Stumbler.

Q8. Should I allow Windows XP to manage my wireless settings?

A8. Probably not. When you are not connected to a network, XP will cycle through your favorite network names attempting to connect to them. While this is happening, Network Stumbler may not see all available networks.

Q9. When will you support wireless card X? When will you add new feature Y that I want?

A9. I work on this in my spare time. I can make no commitment to dates for new features or bug fixes.

What's new in this release

Version 0.3.30 (August 18, 2002):

• Allow configuration of baud rate and other settings for GPS.
• Added "Default SSID" filter to tree view.
• Close connection to NIC when scanning is not happening.
• Moved much of the configuration to a dialog box.
• Support for user-provided scripts to be invoked when various events occur.
• Many errors are reported in a more meaningful way.
• Workaround for problem with driver version 7.62.
• GPS now supports Garmin proprietary protocols.
• (NetStumbler) MIDI output of signal strength(s).
• (NetStumbler) Proper installation package (thank you Nullsoft)
• (NetStumbler) Use NDIS 5.1 native 802.11 features for scanning on Cisco and some Prism cards on Windows XP.
• (NetStumbler) Support for 802.11a on Windows XP.
• (NetStumbler) Support for USB devices on 98/Me.

Version 0.3.23 (February 14, 2002):

• Count of filtered and all APs in bottom right corner.
• Handle "ASTRAL" on serial port so that Tripmate can be used.
• Autosave feature added.
• Popup menu allows deletion of APs from list.
• Complete rewrite of NIC access code in preparation for multiple chipset support.
• (MiniStumbler) First public release. No tree or graph view.

Version 0.3.22 (August 6, 2001):

• Fixed bug where system suspend or other long delays would stop the GPS from updating.
• Make AP name collection optional. Stop flooding LAN with WMP packets.
• Handle misreported WEP on some IBSS networks.
• Make card reconfiguration optional.
• Windows Me support.

Version 0.3.21 (July 16, 2001):

• Support for Dell Mini-PCI card.

Version 0.3.20 (July 13, 2001):

• Added Beggarware license agreement.

Version 0.3.10 (July 12, 2001):

• GPS code largely rewritten.
• GPS on ports up to COM8 instead of COM4.
• Adjustable scan speed.
• Export summary files.

Version 0.3.00 (June 19, 2001):

• Support for even more OEM cards (Now supported: Lucent, Dell 1150, Toshiba, Compaq, Enterasys/Cabletron, Elsa MC-11, ARtem Comcard, Buffalo Airstation WLI-PCM-L11)
• Currently connected AP appears in a bold font in the tree view, and has an asterisk by its channel number in list view
• This session's previously connected APs are marked with a '+' in list view
• Added Ctrl+B key shortcut to toggle scanning
• Filtering by channel number, ESSID, and capability flags
• Saves entire data log as well as AP summary data
• Graphical view of signal and noise over time if you select a single AP
• Automatic reconfiguration of card, if desired. This will take your card out of peer mode, and unset the desired SSID if you have one. It also disassociates from networks that are out of range.
• Creating a new document can be configured to automatically start scanning or not
• Get the name of an AP, where supported (it won't be unless the AP doesn't have WEP, or you have the WEP key configured). It looks like Aironet APs don't support this.
• Merge data files together
• Ability to drag and drop column headers
• Remembers view settings when switching views, and you can save the current settings as defaults
• Read and write Pete Shipley's log format, as well as an extended version
• Some APs respond to scan requests on multiple channels. These now appear as one item rather than multiple APs.
• Uses NS1 file extension
• Improved handling of invalid files
• GPS should no longer lock up and stop responding
• Removed non-functional toolbar buttons

Version 0.2.00 (May 16, 2001):

• Works only with Lucent, Dell, and Toshiba cards
• Doesn't crash the other PCMCIA devices that you have installed.
• Should now work with USB devices.
• Runs on Windows 2000, 95, 98 (and Me? - Untested).
• Saves the data instead of making a 0 byte file.
• Supports NMEA0134 GPS devices. It stores the location of the highest recorded SNR.
• Lists the brand of AP hardware (based on the MAC address)
• Shows current signal strength as well as the max, and has a dot that is colored to show the strength next to the AP name
• Tree view to the left shows Channels, and Names; this will do more in a future version.
• Makes a sound when it first sees an AP

Version 0.1.00 (May 5, 2001):

• Initial proof of concept version, first public release.
• Works only on Windows 2000.
• Works with most Hermes chipset cards, but not if any other PCMCIA devices are installed.
• Doesn't save data (creates a 0 byte file).

Short and Simple User License

This program is BeggarWare. You may use it without any formal obligation to the author, except that you may not sell it to anybody.

If you like the program and feel that you've received some benefit from it, and want to help me develop future versions, then you may pay as much as you feel the program is worth. If you are using this as part of your work, you are encouraged to help - particularly if it has alerted you to security problems. You are not obligated to pay for it.

You can pay by going to http://www.paypal.com and making a payment to [email protected]. If you've never signed up with PayPal then put me in as the person who referred you. Alternatively you can help by sending me hardware that could work with Network Stumbler but doesn't.

This tool is a two-edged sword. If you use it for defense, the author is not responsible for any damage that you may receive. If you use it for attack, the author is not responsible for any damage that you may cause.

The author reserves the right to change this license agreement as he sees fit, without notice.