[HLTCOM]

I am an IT manager who is hoping someone can shed some light on an obstacle we're trying to overcome.

Here's my situation . . .

My company HQ recently put in a wireless infrastructure to boost cel reception in the building but it also has the capability to be a wireless LAN.

The idea is to set up the LAN like a giant Starbucks with access to everyone but in no way shape or form is to be connected to our corporate network for several security and common sense reasons.

Now the issue that's arising is that when we're using wireless connectivity on a Dell D600 let's say (built in cards running WinXP), and then switch back to cable/LAN (going back to office/cube and plugging into our LAN via ethernet cable) both connections are live and bridging, and that's bad.

Now if a laptop user goes back to their desk and puts the machine in the docking station, we're okay, because we can change a setting in device manager to disable wireless when in the docking station. But if a user is not connected to any docking station, and just takes a cable and plugs in while the wireless card is live, both connection remain live.

Finally, here's my question . . .

Now is there a way in XP, either in the registry or a system setting, or some kind of script or third party application, to automatically disable the wireless card when a LAN/Ethernet cable is hot inserted (without rebooting)??

Any information or guidance anyone might have on that would be very appreciated.

Thanks.

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Now is there a way in XP, either in the registry or a system setting, or some kind of script or third party application, to automatically disable the wireless card when a LAN/Ethernet cable is hot inserted (without rebooting)??

Well if you don't mind wasting about 10 seconds, you could right click on the wireless network connection in the bottom right hand corner and hit disable. Now when you want to enable it, go to start->connect to->show all connections and then right click on wireless and hit enable.

To improve security, couldnt you set up a WEP encryption or a domain address so the computer has to be authenticated when it connects through wireless connection

[ditto]

Now is there a way in XP, either in the registry or a system setting, or some kind of script or third party application, to automatically disable the wireless card when a LAN/Ethernet cable is hot inserted (without rebooting)??

Well if you don't mind wasting about 10 seconds, you could right click on the wireless network connection in the bottom right hand corner and hit disable. Now when you want to enable it, go to start->connect to->show all connections and then right click on wireless and hit enable.

To improve security, couldnt you set up a WEP encryption or a domain address so the computer has to be authenticated when it connects through wireless connection