WiFi Hotspot discovery..is it possible?

[zed1]

Hi,

Is it possible to code the discovery of WiFi hotspots using any mobile platform? i.e. in a similar way to Bluetooth device discovery in JSR-82? (inquiry)

I've found similar queries like this have come up over the last couple of years but nobody seems to have an answer...

Zed

[wizard_hu_]

Is it possible to code the discovery of WiFi hotspots using any mobile platform? i.e. in a similar way to Bluetooth device discovery in JSR-82? (inquiry)

Yes, Symbian phones with WiFi support can discover hotspots.

I've found similar queries like this have come up over the last couple of years but nobody seems to have an answer...

Yes, phones usually did not support WiFi in the last couple of years.

[Tremor69]

Yes, Symbian phones with WiFi support can discover hotspots.

Sorry, if the question is stupid, but I am just starting with Series 60 development.

What API do I have to use if I want to discover WLAN APs and get their MAC adress and SSID?

[zed1]

Yes, Symbian phones with WiFi support can discover hotspots.

wizard_hu_ many thanks for the reply. Could you elaborate on this, is it possible to access an API to do this via code. Is it possible to access the same calls as the device menu does?

e.g. on Nokia N80: select Connect. > Conn mgr > Availab. WLAN

[nmittal]

Hi,

Recommendation: Check for availability of pre-defined IAPs on the phone that use Wifi. Scanning for networks will consumer high battery power and may also be against Symbian signed criteria.

To scan:
RConnectionMonitor class can be used to check for available networks' names using GetPckgAttribute with EBearerIdWLAN connection id KNetworkNames attribute.

Similarly, check for availability of a WLAN IAP set on the device using attributes like KIAPId etc. Refer to rconnmon.h. This is the recommended way for detecting hotspots from third party apps (ofcourse in this case an IAP has to exist for the hotspot)

Look at rconnmon.h.

Nitin

[petrib]

Recommendation: Check for availability of pre-defined IAPs on the phone that use Wifi. Scanning for networks will consumer high battery power and may also be against Symbian signed criteria.

The Psiloc Hotspot Finder app does scan for WLAN networks, and is signed.

[nmittal]

Hi,

Given a business case and nature of application there can be exceptions made.

For example, enterprise applications may not require that the end user be informed of connections being made, SMS being sent etc as would be expected with consumer apps. This is possible because the enterprise users may get trained in using the application or connection costs may not be of much concern..etc.

[emurai]

Hi guys,

I also was in need of such feature. I found out a working solution in a chinese post which is copied here. Thanks to Hoolee contributor!

I have successfully tested it on a nokia N80, S60 3rd edition.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
#include <rconnmon.h>

void CWlanTest:: ListNetworksAndSignalL(CDesCArraySeg& aNetworks)

{

_LIT(KNetInfo, "Network: %S\tSignal: %d");

TBuf<32> netName;

TBuf<100> line;

RConnectionMonitor monitor;

TPckgBuf<TConnMonNetworkNames> pkgNetworks;

// establish connection with the monitor server

monitor.ConnectL();

// prepare leave clean-up

CleanupClosePushL(monitor);

TRequestStatus status;

// get the list of available networks

monitor.GetPckgAttribute(EBearerIdWLAN, 0, KNetworkNames, pkgNetworks, status);

// suspend thread until the info is retrieved

// production code should use active objects

User::WaitForRequest( status ) ;

// leave if the asynchronous method returned an error

User::LeaveIfError(status.Int());

// reset networks list

aNetworks.Reset();

// add retrieved networks to the list

for(TUint i=0; i<pkgNetworks().iCount; i++)

{

netName.Copy(pkgNetworks().iNetwork[i].iName);

line.Format(KNetInfo, &netName, pkgNetworks().iNetwork[i].iSignalStrength);

aNetworks.AppendL(line);

}

// close server session

CleanupStack::PopAndDestroy(&monitor);

}

Note:
- Link against: ConnMon.lib
- S60 3rd Edition-specific capability needed: NetworkServices

[elektrohase]

You have successfully tested it?

I have a problem with the function call. How did you define the "CDesCArraySeg"?

I get the following error:
function call '[CDesCArraySeg].CDesC16ArraySeg()' does not match 'CDesC16ArraySeg::CDesCArraySeg(int)' 'CDesC16ArraySeg::CDesC16ArraySeg(const CDesC16ArraySeg&)'

I hope you can help me.THX

[wizard_hu_]

Check CDesC16ArraySeg in the SDK Help. Its constructor requires a granularity parameter (increment size of the dynamic buffer), for example you can try 1:

CDesCArraySeg *array=new (ELeave) CDesCArraySeg (1);

[mayankkedia]

To achieve the same u dont even require to pass CDesCArraySeg as a paramater, u can simply make the pkgnetworks as a member variable and after checking for signal strength above the threshold limit, u could update the same and use it in your code.

Cheers