"Looking for host" takes ages

unclethommy · 07-31-07, 09:13 AM

Hi there, I don't know if this is a general problem with using the web via wifi but I am using the odysey client to authenticate via WPA-PSK for my internet to work. My opera we browser (and PIE) seem to take nearly half a minute or more stuck in "looking for host". I was wondering if this is common or whether this may be due to how my network is setup. Once the browser gets past this stage, it loads up the site very quickly. I have tried this almost next to my wifi router and the same problem exists so I dont think its the wifi signal itself. Any ideas?

Julie · 07-31-07, 10:44 AM

Odyssey is very slow, but I think this is caused by the encryption that is happening behind the scenes. You'll probably find that logging into free networks runs much faster.

julie

rohanch · 07-31-07, 11:32 AM

I had/have a similar problem with using my axim on my home network (secured with WPA-PSK), it seems to be caused by DNS. I don't use Odyssey though.

I found that overriding the DNS addresses with OpenDNS addresses solved it. I guess any alternate DNS service would work if you know any others. Basically, go Start -> Settings -> Connections -> Network cards -> Dell Axim WLAN Adapter. Hit the Name Servers tab at the bottom, then in the first 2 boxes enter 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Leave the WINS boxes blank. Press the OK button.

When you do that, instead of sending host lookups (e.g. "what is the IP address of site www.google.com") to your work's ISP's DNS servers, the requests will be resolved by OpenDNS instead.

unclethommy · 07-31-07, 12:25 PM

rohanch, I am using the odysey client because the dell WLAN utility doesnt seem to like my WPA-PSK key (please see my other thread in this forum). I have resorted to odysey as this was able to miraculously solve the issue and my axim is able to connect to the internet with no problem. I shall try openDNS when I get home tonight and see if this helps.

Can I ask if you are using any special setting in getting your WPA-PSK to work with the axim? I have a netgear WGR614 which works fine with WPA-PSK and my nintendo wii.

rohanch · 07-31-07, 02:39 PM

No special settings that I'm aware of. I know I've selected TKIP encryption on my router (not AES which is the other option, at least for me) but otherwise I just put in my key and it connected.

unclethommy · 07-31-07, 06:12 PM

Wow, it seems to have aleast cut down the time consiferably! I might even try that with my desktops! Thanks for the advice on openDNS. Didnt even know it existed!