Princeton University has explained Wi-Fi issues with the iPad.
According to the University's Office of Information Technology, the problem lies in the way iPad uses the network's Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) while leasing IP addresses. Officials claim that this could potentially disrupt the connection established by other devices in the network.
The report notes:
"The malfunction we see is that the iPad uses DHCP to obtain a lease, renews the lease zero or more times (as expected), but then continues using the IP address without renewing the lease further. The iPad allows the DHCP lease to expire, but it continues using the IP address after allowing the lease to expire. The incident continues for some time (typically hours); usually it ends when the iPad asks for a new DHCP lease, or the iPad disconnects from the network."
Earlier this month, there were reports that Princeton University had issued a ban on the use of iPads inside the campus. However, the university officials have now clarified that there has been no blanket ban as such and that the network blocking was done on a case-by-case basis. They insist that only 25 of the 42 iPads reported on the network had issues with the DHC protocol. Also, only 14 of these iPads were actually blocked from the network.
In order to restore access to iPad users affected by the problem, the university's Network Systems team has now released documents that offer possible workarounds that will prevent iPads from malfunctioning in the future. The solutions offered include steps to reconfigure the iPad settings to prevent screen auto-locking and also to turn off the iPad's Wi-Fi interface at the end of a session to prevent the device from "stealing" IP addresses. The authorities however note that this is only a temporary workaround and that the university is working with Apple to issue a permanent fix to the error.
Apple had also acknowledged iPad's Wi-Fi related problem and published a knowledge base article to fix the issue.
Are you facing any issue with your iPad? Let us know in the comments if the workaround resolves the issue.
[Princeton OIT via MacRumors]
i really dont care
fuck the ipad, i wanna hear more about os 4.0 and the iphone HD.
Read a different Topic then!!!!
hope they fix this soon might hurt ipad sales
Why do you care about ipad sales? Do you work for Apple or own Apple shares? Or just root for them like they were a sports team?
I'm sure that iPads everywhere say fuck you too clepto. Just bc you don't want to read about the iPad doesn't mean that everyone shares your opinion. TimW's right, read something else, hell, go to a different website.
I care as I'm looking to get one!!
Last thing I want is one with a dodgy wifi connection
So, if they don't 'fix' it, then their sales will be down by 1, & if others think the same, down by many.
If you were Apple, you'd depend on sales too
I remember something about iPhones having a similar problem. I know for a short amount of time I experienced troubles with my router when my iPhone would try to connect. My router would freeze up and reboot. Maybe its just my router :/.
This is ridiculous though. Come on Apple. If some tech guys can figure this out why can't your engineers? I'm sure it'll naturally be fixed with the new firmware update though.
who cares… stop this ipad sh*t…
I care, more info please!!