Wireless ActiveSync Synchronization Dell Axim X50v

I'm trying (unsuccessfully so far) to get my new Dell Axim X50v PocketPC to
sync up wirelesslly, via802.11b, with my Dell Dimension 4400 PC. I've
already set all the Network Connection Settings on the PocketPC to "Work". I
also used Pocket Hosts to add a "DESKTOP" entry to the Hosts file on the
PocketPC (this was the stumbling block when setting up wireless ActiveSync
on my old Dell Axim X5, which worked flawlessly). The firewall in Windows XP
SP2 is set up to allow ActiveSync to communicate over networks. I've done
soft resets of the PocketPC to no avail. I know that my wireless network is
working fine since I can access my PC's Internet connection from the
PocketPC and the Dell WLAN Utility shows a strong connection with all
settings correct.

So, my question is...what changed between the Dell Axim X5 and the Dell Axim
X50v to prevent the wireless ActiveSync from working? I know the operating
system is newer (WM2003 vs. 2002)...could that be the problem? Help!

Basically Pocket Host is the problem. You need to be able to ping the PC by
name, not IP address from the Pocket PC to be able to ActiveSync. My guess
is if you use vxUtil from www.cam.com you will find that you can not do
this. You need to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP to do what you want. I would
suggest that you remove any entry that you have in Pocket Host, then
uninstall Pocket Host and enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

If you happen to have installed ActiveSync 4.0 it does not support a Network
connection, anymore. So either a Wi-Fi connection or a wired Network
connection will no longer work with ActiveSync 4.0, you'll need to install
ActiveSync 3.8.

--
David {MVP}
Microsoft Mobile Devices
Mobile AntiVirus Researchers Association

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual
benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
The MARA Program - http://www.mobileav.org/index.html

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...


Spelling and grammar errors left in for those that need a little joy in
their life by correcting me.

"Spiderman" <> wrote in message
news:7tqdnZ2dnZ1sMSq7nZ2dnVFHj96dnZ2dRVn-...
> I'm trying (unsuccessfully so far) to get my new Dell Axim X50v PocketPC
> to sync up wirelesslly, via802.11b, with my Dell Dimension 4400 PC. I've
> already set all the Network Connection Settings on the PocketPC to "Work".
> I also used Pocket Hosts to add a "DESKTOP" entry to the Hosts file on the
> PocketPC (this was the stumbling block when setting up wireless ActiveSync
> on my old Dell Axim X5, which worked flawlessly). The firewall in Windows
> XP SP2 is set up to allow ActiveSync to communicate over networks. I've
> done soft resets of the PocketPC to no avail. I know that my wireless
> network is working fine since I can access my PC's Internet connection
> from the PocketPC and the Dell WLAN Utility shows a strong connection with
> all settings correct.
>
> So, my question is...what changed between the Dell Axim X5 and the Dell
> Axim X50v to prevent the wireless ActiveSync from working? I know the
> operating system is newer (WM2003 vs. 2002)...could that be the problem?
> Help!
>

Does anyone know why network syncing was removed?
I won't be able to install 4.0 at customer sites since they rely on that. (No cradles)

David {MVP} wrote:
> Basically Pocket Host is the problem. You need to be able to ping the PC by
> name, not IP address from the Pocket PC to be able to ActiveSync. My guess
> is if you use vxUtil from www.cam.com you will find that you can not do
> this. You need to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP to do what you want. I would
> suggest that you remove any entry that you have in Pocket Host, then
> uninstall Pocket Host and enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
>
> If you happen to have installed ActiveSync 4.0 it does not support a Network
> connection, anymore. So either a Wi-Fi connection or a wired Network
> connection will no longer work with ActiveSync 4.0, you'll need to install
> ActiveSync 3.8.
>

Supposedly because of a security issue... Note that if your users synch with
an Exchange server then remote sync over a network (wired or wireless) is
still supported...

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual
benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...


"Darren" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Does anyone know why network syncing was removed? I won't be able to
> install 4.0 at customer sites since they rely on that. (No cradles)
>
> David {MVP} wrote:
>> Basically Pocket Host is the problem. You need to be able to ping the PC
>> by name, not IP address from the Pocket PC to be able to ActiveSync. My
>> guess is if you use vxUtil from www.cam.com you will find that you can
>> not do this. You need to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP to do what you want.
>> I would suggest that you remove any entry that you have in Pocket Host,
>> then uninstall Pocket Host and enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
>>
>> If you happen to have installed ActiveSync 4.0 it does not support a
>> Network connection, anymore. So either a Wi-Fi connection or a wired
>> Network connection will no longer work with ActiveSync 4.0, you'll need
>> to install ActiveSync 3.8.
>>

Hi,
There are multiple security issues with using ActiveSync 3.x and a network
connection:

1. Data is sent as clear text when synchronized. So your data can be
captured by a packet sniffer and read by anyone on the network. Since most
networks are private this reduces the risk to the staff responsible for
monitoring and administering the network however anyone with physical access
can capture the data.
2. Security of the equipment ID and password can be compromised. Please
read AirScanner Reports Possible Equipment ID and Password Hack via
Network with ActiveSync 3.71 and 3.8 -
http://www.airscanner.com/security/activesync371.htm Basically if a hacker
can reproduce your equipment ID and password, then they can "sync" with your
PC and get all your data since they would look like your Pocket PC.

Overall these scenarios are dangerous for users that sync via TCP/IP. They
are especially dangerous for users that setup their network so they can sync
over the internet.

--
Chris De Herrera
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com
http://www.tabletpctalk.com
http://www.pocketpctalk.com
http://www.mobilitytalk.com


"Darren" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Does anyone know why network syncing was removed? I won't be able to
> install 4.0 at customer sites since they rely on that. (No cradles)
>
> David {MVP} wrote:
>> Basically Pocket Host is the problem. You need to be able to ping the PC
>> by name, not IP address from the Pocket PC to be able to ActiveSync. My
>> guess is if you use vxUtil from www.cam.com you will find that you can
>> not do this. You need to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP to do what you want.
>> I would suggest that you remove any entry that you have in Pocket Host,
>> then uninstall Pocket Host and enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
>>
>> If you happen to have installed ActiveSync 4.0 it does not support a
>> Network connection, anymore. So either a Wi-Fi connection or a wired
>> Network connection will no longer work with ActiveSync 4.0, you'll need
>> to install ActiveSync 3.8.
>>

Thanks for explanation.

It would be nice to have the choice. I hate when features are removed even if the intentions are good.
I guess I'll stick with 3.8


Chris De Herrera wrote:
> Hi,
> There are multiple security issues with using ActiveSync 3.x and a network
> connection:
>
> 1. Data is sent as clear text when synchronized. So your data can be
> captured by a packet sniffer and read by anyone on the network. Since most
> networks are private this reduces the risk to the staff responsible for
> monitoring and administering the network however anyone with physical access
> can capture the data.
> 2. Security of the equipment ID and password can be compromised. Please
> read AirScanner Reports Possible Equipment ID and Password Hack via
> Network with ActiveSync 3.71 and 3.8 -
> http://www.airscanner.com/security/activesync371.htm Basically if a hacker
> can reproduce your equipment ID and password, then they can "sync" with your
> PC and get all your data since they would look like your Pocket PC.
>
> Overall these scenarios are dangerous for users that sync via TCP/IP. They
> are especially dangerous for users that setup their network so they can sync
> over the internet.
>

Pocket Hosts does the same thing as NetBIOS....it maps "desktop" to the IP
address.
I've tried both ways and neither allows me to ActiiveSync. BTW, I'm using
version 3.8.
I suppose I'll have to get used to the cradle from now on. Doesn't really
matter since Bill
decided to drop Network sync'ing in future versions and I don't wanna be
stuck in "the past".

Ciao.


"David {MVP}" <> wrote in message
news:O$...
> Basically Pocket Host is the problem. You need to be able to ping the PC
> by name, not IP address from the Pocket PC to be able to ActiveSync. My
> guess is if you use vxUtil from www.cam.com you will find that you can not
> do this. You need to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP to do what you want. I
> would suggest that you remove any entry that you have in Pocket Host, then
> uninstall Pocket Host and enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
>
> If you happen to have installed ActiveSync 4.0 it does not support a
> Network connection, anymore. So either a Wi-Fi connection or a wired
> Network connection will no longer work with ActiveSync 4.0, you'll need to
> install ActiveSync 3.8.
>
> --
> David {MVP}
> Microsoft Mobile Devices
> Mobile AntiVirus Researchers Association
>
> Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual
> benefit of all of us...
> The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> The MARA Program - http://www.mobileav.org/index.html
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights...
>
>
> Spelling and grammar errors left in for those that need a little joy in
> their life by correcting me.
>
> "Spiderman" <> wrote in message
> news:7tqdnZ2dnZ1sMSq7nZ2dnVFHj96dnZ2dRVn-...
>> I'm trying (unsuccessfully so far) to get my new Dell Axim X50v PocketPC
>> to sync up wirelesslly, via802.11b, with my Dell Dimension 4400 PC. I've
>> already set all the Network Connection Settings on the PocketPC to
>> "Work". I also used Pocket Hosts to add a "DESKTOP" entry to the Hosts
>> file on the PocketPC (this was the stumbling block when setting up
>> wireless ActiveSync on my old Dell Axim X5, which worked flawlessly). The
>> firewall in Windows XP SP2 is set up to allow ActiveSync to communicate
>> over networks. I've done soft resets of the PocketPC to no avail. I know
>> that my wireless network is working fine since I can access my PC's
>> Internet connection from the PocketPC and the Dell WLAN Utility shows a
>> strong connection with all settings correct.
>>
>> So, my question is...what changed between the Dell Axim X5 and the Dell
>> Axim X50v to prevent the wireless ActiveSync from working? I know the
>> operating system is newer (WM2003 vs. 2002)...could that be the problem?
>> Help!
>>
>
>