Conneting iPhone to Access Point?

Hey, Today I connected my laptop to a device through a router acting an an access point which worked fine.

I need to send telnet commands and up load video via FTP to a device that plays video for a digital signage. It worked fine connecting the laptop to the device through the router but I was unable to connect to the router and access the device using my iPhone?

Are there any known issues with connecting to devices using an access point? It can see the router just fine but just keeps spinning the progress wheel and won't connect with password?

I ask because I would like to develop an app for my phone to do this same work instead of dragging around my MBP.

Thanks.