Hey one of you networking guys...I need hep.

[Mr. Whippy]

We're switching to FIOS (fiber optic cable) for our internet provider.  My plan is to run the cable modem into a wireless router.  The wireless router I have is a 2nd or 3rd Gen Linksys WRT51GS.  Works fine, gets confused sometimes, but then a power cycle fixes it.

So, I figured I'd upgrade to a Linksys WRT310N--better range, N and G mode, figured it would have better firmware that would handle data faster...

I'm getting killed on the setup! 

1.  Linksys EasyLink advisor SUCKS!  .  Finally had to uninstall it to manually configure the router.  It kept messing up my wireless card.

2.  What the heck is the difference in WEP network key OPEN and WEP network key SHARED?  The old router took the key as OPEN, this new one is defaulted to SHARED.  Does it matter?

3.  Whycome I can't get my Linksys wireless PrintServer and Router together?  They don't seem to want to talk to each other wirelessly.  The old router didn't have this problem...  (and could it be the same OPEN vs SHARED issue I had with the laptop and Smartphones?)

The FIOS guy is coming tomorrow!! 

[ufox9al]

The "Shared" mode is slightly less secure than "Open", but, being WEP, both are not that great. (You can read up on the details in the "Authentication" section of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_Equivalent_Privacy ).

The problem with "Shared" mode is that it does not work well when trying to "automatically" configure remote devices by simply entering the key/passphrase - you have to go and manually select "Shared" mode on them. This is probabaly the coause for the issue you are experiencing with your print server. You should be able to set the router to "Open" mode.

Also, if your other equipment is relatively new, you are better off with WPA-PSK/TKIP security mode instead of WEP.

[Mr. Whippy]

The "Shared" mode is slightly less secure than "Open", but, being WEP, both are not that great. (You can read up on the details in the "Authentication" section of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_Equivalent_Privacy ).

The problem with "Shared" mode is that it does not work well when trying to "automatically" configure remote devices by simply entering the key/passphrase - you have to go and manually select "Shared" mode on them. This is probabaly the coause for the issue you are experiencing with your print server. You should be able to set the router to "Open" mode.

Also, if your other equipment is relatively new, you are better off with WPA-PSK/TKIP security mode instead of WEP.

How new is relatively new?

[ufox9al]

I think anything made in the last 3-4 years is capable of doing WPA-PSK.

[Mr. Whippy]

I think anything made in the last 3-4 years is capable of doing WPA-PSK.

Sweet.

 


Thanks, man.

[Neil]

Yep, I'd quit using WEP.  It was cracked a long time back and doesn't offer much more security than not turning security on.   

[jzmtl]

My router has WPA, WPA2, WPA mixed, which one should I use?

[Neil]

If the equipment you want to connect to it supports WPA2 then go for that.    Don't worry too much if you have to drop down to WPA to get everything to talk properly, just avoid WEP.

[cliosguy]

i really dont care for wlan encryption, i use a mac address based access-list

[Neil]

I'd always be a little paranoid that there might be some geeky type around sniffing the data     Of course the really good way of securing your home network is just to use cables and switch the wireless off

[jzmtl]

If the equipment you want to connect to it supports WPA2 then go for that.    Don't worry too much if you have to drop down to WPA to get everything to talk properly, just avoid WEP.

Thanks, going to play with computer setting and see if I can get WPA2 to work.

[Mr. Whippy]

Alright.  I've finallly got everything working.  Here's my question:

I live on a dead end road.  My next door neighbor is 1/2 mile away.  Is there any reason to change from WEP (realizing nobody is gonna be wardriving around here).

My internet connection is firewalled at the router.

[Pacu]

never can be too careful. Does wifi have "skip" where someone on a good night can log on to a distant unsecured internet connection?

I know when i was in NYC i logged onto Comfort Inns wifi rather than pay to use the hotel i was staying in for it. They were 2 blocks away and i was hitting 40 percent

[Neil]

Alright.  I've finallly got everything working.  Here's my question:

I live on a dead end road.  My next door neighbor is 1/2 mile away.  Is there any reason to change from WEP (realizing nobody is gonna be wardriving around here).

My internet connection is firewalled at the router.

If you had an old router I probably wouldn't worry too much but your new one has a decent range.  Believe me if you shove a wifi receiver at the focus of a small dish you can connect to access points quite some distance away.  I only know this from an educational point of view,  before anyone starts with the 

[josekym]

i really dont care for wlan encryption, i use a mac address based access-list

MAC Addresses can be easily sniffed and spoofed (i.e. assumed identity), making your network vulnerable to outside access.  Better to combine MAC filtering with WPA/WPA2 encryption if you run a wireless network nowadays and are concerned about your own network's security. 

[jzmtl]

Alright.  I've finallly got everything working.  Here's my question:

I live on a dead end road.  My next door neighbor is 1/2 mile away.  Is there any reason to change from WEP (realizing nobody is gonna be wardriving around here).

My internet connection is firewalled at the router.

If you had an old router I probably wouldn't worry too much but your new one has a decent range.  Believe me if you shove a wifi receiver at the focus of a small dish you can connect to access points quite some distance away.  I only know this from an educational point of view,  before anyone starts with the 

I suppose you could just turn down the power to 50% or 25% thou.

[cliosguy]

i really dont care for wlan encryption, i use a mac address based access-list

MAC Addresses can be easily sniffed and spoofed (i.e. assumed identity), making your network vulnerable to outside access.  Better to combine MAC filtering with WPA/WPA2 encryption if you run a wireless network nowadays and are concerned about your own network's security. 

youre right but then again i rarely care about wireless security

[Neil]

Alright.  I've finallly got everything working.  Here's my question:

I live on a dead end road.  My next door neighbor is 1/2 mile away.  Is there any reason to change from WEP (realizing nobody is gonna be wardriving around here).

My internet connection is firewalled at the router.

If you had an old router I probably wouldn't worry too much but your new one has a decent range.  Believe me if you shove a wifi receiver at the focus of a small dish you can connect to access points quite some distance away.  I only know this from an educational point of view,  before anyone starts with the 

I suppose you could just turn down the power to 50% or 25% thou.

Yes but to be honest setting everything to WPA2 or WPA should give you no more of a headache than using WEP so might as well just use the better security.

[Mr. Whippy]

Alright.  I've finallly got everything working.  Here's my question:

I live on a dead end road.  My next door neighbor is 1/2 mile away.  Is there any reason to change from WEP (realizing nobody is gonna be wardriving around here).

My internet connection is firewalled at the router.

If you had an old router I probably wouldn't worry too much but your new one has a decent range.  Believe me if you shove a wifi receiver at the focus of a small dish you can connect to access points quite some distance away.  I only know this from an educational point of view,  before anyone starts with the 

I suppose you could just turn down the power to 50% or 25% thou.

Yes but to be honest setting everything to WPA2 or WPA should give you no more of a headache than using WEP so might as well just use the better security.

Are there limiting parameters on the passcode for WPA/2?

[Neil]

Passcode should be no more than 63 characters.

[Mr. Whippy]

Passcode should be no more than 63 characters.

I think I can manage that. 

[Whoey]

i bet your passcode is whippyfi

[Mr. Whippy]

Still need a little more hep.

So,

Here's the setup:

Cable modem (xxx.xxx.1.1)__________Wireless router (xxx.xxx.2.1)

Cable modem has wireless capabilities, but are switched off.   Wireless router is WPA

All computers are able to get internet at excellent speeds.

Network storage is accessible. (ethernet connection to wireless router)

Problem:

Wireless print server.  Hard reset and ethernet connected, it seems just fine--I can access it to make changes.

So, I get the right SSID set.  Make it a static IP (for the macs to see it )  Still no problem.  Change it from open (no security) to WPA with correct passcode and I can't access it by ethernet.

Leave it as a DHCP enabled device, and no security and I have no wireless connection. 

What am I missing?  (Linksys WPSM54G  if that matters...)

[Neil]

   OK, gets tricky to figure this stuff out when your not sat in front of it.  Did you select WPA personnel as the encryption option as opposed to WPA enterprise or the like?  It seems very strange that you are prevented access to it via ethernet cable after enabling wireless security.  Might be worth checking the Linksys site to see if there is an updated firmware to correct this.

[Mr. Whippy]

  OK, gets tricky to figure this stuff out when your not sat in front of it.  Did you select WPA personnel as the encryption option as opposed to WPA enterprise or the like?  It seems very strange that you are prevented access to it via ethernet cable after enabling wireless security.  Might be worth checking the Linksys site to see if there is an updated firmware to correct this.

The network is WPA(personal) AES.  The print server only offers WEP vs. WPA.   WPA is TKIP or AES.  Only choices for me there.  I'll see if there's a firmware update.  Might fix this problem.

[Neil]

You might want to try changing the WPA to TKIP.

[Mr. Whippy]

Ok, not admitting ANYTHING, but...

Just note that SSID's are case sensitive.


'nuff sed.

[cliosguy]