Figure this one out

Adster3000 · 26 Apr 2012 at 18:39

I recently installed a new router (Netgear DGN2000.) This router uses WEP encryption. I don't need stronger encryption, it's just to keep all the people who aren't in my house out of my network.

I connected an Epson wireless printer to the router, 2 desktops and 2 laptops to the computer. All with static IPs, except one laptop.
I changed the DHCP range to 192.168.0.6 to 192.168.0.254, to prevent the non static devices from stealing the static devices IP addresses.

Connected 3 android phones to the router, these aren't static.

All of these devices run flawlessly on the network.

Now the fun part: I tried to connect an iPod Touch (3G) and an iPhone (4) to the network. They weren't having it at all. They gave an error: "Unable to connect to network." I tried a router restart and wiping the network settings on both devices, which didn't solve the problem. I then kept tapping "join" and "dismiss" on the error and eventually they both connect and have internet access. Every time they disconnect, whether it be from going out of range or switching off Wifi on the device, it does the same thing again, requiring me to mindlessly tap on the SSID on the device and dismissing the error.

Anybody got any ideas about this? I tried WPA and it did the same thing. Didn't get a chance to try it without encryption because everyone came home and wanted to use the internet.

iPod Touch is on iOS 5.0.1 and the iPhone is on 5.1. Touch is jailbroken.

KIA · 26 Apr 2012 at 18:46

Adster3000 said:
I recently installed a new router (Netgear DGN2000.) This router uses WEP encryption. I don't need stronger encryption, it's just to keep all the people who aren't in my house out of my network.

WEP is broken and won't keep anyone out of your network. The DGN2000 supports WPA2, use it.

Adster3000 · 26 Apr 2012 at 18:51

KIA said:
WEP is broken and won't keep anyone out of your network. The DGN2000 supports WPA2, use it.

A bit of technical reasoning wouldn't hurt. Besides, I live in a small village in the countryside. No one is going to be trying to get in.

I'll try it tomorrow when the least amount of people will be home. Or tonight, actually.

Azuse05 · 26 Apr 2012 at 19:16

Technical reason: WEP is broken. WPA1 is also broken. WPA2 is the only logical choice for home, unless you have a server and want some RADIUS love

Using wep to keep people out of your house is like securing your front door with a rubber band.

ots3go · 26 Apr 2012 at 19:36

WEP is old with terrible encryption. You might as well just turn it off it's that easy to crack.

PistolPete · 26 Apr 2012 at 19:38

Azuse05 said:
Using wep to keep people out of your house is like securing your front door with a rubber band.

Most people wouldn't enter someone elses house on the basis that it's shut with a rubber band, but would happily use your wifi if they could.....so WEP is more like putting a sign on your open door saying "free cookies inside".

Adster3000 · 26 Apr 2012 at 21:08

Lesson learned, will never use anything but WPA2 ever again (unless superseded.) Changed it over and the iPod worked fine. Not had a chance to sort the iPhone out but will assume it is fine, also.

Sorry for being an idiot, and thanks.

opethdisciple · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:01

KIA said:
WEP is broken and won't keep anyone out of your network. The DGN2000 supports WPA2, use it.

+1000

Its so easy to set up. Use it.

Phemo · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:29

Glad you got it working.

Don't understand why anyone would ever choose WEP over anything else - even if you were to ignore WEP's blatant security flaws, WPA/WPA2 is so much easier what with being able to use an alphanumeric/symbol passphrase of whatever you want instead of a hex string that's a pain to remember.