Wireless security

GuruJockStrap · 11 Apr 2006 at 14:44

Fred said:
I'm currently using the software that came with the adapter (Netgear WPN111 usb with a Netgear DG834PN (if i remember rightly) router).

Check to see on the Netgear site if the hardware supports WPA/WPA2. If might be a case of the router supporting it and the USB device not. Check.

If they meet the criteria, then try letting Windows handle wireless connections (you need to make sure that Wireless Zero Configuration and Remote Proceedure Call are set to Auto in the services list).

The software for the Intel wireless adapter on my laptop just refused to work with WPA/WPA2. Let Windows manage it and it works flawlessly.

This patch may be needed as well: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893357

If that doesn't help then post back as I've got a few other things you can try.

Fred · 11 Apr 2006 at 21:44

GuruJockStrap said:
Check to see on the Netgear site if the hardware supports WPA/WPA2. If might be a case of the router supporting it and the USB device not. Check.

If they meet the criteria, then try letting Windows handle wireless connections (you need to make sure that Wireless Zero Configuration and Remote Proceedure Call are set to Auto in the services list).

The software for the Intel wireless adapter on my laptop just refused to work with WPA/WPA2. Let Windows manage it and it works flawlessly.

This patch may be needed as well: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893357

If that doesn't help then post back as I've got a few other things you can try.

Thanks for the info, haven't had a chance to try yet since I've just had my machine in bits putting in 2GB of memory, a Freezer 64 Pro, and sorting out the cable mess.

The router and adapters are all from the Netgear rangemax list, although funily the usb adapter only says WEP on the box, but the spec on the netgear website says WPA-PSK. The software certainly allows that security to be set (I have the latest drivers).

I'll give windows a try

Fred · 11 Apr 2006 at 22:11

Interestingly using windows to manage the wireless network and WPA-PSK works fine!

I went back to trying the supplied software, and it went back to connected..1 sec..disconnected...scans channels...connected 1 sec...etc... almost like the Key was incorrect.

Wierd thing was if I selected WEP (router was still on WPA), the software showed it as connected, and stayed connected. However I was unable to access the router or the internet (unsurprising).

Windows Wireless Network manager 1 ... Netgear's adapter software 0. :rolleyes:

GuruJockStrap · 12 Apr 2006 at 10:34

Glad you got it sorted.

Like you, I repeatedly get a message from my laptop about Limited Connectivity because it was unable to obtain an IP address via DHCP, or you get assigned an APIPA 169.254 address.

Even manually assigning an IP address for the wireless device doesn't work. It appears to be connected but isn't or disconnects shortly after.

Just uninstall the Netgear software and use let Windows handle it all. Both do exactly the same job. Besides, you'll have a few less running applications in the background.

Fred · 12 Apr 2006 at 13:34

GuruJockStrap said:
Glad you got it sorted.

Like you, I repeatedly get a message from my laptop about Limited Connectivity because it was unable to obtain an IP address via DHCP, or you get assigned an APIPA 169.254 address.

Even manually assigning an IP address for the wireless device doesn't work. It appears to be connected but isn't or disconnects shortly after.

Just uninstall the Netgear software and use let Windows handle it all. Both do exactly the same job. Besides, you'll have a few less running applications in the background.

Yep, looks like i'll be uninstalling the software. I've read somewhere that there seems to be an issue with a Hotfix in sp2 that affects WPA wireless security and has caused problems for a number of wireless solution providers.

thanks again. :cool:

Andyt_uk · 12 Apr 2006 at 18:31

little bit of a hijack

I'm just trying to think of the most secure wireless setup for a report. At the moment I'd have them using WPA2 and AES, then connecting to a radius server for authentication. Just wondering whether it would also be worth putting all the wireless AP's behind their own firewall, and making the clients VPN into the network as well?. Then the VPN should deal with the problems with 802.1x and radius.

Cheers for any help.