WPA2 support on T41/T42/T42p/T43/T43p?

[wiesl]

Hello!

Is WPA2 for wireless connections supported on T41/T42/T42p/T43/T43p?

Has someone WPA2 running?

Thank you for the answer.

Ciao,
Wiesl

[JHaislet]

Any of the above mentioned notebooks that contain the Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG NIC should support WPA2 according to Intel. You might need a driver update or use Intel's ProSet drivers instead of IBM's, but it should be possible.

http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/200 ... onents.htm

Regarding the IBM Wireless ABG II adapter (uses the Atheros AR5004x chipset), the AR5004x silicon should support WPA2 according to Atheros website. However, as to it currently being emplemented at the driver level, I'm not sure.

Also, one more thing, very few access points actually support WPA2 at this point. Very few AP's can be upgraded from WPA to WPA2 due to the needed AES hardware encryption/decryption. Not to put the cart before the horse, but if your AP doesn't support WPA2, then your laptop also won't be able to use the feature (even though it has WPA2).

[wiesl]

Any of the above mentioned notebooks that contain the Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG NIC should support WPA2 according to Intel. You might need a driver update or use Intel's ProSet drivers instead of IBM's, but it should be possible.

http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/200 ... onents.htm

Regarding the IBM Wireless ABG II adapter (uses the Atheros AR5004x chipset), the AR5004x silicon should support WPA2 according to Atheros website. However, as to it currently being emplemented at the driver level, I'm not sure.

Also, one more thing, very few access points actually support WPA2 at this point. Very few AP's can be upgraded from WPA to WPA2 due to the needed AES hardware encryption/decryption. Not to put the cart before the horse, but if your AP doesn't support WPA2, then your laptop also won't be able to use the feature (even though it has WPA2).

Thank you for the answer.

My AP is updateable to WPA2 (Linksys WRT54GS, currently in Beta state).

Ciao,
Wiesl

[Peters]

i'm using wpa II aes encryption with my t42 atheros based ibm a/b/g II minipci and my avm fritzbox fon wlan 7050 access point/router/voip-box for 8 weeks without a problem...pretty cool plug'n'play - without a hassle... and no beta state

[wiesl]

Any of the above mentioned notebooks that contain the Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG NIC should support WPA2 according to Intel. You might need a driver update or use Intel's ProSet drivers instead of IBM's, but it should be possible.

http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/200 ... onents.htm

Regarding the IBM Wireless ABG II adapter (uses the Atheros AR5004x chipset), the AR5004x silicon should support WPA2 according to Atheros website. However, as to it currently being emplemented at the driver level, I'm not sure.

Also, one more thing, very few access points actually support WPA2 at this point. Very few AP's can be upgraded from WPA to WPA2 due to the needed AES hardware encryption/decryption. Not to put the cart before the horse, but if your AP doesn't support WPA2, then your laptop also won't be able to use the feature (even though it has WPA2).

Do you recommend the Intel WLAN or the Atheros WLAN?

Ciao,
Wiesl

[JHaislet]

Well here's the thing, I ended up ordering the Intel 2915 ABG wireless adapter with my T43 and here's why.

First, the 2915 was released almost a year after the Atheros AR5004X chipset (newer could be better).

Second, while researching the differences and possible upgrades at a later time, finding IBM's Intel 2915 card on their website & actually being able to purchase it was extremely difficult (in case I wanted to upgrade at a later time).

Finally, IBM's Wireless II ABG card, based on the Atheros AR5004X chipset is offered all over the IBM website under the wireless accessories, and with any of the discounts (EPP/Education/credi card) it comes to around ~$50.

So, given these facts, if the Intel card sucks, I'll just pickup the IBM Atheros card. Doing it the other way around left too much uncertainty for me with regards to getting a 2915 card that didn't display the 1802 error.

YMMV

[wiesl]

Any of the above mentioned notebooks that contain the Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG NIC should support WPA2 according to Intel. You might need a driver update or use Intel's ProSet drivers instead of IBM's, but it should be possible.

http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/200 ... onents.htm

Regarding the IBM Wireless ABG II adapter (uses the Atheros AR5004x chipset), the AR5004x silicon should support WPA2 according to Atheros website. However, as to it currently being emplemented at the driver level, I'm not sure.

Also, one more thing, very few access points actually support WPA2 at this point. Very few AP's can be upgraded from WPA to WPA2 due to the needed AES hardware encryption/decryption. Not to put the cart before the horse, but if your AP doesn't support WPA2, then your laptop also won't be able to use the feature (even though it has WPA2).

Where did you find that Atheros supports WPA2?

http://www.atheros.com/pt/AR5004XBulletin.htm
http://www.atheros.com/pt/bulletins/AR5004XBulletin.pdf
says only WPA.

Ciao,
Wiesl

[JHaislet]

If you'll look at both IBM's descrition and the Atheros reference drivers, WPA2 is emplemented at the software level. The AR5004X supports hardware AES, therefore it is capable of doing WPA2. WPA2 is basically just the addition of AES encryption to the already established WPA standard. IBM's drivers for their a/b/g Wireless II card clearly take advantage of the onboard AES support and emplement WPA2 according to IBM.

If you'll notice on Atheros website as well, they don't mention anything about WPA being an encrpytion engine, as its not. WPA is a software standard for all practical purposes that makes use of the emplemented hardware in the chipset.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... Id=8770176