Help with WPA2 needed

[jwege]

Hi,

it it is not a real hardware question, but I do not know where to post it else.

I have a Wireless Router from Linksys (WRT 160W) and a IBM T42 with Thinkvantage Access Connection 5.12 installed. I connect to the AP of the router with wireless G enabled, DHCP.

AND I WOULD WANT TO CONNECT using WPA2 TKIP or AES encryption (which I am unable to).

Here is the situation:

- I can connect to the router with no encryption
- I can connect with WEP (then I can enter a 26-HEX key at the router AND the IBM TP)
- I can connect with WPA using the passphrase from the router as the pre shared key)

Once I go to WPK2 on the router (which is also offered in the Access Connections Dialog), I am asked for a PASSPHRASE on the router, which I enter (let's assume it is "mywayinto").

On the router, it is named: "WPA2 Personal" and encryption I can choose "TKIP or AES" (default) or "AES".

On the IBM, I do not see the Word "passphrase" but assume that the "pre shared key" is the very same thing (?????). So, I enter the "mywayinto"

No matter what combination I (TKIP or AES, AES only) choose on the router, the TP is not able to connect to it.

The funny thing: When I leave the settings on the Thinkpad to "WPA2-PSK" and I switch back to "WPA Personal" on the router, the Thinkpad instatly connects.

Can anyone help? I am totally confused!

Thanks

[jwege]

Something to add:

If I use Windows for the configuration of the wireless settings, i can choose "WPA" or "WPA-PSK" (but no "WPA2-PSK") under the authentification dropdown menu.

Choosing "WPA-PSK", using AES and entering the passphrase entered on the router, the TP connects to the router EVEN if that is set to "WPA2 Personal" under Security Mode.

Now: what do I need to choose in Thinkvantage AccessConnections to connect the TP to the router that is set to "WPA2 Personal" ?????

Seems that I mis a piece of understanding ...

[sjthinkpader]

I didn't see you listed WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK as available encryption schemes on the router. These are WiFi Alliance standard names. Were these named something else such as WPA/WPA2 Personal? PSK simply means Pre-Shared Key.

I think some manufacturers want to use more easily understandable terms but instead created more confusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access

If it works on WPA instead of WPA2, I would just use it that way.

A few things to note:

1. If you want to use WPA2, you should also use AES.
2. Some older 11b cards don't support WPA.
3. Some 11g card need driver update to support WPA2.
4. 11n require the use of AES.
5. WinXP SP2 need a WPA2 update but included in SP3 already.

[Specter]

Which service pack level are you using? I believe that support for WPA2 was not included in earlier versions of Windows XP. There is a "fix" for this at Microsoft and you will find it easily using Google. This fix will give you menu entries for WPA2 when using Windows for wireless setup.

Support for WPA2 should however be present in later service packs, certainly in SP3.