Tips on switching home wireless access security

[doktrred]

Not sure if this post would/should go here or not, sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes. I have a T-30 that I am using on our home wireless network and there are no problems connecting to the wireless network at this time. I am considering switching the security on the wireless access point from WEP to a WPA security. After I log into the wireless access point and reset the security to WPA , I guess I'd have to choose a password then click apply. After I make the changes, should the T30 automatically see the network, try and access it and then I'll be asked to provide the password, then be good to go , or will I have to somehow reconfigure the T30 to work with the new type of security? If you haven't guessed, I don't have any experience with this type of thing.
Thanks,
Mike

[ajkula66]

If you have a stock wireless card in that T30, it won't work with anything but WEP.

[doktrred]

Thanks, I have a Cisco systems Wireless LAN adapter (if that's what you are talking about).

[jronald]

Yep, WEP only....its not a huge issue though, heres why................

So many people, dont encrypt to even the smallest degree, that once you set up security, they will go elsewhere. My neighborhood has only 40 or so houses. On my property there are 6 WAPs (wireless access points) all of mine are encrypted. Of the 5 closest neighbors, none of theirs are. Walking down my road yeilds at least 20 more WAPs that are not encrypted. So doing the math, no one in their right mind would try to hack what they can get for free, 10 feet away.

Ron

[doktrred]

Ron, Thanks for the info. The main reason I was going to switch security protocols was I'm having trouble connecting to this network with my daughters new Ipod touch. The Ipod asks for the network password and then acts like the password is wrong. I tried changing the password for the wireless access point, still no go. One of the ipod forum guys(not apple support guy), thought the ipod sometimes has problems with older security protocols, and suggested switching to WPA????? I live in the boonies, so don't worry too much about getting hacked.
I will call apple support as soon as I can and talk to someone there and see if they can solve the problem.
Thanks again,
Mike

[rkawakami]

I can somewhat confirm this. I am using my iPod touch on a WRT54G (802.11g) router. It does not want to connect to my Netgear ME102 (802.11b). However both use WEP encryption. In fact I could not ever get ANY Apple computer that I owned (iMac and Macbook) to consistantly connect to the Netgear AP so I went and got the Linksys.

[jronald]

Odd, I have had several problems over the years with Netgear "B" WAPs also. I picked up a WRT54G also at a closeout. I think it was $29.00 shipped, tough to go wrong. Im using it DHCP my other 5 WAPS and 2 small switches, seems to run fine.

Ron

[doktrred]

Is there a wireless LAN adapter card that would be compatible with the T30 and support WPA?
Mike

[RealBlackStuff]

Basically any miniPCI (not miniPCIe) card with 802.11b/g or even b/g/n will work.
You may get the 1802 error, but this can be fixed easily (and free).
Available cheap on eBay or place a WTB in our Market Forum.

[jronald]

I prefer an Atheros based card, I think RBS is Broadcom. Intel puts out a good product.

Most of mine are running the Toshiba card with the Atheros drivers. Here is what I own about 6 of:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-P25-Wireles ... 414bacac87
But most of mine were less than $10.00 shipped

Here is the info on the 1802 hack
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... twork_card
Dont let it freak you out, I have done it at least 20 times to different units.

I own one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/Broadcom-4306-54M-8 ... 1c0aa1d77e

And 2 of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-PRO-Wireless- ... 5ad61dc01f

Ron

[doktrred]

Thanks, I will need to talk to one of the apple customer support guys and see if they think switching security protocols will solve the prob. I appreciate all the suggestions, and if I decide to do this, I may be back for y'all to "hold my hand" while I make the changes.
Mike

[ajkula66]

In all honesty, running a "b" card in today's day and age, with the ease of upgrade that ThinkPads offer in that respect is not something I'd recommend...

Spend $10-15 on a new b/g or a/b/g card, keep the WPA setup and call it a day...

My $0.02 only...

[doktrred]

keep the WPA setup and call it a day...

But I've got WEP setup right now. Is the ipod unhappy with the WEP or the netgear WAP or are we living on an Indian burial ground, I'm not sure yet? It's been busy lately and I haven't had a chance to DO anything yet.