It looks like the WPA posting from another member seems to address my concern.

Please add any comments.

Thanks

Al

Hi  Thanks for the update. I believe that I have seen this article. I have checked all my areas in regards  to

caseing. Everythng looks fine. Are you using WPA?

Thanks

Hello members,

Well this certainly has not been an easy task. I f anyone has enabled the WAP new security with their Dell 1300 wlan MPIC internal card, I could use some help.

First, I am using linksy router befw11s4, and I have downloaded a patch to add WPA for it. Ok, so I now enable the feature, place an 8 character code within Linksys. I then applied a Microsoft patch for WPA. and then applied a dell driver update tp get the WPA feature.Well, I cannot seem to get a connection at all.

One other point, I cannot seem to use a password above 8 characters, reason being, the lan card, when tying this code in, will only take 8 characters. I understand that with WPA, you can go to 64. Anyhow, my last attemp with support (Dell) the Rep said they are not really supporting WPA (UNBELIEVABLE).

Linksys is no help, because the internal is not ne of theirs.

The WEP feature works fine. Any ides?

Thanks

 

Regards,
Al

 

* Inspiron 8600 Pentium-M, 1.6ghz, 15.4 in WUXGA
* 512 MB,DDR
* 128MB nVidia GeForce FX
* 80GB Ultra ATA HD
* TrueMobile 1300 WLAN (802.11 b/g) mini PCI card
* 4X DVD+RW,INSP8600 CD-RW / DVD+RW Combo
* Windows XP home edition

Yuu do know that SSID names are case sensitiv?.  dell does not equal Dell.  The SSId names must be the same and so for the encrytpion settings.  The eys can be geberated by a passphrase which I recommend, again which are case sensitive.  Try this article:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1277020,00.asp

Hi techsphere,

I went through this a couple of days ago and to my knowledge Linksys BEFW11S4 does NOT support WPA only WEP. I exchanged BEFW11S4 for Linksys WRT54G v1.1 (they make 3 versions 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0).  Unfortunately, WRT54G v1.1 to my knowledge is flawed as I could not switch WLAN off without cutting power supply on and off.  I had it exchanged for another of the same model and found that it was doing the same thing.  I spent about an hour and half with Linksys tech support and we couldn't make it work as it should.  Tech support advised me to exchange it for a V2.0 model which is apparently much better.  As no WRT54G v2.O are not as yet available in local stores here I exchanged the router again and this time I purchased D-Link Di-624 and so far I am happy with it and it does support the WPA and all other advertised features.

Just my two cents.

Good Luck.  If I can help you with anything else please let me know.

Regards,Ratz

 

 Hi,

Well from what I can see, the latest firmware I applied to the BEFW11S4 adds the WPA support. It is firmware 1.50. So unless these guys did not test this box with this latest firmware, that may be were my problem is

I have a customers using WPA on the WRT54g Linksys router so I know It works.  There is an update from Microsoft not included in the normal flow that add the necessary information to enable WPA, I think it is KB Article 815485.  The version I know that works is 1.04 from Linksys for this router.  These are my notes form the setup:

 

Jmwills, you are absolutely correct WRT54G supports WPA. WRT54G also has a nicer feature over D-Link DI624 that I currently own one is able to set a timeframe for WPA-PSK while on air. DI624 states in the guide that key is changed every time one logs on and their technical support stated it changes at random intervals. I do not know who to believe. I did not have time to test this. All I stated previously is that I was unable to toggle WLAN on and off with WRT54G router and I had two of them(and by the way I could toggle WLAN on and off with BEFW11S4). I had to turn WLAN off then pull the plug out from the wall, plug power back in and then it would stay off. I also found when broadcast was set to G-only, I was still able to communicate with the route via B-card adapter. As I am security conscience I decided I was unable to trust this equipment. I found some shortcomings on DI624, but that is another story.

Techsphere, yes BEFW11S4 supports WPA, but only version 4 router with v1.50 firmware. BEFW11S4 version 2, v3 and v3.2 only support WEP to my knowledge. Version 4 was not available locally before the holidays, therefore I exchanged it for WRT54G and was happy, till I discovered flaw described above. I am glad you have version 4 and are able to take advantage of more secure WPA.

Regards, Ratz

 

Hi Ratz,

Well, I would like to take advantage of the WPA, however, that is my curent problem. I cannot connect.

With my Dell truemobile 1330 wlan mpci, when I go into the Wireless tab, I see my network (ssid) name in the Preferred network box, however, I cannot get the ssid name up to the Available Network box. I have no problem using WEP.

Dell is no help, or the technicians I am speaking with are totally snowed and they just give be shot in the dark answers. I have a real problem with these answers, being in Tech support myself, the first thing you have to know is what questions to ask a client about their problem.  I am getting none of this. It seems I am doing all the talking. Anyhow, it seams my router is the v4, but  I like to know is this unit with the patch, really works. I am now thinking to purchase  the WRT54G -ver 2 and see if this solves the problem, if not, then I will need to take it back. Mosy likley a Best Buy store.

Any other ideas, please let me know.

Al

I am not sure purchasing WRT54G will be the answer just yet, as your current router supports WPA. It is probably some little tweak to put you right.
What I overlooked and you may try if this will help you:
Disable your fire wall on both computers including your wireless adapter fire wall while you are setting up your connection. You can configure them later when you are connected.
Under authentication mode if you have this option select “auto” as “shared” applied to WEP only in my case. After that it all worked flawlessly, except WLAN switching on v1.1 WRT54G.
Read and apply information from these two websites.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;815485  and http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=826942
You also have an option if you want to use your wireless adapter or let windows manage your connection. If you are using your wireless adapter make sure, you have the latest drivers. Look it up under Dell downloads for your adapter.

Good luck, Ratz

 

Hi Ratz,

I just got off the phone with Dell wireless support. Basically, the rep said I should reconfigure my truemobile lan card. Not sure if I want to start screwing around with this. I may just stick with WEP. To my understanding from a netwrok friend of mine, as long as on the router your Disable SSID Broadcast, security problems are not that big.

Not sure about that.

Thanks again,

Off to Linux world Expo in New York.

Al

Not a bad suggestion from Dell. Just make sure you have the latest drivers after reinstalling your card. You will likely be OK with WEP, but I am sure you will figure WPA out sooner or later. I personally can't leave things alone if I know there is something better. Enjoy New York.

Ratz

Just disabling the broadcast feature is not the best thing to do unless you combine that with changing the name of the SSID.  Your LAN will still be broadcasted, just not the name of the SSID but anyone who wanted to crack your LAN would try all the default names generated by the manufacturers.

Hi jmwills,

Yes, I change by SSID on a regular basis. I would really like to get this WAP working. I received an email from Linksys this past Monday, basically, it consists of variosu diagrams within the Wireless lan card, and exactly what settings need to be checked. In my original problem ticket to them, I mentioned that I was having issues when trying to enabled WAP.

1) The screen that has the availabe and preferred networks, I see my Network name (SSID) in the Preferred Netwotk area, however, I cannot get it ti the Available Network area.

2) When typing in the Network key in the Truemobile 1300 Wlan card( the name from the router), it will only hold 8 characters.

They basically has no response to either question.

One of the areas in the diagram that I noticed that  I did not enable, is the advanced area tab that states, Automatically connect to a non-preferred network. linksys says this should be checked. Anyhow, back to the drawing board.

Al

Did you install the WPA Client update mentioned in Knowledge base Article 815485?  Do you have the latest updates for the 1300 card?  At this point, I would suggest restoring the crad and router to the defaults and add one feature at a time.  First change the SSID from linksys, then disable the broadcast, then add encryption while checking for internet access at every step.  You do not want this machine connecting to non-preferred netwroks becasue it the cards receive two signals, it will go to the strongest one which may not be your LAN.  The update solves that issue.

This is why it pays to get a common netwrok using one compnay products because DEll and Linksys are going to point fingers at one another. 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];815485

Message Edited by jmwills on 01-21-2004 05:46 PM

Message Edited by jmwills on 01-21-2004 05:48 PM