Wireless Security

Question

My router is a G-band and under security protocols it lists 64-bit WEP,128-bit WEP, WPA, and WPA-PSK. Is WPA-PSK the same as WPA2? If so, can I use the WPA2 protocol with my laptop? It reads 'Tri-Mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g). If WPA-PSK is not the same as WPA2, should I use WPA or WPA-PSK for my security setting?

Akule50 · Answer

@MrKite wrote:
Is WPA-PSK the same as WPA2?

"Click here" for info about "WPA"...
"Click here" and "here" for "WPA2"...
There's a wiki for WPA, "here".

@MrKite wrote:
If so, can I use the WPA2 protocol with my laptop? It reads "Tri-Mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g).

It depends on if your hardware (Wireless Router & Wireless Adapter) supports WPA2...

If you had posted your router's model (i.e. - D-Link "DI-624c".) and your wireless adapter's model (i.e. - Intel Pro/Wireless 2100 Mini-PCI Adapter), I could've checked if they supported the newer WPA2 protocol with a firmware or driver update...

I updated our previous D-Link DI-624c Router to support the WPA2 protocol... with a BETA firmware upgrade (DI-624 originally had only WPA support). I installed a cheap wireless mini-PCI adapter with WPA2 support ("click here")... in my Inspiron 8000 (previously used a D-Link DWL-G650 PCMCIA card w/ Atheros drivers for WPA2 support).

There's also a WPA2 update for "WinXP SP2" ("click here"), if you need it.

@MrKite wrote:
If WPA-PSK is not the same as WPA2, should I use WPA or WPA-PSK for my security setting?

I believe you should be able to make that choice for yourself, after reading the articles...

I personally use a "WPA2 Pre-Shared Key Only/AES" setting on our present router (Buffalo WHR-HP-G54).

Aloha,
Rod

MrKite · Answer

Akule50, Thanks for the help, I am new to networking so this is somewhat confusing. From what I have read WPA2 is the best way to go. The router is a Linksys WRT54GL. The wireless adapter is an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (I hope this is the right info). The laptop runs Vista.

MrKite · Answer

Thanks, again. I don't actually have the equipment yet, it will arrive this week. The info I have given you is what I could gather from the manufacturer's spec sheets. I think I'm starting to get a handle on this, I'll of course know more when I actually start setup. The links you provided have been most informative. Knowledge is power. I'll get back to you when I began setup and let you know how it's progressing. Many thanks for your time and efforts.

Akule50 · Answer

Since the 'WRT54GL' is listed as being Vista compatible ('click here')... I imagine it would also support the WPA2 protocol.Access the 'WRT54GL' setup page and check if you have 'WPA2 Personal' in the 'Wireless' config tab ('click here'). (Note: I prefer to use the newer 'AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) Algorithm' than the older 'TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)', if available.)If WPA2 is listed, you should be able to use it... since your 'Intel PRO/Wireless 3945' supports the WPA2 protocol ('click here').I don't have access to a Vista system, so... 'Connecting to Wireless Networks with Windows Vista' ('click here').If you need it, the latest firmware for the 'WRT54GL' is here ('click here': version 4.30.9 - 1/30/2007). To check your firmware version, 'click here'. How to Upgrade the Firmware on a Linksys Router ('click here').The 'WRT54GL' can also use the 3rd party firmware (DD-WRT) I use with my Buffalo WHR-HP-G54, as mentioned in this user review ('click here' Review By: freesafety13 on 3/29/2007), if your Linksys factory firmware doesn't support WPA2. For the link and more info on DD-WRT ('click here' - scroll down)...Aloha,Rod

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless Security

Was this post helpful?