Wireless security using WEP or WPA

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Level 1

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Wireless security using WEP or WPA

I am trying to set up a secure wireless network using a Belkin ADSL Wireless G Router and I want to set up security. Unfortunately when I try I get compatibility issues. Airport only supports 40-bit WEP and 128-bit WEP while the Belkin supports 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP and WPA with radious server and WPA-SPK with no server.

I have tried WEP 128-bit but after I set it on the router and the MAC I can't then access the Internet and have to re-set the router and cancel the security.

I know WPA is more secure but cannot choose it from the Airport Options. I have looked at Belkin's support site and they talk about a firmware update for Airport to fix this. I cannot find anything on the Apple site, but then I'm not really sure what I'm looking for.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

iMAC G5 Power MAC 12.1, Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Mar 14, 2006 10:28 AM

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Answer 1

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 14, 2006 1:38 PM in response to gingersmudge

Airport only supports 40-bit
WEP and 128-bit WEP while the Belkin supports 64-bit
WEP, 128-bit WEP and WPA with radious server and
WPA-SPK with no server.

Airport does support WPA and WPA2

I have tried WEP 128-bit but after I set it on the
router and the MAC I can't then access the Internet
and have to re-set the router and cancel the
security.

I know WPA is more secure but cannot choose it from
the Airport Options. I have looked at Belkin's
support site and they talk about a firmware update
for Airport to fix this. I cannot find anything on
the Apple site, but then I'm not really sure what I'm
looking for.

There is a belkin 54g router near my house I can login to that network using WPA.

Belkin devices are not the best router's perhaps you need to upgrade the firmware on your belkin box.

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Answer 2

gingersmudge Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 14, 2006 3:07 PM in response to Tim Haigh

Airport only supports 40-bit
WEP and 128-bit WEP while the Belkin supports

64-bit

WEP, 128-bit WEP and WPA with radious server and
WPA-SPK with no server.

Airport does support WPA and WPA2

Can you tell me how I find WPA and WPA2? All I get when I go to Airport Security Options is 40 bit and 128 bit.

I have tried WEP 128-bit but after I set it on the
router and the MAC I can't then access the Internet
and have to re-set the router and cancel the
security.

I know WPA is more secure but cannot choose it from
the Airport Options. I have looked at Belkin's
support site and they talk about a firmware update
for Airport to fix this. I cannot find anything on
the Apple site, but then I'm not really sure what
I'm
looking for.

There is a belkin 54g router near my house I can
login to that network using WPA.

Belkin devices are not the best router's perhaps you
need to upgrade the firmware on your belkin box.

Is an Airport base station any better (securer)?

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Answer 3

Mar 14, 2006 4:38 PM in response to gingersmudge

This document should help you with setting up WPA. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107921

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Answer 4

gingersmudge Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2006 11:43 AM in response to Mike Vande Ven Jr.

I still cannot get the MAC to recognise the WEP or WPA SPK passwords I've set on the belkin. I've read the suggested articles and tried to do as they say but without success. It's driving me mad. I'm reluctant to spend more money on other makes of router including Apple's own when I can't be sure encryption works on them either.

Does anyone have a step by step solution to getting this working?

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Answer 5

gingersmudge Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 24, 2006 3:36 PM in response to gingersmudge

I've resolved this. I was using a strong password with special characters. When I used hexadecimels 0-9 and A-F it worked.

Thanks to all who took time to read my posts and try to help.

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Answer 6

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 24, 2006 3:46 PM in response to gingersmudge

Hi I am glad it is sorted out please mark this thread as answered and the posts that helped, as this will make it easier for other users who search forum find specific answers.

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