What is "Group Key Timeout"?

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Level 1

34 points

What is "Group Key Timeout"?

I'm using Airport Admin Utility and looking at the "change wireless security" pane under the Airport configuration options. What is "Group Key Timeout"?

I have an Airport Express base station for airtunes and broadband access and an Airport Express remote station for Airtunes only.

The Group Key Timeout the main AX base station is set for 60 minutes and I think it is causing my remote AX to disable Airtunes after an hour of play.

KPR

iMacG4 1.25GHz 768MB DDR SD RAM, Mac OS X (10.4)

Posted on Mar 26, 2006 10:42 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 27, 2006 7:03 AM in response to K P R

The Group Key Timeout configures how often the real key on a WPA-encrypted network changes. It's a fundamental security feature of WPA. I don't know why that would cause your Express to drop off-line, though. I've never had it happen to me (I have a dual Express WDS set up).

You could try switching to WEP encryption temporarily to see if it still happens; if so, the Group Key Timeout is not at fault.

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Answer 2

K P R Author

Level 1

34 points

Mar 27, 2006 12:04 PM in response to Alan Somers

Alan -

You're correct, the Group Key Timeout is not at fault.

I have a 'virgin' AX unit that's been giving me all sorts of problems from the get-go. I tested it against my existing (proven) AX unit and it seems I've procured a dud AX. I'll exchange it and see if that solves the issues.

You'll see a new post if that doesn't eliminate the problem.

Thanks for the input.

KPR

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