Q: How to setup iMac to use WPA2-PSK

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Q: How to setup iMac to use WPA2-PSK

Hi everybody,

I want to setup a wireless router, Linksys WRT54GX4, this weekend. One of the things I want to do is to setup my iMac 20" Intel Core Duo, circa Feb 2006, to use WPA2-PSK security and to set the WPA2-PSK password.

I have searched these forums and googled it, but I can't seem to find out how to do that on an Apple.

Help would greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

iMac 20" 2GHz Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Mar 8, 2007 8:19 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

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Mar 8, 2007 8:41 PM in response to WAMBMW

You don't do it on the computer, it's done in the router configuration. When you configure the router you can turn on security and select the type of security to use and the password. Read the documentation that came with the router on how to configure it.

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Answer 2

WAMBMW Author

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Mar 8, 2007 10:44 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for the update, but I still have a further question.

I read the router's user guide and I see where you setup the security. The options are WPA and WPA2, Personal or Enterprise. The algorithm options are TKIP or AES. You then enter a Personal Key of 8-63 chars. That page of the user guide also states:

'... each device in your network MUST use the same wireless security method and shared key, or else the network will not function correctly.'

I intend to use a wireless connection on my iMac and WinXP laptop. Since you do the router setup with it plugged into the iMac, I presume it propagates the encrytion type/password to the iMac.

How would I then use the laptop to connect to the wireless signal? Would I be prompted for the password?

I have always connected to secured wireless networks using my corporate iPass account, so I don't know how it works on your own wireless connection.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 8, 2007 11:51 PM in response to WAMBMW

I suggest using WPA2 Personal which uses a more typical password that doesn't have to be entered as hex codes. Because the router is in control of security it makes not difference what computers are connected into the network. Each user will be required to enter the password required for network access. There is only one password.

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The reward system helps to increase community participation. When a community member gives you (or another member) a reward for providing helpful advice or a solution to their question, your accumulated points will increase your status level within the community.
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Answer 4

WAMBMW Author

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Mar 9, 2007 5:43 AM in response to WAMBMW

Thank you for the info.

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Answer 5

WAMBMW Author

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Mar 14, 2007 8:45 AM in response to WAMBMW

Hi folks,

A follow on from my initial question.

I found out that the wireless network password is entered when connecting to the wireless network on the iMac.

I also configured my System Preferences -> Network, and created a profile so that my computer automatically connects to my network, which is in the Preferred Networks list.

Everything was working fine for a couple of days.

Then I started reading a bit more about encryption levels and I see that the AES encryption algorithm is supposedly stronger than TKIP, for WPA2 Personal.

I changed my router settings, and dropped and re-created my network profile on the iMac, to connect to my wireless network.

However, the iMac drops the wireless connection. I can't figure out why. If I manually reconnect, entering the password, it seems to work fine. I can only surmise that since I don't see where the encryption algorithm is explicitly specified, within my network profile, that is the problem.

Any suggestions? I can't believe that the wireless cards in Apple don't support AES?

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