Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Wireless Internet Connection Questions

Posted on 01/06/2004 10:09:22 PM PST by maui_hawaii

I have a wireless network connection in my home.

I bought a Linksys wireless router and it works fine (the wireless part) (except my cable provider stinks). My questions are about configuring the network, security features, etc. Right now I am running right out of the box.

I am interested in learning what all the bells and whistles are.

Most importantly I want to know about the security features and all that.

Here are some of the words or lingo I have no idea about:

Network Authentication
Data Encryption
WEP
WPA
WPA-PSK
AES
TKIP
Shared
Open
ad-hoc network
IEEE authentication
protected EAP

This is just a start. I have no idea about what any of those terms mean.

How should I configure my wireless network?

What is an IP adress and a subnet mask?

Anyone willing to have a discussion on this topic?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: 80211; faq; networking; wireless
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

1 posted on 01/06/2004 10:09:23 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Bush2000
ping
2 posted on 01/06/2004 10:11:29 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Prime Choice
pinging an expert ping
3 posted on 01/06/2004 10:12:53 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: All
Rank Location Receipts Donors/Avg Freepers/Avg Monthlies
9 Pennsylvania 720.00
21
34.29
531
1.36
255.00
18

Thanks for donating to Free Republic!

Move your locale up the leaderboard!

4 posted on 01/06/2004 10:14:26 PM PST by Support Free Republic (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
Also what is a firewall and what does it do?

I just enabled mine and its working (I guess) but the connection seems the same to me.

5 posted on 01/06/2004 10:28:41 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
Your internet provider (cable dsl) will install your IP address and make all other connections.....try giving them a call....
6 posted on 01/06/2004 10:35:39 PM PST by jdontom (BacktheBadge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
There's an article over at arstechnica that will teach you, in pretty easy to follow language, everything you need to know in order to secure (and not share with the world) your wireless connection.

It can be found here:

http://arstechnica.com/paedia/w/wireless/security-1.html


7 posted on 01/06/2004 10:43:19 PM PST by Fixit (FS: One Aircraft Carrier -- Letter of Marque and Reprisal NOT INCLUDED.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jdontom
I know they give me an IP address. I want to know what it is though...

Someone told me once that an IP address is kind of like a street address but on the internet. Yes?

My connection works but I don't understand the details, which is what I want to learn.I especially want to learn about my wireless connection.

I had to tell my computer to use a firewall. I also put the wireless router in my house myself.

As far as I know the provider only supports up to the wall, but not any wireless networks such as my linksys....

8 posted on 01/06/2004 10:45:33 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Fixit
I will definately read the link...thanks.
9 posted on 01/06/2004 10:47:23 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
I have a wireless network connection in my home.

2.4 GHz or 5 GHz? I prefer 5 GHz for wireless as the bandwidth is appreciably higher (~72Mbps), and there's less chance of interference from things like cordless phones and microwaves (both of which operate at 2.4 GHz). 5 GHz also has a more limited range, which is actually a benefit since 2.4 GHz has a large spillover which can allow an attacker to intercept and analyze your network traffic while parked out on the street (do a Google Search on "wardriving" for more information on that).

I bought a Linksys wireless router and it works fine (the wireless part) (except my cable provider stinks).

I like Linksys. I own a couple of switches made by them. I'm also a fan of NetGear.

My questions are about configuring the network, security features, etc. Right now I am running right out of the box.

Linksys LAN routers (wired and wireless) are actually pretty straightforward to set up using their GUI interface. Is there a particular place where you're stuck?

I am interested in learning what all the bells and whistles are.

Well then, you've got some reading ahead of you. Here's a short list that should get you familiar with the key concepts. This list, naturally, has a strong emphasis on security.

  1. How to build a wireless home network
    http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessproducts/a/howtobuildwlan.htm
  2. 802.11 WEP Concepts and Vulnerabilties
    http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1368661
  3. List of Wireless Security Issues
    http://www.packetnexus.com/kb/greyarts/greyarts.html#Wireless
  4. (In)Security of the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Algorithm
    http://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/isaac/wep-faq.html
  5. Analysis of Wireless Security Issues
    http://www.giac.org/practical/gsec/Jeffrey_Posluns_GSEC.pdf
  6. The Limits on Wireless Security
    http://www.sans.org/rr/papers/index.php?id=164

I have no idea about what any of those terms mean.

There are volumes upon volumes written on those subjects. Fortunately, I think the links listed above will help answer your questions.

How should I configure my wireless network?

That really depends on your needs. If you're going to use it for streaming audio, then your network needs are different than if you're just going to use it to surf the web from your patio. If you're going to use it to connect to your work's VPN, then your security needs are different than if you're just using it to connect to Free Republic.

What is an IP adress and a subnet mask?

That too is a subject about which much is written. In a nutshell, IP addresses are numbers used as an address to direct certain traffic to a given machine on the network. IP addresses come in the form of a "dotted quad" (four sets of numbers delineated by a period, each set with a value of 0-255).

Netmasks are used to define network boundaries for these IP addresses. It helps define the size of the network and makes networking much more efficient. Again, this is just a nutshell explanation. The whole topic is much more involved.

Here's a couple of links that should give you the basics on the subjects:

IP Address info http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/IP_address.html

Understanding IP Addressing
http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2002/IPaddressing.asp Here's a fine tutorial on the subject.

Anyone willing to have a discussion on this topic?

Got an eye-popping headache tonight, otherwise I'd be much more verbose. Hope these links help. Have fun! : )

10 posted on 01/06/2004 10:53:14 PM PST by Prime Choice (Americans are a spiritual people. We're happy to help members of al Qaeda meet God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Prime Choice
Thanks! I will be back on later myself.

Hopefully, when I run across some questions you can give me a hint or two....

11 posted on 01/06/2004 10:56:59 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Fixit
Question #1.

Service Set Identifier---- The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is meant to differentiate networks from one another. Initially, AP's come set to a default depending on the manufacturer. For example, all Linksys AP's are set to the network name of 'linksys', while Cisco AP's are initially set to 'tsunami'. Because these default SSID's are so well known, not changing it makes your network much easier to detect.

How do I change the default name on the connection?

We installed and set up the system using another computer. Would I need to install the disk from linksys onto my computer to do this?

Right now it is running at default settings on the access point.

12 posted on 01/06/2004 11:07:47 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
Pay someone to set it up for you.
13 posted on 01/07/2004 12:25:45 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (Go to the end of the tagline..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler
Is it THAT complex????
14 posted on 01/07/2004 12:33:54 AM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
Is it THAT complex????

If you have time on your hands and like to learn new things, go for it. As for me, my son-in-law is a computer networking and security expert, so there is no reason at all for my learning anything about it.

15 posted on 01/07/2004 12:38:23 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (Go to the end of the tagline..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
BTW, I have a Linksys wireless network, and I LOVE it.
16 posted on 01/07/2004 12:39:31 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (Go to the end of the tagline..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler
Ah. Mainly I am of the curious type. I have lots of time too.

It might be a healthy project. Who knows.

Thats why I am asking to see if I should invest in it... :o)

17 posted on 01/07/2004 12:42:38 AM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: jdontom
Don't call them unless you want to have to pay extra for EACH maching you have your network.

Some (like ComCast) will do this.


18 posted on 01/07/2004 9:18:19 AM PST by Johnny Gage (It is better to have a horrible ending... than to have horrors without end.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: maui_hawaii
How do I change the default name on the connection?

You can change it using the web-interface of the Linksys wireless connection. By default the address of the Linksys router will be 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1 (I think it is 1.1, but I don't remember for sure.

Simply put the address of the access point/router into the address bar of your web browser. The default password is usually "admin" and the default userID is blank. (You should change this...)

You can change the SSID using this interface. Also, you will need to change the SSID on your wireless card(s) that you use with attached PC's to talk to that wireless AP/Router.

You should also turn off allowing broadcast SSID's to associate, as that will help obscure your wireless connection from casual observance.

19 posted on 01/07/2004 10:32:42 PM PST by Fixit (FS: One Aircraft Carrier -- Letter of Marque and Reprisal NOT INCLUDED.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Fixit
AHHH! You hit the jackpot.

Before I change things if I make WEP mandatory, will my computer decode it?

20 posted on 01/07/2004 10:37:35 PM PST by maui_hawaii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson