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question about switching from WEP to WAPwell as my Dash mobile phone. I know that at least one of my older laptops is 802.11b and the other two are 802.11g compatible. I don't know about the Dash. I also have a USB wireless adapter that came with the router, as well as a second USB adapter that came with the earlier MN-500, which is 802.11b. So I do need to be able to support both 802.11b/g I currently have WEP 128 bit set as well as mac filtering, since I know how unsecured WEP is. I also do not display my ssid. I'm in a strictly residential neighborhood several blocks off the main road. How important is it that I consider stitching to WAP? Will that support all my older wireless devices? Am I looking for a bigger headache than I need. Other than just logging into my router and switching the security, setting the new key and changing the key on all my wireless devices, is there anything else I need to know? One of my biggest concerns is that, entering the key on my laptops wasn't easy. There wasn't enough space to enter the 26 characters as it was. Am I going to be able to enter the new key? How long will the new key be? Thanks for any suggestions or links that might help. Carol Keppy, not broadcasting the SSID will not deter someone determined
to break into your network. the MN-700's performance using WPA was too slow to receive WiFi certification. I believe you know this. If it were ME, I'd get a new router that supports WPA2, get a new and faster pccard for the b only laptop and get rid of the USB adapter as well. Can't tell you much about the Dash mobile phone other than what I found on Google, but it seems to support WPA2. Bottom line, using WEP is like leaving the key to your front door in the lock. YOU need to decide if you want to take the risk. If you want some help in deciding on new equipment, contact me offline (I think you still have my email). Show quote On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:49:51 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> Barb Bowmanwrote: >I've got the MS MN-700 802.11g router and I have three wireless laptops as >well as my Dash mobile phone. I know that at least one of my older laptops >is 802.11b and the other two are 802.11g compatible. I don't know about the >Dash. I also have a USB wireless adapter that came with the router, as well >as a second USB adapter that came with the earlier MN-500, which is 802.11b. >So I do need to be able to support both 802.11b/g > >I currently have WEP 128 bit set as well as mac filtering, since I know how >unsecured WEP is. I also do not display my ssid. I'm in a strictly >residential neighborhood several blocks off the main road. How important is >it that I consider stitching to WAP? Will that support all my older wireless >devices? Am I looking for a bigger headache than I need. Other than just >logging into my router and switching the security, setting the new key and >changing the key on all my wireless devices, is there anything else I need >to know? One of my biggest concerns is that, entering the key on my laptops >wasn't easy. There wasn't enough space to enter the 26 characters as it was. >Am I going to be able to enter the new key? How long will the new key be? > >Thanks for any suggestions or links that might help. >Carol > -- MS Windows-MVP http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ Hi Barb,
Yea, I knew there was a reason we didn't use WAP with this router but I couldn't remember what it was. I set up MAC filtering because I was using WEP instead. It's been so long since I set up a home network and it was such a pain getting everything working together, I've been afraid to switch. All my computers have software firewall enabled and I don't think I'm in a location where I have to bee too concerned; but still, I'd feel better knowing I had some security I feel more comfortable with. I really only need the router, one USB wireless device for a desktop and the WiFi card for the P4 laptop, I'm just so afraid of the process of switching over. Can I switch one computer at a time? Connect the USB device to the one desktop and set up the router while this network is still working, then connect the other laptops and desktop to the new network; Remove the current network after everything is working? Once I decide to make the change I will send you an email and get your advice on components. Thanks, Carol Show quote "Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message news:13nrk3pqmflv4biqjuf2opqdrluo0pgc7b@4ax.com... > Keppy, not broadcasting the SSID will not deter someone determined > to break into your network. the MN-700's performance using WPA was > too slow to receive WiFi certification. I believe you know this. > > If it were ME, I'd get a new router that supports WPA2, get a new > and faster pccard for the b only laptop and get rid of the USB > adapter as well. Can't tell you much about the Dash mobile phone > other than what I found on Google, but it seems to support WPA2. > > Bottom line, using WEP is like leaving the key to your front door in > the lock. YOU need to decide if you want to take the risk. If you > want some help in deciding on new equipment, contact me offline (I > think you still have my email). > > > > On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:49:51 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> > wrote: > >>I've got the MS MN-700 802.11g router and I have three wireless laptops as >>well as my Dash mobile phone. I know that at least one of my older laptops >>is 802.11b and the other two are 802.11g compatible. I don't know about >>the >>Dash. I also have a USB wireless adapter that came with the router, as >>well >>as a second USB adapter that came with the earlier MN-500, which is >>802.11b. >>So I do need to be able to support both 802.11b/g >> >>I currently have WEP 128 bit set as well as mac filtering, since I know >>how >>unsecured WEP is. I also do not display my ssid. I'm in a strictly >>residential neighborhood several blocks off the main road. How important >>is >>it that I consider stitching to WAP? Will that support all my older >>wireless >>devices? Am I looking for a bigger headache than I need. Other than just >>logging into my router and switching the security, setting the new key and >>changing the key on all my wireless devices, is there anything else I need >>to know? One of my biggest concerns is that, entering the key on my >>laptops >>wasn't easy. There wasn't enough space to enter the 26 characters as it >>was. >>Am I going to be able to enter the new key? How long will the new key be? >> >>Thanks for any suggestions or links that might help. >>Carol >> > -- > > Barb Bowman > MS Windows-MVP > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx > http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ you can't have two routers connected to your ISP at the same time,
but we can make it pretty painless if you select the right equipment. If the desktop that uses USB wireless also has an Ethernet port, you would be better off with something like a DGL-3420 that will bridge Ethernet to wireless and give you better throughput. What OS is each machine running and what NIC/wireless specifically does each have? On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:20:28 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> Barb Bowmanwrote: >Can I switch one computer at a time? Connect the USB device to the one >desktop and set up the router while this network is still working, then >connect the other laptops and desktop to the new network; Remove the current >network after everything is working? > >Once I decide to make the change I will send you an email and get your >advice on components. Thanks, Carol -- MS Windows-MVP http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ One desktop has an ethernet card and is connected to the router directly. I
think the other one, the one I have the USB device connected to, may also have an ethernet card. All my computers are using XP Pro. All my laptops have built in wireless devices; this Toshiba has an Intel a/b/g, my Dell laptop has an Intel b/g card and my older Toshiba has an Atheros AR5001x+wireless device, which I believe is an a/b device. They all have ethernet cards too. The two desktops are in my home office, the laptops are in three different rooms and the router is in the living room, about 60 feet from the wired desktop. One laptop, the Dell, is about 150 feet away and in a hard for signal to get to(mirror and tiled walls) so the router is next to a window facing my backyard and the Dell is near the window in the back room. I have another room that is difficult to get a signal too, also at the far end and also with difficult walls partially blocking signal AND my phone system is 2.4 GH with 6 wireless devices around the house. So you see, I feel pretty fortunate that everything works now :-) Show quote "Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message news:lt5tk3d9ga75j65efpfk4srkt8tnnva1ub@4ax.com... > you can't have two routers connected to your ISP at the same time, > but we can make it pretty painless if you select the right > equipment. If the desktop that uses USB wireless also has an > Ethernet port, you would be better off with something like a > DGL-3420 that will bridge Ethernet to wireless and give you better > throughput. > > What OS is each machine running and what NIC/wireless specifically > does each have? > > On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:20:28 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> > wrote: > >>Can I switch one computer at a time? Connect the USB device to the one >>desktop and set up the router while this network is still working, then >>connect the other laptops and desktop to the new network; Remove the >>current >>network after everything is working? >> >>Once I decide to make the change I will send you an email and get your >>advice on components. Thanks, Carol > -- > > Barb Bowman > MS Windows-MVP > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx > http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ OK... think about this:
Replace MN700 with D-Link DGL-4500 router. Set it to 802.11N/A 5GHz mode only (bye bye 2.4 interference forever) Get a D-Link DAP-1555 and run in access point client mode - in 802.11 N/A mode (5GHz). It has ports on the back so you would connect both desktops to it via Ethernet and the 1555 would connect wirelessly to the router. Toshiba with a/b/g would connect with 802.11a Dell Laptop would need a different pc card. The one to get is the Linksys WPC600N Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N PC Card-you'd be giving the Dell the extra range so this MIGHT solve the 150 foot issue. The older Toshiba with the a/b device would connect with the "a" side at 5GHz - check on this one to see if the drivers support WPA2. Show quote On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:36:33 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> Barb Bowmanwrote: >One desktop has an ethernet card and is connected to the router directly. I >think the other one, the one I have the USB device connected to, may also >have an ethernet card. All my computers are using XP Pro. All my laptops >have built in wireless devices; this Toshiba has an Intel a/b/g, my Dell >laptop has an Intel b/g card and my older Toshiba has an Atheros >AR5001x+wireless device, which I believe is an a/b device. They all have >ethernet cards too. > >The two desktops are in my home office, the laptops are in three different >rooms and the router is in the living room, about 60 feet from the wired >desktop. One laptop, the Dell, is about 150 feet away and in a hard for >signal to get to(mirror and tiled walls) so the router is next to a window >facing my backyard and the Dell is near the window in the back room. I have >another room that is difficult to get a signal too, also at the far end and >also with difficult walls partially blocking signal AND my phone system is >2.4 GH with 6 wireless devices around the house. > >So you see, I feel pretty fortunate that everything works now :-) > > >"Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message >news:lt5tk3d9ga75j65efpfk4srkt8tnnva1ub@4ax.com... >> you can't have two routers connected to your ISP at the same time, >> but we can make it pretty painless if you select the right >> equipment. If the desktop that uses USB wireless also has an >> Ethernet port, you would be better off with something like a >> DGL-3420 that will bridge Ethernet to wireless and give you better >> throughput. >> >> What OS is each machine running and what NIC/wireless specifically >> does each have? >> >> On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:20:28 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> >> wrote: >> >>>Can I switch one computer at a time? Connect the USB device to the one >>>desktop and set up the router while this network is still working, then >>>connect the other laptops and desktop to the new network; Remove the >>>current >>>network after everything is working? >>> >>>Once I decide to make the change I will send you an email and get your >>>advice on components. Thanks, Carol >> -- >> >> Barb Bowman >> MS Windows-MVP >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx >> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ > -- MS Windows-MVP http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ Any chance the 4300 will work as well, for less than 1/2 the price :-)
How about the USB wireless MS device, does it have the capability to connect via 802.11a with WAP2? That would save me buying the DAP1555? Right now I can't find any place that is selling the 4500 except dlink, and I can't find the DAP 1555 anywhere. One desktop is hard wired to the router in the living room, as is the cable modem and doesn't need to be connected wireless. It's only the one desktop that needs the wireless adapter. What's the benefit of 802.11a vs g, other than range? Does that have anything to do with the ability to use 5GH, which I like a lot. The DGL 4500 is about $250 and the Linksys WPC600N is about $110. I'm trying to find info about the Atheros card and I only found that it is a/g/b compatible and I think I got the computer in Dec of 2002, maybe a few months later. I can't find any information on the MS USB device that I got with my MN-700 (I also have the one that came with the MN-500) *** This is so scary. I'm one of those people that knows "if it can go wrong, it will". *** Show quote "Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message news:blstk3161o0segggmdl7cipga0p79brv6o@4ax.com... > OK... think about this: > > Replace MN700 with D-Link DGL-4500 router. Set it to 802.11N/A 5GHz > mode only (bye bye 2.4 interference forever) > > Get a D-Link DAP-1555 and run in access point client mode - in > 802.11 N/A mode (5GHz). It has ports on the back so you would > connect both desktops to it via Ethernet and the 1555 would connect > wirelessly to the router. > > Toshiba with a/b/g would connect with 802.11a > > Dell Laptop would need a different pc card. The one to get is the > Linksys WPC600N Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N PC Card-you'd > be giving the Dell the extra range so this MIGHT solve the 150 foot > issue. > > The older Toshiba with the a/b device would connect with the "a" > side at 5GHz - check on this one to see if the drivers support WPA2. > > On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:36:33 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> > wrote: > >>One desktop has an ethernet card and is connected to the router directly. >>I >>think the other one, the one I have the USB device connected to, may also >>have an ethernet card. All my computers are using XP Pro. All my laptops >>have built in wireless devices; this Toshiba has an Intel a/b/g, my Dell >>laptop has an Intel b/g card and my older Toshiba has an Atheros >>AR5001x+wireless device, which I believe is an a/b device. They all have >>ethernet cards too. >> >>The two desktops are in my home office, the laptops are in three different >>rooms and the router is in the living room, about 60 feet from the wired >>desktop. One laptop, the Dell, is about 150 feet away and in a hard for >>signal to get to(mirror and tiled walls) so the router is next to a window >>facing my backyard and the Dell is near the window in the back room. I >>have >>another room that is difficult to get a signal too, also at the far end >>and >>also with difficult walls partially blocking signal AND my phone system is >>2.4 GH with 6 wireless devices around the house. >> >>So you see, I feel pretty fortunate that everything works now :-) >> >> >>"Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message >>news:lt5tk3d9ga75j65efpfk4srkt8tnnva1ub@4ax.com... >>> you can't have two routers connected to your ISP at the same time, >>> but we can make it pretty painless if you select the right >>> equipment. If the desktop that uses USB wireless also has an >>> Ethernet port, you would be better off with something like a >>> DGL-3420 that will bridge Ethernet to wireless and give you better >>> throughput. >>> >>> What OS is each machine running and what NIC/wireless specifically >>> does each have? >>> >>> On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:20:28 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>>Can I switch one computer at a time? Connect the USB device to the one >>>>desktop and set up the router while this network is still working, then >>>>connect the other laptops and desktop to the new network; Remove the >>>>current >>>>network after everything is working? >>>> >>>>Once I decide to make the change I will send you an email and get your >>>>advice on components. Thanks, Carol >>> -- >>> >>> Barb Bowman >>> MS Windows-MVP >>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx >>> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ >> > -- > > Barb Bowman > MS Windows-MVP > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx > http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ The 4300 doesn't have Draft N or "a". I suggested "a" because it
uses the 5 GHz band and will get you away from the cordless phone interference with 2.4GHz PLUS by getting that Linksys N dual band card, you would hopefully solve the 150 foot issue. So, you could get a DGL-3420 (plug ethernet into it) for the other desktop (cheaper) - it will do A but not NA. Better than USB. so yes, the 4500 has the 5GHz n/a mode while the 4300 does not. my local Best Buy has the 4500 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8548841&st=dgl-4500&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1188561003287 and Circuit City lists it too http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/Search.do?c=1&searchType=user&keyword=dgl-4500&searchSection=All Show quote On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:34:33 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> Barb Bowmanwrote: >Any chance the 4300 will work as well, for less than 1/2 the price :-) >How about the USB wireless MS device, does it have the capability to connect >via 802.11a with WAP2? That would save me buying the DAP1555? > >Right now I can't find any place that is selling the 4500 except dlink, and >I can't find the DAP 1555 anywhere. > >One desktop is hard wired to the router in the living room, as is the cable >modem and doesn't need to be connected wireless. It's only the one desktop >that needs the wireless adapter. > >What's the benefit of 802.11a vs g, other than range? Does that have >anything to do with the ability to use 5GH, which I like a lot. > >The DGL 4500 is about $250 and the Linksys WPC600N is about $110. > >I'm trying to find info about the Atheros card and I only found that it is >a/g/b compatible and I think I got the computer in Dec of 2002, maybe a few >months later. I can't find any information on the MS USB device that I got >with my MN-700 (I also have the one that came with the MN-500) > >*** This is so scary. I'm one of those people that knows "if it can go >wrong, it will". *** > > >"Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message >news:blstk3161o0segggmdl7cipga0p79brv6o@4ax.com... >> OK... think about this: >> >> Replace MN700 with D-Link DGL-4500 router. Set it to 802.11N/A 5GHz >> mode only (bye bye 2.4 interference forever) >> >> Get a D-Link DAP-1555 and run in access point client mode - in >> 802.11 N/A mode (5GHz). It has ports on the back so you would >> connect both desktops to it via Ethernet and the 1555 would connect >> wirelessly to the router. >> >> Toshiba with a/b/g would connect with 802.11a >> >> Dell Laptop would need a different pc card. The one to get is the >> Linksys WPC600N Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N PC Card-you'd >> be giving the Dell the extra range so this MIGHT solve the 150 foot >> issue. >> >> The older Toshiba with the a/b device would connect with the "a" >> side at 5GHz - check on this one to see if the drivers support WPA2. >> >> On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:36:33 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> >> wrote: >> >>>One desktop has an ethernet card and is connected to the router directly. >>>I >>>think the other one, the one I have the USB device connected to, may also >>>have an ethernet card. All my computers are using XP Pro. All my laptops >>>have built in wireless devices; this Toshiba has an Intel a/b/g, my Dell >>>laptop has an Intel b/g card and my older Toshiba has an Atheros >>>AR5001x+wireless device, which I believe is an a/b device. They all have >>>ethernet cards too. >>> >>>The two desktops are in my home office, the laptops are in three different >>>rooms and the router is in the living room, about 60 feet from the wired >>>desktop. One laptop, the Dell, is about 150 feet away and in a hard for >>>signal to get to(mirror and tiled walls) so the router is next to a window >>>facing my backyard and the Dell is near the window in the back room. I >>>have >>>another room that is difficult to get a signal too, also at the far end >>>and >>>also with difficult walls partially blocking signal AND my phone system is >>>2.4 GH with 6 wireless devices around the house. >>> >>>So you see, I feel pretty fortunate that everything works now :-) >>> >>> >>>"Barb Bowman" <barb@nospam.com> wrote in message >>>news:lt5tk3d9ga75j65efpfk4srkt8tnnva1ub@4ax.com... >>>> you can't have two routers connected to your ISP at the same time, >>>> but we can make it pretty painless if you select the right >>>> equipment. If the desktop that uses USB wireless also has an >>>> Ethernet port, you would be better off with something like a >>>> DGL-3420 that will bridge Ethernet to wireless and give you better >>>> throughput. >>>> >>>> What OS is each machine running and what NIC/wireless specifically >>>> does each have? >>>> >>>> On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:20:28 -0800, "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>>Can I switch one computer at a time? Connect the USB device to the one >>>>>desktop and set up the router while this network is still working, then >>>>>connect the other laptops and desktop to the new network; Remove the >>>>>current >>>>>network after everything is working? >>>>> >>>>>Once I decide to make the change I will send you an email and get your >>>>>advice on components. Thanks, Carol >>>> -- >>>> >>>> Barb Bowman >>>> MS Windows-MVP >>>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx >>>> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ >>> >> -- >> >> Barb Bowman >> MS Windows-MVP >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx >> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ > -- MS Windows-MVP http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/ You operate WPA about the same way. From the user's perspective there isn't
really any difference. If the key is too much trouble to type then paste it into a text file and then you can copy paste from the text file into the configuration. Just don't leave the text file somewhere it can be gotten to. Keep in mind that the usuable range for the wireless LAN is only about 300 feet from the WAP. However performance after 150 feet may get pretty sad. For longer distance it would take someone with a high db gain antenna,..probably custom built. You would have to be a big juicy target for anyone to waste that much time on you. -- Phillip Windell www.wandtv.com The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft, or anyone else associated with me, including my cats. ----------------------------------------------------- Show quote "Carol" <kepela @ msn.com> wrote in message news:%23j8dBBgMIHA.4476@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > I've got the MS MN-700 802.11g router and I have three wireless laptops as > well as my Dash mobile phone. I know that at least one of my older laptops > is 802.11b and the other two are 802.11g compatible. I don't know about > the Dash. I also have a USB wireless adapter that came with the router, as > well as a second USB adapter that came with the earlier MN-500, which is > 802.11b. So I do need to be able to support both 802.11b/g > > I currently have WEP 128 bit set as well as mac filtering, since I know > how unsecured WEP is. I also do not display my ssid. I'm in a strictly > residential neighborhood several blocks off the main road. How important > is it that I consider stitching to WAP? Will that support all my older > wireless devices? Am I looking for a bigger headache than I need. Other > than just logging into my router and switching the security, setting the > new key and changing the key on all my wireless devices, is there anything > else I need to know? One of my biggest concerns is that, entering the key > on my laptops wasn't easy. There wasn't enough space to enter the 26 > characters as it was. Am I going to be able to enter the new key? How long > will the new key be? > > Thanks for any suggestions or links that might help. > Carol >  |
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