Problems with WEP 1

[MartyBoy]

Hi fellow readers
I have a Gigabyte AirCruiser G wireless access point. I can access the internet etc using the access point in open mode but I want to run at least WEP encryption.
I have set up the access point with 64 bit WEP encryption using five hexadecimal characters (e.g. 97-97-97-97-97) which is supposed to be ASCII letter "a" but when I put this key in (aaaaa or a-a-a-a-a or 9797979797 or 97-97-97-97-97) into the connect box in Windows XP my laptop will not connect. Sadly I go back to "Open System" connection using an Ethernet cable to reconfigure the access point and all is well again in terms of connectivity, but no security.
Does anyone know the secret of getting this WEP encryption security to work?

 

[rphips]

MartyBoy

Try boosting it from 64 bit to the 128 bit WEP encrytion.

This gives you 26 hex to deal with but it works a lot smoother.


also check to ensure your access point is set to the proper config.


b

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

97" is not a single hex chacter. Hex Characters are: (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F), and keys are typically made up of those.

Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com

 

[camercad]

After setting up your WEP on the access point, did you manually configure your settings on your laptop?
I have had the same issue and I resolved it by geting into network connections and configuring the wireless card manually. You will need to change security type to "shared" and manually entering the key.
This should resolve your problem.

 

[MartyBoy]

Thanks all who responded with suggestions and advice.
Have been busy on the 9 2 5 work so had to leave the problem for a few days.

Anywayy all efforts to enable WEP 64 bit or 128 bit encryption have failed. In the end I have just hard wired the MAC addresses of the computers needing wireless access and this seems to work ok.

Thanks again.

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

So... all someone has to do to gain access to your network is to listen to the traffic for a while and spoof a MAC?

Someone could be into your system in less time than it takes to get a Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks?

Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com

 

[MartyBoy]

Yeah, your right SiriusBlackop
I'm just counting on the fact this is a domestic network in a quiet neighbourhood with only one other WAP in range. The users of the in-range WAP are not technically oriented so I will just have to keep ma fingers crossed until I find a way of getting one of the encryption options to work.

Someone told me that Win XP only likes Hex characters within the ASCII alpha character set range(Hex 40 to 5A and 61 to 7A)in WEP encryption keys but that doesn't seem to help either..
So if anyone has any other suggestions or a troubleshooting guide that I can apply then this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

Ok... Lets get this solved.

What is the PN for your router? Should be something like GN-BR01G. Also, what is the Firmware version of your router? Should be something like 1.38E.

I have never seen anyone talk about wep keys in terms of 97-97-97... This has to be easier than that.

Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

Let’s just forget about WEP for a moment and go into WPA-PSK. WEP is crap anyway and can be compromised in under 3 minutes by someone who knew what they were doing. The TKIP algorithm used by WPA-PSK is more robust.

Try these settings on your router. Then try to connect from your wireless computer by entering the passphrase given below.

• Go to your Wireless LAN 802.11g Configuration screen
• 802.11g only = Disable
• Channel = 11
• SSID = “anything but the default”
• Rate = auto/best
• Hidden SSID = disable
• Authentication Type = WPA Pre-shared key
• WEP Key = [ignore]
• WPA Re-key = disable
• WPA Re-key Timer = [ignore]
• WPA PSK Passphrase = “1ABCDEF2” [ok for testing, but change later (more characters the better and you can have up to 64)]
• WPA PSK Re-key = disable
• WPA PSK Re-key Timer = [ignore]


Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com

 

[MartyBoy]

Hi there SiriusBlackop
With your considerable assistance and a little bit of ferriting around with my laptop wireless driver I now have WPA-SKA working just fine! (this message is the first transmission through the Gigabyte WAP).
For your info the model is a GN-AP01G and the firmware rev is 1.10E... there doesn't seem to be any subsequent upgrades available.
The problem was with the driver for the Intel/Pro wireless adapter in my laptop, which didn't support anything other than WEP, and even then it wouldn't work. However, a driver upgrade from the Intel site has fixed it all and the setup instructions you provided have worked perfectly! I almost feel brave enuf to try more than the 8 character passphrase you suggested.
The settings for WPA Re-key didn't exist in this model of Gigabyte and I left the default cipher algorithm on TKIP, the alternative being AES. I haven't read up on the signifcance of this, but at 4:00am local time I think it can wait for another day.
Anyways, thank you for your time and trouble, and a big star to you for your help.

Regards.

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

I'm Gald it's working for you!

AES is a much improved algorithm over TKIP, but it's up to you to weigh the options. I believe AES is a little slower and consumes more resources. AES is also not supported by everything yet, so look at all of your wireless hardware for AES support prior to do in that. You also have to think about what it is you are protecting... if it is a bank, then you probably want to look hard at AES, but if your data isn't worth much to anyone then TKIP is probably sufficient. I would certainly change and add some characters to that key asap.

It’s a nice feeling to know you have some protection, and I’m glad you made it there. Thanks for the star!


Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com