Eircom Netopia modems & WPA

Hi,
I have an eircom netopia modem. If any of you have eircom broadband and have a netopia -- have you been able to setup WPA instead of the default(weaker) WEP.
I can set up a WEP key - however when I try to set up a more secure WPA key - the modem will not allow me to access the internet.

Why is this?

Also I was informed that it is a good idea not to broadcast your network name (SSID?), how is this done and how can I then find my own network if I dont broadcast the SSID?

Please help, thank you.

 

Once you have set up the connection, you will not need to see the network. If you add another device, enable the broadcast while setting it up then disable again. Should be a setting in the configuration of the wireless section, maybe not, as I am not familiar with netopia modems. What model number do you have?

 

Netopia 2247NWG-VGx WiFi Gateway

 

Looking through the documentation, if you check the Closed System Mode box that disables the SSID broadcast.
Also, I don't see where the WPA encryption is supported.
This may be due to an earlier firmware version that the user guide is set up for. Have you upgraded the firmware?
You have to make sure all the settings match if WPA is available to you - Mode (a, b, g, auto), network key, SSID and channel.
Does the wireless adapter also support WPA? You can check through the properties of it.
Hope this helps.

 

Hi,

I have not upgraded the firmware.

The wireless adapter I use is a D-Link DWL G122; on the front of the box it says 802.11g 54mbps
also compatible with 802.11b
security connect to wireless networks with WPA & WPA2

 

Disabling SSID, would my Wireless System be more secure?
http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#ssid

In general about Wireless Security.

From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.

No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Brake" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Brake ).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.

Note 2: If you use WinXP and did not updated it you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft. <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357>

The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.
Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

.

 

Thank you cat5e, your post was very informative.

Cheers.