Wireless network up and running

vorlon24 · 02-08-2005, 21:40

I was quoted about £258 for a router and 2 pc cards to set up a wireless network, which included £45+VAT for labour to set it up.

I had a look on the internet and found a great deal; I paid £123 for the hardware, set it up, configured and locked it down myself.

I am feeling very smug at the moment!!!

staggeringman · 03-08-2005, 00:07

give me a clue ,got the router got the software , got the laptop, the usb and ethernet cables the lot?????????????????????????????????????????

entwisi · 03-08-2005, 05:39

Well done Vorlon, but are you SURE its locked down? Tell me what you did to secure it and I'll say whether you are secure or not.

Ian

vorlon24 · 03-08-2005, 11:09

First of all I changed the password from password to something different, then I set the security encryption to WEP 64bit encryption.

I entered a passphrase (combination of letters and numbers), which generated 4 keys, selected one of them, hit apply then got immediately kicked off the network. I checked the connection status but I couldn't access the internet or pick up my emails, so I had to enter the passphrase and key number within the wireless assistant. As soon as I hit apply it connected me immediately.

Margaret Pilkington · 03-08-2005, 12:05

Yeah......I would feel smug too if I could do all that!

entwisi · 03-08-2005, 12:14

You do know WPA is considered a far better option than WEP?

What about external access to your network. Have you checked for open ports etc? A lot of routers leave uPnP openby default(BAD idea). Have a mosey on over to www.grc.com, do the Shields up and probe my ports tests as a minimum.

Ian

entwisi · 03-08-2005, 12:19

Just remembered this link that is a good guide to setting up security properly. Pay particular notice to the bit about the WEP encryption algorythm being flawed.

Ian

entwisi · 03-08-2005, 12:20

Doh!

http://www.jiwire.com/wi-fi-security...networks-1.htm

Ian

vorlon24 · 03-08-2005, 14:11

Changed to WPA-PSK encryption.

I nearly strangled something a minute ago when I couldn't reconnect.

I have a question - how do the computers talk to each other, and how do I send a print job? The printers are wired to the desktop and I want to send a print job from the laptop

vorlon24 · 03-08-2005, 14:25

Had to change it back to WEP as problems with the work email.

No problems when changed it back

entwisi · 03-08-2005, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by vorlon24

I nearly strangled something a minute ago when I couldn't reconnect.

That wouldn't have been me by any chance would it?

What do you mean about talk to each other? If you are talking about file sharing then you need to enable sharing on teh folder concerned. Then go into Network Connections or My Network places(I think its called this now, used to be Network Neighbourhood) and do an explore. Each computer should present their shares. There are some Windows Wizards that can help or hinder depending on your POV.

Printer sharing is just a case of going into the printers properties and select share this printer. Then on the laptop choose set up network printer and it should look for all shared printers.

Ian

vorlon24 · 03-08-2005, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

That wouldn't have been me by any chance would it?

Well, it might have been, but in the absence of a computer literate penguin I would have had to find an inanimate object instead!!!

vorlon24 · 03-08-2005, 19:46

This is fantastic!!!

I can now share files and a printer across the network.

I am da man!!!

WillowTheWhisp · 03-08-2005, 22:12

I can understand that feeling vorlon. Doesn't it make you chuffed when you manage to do something like that?

I liked the reassurance that entwisi was only a phone call away though in case I needed him.

(We got our router free when we went over to Bulldog, which was nice).

MUMMIBOO · 04-08-2005, 11:09

Its all very technical then!!