Ethernet > WiFi adaptor with WPA?

Hi All,

I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
(wirelessly).

Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?

I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?

So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).

All the best ..

T i m (London)

T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
> Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
> (wirelessly).
>
> Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?
>
> I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
> latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
> a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?
>
> So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
> like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).

Well, you have one - the Belkin. Look again - for the "box to enter the
WPA key". It's there. Firmware is v1.0.0.9. Mine works with WPA PSK (and
should also work - haven't tried, but the option's there - with WPA
AES).

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:22:39 GMT, T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
>Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
>(wirelessly).

Wireless Ethernet Bridge.

>Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?

Most of the current models also support WPA.

>I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
>latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
>a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?

Bridge is what you want, and it should support WPA.

>So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
>like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).

See Wireless Ethernet Bridges in the Wi-Fi wiki below. Many of these
units support WPA. Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP would be a good choice.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Axel Hammerschmidt <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
> > Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
> > (wirelessly).
> >
> > Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?
> >
> > I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
> > latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
> > a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?
> >
> > So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
> > like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).
>
> Well, you have one - the Belkin. Look again - for the "box to enter the
> WPA key". It's there. Firmware is v1.0.0.9. Mine works with WPA PSK (and
> should also work - haven't tried, but the option's there - with WPA
> AES).

I've hooked mine on now. Go to Bridge Settings and then down to Network
Authentication. The pull down menu will probably say Open. Pull (down)
the menu and choose WPA. Then the interface will/should change and the
"box to enter the WPA key" show up. In the Data Encryption field (just
below) you can choose between PSK or AES.

HTH.

Axel Hammerschmidt <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

<snip>

> Firmware is v1.0.0.9.

Firmware is v1.00.09.

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:12:13 +0200, (E-Mail Removed) (Axel
Hammerschmidt) wrote:

>T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
>> Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
>> (wirelessly).
>>
>> Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?
>>
>> I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
>> latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
>> a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?
>>
>> So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
>> like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).
>
>Well, you have one - the Belkin. Look again - for the "box to enter the
>WPA key". It's there. Firmware is v1.0.0.9. Mine works with WPA PSK (and
>should also work - haven't tried, but the option's there - with WPA
>AES).

Hmm, ok, I'll try again (all boxed up to go back) .. swear I never got
the key box though (and I tried a few times ..). Could it be Firefox?

All the best ..

T i m

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:23:59 GMT, T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:12:13 +0200, (E-Mail Removed) (Axel
>Hammerschmidt) wrote:
>
>>T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
>>> Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
>>> (wirelessly).
>>>
>>> Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?
>>>
>>> I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
>>> latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
>>> a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?
>>>
>>> So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
>>> like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).
>>
>>Well, you have one - the Belkin. Look again - for the "box to enter the
>>WPA key". It's there. Firmware is v1.0.0.9. Mine works with WPA PSK (and
>>should also work - haven't tried, but the option's there - with WPA
>>AES).
>
>Hmm, ok, I'll try again (all boxed up to go back) .. swear I never got
>the key box though (and I tried a few times ..). Could it be Firefox?

It's not Firefox.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:12:13 +0200, (E-Mail Removed) (Axel
> Hammerschmidt) wrote:
>
> >T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi All,
> >>
> >> I was looking for an Ethernet interfaced doodah that would allow 'any'
> >> Ethernet interfaced device to connect to a 'normal' WiFi AP
> >> (wirelessly).
> >>
> >> Most of the models I've browsed only seem to work with WEP?
> >>
> >> I did play briefly with a Belkin F5D7330uk and even flashed it to the
> >> latest version that supports WPA but it still only seems to want to be
> >> a bridge (and doesn't offer a box to enter the WPA key)?
> >>
> >> So am I looking at a 'Gaming' thingy and do any of them really act
> >> like a typical WiFi client please (if so any recommendations please).
> >
> >Well, you have one - the Belkin. Look again - for the "box to enter the
> >WPA key". It's there. Firmware is v1.0.0.9. Mine works with WPA PSK (and
> >should also work - haven't tried, but the option's there - with WPA
> >AES).
>
> Hmm, ok, I'll try again (all boxed up to go back) .. swear I never got
> the key box though (and I tried a few times ..). Could it be Firefox?

As John Navas writes, it's not the browser. I think you could have
become confused because the appearence of the whole page changes after
you activate the drop down menu - the one that otherwise has Open
in it. That's when the "box" appears on the page.

The F5D7330 is definitely the one you want - it will allow any ethernet
interfaced device to connect to an AP. And the firmware update
(v1.00.09) gives the bridge WPA.

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:59:46 GMT, John Navas
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
>>
>>Hmm, ok, I'll try again (all boxed up to go back) .. swear I never got
>>the key box though (and I tried a few times ..). Could it be Firefox?
>
>It's not Firefox.

Thanks Axel / John, you were both right ;-)

Ok, background on my setup .. PC's > Netgear 8 port 10/100 switch >
Belkin Cable Router. All working fine.

Dell Inspiron 8100 that is normally Wirelessly connected to the Router
(or Asus AP) and also connects via Ethernet RJ45 to 'everything' (all
makes models etc).

When I got the new bridge I connected it straight to the laptop but
the Belkin setup util couldn't find the Bridge (laptop i/p addy in
same range as bridge etc).

Connect the bridge to the lan (via Netgear switch) and Setup util run
from std desktop PC finds Bridge straight away. I can't see WPA option
so check Belkins site, download and install u/g, WPA now available but
I can't find the key field (have now, thanks Axel <g>).

I just unboxed / hooked it all up again, I still can't connect via the
laptop (stand alone) but can via the LAN?

The local LAN light on the bridge seemed to be going a bit mad when
the laptop is plugged in so I try a PCMCIA Ethernet card in the laptop
instead of the built in port, DHCP from from my router via the bridge
and away it went! (my router was already configured to accept bridges
from previously).

So, the only thing that worries me now is how 'fussy' the bridge
ethernet interface is .. (the laptop was 100% reliable up to now)?

Anyway, thanks again and all the best ..

T i m

T i m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

<snip>

> I just unboxed / hooked it all up again, I still can't connect via the
> laptop (stand alone) but can via the LAN?

I use a cross cable (or the LAN, or wireless and LAN, because my PC is
then on the same subnet as the bridge's default address - DHCP server).
The auto-censing in the port seems to get confused.

> The local LAN light on the bridge seemed to be going a bit mad when
> the laptop is plugged in so I try a PCMCIA Ethernet card in the laptop
> instead of the built in port, DHCP from from my router via the bridge
> and away it went! (my router was already configured to accept bridges
> from previously).
>
> So, the only thing that worries me now is how 'fussy' the bridge
> ethernet interface is .. (the laptop was 100% reliable up to now)?

If you have two connections from the same computer and the bridge is one
of them you will get lots of blinking of the lights on the bridge.

I have tried to use the F5D7330 as a bridge (as opposed to an ethernet
to wifi adapter) in place of a cable and it wasn't to stable.

> Anyway, thanks again and all the best ..

Good luck.