LinkSys WRT54G 54G Wireless Router Config Questions.

I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I got
everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I just
wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure my
settings are right, bla bla bla.

The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
(http://192.168.1.1).

1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.

2.) Security Mode - I have this set to 'WEP' and I have the "WEP'
encryption set to 128bits/26 hex digits, I also entered in my 'passphrase'
and generated my 4 'keys'. My questions on this is the following:

What purpose does having my security mode, in this case my 'WEP' mode
enabled? What does this actually do for me in regards to my connection? If
I had my security mode set to 'disable' would that be a good or a bad thing?
I just don't understand what 'WEP' really does or what it is all about.

The level of 'WEP' is either 64 or 128. Can you explain what benefit I
would get out of setting it at 64 verses 128 or 128 verses 64?

Moving onto my wireless card in my notebook.

1.) When I go to my 'wireless network connection properties' from my card's
icon in the task bar it brings up the properties window. You got 3 tabs
(GENERAL, WIRELESS NETWORKS & ADVANCED). Under "Available network"
obviously there is nothing there because I have SSID Broadcast disabled.
Under "preferred networks", my SSID name is displayed, in this case "XXX"
When I go into the properties for that, it has where you enter your 'key'
into the "network key" window and then you have to enter it again a second
time. Below that there is a box where you can put a check park in that says
"the key is provided for me automatically". Now I have that box removed, in
other words there is no check mark in there because the key is NOT provided
automatically, you have to manually insert it twice if you want to connect
to the network, plus I don't have broadcast enabled, it's disabled. Now
because I have manually entered my 'key' in the properties section for my
network, the key will ALWAYS be there for me, already entered correct? Even
if I reboot the computer, it's still there and I connect automatically,
correct?

Now if I remove my wireless card, I assume I would have to go back in and
enter my information manually again to connect. But I don't plan on
removing the card so I'm pretty much all set, is this correct?

One more thing. I am running XP Home Edition with the service pack 1
update. When I bought my card, there was a 'flyer' in with the card that
stated that under the "authentication' tab of the wireless networks tab that
I needed to take the check mark out of the box: Enable IEEE 802.1x
authentication for this network. Because if I left it checked, my wireless
connection would 'drop' after 3 minutes of being connected and I would have
to constantly reactivate it. So I did what it suggested, I removed the
check mark from the box and I haven't been 'dropped' since doing so. I just
wanted to make sure this was correct as well and that I didn't take the
check mark out of the box when I wasn't suppose to take it out?

As far as my speeds go, honestly my wireless speed has NOT dropped from when
I was wired. I did a download test at pcpitstop.com and I was getting
nearly 2 mbps with my wireless connection and I have gone all over my house
and the signal strength bar for my card has never dropped below the
"excellent" level. So all in all, I think I have one hell of a setup here
and I'm happy! I just wanted to make sure that I have done everything
correct and that I have not missed anything.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your response.

wow a lot of questions!
WEP encrypts the connection between the wireless card and the AP only, to
stop others without the WEP key to connect to the AP and get to your
network.
WEP 64 bit (40 bit) & 128 bit (104 bit) is implemented as the encryption
length (the missing 24 bits are the Initialization Vector IV) the larger
length of encryption the harder to crack but also more info sent on the
packets, minimum should be 128 bit, anything below is not worth it, anything
above it is too much.


"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
got
> everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
just
> wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
my
> settings are right, bla bla bla.
>
> The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> (http://192.168.1.1).
>
> 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.
>
> 2.) Security Mode - I have this set to 'WEP' and I have the "WEP'
> encryption set to 128bits/26 hex digits, I also entered in my 'passphrase'
> and generated my 4 'keys'. My questions on this is the following:
>
> What purpose does having my security mode, in this case my 'WEP' mode
> enabled? What does this actually do for me in regards to my connection?
If
> I had my security mode set to 'disable' would that be a good or a bad
thing?
> I just don't understand what 'WEP' really does or what it is all about.
>
> The level of 'WEP' is either 64 or 128. Can you explain what benefit I
> would get out of setting it at 64 verses 128 or 128 verses 64?
>
> Moving onto my wireless card in my notebook.
>
> 1.) When I go to my 'wireless network connection properties' from my
card's
> icon in the task bar it brings up the properties window. You got 3 tabs
> (GENERAL, WIRELESS NETWORKS & ADVANCED). Under "Available network"
> obviously there is nothing there because I have SSID Broadcast disabled.
> Under "preferred networks", my SSID name is displayed, in this case "XXX"
> When I go into the properties for that, it has where you enter your 'key'
> into the "network key" window and then you have to enter it again a second
> time. Below that there is a box where you can put a check park in that
says
> "the key is provided for me automatically". Now I have that box removed,
in
> other words there is no check mark in there because the key is NOT
provided
> automatically, you have to manually insert it twice if you want to connect
> to the network, plus I don't have broadcast enabled, it's disabled. Now
> because I have manually entered my 'key' in the properties section for my
> network, the key will ALWAYS be there for me, already entered correct?
Even
> if I reboot the computer, it's still there and I connect automatically,
> correct?
>
> Now if I remove my wireless card, I assume I would have to go back in and
> enter my information manually again to connect. But I don't plan on
> removing the card so I'm pretty much all set, is this correct?
>
> One more thing. I am running XP Home Edition with the service pack 1
> update. When I bought my card, there was a 'flyer' in with the card that
> stated that under the "authentication' tab of the wireless networks tab
that
> I needed to take the check mark out of the box: Enable IEEE 802.1x
> authentication for this network. Because if I left it checked, my
wireless
> connection would 'drop' after 3 minutes of being connected and I would
have
> to constantly reactivate it. So I did what it suggested, I removed the
> check mark from the box and I haven't been 'dropped' since doing so. I
just
> wanted to make sure this was correct as well and that I didn't take the
> check mark out of the box when I wasn't suppose to take it out?
>
> As far as my speeds go, honestly my wireless speed has NOT dropped from
when
> I was wired. I did a download test at pcpitstop.com and I was getting
> nearly 2 mbps with my wireless connection and I have gone all over my
house
> and the signal strength bar for my card has never dropped below the
> "excellent" level. So all in all, I think I have one hell of a setup here
> and I'm happy! I just wanted to make sure that I have done everything
> correct and that I have not missed anything.
>
> Thanks for reading and I look forward to your response.
>
>

"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I got
> everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I just
> wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure my
> settings are right, bla bla bla.
>
> The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> (http://192.168.1.1).
>
> 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.

What are the obvious reasons? The only reason I can see is if you're not using encryption and you don't want people to randomly fall into your network.

If you're running WEP(or the more secure WPA), which you obviously should, there is no reason to turn off SSID. If someone's got the mind set and resources to crack your security, having SSID on or off will make absolutely no difference.

ok good, I set it at 128 and I doubt my speed has dropped, I'm getting
almost 2mbps


"383" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:boqepq$9lv$(E-Mail Removed)...
> wow a lot of questions!
> WEP encrypts the connection between the wireless card and the AP only, to
> stop others without the WEP key to connect to the AP and get to your
> network.
> WEP 64 bit (40 bit) & 128 bit (104 bit) is implemented as the encryption
> length (the missing 24 bits are the Initialization Vector IV) the larger
> length of encryption the harder to crack but also more info sent on the
> packets, minimum should be 128 bit, anything below is not worth it,
anything
> above it is too much.
>
>
> "SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
> news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
> got
> > everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
> just
> > wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
> my
> > settings are right, bla bla bla.
> >
> > The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> > (http://192.168.1.1).
> >
> > 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.
> >
> > 2.) Security Mode - I have this set to 'WEP' and I have the "WEP'
> > encryption set to 128bits/26 hex digits, I also entered in my
'passphrase'
> > and generated my 4 'keys'. My questions on this is the following:
> >
> > What purpose does having my security mode, in this case my 'WEP' mode
> > enabled? What does this actually do for me in regards to my connection?
> If
> > I had my security mode set to 'disable' would that be a good or a bad
> thing?
> > I just don't understand what 'WEP' really does or what it is all about.
> >
> > The level of 'WEP' is either 64 or 128. Can you explain what benefit I
> > would get out of setting it at 64 verses 128 or 128 verses 64?
> >
> > Moving onto my wireless card in my notebook.
> >
> > 1.) When I go to my 'wireless network connection properties' from my
> card's
> > icon in the task bar it brings up the properties window. You got 3 tabs
> > (GENERAL, WIRELESS NETWORKS & ADVANCED). Under "Available network"
> > obviously there is nothing there because I have SSID Broadcast disabled.
> > Under "preferred networks", my SSID name is displayed, in this case
"XXX"
> > When I go into the properties for that, it has where you enter your
'key'
> > into the "network key" window and then you have to enter it again a
second
> > time. Below that there is a box where you can put a check park in that
> says
> > "the key is provided for me automatically". Now I have that box
removed,
> in
> > other words there is no check mark in there because the key is NOT
> provided
> > automatically, you have to manually insert it twice if you want to
connect
> > to the network, plus I don't have broadcast enabled, it's disabled. Now
> > because I have manually entered my 'key' in the properties section for
my
> > network, the key will ALWAYS be there for me, already entered correct?
> Even
> > if I reboot the computer, it's still there and I connect automatically,
> > correct?
> >
> > Now if I remove my wireless card, I assume I would have to go back in
and
> > enter my information manually again to connect. But I don't plan on
> > removing the card so I'm pretty much all set, is this correct?
> >
> > One more thing. I am running XP Home Edition with the service pack 1
> > update. When I bought my card, there was a 'flyer' in with the card
that
> > stated that under the "authentication' tab of the wireless networks tab
> that
> > I needed to take the check mark out of the box: Enable IEEE 802.1x
> > authentication for this network. Because if I left it checked, my
> wireless
> > connection would 'drop' after 3 minutes of being connected and I would
> have
> > to constantly reactivate it. So I did what it suggested, I removed the
> > check mark from the box and I haven't been 'dropped' since doing so. I
> just
> > wanted to make sure this was correct as well and that I didn't take the
> > check mark out of the box when I wasn't suppose to take it out?
> >
> > As far as my speeds go, honestly my wireless speed has NOT dropped from
> when
> > I was wired. I did a download test at pcpitstop.com and I was getting
> > nearly 2 mbps with my wireless connection and I have gone all over my
> house
> > and the signal strength bar for my card has never dropped below the
> > "excellent" level. So all in all, I think I have one hell of a setup
here
> > and I'm happy! I just wanted to make sure that I have done everything
> > correct and that I have not missed anything.
> >
> > Thanks for reading and I look forward to your response.
> >
> >
>
>

OK but if I have broadcast on enable, then if anyone is in reach of my base
station, wont they get a pop up on their screen telling them "I have found
the following wireless connections, would you like to connect"? Won't they
then be able to just connect? Yes, I have WEP enabled at 128.


"John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:7kasb.7404$(E-Mail Removed) k.net...
"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
got
> everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
just
> wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
my
> settings are right, bla bla bla.
>
> The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> (http://192.168.1.1).
>
> 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.

What are the obvious reasons? The only reason I can see is if you're not
using encryption and you don't want people to randomly fall into your
network.

If you're running WEP(or the more secure WPA), which you obviously should,
there is no reason to turn off SSID. If someone's got the mind set and
resources to crack your security, having SSID on or off will make absolutely
no difference.

BTW, these are the following security options I have:

WPA Pre-Shared Key
WPA Radius
Radius and of course, WEP, which is what I have it set to right now at 128
level.

You are suggesting that I use something else other then WEP? If so, can you
explain? I don't understand all of this wireless stuff just yet but I am
learning as I go.

Thanks.


"John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:7kasb.7404$(E-Mail Removed) k.net...
"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
got
> everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
just
> wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
my
> settings are right, bla bla bla.
>
> The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> (http://192.168.1.1).
>
> 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.

What are the obvious reasons? The only reason I can see is if you're not
using encryption and you don't want people to randomly fall into your
network.

If you're running WEP(or the more secure WPA), which you obviously should,
there is no reason to turn off SSID. If someone's got the mind set and
resources to crack your security, having SSID on or off will make absolutely
no difference.

No, that's what the WEP is for.

"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message news:m-ednYNyFoEeoyyiRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> OK but if I have broadcast on enable, then if anyone is in reach of my base
> station, wont they get a pop up on their screen telling them "I have found
> the following wireless connections, would you like to connect"? Won't they
> then be able to just connect? Yes, I have WEP enabled at 128.
>
>
> "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:7kasb.7404$(E-Mail Removed) k.net...
> "SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
> news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
> got
> > everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
> just
> > wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
> my
> > settings are right, bla bla bla.
> >
> > The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> > (http://192.168.1.1).
> >
> > 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.
>
> What are the obvious reasons? The only reason I can see is if you're not
> using encryption and you don't want people to randomly fall into your
> network.
>
> If you're running WEP(or the more secure WPA), which you obviously should,
> there is no reason to turn off SSID. If someone's got the mind set and
> resources to crack your security, having SSID on or off will make absolutely
> no difference.
>
>

WPA Pre-Shared Key with a TKIP algorithm and a hex or alphanumeric passphrase of at least 20 characters is the preferred method for home users and it's much more secure than the old WEP.

"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message news:vNCdnRVLHMtE1yyiRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> BTW, these are the following security options I have:
>
> WPA Pre-Shared Key
> WPA Radius
> Radius and of course, WEP, which is what I have it set to right now at 128
> level.
>
> You are suggesting that I use something else other then WEP? If so, can you
> explain? I don't understand all of this wireless stuff just yet but I am
> learning as I go.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:7kasb.7404$(E-Mail Removed) k.net...
> "SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
> news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
> got
> > everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
> just
> > wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
> my
> > settings are right, bla bla bla.
> >
> > The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> > (http://192.168.1.1).
> >
> > 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.
>
> What are the obvious reasons? The only reason I can see is if you're not
> using encryption and you don't want people to randomly fall into your
> network.
>
> If you're running WEP(or the more secure WPA), which you obviously should,
> there is no reason to turn off SSID. If someone's got the mind set and
> resources to crack your security, having SSID on or off will make absolutely
> no difference.
>
>

Get a copy of the book published by O'Reilly called 'Wireless Hacks'
and it will answer all your questions about security and WEP as well
as a LOT of other stuff.

Required reading, in my opinion.

My 2-cents...

Dave


"SSeaW" <SSeaW AT comcast DOT net> wrote in message
news:laOdnXKLJbKuMi2iRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a WRT54G 54G LinkSys router and I have some questions, it seems I
got
> everything setup ok and everything seems to be working like a charm. I
just
> wanted to verify a few things and ask a few other questions to make sure
my
> settings are right, bla bla bla.
>
> The following questions come from the 'web based configuration page'
> (http://192.168.1.1).
>
> 1.) SSID Broadcast - I have it set on disable for obvious reasons.
>
> 2.) Security Mode - I have this set to 'WEP' and I have the "WEP'
> encryption set to 128bits/26 hex digits, I also entered in my 'passphrase'
> and generated my 4 'keys'. My questions on this is the following:
>
> What purpose does having my security mode, in this case my 'WEP' mode
> enabled? What does this actually do for me in regards to my connection?
If
> I had my security mode set to 'disable' would that be a good or a bad
thing?
> I just don't understand what 'WEP' really does or what it is all about.
>
> The level of 'WEP' is either 64 or 128. Can you explain what benefit I
> would get out of setting it at 64 verses 128 or 128 verses 64?
>
> Moving onto my wireless card in my notebook.
>
> 1.) When I go to my 'wireless network connection properties' from my
card's
> icon in the task bar it brings up the properties window. You got 3 tabs
> (GENERAL, WIRELESS NETWORKS & ADVANCED). Under "Available network"
> obviously there is nothing there because I have SSID Broadcast disabled.
> Under "preferred networks", my SSID name is displayed, in this case "XXX"
> When I go into the properties for that, it has where you enter your 'key'
> into the "network key" window and then you have to enter it again a second
> time. Below that there is a box where you can put a check park in that
says
> "the key is provided for me automatically". Now I have that box removed,
in
> other words there is no check mark in there because the key is NOT
provided
> automatically, you have to manually insert it twice if you want to connect
> to the network, plus I don't have broadcast enabled, it's disabled. Now
> because I have manually entered my 'key' in the properties section for my
> network, the key will ALWAYS be there for me, already entered correct?
Even
> if I reboot the computer, it's still there and I connect automatically,
> correct?
>
> Now if I remove my wireless card, I assume I would have to go back in and
> enter my information manually again to connect. But I don't plan on
> removing the card so I'm pretty much all set, is this correct?
>
> One more thing. I am running XP Home Edition with the service pack 1
> update. When I bought my card, there was a 'flyer' in with the card that
> stated that under the "authentication' tab of the wireless networks tab
that
> I needed to take the check mark out of the box: Enable IEEE 802.1x
> authentication for this network. Because if I left it checked, my
wireless
> connection would 'drop' after 3 minutes of being connected and I would
have
> to constantly reactivate it. So I did what it suggested, I removed the
> check mark from the box and I haven't been 'dropped' since doing so. I
just
> wanted to make sure this was correct as well and that I didn't take the
> check mark out of the box when I wasn't suppose to take it out?
>
> As far as my speeds go, honestly my wireless speed has NOT dropped from
when
> I was wired. I did a download test at pcpitstop.com and I was getting
> nearly 2 mbps with my wireless connection and I have gone all over my
house
> and the signal strength bar for my card has never dropped below the
> "excellent" level. So all in all, I think I have one hell of a setup here
> and I'm happy! I just wanted to make sure that I have done everything
> correct and that I have not missed anything.
>
> Thanks for reading and I look forward to your response.
>
>

"John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FoDsb.8978$(E-Mail Removed) nk.net...
WPA Pre-Shared Key with a TKIP algorithm and a hex or alphanumeric
passphrase of at least 20 characters is the preferred method for home users
and it's much more secure than the old WEP.

IIRC that router can do AES which is even better than TKIP (assuming his
client card supports it that is).