School's wireless network

I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!

Thanks!

If you have no security setup you will be pounded by anyone in the area.
I suggest you set up a SSID, don't broadcast it, enable WPA if available on
the routers (or at least WEP if no WPA).
These steps won't protect you from dedicated hackers, but it will stop the
innocent logging on by anyone in the area.

"Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
> have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
> AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
> several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
> sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
> green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
> means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
> computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
> school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
> them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
> connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
> enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
> of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>
> Thanks!

"Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
> have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
> AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
> several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
> sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
> green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
> means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
> computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
> school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
> them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
> connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
> enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
> of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>
> Thanks!

GIYF:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns...s_package.html

HTH.

William

How is this set up? Via the router, or do I actually go to the IP of
the AP's much like a router? How about if I don't know the IP of the
AP's, is there a way to find this? These were set up before my time at
the school. Our school is in an extremely out of the way location, so
it really wouldn't benefit anyone to come up to our school just for free
wifi, but I would like it to run correctly. Thanks for your help!

Alan White wrote:
> If you have no security setup you will be pounded by anyone in the area.
> I suggest you set up a SSID, don't broadcast it, enable WPA if available on
> the routers (or at least WEP if no WPA).
> These steps won't protect you from dedicated hackers, but it will stop the
> innocent logging on by anyone in the area.
>
> "Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>>I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
>>since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
>>computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
>>have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
>>AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
>>several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
>>sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
>>green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
>>means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
>>computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
>>school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
>>them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
>>connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
>>enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
>>of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>>
>>Thanks!
>
>
>

Hiding the SSID will not stop hackers. It is a waste of time doing that as
it is easy to discover it. Using WPA will prevent unauthorized access. WEP
is the next best thing, but WPA is far superior.

Jeff


"Alan White" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Bfn4d.17452$(E-Mail Removed). ..
> If you have no security setup you will be pounded by anyone in the area.
> I suggest you set up a SSID, don't broadcast it, enable WPA if available
> on the routers (or at least WEP if no WPA).
> These steps won't protect you from dedicated hackers, but it will stop the
> innocent logging on by anyone in the area.
>
> "Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
>> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
>> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
>> have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
>> AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
>> several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
>> sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
>> green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
>> means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
>> computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
>> school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
>> them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
>> connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
>> enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
>> of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>>
>> Thanks!
>
>

"Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy.

I know the feeling. Too bad you never had any Armed Forces training. I
went to the Army, then school, then to teaching.

In the Army I learned quite quickly-- never volunteer. As a teacher, I've
stuck by this credo. The more you do, the more someone else wants you to do
his or her job. It's rather disgusting.

As far as a wireless set up, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I have a
wireless set up here at home and one thing you absolutely have to do is to
set secure the wireless.

If I were you I'd certainly be calling around to other schools and seeing
what other "tech" guys (or gals) have to say.

Schools work this way. Someone ropes (to quote a phrase) someone else into
taking on an assignment above and beyond what it is your duty to do. Then
no one wants to help or give guidance.

Sorry for the partial OT but I know how you feel. I've been teaching in the
Cleveland Public Schools now for nearly 20 years. I've seen this kind of
thing happen over and over and over. To play it safe, I just do what I'm
supposed to do, nothing more and nothing less.

Good luck with your new assignment and I hope things work out well for you.

Alanb

"Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
> have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
> AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
> several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
> sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
> green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
> means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
> computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
> school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
> them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
> connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
> enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
> of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>
> Thanks!

Why not try to get one of the parents with wireless setup in their home to
help you? Or how about the high school computer guru from the student body?
Or as another poster recommended, maybe some guideance from another school
who is ahead of you. Finally, some schools have linkages with local
businesses who "adopt a school". If such exists for your school, talk to
the business's computer help for assistance.

What city are you in? Maybe someone will see this and offer some help.

--
Bob Alston

bobalston9 AT aol DOT com


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It seems that you have to contact Cisco since the default settings had
been changed, such as the default IP address and SSID. Or you have
to find the people who sold AP to your school. It is easy to be done if
you get the AP's IP address. But you have to inform the laptop/wireless
users that your wireless network has been encrypted and the WEP key
or PSK as well.

"coconut" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> How is this set up? Via the router, or do I actually go to the IP of
> the AP's much like a router? How about if I don't know the IP of the
> AP's, is there a way to find this? These were set up before my time at
> the school. Our school is in an extremely out of the way location, so
> it really wouldn't benefit anyone to come up to our school just for free
> wifi, but I would like it to run correctly. Thanks for your help!
>
> Alan White wrote:
> > If you have no security setup you will be pounded by anyone in the area.
> > I suggest you set up a SSID, don't broadcast it, enable WPA if available
on
> > the routers (or at least WEP if no WPA).
> > These steps won't protect you from dedicated hackers, but it will stop
the
> > innocent logging on by anyone in the area.
> >
> > "Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> >>I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
> >>since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
> >>computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
> >>have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
> >>AP's. Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
> >>several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
> >>sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
> >>green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
> >>means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
> >>computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
> >>school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
> >>them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
> >>connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
> >>enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
> >>of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
> >>
> >>Thanks!
> >
> >
> >

"Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
> have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
> AP's.

Blah: Here's Cisco's page for the 1200.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/.../ps430/ps4076/

Here's the 1200 FAQ. Down toward the bottom is a section on password
recovery if you don't know the password someone might have set it up with:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/...ndas_list.html


Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
> several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
> sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
> green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
> means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
> computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
> school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
> them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
> connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
> enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
> of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>
> Thanks!

You've got to get into the AP's and set a unique security code, either WEP
or WPA, to isolate them from the surrounding neighborhood. Once you do that,
there's a nice, basic little program I found called Wireless Watch 2.0 that
will show you if someone ever comes onto your network. I'm sure that the
ubergeeks out there could find 100 ways around it but at least it will
basically tell you that things are safe with your WLAN. You can try it for
30 days then I thinks it's around 30 bucks to buy a license. Here's a review
of the program:

http://www.onlinesecurity.com/Commun..._detail163.php

Good luck. If you can get into the AP and set up the proper security so you
can isolate it, most of your battle will be won.

"Bob Schmidt" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:l5B4d.83$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Blah" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I have no clue what I'm doing with our school's wireless network but
>> since I have more knowledge than anyone else at our school as far as
>> computers are concerned, I got roped into being our "tech" guy. We
>> have no encryption set up, and have two Cisco Aironet 1200 series
>> AP's.
>
> Blah: Here's Cisco's page for the 1200.
>
> http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/.../ps430/ps4076/
>
> Here's the 1200 FAQ. Down toward the bottom is a section on password
> recovery if you don't know the password someone might have set it up with:
>
> http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/...ndas_list.html
>
>
> Our school is located in an affluent neighborhood and there are
>> several wireless systems set up in people's homes. Yesterday all of a
>> sudden you could watch the AP's and it looked like Christmas cause the
>> green lights were just blinking like mad! I'm guessing that that
>> means that our system is getting pounded. This effected our lab
>> computers and they all lost their internet access and none of the
>> school's wireless laptops could access the internet, although all of
>> them showed in Win XP wireless monitors that they had excellent
>> connections. I don't know if this is too much info, or not nearly
>> enough, but if someone could ask me more questions, or give me an idea
>> of what to look at, I and my school would GREATLY appreciate it!
>>
>> Thanks!
>
> You've got to get into the AP's and set a unique security code, either WEP
> or WPA, to isolate them from the surrounding neighborhood. Once you do
> that,
> there's a nice, basic little program I found called Wireless Watch 2.0
> that
> will show you if someone ever comes onto your network. I'm sure that the
> ubergeeks out there could find 100 ways around it but at least it will
> basically tell you that things are safe with your WLAN. You can try it for
> 30 days then I thinks it's around 30 bucks to buy a license. Here's a
> review
> of the program:
>
> http://www.onlinesecurity.com/Commun..._detail163.php
>
> Good luck. If you can get into the AP and set up the proper security so
> you
> can isolate it, most of your battle will be won.
>
>
Very nice little utility!

--
Bob Alston

bobalston9 AT aol DOT com


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