see if router is giving WPA or WPA2?

On Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:01:13 -0700, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>On Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:52:22 -0500, Char Jackson <(E-Mail Removed)>
>wrote:
>
>>I admit that I haven't paid attention, but are there really AP's that
>>support WPA and WPA2 simultaneously? I assumed you had to pick one or
>>the other.
>
><http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/WPA/WPA2>
> The question was asked: "WPA2 Pre-Shared Key Only" vs.
> "WPA2 Pre-Shared Key Mixed" What is the difference? Is
> "Mixed" WPA and WPA2???
>
> BrainSlayer replied: 24 Dec 2005 23:16 In mixed mode, the
> unit tries wpa2 first and if its fails it uses wpa1
>
>Note the date. "Mixed mode" has been around for quite a while. Every
>current wireless router that I've seen supports "mixed mode".
>
>More:
><https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-4349>
><http://www6.nohold.net/Cisco2/GetArt...Wireless_N.xml

Interesting, thanks. I've been using dd-wrt for as long as I can
remember but I've never had a reason to use mixed mode so I just
became oblivious to it.

On Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:20:04 -0500, Char Jackson <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>><https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-4349>
>><http://www6.nohold.net/Cisco2/GetArt...Wireless_N.xml
>
>Interesting, thanks. I've been using dd-wrt for as long as I can
>remember but I've never had a reason to use mixed mode so I just
>became oblivious to it.

The main reason to use mixed mode is to obtain a secure connection
from crappy client drivers and buggish hardware. I tried to make a
list of protocols, hardware, and versions that wouldn't reliably
connect or stay connected, but gave up. I didn't get consistent,
repeatable, or sane results. I even found a laptop that would connect
with WPA-TKIP, but fail with WPA2-AES on a given access point. When I
upgraded the AP firmware, it was the other way around. I went back
and forth a few times with the firmware just to make sure I wasn't
going insane. My favorite combination is an iBook G3 or G4 stuck on
OS/X 10.4.11 with various wireless routers and firmware versions.
While both WPA and WPA2 are allegedly supported, it usually fails to
connect or stay connected with either. However, WEP works fine.

Every few routers, I find some that support WPA-AES, which is not an
officially supported mode, but probably should be. The problem is
that these routers will associate, connect, and then disconnect
repeatedly. Apparently, they get stuck in some kind of loop trying to
connect with WPA-AES, and after realizing that it's not "legal", they
disconnect looking for another protocol to use, never find it, and
start over again. I doubt it was ever tested because it's probably
not included in the Wi-Fi Alliance certification tests.

Anyway, you have a better chance in dealing with broken, buggy, and
worthless clients using mixed mode encryption.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:58:43 -0700, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>The main reason to use mixed mode is to obtain a secure connection
>from crappy client drivers and buggish hardware.

<snip good stuff>

>Anyway, you have a better chance in dealing with broken, buggy, and
>worthless clients using mixed mode encryption.

I see now how fortunate I've been to never run into any of that
nonsense. Thanks for the backgrounder.