WAP and Windows 98 - what do you need to connect to wireless network?

I have a wireless network using WPA with:
1. Linksys WRT54G router
2. Linksys WMP54G PCI card on a Windows XP computer

I want to add a computer running Windows 98SE. Linksys says it can be done
using their WMP54G card and "third-party software", but they won't give any
details. I've found some information on:
Funk Odyssey: http://www.funk.com/radius/wlan/wlan_radius.asp and
Meetinghouse AEGIS: http://www.mtghouse.com/support/downloads/index.shtml

but it is not clear if these huge and expensive tools are needed when all it
seems we need is something simple. Also, there are pitfalls to trying to
install something complex when your goals are very simple.

Is there some simple cookbook solution for people who want to have a Windows
98SE computer hooked up to a wireless network? Does one need the Funk or
Meetinghouse tools, and if so which one makes more sense to use? Do some
wireless card vendors support Windows 98SE so one does not need third party
software? Is some simpler WPA/Windows 98SE solution on the horizon for which
one can wait a few months and do this simply?

"Mickey Segal" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bobubb$k4u$(E-Mail Removed)...

> I have a wireless network using WPA with:
> 1. Linksys WRT54G router
> 2. Linksys WMP54G PCI card on a Windows XP computer
>
> I want to add a computer running Windows 98SE. Linksys says it can be done
> using their WMP54G card and "third-party software", but they won't give any
> details. I've found some information on:
> Funk Odyssey: http://www.funk.com/radius/wlan/wlan_radius.asp and
> Meetinghouse AEGIS: http://www.mtghouse.com/support/downloads/index.shtml

I'm in the same situation. That's all I've been able to find too.

> but it is not clear if these huge and expensive tools are needed when all it
> seems we need is something simple.

It's not even clear if there's a cost to the AEGIS client software -- there's no
information regarding cost on the pages before the one where you enter all your
personal information. Sorry, I won't do that.

> Also, there are pitfalls to trying to
> install something complex when your goals are very simple.

> Is there some simple cookbook solution for people who want to have a Windows
> 98SE computer hooked up to a wireless network?

Good question.

> Does one need the Funk or
> Meetinghouse tools, and if so which one makes more sense to use?

AFAIK, the WPA client is necessary on Win2k or Win98 machines. XP comes with
the necessary software. The question is, what's the cost? Is the client free?

> Do some
> wireless card vendors support Windows 98SE so one does not need third party
> software?

Good question.

> Is some simpler WPA/Windows 98SE solution on the horizon for which
> one can wait a few months and do this simply?

I can't wait that long, but let us know if you find something in the next few
days!

Matt O.

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 17:41:18 -0500, Mickey Segal spoketh

>
>Is there some simple cookbook solution for people who want to have a Windows
>98SE computer hooked up to a wireless network? Does one need the Funk or
>Meetinghouse tools, and if so which one makes more sense to use? Do some
>wireless card vendors support Windows 98SE so one does not need third party
>software? Is some simpler WPA/Windows 98SE solution on the horizon for which
>one can wait a few months and do this simply?
>

Unless you have Windows XP, a third party utility is necessary to use
WPA. Microsoft doesn't support Win98 anymore, so don't expect any
patches from there. They're not even coming out with a patch for W2K...

Lars M. Hansen
www.hansenonline.net

Here's some more info, from Tom's Hardware:

http://www17.tomshardware.com/networ...710/index.html

The bottom line -- WPA seems ultimately easier to use, but unless you're running
XP it's going to take some work to set up, and cost some money too. According
to this article, the client software has a "free evaluation period," but costs
$40-50 per machine for a license.

Good luck,

Matt O.

"Matt O'Toole" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:CBhqb.2629$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Here's some more info, from Tom's Hardware:
>
> http://www17.tomshardware.com/networ...710/index.html

This was a very good article. It sounds as if one needs a $40-50 supplicant
now, but it will be easier and cheaper soon.

I did the XP part with no trouble, having newly-purchased Linksys products. It
was even easier than described in:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1277020,00.asp
since I did not need router and PCI card driver upgrades from Linksys. But I
will wait until someone fills the need for Windows 98. I imagine I will not be
the only one who does not buy a card for a Windows 98SE computer until they
include the software. There are a lot of Windows 98 computers out there -
someone will fill this need.

Try another PCI card vendor. D-link let's you download the Aegis supplicant
for Win 98 SE for their DWL-G520 board but I have not been able to get it to
work in WPA on a Win 98 SE computer.

"Mickey Segal" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bobubb$k4u$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a wireless network using WPA with:
> 1. Linksys WRT54G router
> 2. Linksys WMP54G PCI card on a Windows XP computer
>
> I want to add a computer running Windows 98SE. Linksys says it can be
done
> using their WMP54G card and "third-party software", but they won't give
any
> details. I've found some information on:
> Funk Odyssey: http://www.funk.com/radius/wlan/wlan_radius.asp and
> Meetinghouse AEGIS: http://www.mtghouse.com/support/downloads/index.shtml
>
> but it is not clear if these huge and expensive tools are needed when all
it
> seems we need is something simple. Also, there are pitfalls to trying to
> install something complex when your goals are very simple.
>
> Is there some simple cookbook solution for people who want to have a
Windows
> 98SE computer hooked up to a wireless network? Does one need the Funk or
> Meetinghouse tools, and if so which one makes more sense to use? Do some
> wireless card vendors support Windows 98SE so one does not need third
party
> software? Is some simpler WPA/Windows 98SE solution on the horizon for
which
> one can wait a few months and do this simply?
>
>