Why Do Encryption Schemes Sometimes Not Work?

Hello,

This is a general query that I would like to submit, and for the sake of
generality, I will not specify operating system types (beyond to say that
they're either XP or Vista), computer types (beyond to say that they're all
as recent as the XP "era"), network adapter types, router types, etc. I may
provide more detail upon request.

How come sometimes WEP will work, but WPA won't? How come sometimes I can
set up a wireless network, but cannot even use WEP? Can anyone point me to
an article/articles that discuss this matter? While I always attempt to set
up any
network as securely as possible, sometimes I must resort to a more
forgiving scheme, much to my regret.

Any replies are appreciated.

Thank you,

smackedass

Hi
Wireless security must always match between the Wireless source and the
client. As an example if you are connected to a Wireless source that is
configured as WEP you must use WEP.
From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
MAC
WEP
WPA-PSK
WPA-AES
WPA2
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
Computers Card) should state the type of security that is available with
your Wireless hardware.
All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible
of one of the Wireless devices.
I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of
WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can
do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the
device with a better one.
Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"smackedass" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:mGtfi.2996$G85.358@trndny08...
>
> Hello,
>
> This is a general query that I would like to submit, and for the sake of
> generality, I will not specify operating system types (beyond to say that
> they're either XP or Vista), computer types (beyond to say that they're
> all
> as recent as the XP "era"), network adapter types, router types, etc. I
> may
> provide more detail upon request.
>
> How come sometimes WEP will work, but WPA won't? How come sometimes I can
> set up a wireless network, but cannot even use WEP? Can anyone point me
> to
> an article/articles that discuss this matter? While I always attempt to
> set up any
> network as securely as possible, sometimes I must resort to a more
> forgiving scheme, much to my regret.
>
> Any replies are appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
>
> smackedass
>

Thank you for your reply. The "pecking order" and the link are especially
informative.

My most recent experience with this issue, which prompted me to post my
query, involved a wireless router (which does allow WEP and two forms of
WPA); the wireless network card in question, according to the folks at
Belkin, does support WEP and WPA. When I set the router to WEP, the
wireless node indeed recognizes and finds the SSID; however, when I enter
the phrase and click on "Connect", it just times out. If the phrase was
incorrect, I would expect some type of failed authentication message, but
this doesn't happen.

The Belkin guy also told me to try static IPs, I'll give that a go...

My customers told me that at one time, they had a technician over who
couldn't get anything going, at all, so to them, I look golden; however,
they don't know the importance of encryption as well as do I. They actually
just called me and I have to go back over there, so I'll have another
look...

Thanks, again,

smackedass

(Kema Computer Consulting
Kenneth E. Newton, Proprietor
P.O. Box 791
Harwich Port, MA 02646
(E-Mail Removed) )