WPA passphrase

I am getting started with wireless networking using a Sonicwall TZ-150
and a "living room" device, a Netgear EVA700.

Here is something I would like to understand about the WPA passphrase.

The TZ-150 has a nasty bug. It will misbehave if the Wi-Fi radio is
turned off, then back on. The only work-around I know of is to reboot
the box.

I have been working around this as follows. When I am not planning to
do any wireless traffic, I change the WPA passphrase on the TZ-150. I
change it to a maximum length (64 characters) garbage string.

The EVA700 in my living room apparently never sleeps. Even when it is
turned off, it occasionally communicates with the TZ-150.

I was surprised to see that the TZ-150 continues to communicate with
the EVA700, even after I change the passphrase. The TZ-150 GUI has a
readout of "Station Status" that shows wireless clients. I can "Delete
All" from this list. Within minutes, the EVA700 is back on the list of
wireless clients! This, after I have changed the WPA passphrase. I
certainly did not give the new passphrase to the EVA700. In fact, I
doubt I could punch it in without error.

Even after I restart the TZ-150, the EVA700 is still connected! So
what is the deal here? It appears that the passphrase is not a simple
password, like an ISP uses.
--
David Arnstein (00)
arnstein+(E-Mail Removed) {{ }}
^^

On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:55:22 +0000 (UTC), (E-Mail Removed) (David
Arnstein) wrote in <emg31a$m0$(E-Mail Removed)>:

>I am getting started with wireless networking using a Sonicwall TZ-150
>and a "living room" device, a Netgear EVA700.
>
>Here is something I would like to understand about the WPA passphrase.
>
>The TZ-150 has a nasty bug. It will misbehave if the Wi-Fi radio is
>turned off, then back on. The only work-around I know of is to reboot
>the box.
>
>I have been working around this as follows. When I am not planning to
>do any wireless traffic, I change the WPA passphrase on the TZ-150. I
>change it to a maximum length (64 characters) garbage string.
>
>The EVA700 in my living room apparently never sleeps. Even when it is
>turned off, it occasionally communicates with the TZ-150.
>
>I was surprised to see that the TZ-150 continues to communicate with
>the EVA700, even after I change the passphrase. The TZ-150 GUI has a
>readout of "Station Status" that shows wireless clients. I can "Delete
>All" from this list. Within minutes, the EVA700 is back on the list of
>wireless clients! This, after I have changed the WPA passphrase. I
>certainly did not give the new passphrase to the EVA700. In fact, I
>doubt I could punch it in without error.
>
>Even after I restart the TZ-150, the EVA700 is still connected! So
>what is the deal here? It appears that the passphrase is not a simple
>password, like an ISP uses.

The deal is that a wireless client can "connect" even without proper
security, but still can't use the wireless network.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>