WiFi Networking HOWTo's

waynehad · 05-31-2004, 02:36 PM

Hey,
I'd appreciate any tips and how to's concerning Wifi Networking, with special reference to Netgear D-link and Linksys Products.I have prior experience with wired networking in an office type situation and am considering upgrading to wifi.Any thing i need to know?Especially stuff that doesn't turn up in the manufacturers manuals.Thanks

þÄ®âÐÖx · 05-31-2004, 03:10 PM

Ars Technica has a couple useful (although somewhat outdated) articles on wireless security that can be found here, and here.

Tom's Networking also has a useful article on WPA, which is a security feature found on newer wireless hardware. Also check out their main index of "NeedToKnows" which contains several useful articles on wireless networks.

HoLoCroN · 06-01-2004, 10:46 AM

You can also check our Tips area here in the networking forum.

waynehad · 06-04-2004, 04:28 PM

Thanks guys.

Worked4me · 06-04-2004, 09:11 PM

Hey waynehad,

These are some security considerations for your wireless LAN.

1. Change the Admin (username) and password from the default.

2. Configure MAC Filtering which will assign the same IP
address to the same computer each time.

3. Limit the scope of IP address the DHCP server issues,
2 computers 2 addresses ie 192.168.1.166 - 192.168.1.167 if
all the address are used a hacker can't get an ip address from
the DHCP server. If you have a Linksys and must broadcast the SSid change the SSid name to D-link and vice versa.

4. If it is Wireless look for the power option and reduce it till
you can still connect and surf but the signal is to weak outside
your house. If you are not using the wireless option turn it off.

5. Disable the Remote Management option if you will never
connect to your router over the internet.

6. Change the LAN IP Address and subnet Address from the
default, it just makes it a little harder if somehow they do
connect to your LAN since everyone knows the default LAN addresses.

7. If you never surf the internet from lets say Midnight to 6 a.m.
then set up the filters on the router to Deny access to the
internet during these times. They main ports you want to
deny are 20, 21, 23, 25, 53, 80, 110, 443. NOTE make sure
the time and date on your Router are correct or it will block
you from accessing the internet by accident.

8. If it's wireless Disable the SSID broadcast. NOTE
Some wireless PC Cards cannot access the network with the
SSID disabled but most of the newer ones can.

9. If you can afford it buy a wireless router with WPA which
most are coming standard with. If you use WPA-PSK or Pass phrase than pick a long phrase of 20 characters or more with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and characters and change them about every 30 - 45 days. If you are really concerned about security.

I'm sure I might have missed somethings that the other's will point out.

Good Luck.

psyopwak · 06-06-2004, 11:46 AM

I really don'y know if this applies, but I have found out through much discomfort
and headaches and my non-technical background these things. (don't laugh)

Wireless cards have to be inserted all the way in, so thier is a slight snap in
feel when it is connected into the laptop. I have read numerous posts where
there were no lights on the card, nor does the computer recognize the card.

If you have a MACINTOSH computer, buy brands that offer technical support
for MACINTOSH computers. I recently had to change routers because while
setting up the router, and having problems the company stated they could not help me since they do not give TECH assistance for MACINTOSH computers. (Although the box advertised MAC compatable??)

My two cents worth
geowak

waynehad · 06-08-2004, 09:48 AM

Thanks guys.psyopwak i agree with you as back in the day when i was a newbie ,i had the same problems with regular NIC's on desktop pc's.Worked4me i'll apply all your recommendations when i get the network up and running.How well do Wifi signals transmit through metal by the way?The computers which has the internet connection i'll be using will be in a huge shipping container which has been converted into office space and i guess i might have to put the AP outside the building and then ethernet the computers inside the office to it so that the other pc's can connect wirelessly.Any suggestions?

05-31-2004, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
waynehad Newb Techie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 11	WiFi Networking HOWTo's Hey, I'd appreciate any tips and how to's concerning Wifi Networking, with special reference to Netgear D-link and Linksys Products.I have prior experience with wired networking in an office type situation and am considering upgrading to wifi.Any thing i need to know?Especially stuff that doesn't turn up in the manufacturers manuals.Thanks

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05-31-2004, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
þÄ®âÐÖx the flaming hermit Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 951	Ars Technica has a couple useful (although somewhat outdated) articles on wireless security that can be found here, and here. Tom's Networking also has a useful article on WPA, which is a security feature found on newer wireless hardware. Also check out their main index of "NeedToKnows" which contains several useful articles on wireless networks.

06-01-2004, 10:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
HoLoCroN Monster Techie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Plant City, FL Posts: 1,293	You can also check our Tips area here in the networking forum.

06-04-2004, 04:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
waynehad Newb Techie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 11	Thanks guys.

06-04-2004, 09:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Worked4me True Techie Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 130	Hey waynehad, These are some security considerations for your wireless LAN. 1. Change the Admin (username) and password from the default. 2. Configure MAC Filtering which will assign the same IP address to the same computer each time. 3. Limit the scope of IP address the DHCP server issues, 2 computers 2 addresses ie 192.168.1.166 - 192.168.1.167 if all the address are used a hacker can't get an ip address from the DHCP server. If you have a Linksys and must broadcast the SSid change the SSid name to D-link and vice versa. 4. If it is Wireless look for the power option and reduce it till you can still connect and surf but the signal is to weak outside your house. If you are not using the wireless option turn it off. 5. Disable the Remote Management option if you will never connect to your router over the internet. 6. Change the LAN IP Address and subnet Address from the default, it just makes it a little harder if somehow they do connect to your LAN since everyone knows the default LAN addresses. 7. If you never surf the internet from lets say Midnight to 6 a.m. then set up the filters on the router to Deny access to the internet during these times. They main ports you want to deny are 20, 21, 23, 25, 53, 80, 110, 443. NOTE make sure the time and date on your Router are correct or it will block you from accessing the internet by accident. 8. If it's wireless Disable the SSID broadcast. NOTE Some wireless PC Cards cannot access the network with the SSID disabled but most of the newer ones can. 9. If you can afford it buy a wireless router with WPA which most are coming standard with. If you use WPA-PSK or Pass phrase than pick a long phrase of 20 characters or more with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and characters and change them about every 30 - 45 days. If you are really concerned about security. I'm sure I might have missed somethings that the other's will point out. Good Luck.

06-06-2004, 11:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
psyopwak Newb Techie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5	I really don'y know if this applies, but I have found out through much discomfort and headaches and my non-technical background these things. (don't laugh) Wireless cards have to be inserted all the way in, so thier is a slight snap in feel when it is connected into the laptop. I have read numerous posts where there were no lights on the card, nor does the computer recognize the card. If you have a MACINTOSH computer, buy brands that offer technical support for MACINTOSH computers. I recently had to change routers because while setting up the router, and having problems the company stated they could not help me since they do not give TECH assistance for MACINTOSH computers. (Although the box advertised MAC compatable??) My two cents worth geowak

06-08-2004, 09:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
waynehad Newb Techie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 11	Thanks guys.psyopwak i agree with you as back in the day when i was a newbie ,i had the same problems with regular NIC's on desktop pc's.Worked4me i'll apply all your recommendations when i get the network up and running.How well do Wifi signals transmit through metal by the way?The computers which has the internet connection i'll be using will be in a huge shipping container which has been converted into office space and i guess i might have to put the AP outside the building and then ethernet the computers inside the office to it so that the other pc's can connect wirelessly.Any suggestions?