Re: basic need-to-know on buying/setting-up wireless

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Hi
Wireless Router can be used as an Access Point provided it is configured like this.
Wireless Router as an AP - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html
From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Brake" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Brake ).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).
Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
Note 2: If you use WinXP and did not updated it you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's 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.
Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"George" <air1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:utf%23VPfiIHA.5208@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello,

Am using WinXP-pro on 2 PC's (want to do remote access later, too), got one wired-router, 2-PC's, in small 3-story house, in suburbs, not much traffic here. Trying to set up very basic wireless access (for future laptop, and small Wii in house), without spending lots of time or becoming expert, would greatly appreciate some advice in these below general areas, thanks...

1) WAP or Wireless Router? Already have a Linksys VPN router (works great, already set up, although don't use the VPN part yet). Looks like wireless access points (WAP's, $69) are MORE expensive than entirely new wireless router (sale $43).
-Can/should I get the wireless ROUTER and just use it like a WAP... i.e. just use it for wireless access and skip all the router stuff. Can I do that? Is it easy to set up (just wireless, no router)?
-Would I HAVE to throw out existing router and start over?
-Is there some great benefit to paying extra and getting just the WAP (no built-in router) and attaching it to my router?

2) Which device? Looks like the Linksys WRT54G is good all around. It handles wireless-B too.
-Is there any GREAT reason to pay much more (~$70) and get speed booster for 35% more speed.
-At $43, seems I could always get a few years out of it and start over later if speed is a real issue, besides better deals/standards likely on market by then anyway, right?

3) Security...
-How secure are these local wireless networks? Everyone says set up a password. Are there some basic things everybody sets up to be very secure?
-Is the biggest risk a neighbor or drive-by connection? Is that really hard, or really easy? So what if they use my always-on connection, flat fee.
-Or is the risk of an unauthorize sign-on that they could browse files and/or remote-control and damage my PC (a big deal).

4) Anything else in the really need to know or do category?

Thanks for any basic suggestions, insights, advice,
George


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