For people who have issues with the MS Wireless XBOX Adapter (MN-740)

There is a connectivity issue if you have MAC filtering enabled. See solution below.


DSLreports forum-"This bridge device passes on the MAC of the device behind it. So if you have MAC filtering on, you have to enter the MAC of the MN-740 as well as the MAC of your Xbox."

If you don't know your XBOX MAC you can just disable the filtering and let your adapter connect. You will see one MAC address in there which you don't have on the list, this is the MAC for your xbox and needs to be added to the list. If you still have problems feel free to send me a PM.

You've supplied more information than I have been able to extract from either Verizon (who basically said they weren't responsbile for providing information on hardware) and Westell whom I haven't been able to get in contact by either phone or website.

I am an advanced computer user both with hardward and software applications. However I have limited experience in networking. I haven't had any problems in connecting to the internet with the Westell Versalink 327W.

The problem that I am having is a conflict with an IP Address. I'm am currently working from home using "Virtual Office" that was setup by the company where I work. Due to security issues they have decided to setup a SonicWall VPN. Currently the router and SonicWall VPN are using the same IP Address 192.168.1.x. The router takes priority over the VPN and does not allow the computer to recognize the VPN. Your article did an excellent job in describing exactly what I am experiencing. I need to reconfigure my router IP Address to 192.168.2.x so that the conflict will be resolved.

My operating system is Windows XP Professional with SP2. IBM Netvista - Pentium III - 734 MHZ - 256 MB RAM I am using Verizon DSL with a Westell Versalink 327M (which I assume has a built in Linksys router).

I can't connect when I use the WEP key/passphrase

The problem is probably with the WEP key. Most manufacturers do an extremely poor job of explaining the process. There are basically 2 ways to enter a key: You can enter a key directly or use a passphrase. The passphase is used to generate a key. Your hardware may use the terms Hex and ASCII instead of key and passphrase.

Many people end up entering the same digits in both pieces of hardware, but in one they enter it as a key and the other as a passphrase. Even if both use passphrases, they may have to be compatible hardware for them to generate the same key from the same passphrase.

So, if you're sure what you've entered is the same, enter the hex key instead of the PassPhrase

For 128 Bit WEP, you should be entering a 26 digit hex key into each piece.
For 64 Bit, you should have a 10 digit hex key
If your hardware supports 256, it should be 57

In ASCII, 128 bit is 13 digits
64 Bit is 5 digits
256 is 29

Credit to drodge

removed

truongmymy said:I don't know anything about how to set up a wireless network, please help. I have a ADSL service and a wired modem (it said: ADSL Modem Router), it has no antenna. I am confused, what is a router, a modem/router, a wireless router, a wireless modem/router? Now I want to go wireless, what I should buy and what steps I should take.
Thanks
1. Suggest that you start a new thread for your question, as it is a lot easier for those of here to follow/update
2. Before you do, please follow the links in the beginning of this thread to basic education. We will need you to try to use the proper terms - not because we're being difficult, but because precision is important so that we don't give you bad advice
3. Be as precise as possible with what you're trying to do and with what hardware you have (including service provider brand and model #). Use the third sticky as a guide.

If I were to make a wild guess, I would guess that you have Verizon DSL service and a Westell wired router. If so, there are some special issues you need to be aware of. (There are refereneces in the first post you can follow).

But let's wait unitl you post a new thread with your information before I make any further baseless guesses

Obviously my guess was way off. That will teach me.

I'll look for your standalone thread. But, for some early guidance, it sounds like your DSL modem also has a built in router/DHCP server. (i.e. you can connect multiple PCs via wires)

Although you can buy a standalone Access Point (what they call an antenana), your cheapest solution is likely to be that you should buy a Wireless Router and disable DHCP. Then connect one the wireless router via one of its LAN ports to your DSL modem. (which may have multiple ports).

You can connect wired PCs to the LAN ports of the wireless router (but do not use its WAN/uplink port)

Your wireless PC will communicate to the Wireless Router which will forward information on to the DSL modem/router.

Make sure you read the security information

truongmymy said:Hi
Thanks for your help. I see the option of disable DHCP SERVER in my Modem/Router menu. So do you mean I should disable it, or I should disable the DHCP of my wireless router?

TruongYou have two choices
1. Disable DHCP in the Modem/Router. Then connect the WAN/uplink port of your Wireless router to the modem/router. And connect all your devices (wired and wireless) to the wireless router
2. Disable DHCP in the wireless router. Then connect a LAN port of the wireles router to the modem/router. Then connect devices either to the LAN ports of the wireless router or the modem/router

I have a fast wired ethernet cards and would like to use them to transfer information between the computers, not the WiFi network. How do I set up both Wifi Internet link and a hard-wired link between two PCs.

Let the Wireless Router the Default Gteway for the first gigabit NIC on the first PC.
Let the Wireless Router automatically assign an IP address, subnet mask, DNS server, and Default Gteway to that NIC.

Let the Wireless Router the Default Gteway for the wireless NIC on the second PC.
Let the Wireless Router automatically assign an IP address, subnet mask, and DNS server, and Default Gteway to that NIC.

Assign a pair of static IP addresses and subnet masks (i.e. 10.0.100.1 and 10.0.100.2, both with subnet mask 255.255.255.0) to the two gigabit NICs that are connected via crossover cable. Enter nothing for the DNS server and enter nothing for the Default Gteway for these two connected NICs. You can have only one Default Gteway for a PC. And you won't need DNS services for contacting the other PC located on the same subnet.

This will make the wireless router the Default Gteway for both PCs. This will be necessary when trying to contact "foreign" IP addresses (i.e. Internet addresses). So both PCs will use the wireless router when trying to find Internet addresses.
On the other hand, when trying to find addresses on your gigabit network, the two PCs will use NetBIOS for name resolution and, since the IP addresses of the other PC is on the same subnet, should have no problem contacting the other PC via the gigabit NIC.

Note that, upon first connection, it might take a while for the NetBIOS function to get the names of the two PCs. So you might not be able to browse the other PC for a few minutes. You should be able to immediately browse it using its IP address (i.e. \\\\10.0.100.1).

Credit: RebateMonger

bashg1 said:I am just starting with networking and am finding very useful info here. My question is a general one, so I hope it belongs here and not in a new thread.
If the wireless router and Wireless USB adapter recah different levels of security, am I correct in assuming that they can be used at the highest common standard?

I read the posts about security, does this mean that no one should be buying adapters etc. that have anything less than WPA2? Many adapters etc. that I see are only WPA, or even only WEP. Am I handing out my CC info if I use WPA?

Thanks Ellory (and the rest) for putting in so much time and effort to help educate the ignorant!Thanks very much (from all of us).

To answer your excellent question, WPA is, for all practical purposes, unbreakable. It, like other security does have an exposure - brute force dictionary attacks. i.e. just keep picking passwords and trying them.

To prevent this, choose a strong password. Steve Gibson's password generator site is an ideal place to get a randon password http:/www.grc.com/passwords Its one time generation, and is as close to random and strong as anything that can be generated. Because it relies on SSL encryption, the password it serves will be delivered securely to you, even over an otherwise insecure connection

And, because it prevents akami and other services from caching it, no one, even if you generated it over a public computer, can even see what you got once you close the web page, navigate to another site or refresh

And thank you for asking I've been meaning to update that information - which I just have - with more current information. The WPA2 requirement was more strong than it should be.

And, there are now emerging ways to protect yourself in public hotspots - all VPN based. None very easy yet. Public terminals should always be considered to be insecure. And, unfortunately, because most hotels use hubs, even plugging your personal compuer into a wired hotel network should be considered risky. Every packet transmitted to or from your computer is likely broadcast to every room in the hotel. A simple packet sniffer could read everything

bashg1 said:Thank you for the swift reply.

2 more things.
1) I cannot seem to get the link to the password generator to work - it looks like it is doubled with http and https. I tried it with just https and it worked.You're right. And I can't seem to fix it. FW keeps re-inserting the double http. I've just unlinked it

2) Whats the story with WPA PSK? I have searched around but the info on the web is not as clear as that posted here! Is it a separate technology, or a separate way that WPA is used? Is it compatable with regular WPA?
I am asking because I have a WPA enabled router, and I just ordered a WPA enabled card, but I see on the manufacturers site that the card is WPA-PSK enabled.These are all different WPA options. PSK is pre-shared key and is widely prevalent. Radius requires a seperate Radius server for authentication - common only in larger businesses. Just make sure the WPA option is set the same way on all your devices and you will be fine