Configuring Security Features on Wireless Clients

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After you have configured your access points to utilize security features, you will then need to configure each wireless client to work with your access points. This means that each wireless client needs to be configured with the correct SSID and have the appropriate WEP key entered and selected.

Configuring Windows XP Clients

For Windows XP Clients, double-click the Wireless Network Connections icon on the taskbar to bring up the Wireless Network Connection Properties window (see Figure 10.43).

Figure 10.43: The Windows XP Wireless Network Connection Properties Window

Next, click the Add button to add a new preferred network. Enter the SSID of your network in the SSID textbox, and un-check The Key Is Provided For Me Automatically. Then, enter the WEP key for your wireless network in the Network Key and Confirm Network Key textboxes, as shown in Figure 10.44.

Figure 10.44: Configuring Windows XP Clients for Use

Finally, choose the appropriate key index (1–4) and click OK. If your settings are correct, you will be connected to your access point.

Configuring Windows 2000 Clients

Unlike Windows XP, with Windows 2000 you will need to configure the wireless client software that came with your wireless card. The examples shown in this section are for the ORiNOCO client manager. The exact steps for other client managers may differ, but the basic idea is the same.

1. Create a wireless profile for your access point.

2. Enter the SSID of your access point.

3. Enter the WEP key for your wireless network.

To create a wireless profile for your access point, double-click the client manager icon on the taskbar to open the Client Manager. Choose Actions | Add/Edit Configuration Profile to open the Add/Edit Configuration Profile window, as shown in Figure 10.45. Select the radio button next to a blank profile and enter the name of the profile.

Figure 10.45: The Configuration Profiles

Next, click the Edit Profile button. On the Basic screen, enter the SSID of your access point in the Network Name textbox. Then, click the Encryption tab, as shown in Figure 10.46. Choose the Use Hexadecimal radio button and enter your WEP keys (1–4).

Figure 10.46: Entering the WEP Key

Finally, click OK to save your settings. Your wireless client is now configured for use with your access point.

Configuring Linux Clients

Configuring wireless clients for use with your network after security features have been enabled is a simple two-step process.

1. Edit the /etc/pcmcia/wirless.opts.

2. Restart PCMCIA services or reboot.

First, you need to edit the /etc/pcmcia/wireless.opts file (see Figure 10.47).

Figure 10.47: Editing the wireless.opts File

Ensure that the four lines starting with the line that reads START SECTION TO REMOVE have been commented out by placing a pound sign (#) in front of each, as shown in Figure 10.48.

Figure 10.48: Commenting Lines Out of the wireless.

Next, find the appropriate section for your wireless card. Enter the SSID your access point uses in the ESSID section. Then, enter the WEP key for your wireless network in the KEY section, as shown in Figure 10.49, and save your changes.

Figure 10.49: Entering the SSID and WEP Key

Before your settings take effect, you need to restart the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) services. The method for restarting PCMCIA services varies and depends on the Linux distribution you are using. In Slackware, Linux PCMCIA services are restarted by issuing the following command:

root@roamer: ~# /etc/rc.d/rc/pcmcia restart 

If you are unsure how to restart PCMCIA services on your distribution, you can reboot. When the system restarts, your settings will take effect.

Notes from the Underground…
Enabling Security Features on the Xbox

Many Xbox owners like to take advantage of the Xbox Live feature. Xbox Live allows gamers to connect their Xbox to the Internet and play selected games against online opponents. Since the Xbox is often connected to a TV that isn’t necessarily in the same room with most of the household computer equipment, wireless networking is a natural choice for this connection.

There are several wireless bridges (like the Linksys WET 11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge) available that will connect the Xbox to a home network. These devices must be configured to use the wireless network’s security features.

First, log in to the WET 11. By default, the WET 11 is configured to use the IP address 192.168.1.251 (see Figure 10.50).

Figure 10.50: The Linksys WET 11 Initial Setup Screen

Enter the SSID for your wireless network in the SSID textbox, and then select the Enable radio button next to WEP (see Figure 10.51).

Figure 10.51: Set the SSID and Enable WEP

Click the WEP Settings button to open the Shared Keys window (see Figure 10.52). Select 128 bit 26 hex digits from the drop-down box and then enter the WEP keys that your wireless network uses. The WEP keys can be entered in either of two ways:

• Generate the keys using the same passphrase used to generate the keys on your access point.

• Manually enter the WEP keys that your access point uses.

  
  Figure 10.52: Enter the WEP Keys

  Next, click the Apply button on the Shared Keys window and the initial setup screen to save your settings. Finally, add the MAC address of your WET 11 to your allowed MAC address list on your access point.

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