Netgear XE102 Powerline Wireless Access Points

[Victek]

I'm trying to help someone setup one of these powerline wireless access
kits. He currently has WEP enabled on his wireless LAN and also does not
know the user name and password for his router interface. It seems like we
need to reset his router to restore the default user and password
information and turn off WEP to begin with. If you have experience
installing the XE102 kit I will appreciate suggestions as I'm trying to get
as clear as possible before I return to the site. Thanks!

 

[Barb Bowman]

WEP is not secure to begin with. Your friend should be using WPA2 or
at least WPA. why would you have to disable security to use a
powerline adapter. the powerline adapter should come with software
of its own. be sure to set up security for these devices as well,
especially if you are in an apartment or MDU complex. by default,
security is off in these units. the one you mention will be lucky to
get 5Mbps.

you should plug one device into the router and into the wall (and
you can't use power strips) and the other at the remote location
into the AC direct to the wall and run the ethernet from it to the
remote computer. again, be sure to setup security.

have your friend reset up the router with WPA2 or WPA on the
wireless side.

also, the throughput of these original homeplug devices is very
slow.

I'm trying to help someone setup one of these powerline wireless access
kits. He currently has WEP enabled on his wireless LAN and also does not
know the user name and password for his router interface. It seems like we
need to reset his router to restore the default user and password
information and turn off WEP to begin with. If you have experience
installing the XE102 kit I will appreciate suggestions as I'm trying to get
as clear as possible before I return to the site. Thanks!

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Victek]

OK, I think the light is coming ON. I thought we were trying to establish a
wireless connection between the remote powerline adapter and the remote
computer, but it sounds like the point is to use a network patch cable
between the remote powerline adapter and remote computer. It looks like the
wireless connection is only BETWEEN the two powerline adapters - is this
correct?

I understand about WEP not being very secure. I guess I will still have to
reset the router in order to get at the wireless security settings.

regards...

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
I am somewhat confused, I do not think that the XE-102 has to do any thing
with Wireless and Wireless security.
The XE102 Power line is a replacement for wire through the home power line
it has nothing to do with Wireless or WEP so it is not clear what you are
trying to do.
Basically, you need two units of the XE102. One goes to an outlet near the
Router and it is connected with a regular Network cable to one of the Router's
LAN ports, the other goes to and outlet near the remote computer and is
connected with a wire to a wired NIC of the remote computer.
You do not need to even log to the Router in order to use it.

 

[Victek]

Yes, you're correct and I should have been more clear. The issue of
wireless security is separate from the XE102 units. The LAN I'm working on
also includes computers that use a wireless connection to the router and
they are using WEP for security. I'm going to try to switch them to the
more secure WPA. That's why I still need to gain access to the router
settings.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Look at the Router's manual and find how to perform Hard Reset.
After Hard reset, it would be at default IP Default Password and No Wireless
security (the default info should be in the manual as well.
No manual? Look at the support site of the manufacturer.
Then reconfigure until your heart content.

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 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 whatever 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
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Barb Bowman]

right - the powerline gear uses the electrical wiring to bridge
ethernet devices. it isn't wireless WiFi. it uses electrical wiring.

you need two - one connected to the router and one at the remote
location. with the device you selected, there is not tie in to WiFi
at all. there are some vendors that have embedded wireless in the
remote homeplug devices, but that isn't what you have.

yes, reset the router ton establish proper security.

OK, I think the light is coming ON. I thought we were trying to establish a
wireless connection between the remote powerline adapter and the remote
computer, but it sounds like the point is to use a network patch cable
between the remote powerline adapter and remote computer. It looks like the
wireless connection is only BETWEEN the two powerline adapters - is this
correct?

I understand about WEP not being very secure. I guess I will still have to
reset the router in order to get at the wireless security settings.

regards...

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/