Rebuilding Simple Home Network - Finding Highest Security Level Availon Ea Comp

[CT]

Hello,

I'm rebuilding our home network Desktop is wired to Linksys router,
laptop is connected wirelessly. Both are XP Pro SP2 machines.

I thought I read somewhere that in setting up a home network, all
computers are supposed to be configured with the same security level.
How do I find the highest security level available on each computer?

Thank you,
Cheryl

 

[Holz]

Hello,

I'm rebuilding our home network Desktop is wired to Linksys router,
laptop is connected wirelessly. Both are XP Pro SP2 machines.

I thought I read somewhere that in setting up a home network, all
computers are supposed to be configured with the same security level.
How do I find the highest security level available on each computer?

Thank you,
Cheryl

No really.
What are you trying to do? Share files?

 

[John]

Hello,

I'm rebuilding our home network Desktop is wired to Linksys router,
laptop is connected wirelessly. Both are XP Pro SP2 machines.

I thought I read somewhere that in setting up a home network, all
computers are supposed to be configured with the same security level.

What "security" are you referring to? Wireless security? Windows XP
(firewall) security?

 

[CT]

What "security" are you referring to? Wireless security? Windows XP
(firewall) security?

Wireless security, I guess. The only security I'm aware of is located
only in the router's setup, online. The Linksys WRT54GX2 router is
configured with WPA/WPA2 Personal, with WPA enabled and WPA2 disabled.
TKIP encryption. But I thought I read that both computers on the
network (during set up) must be configured to use the same security
level? Can't mix WEP and WPA for instance.

Call me "Confused".

Thanks.
Cheryl

 

[CT]

No really.
What are you trying to do? Share files?

Well, I was trying to get file sharing to work (see http://tinyurl.com/2knlmv
), until I was told I needed to build the network from scratch,
because my laptop isn't in the same workgroup as the desktop.
Apparently, starting over is the only way to fix the problem.

Thanks.
Cheryl

 

[R. McCarty]

Starting over is the Universal fix when the appropriate steps are not
known. Security for Wireless is limited by the lowest level supported
by any single network card. If you have 3 Wireless cards that use
up to WPA2 and one that only supports WEP then you must set the
router to a WEP security mode.
For networking/sharing the PC's should be in a commonly named
Workgroup ( Peer-to-Peer Network where all machines are equal ).
Each machine should have at least a single User/Password that is on
all member computers. File and Printer sharing must be bound to the
Network cards and any software Firewall must have the IP Range of
the LAN in it's "Trusted Zone". ( Unless using Windows Firewall,
which should have "File & Printer Sharing" in it's exception list.

 

[John]

Wireless security, I guess. The only security I'm aware of is located
only in the router's setup, online. The Linksys WRT54GX2 router is
configured with WPA/WPA2 Personal, with WPA enabled and WPA2 disabled.
TKIP encryption. But I thought I read that both computers on the
network (during set up) must be configured to use the same security
level? Can't mix WEP and WPA for instance.

Ok, so WiFi security it is. That is correct, you can't set your Linksys to
use WPA and your laptop to use WEP or WPA2 for instance. If you set Linksys
to use WPA (preferably WPA2 if your laptop WLAN card supports it), you must
also set your laptop computer to use WPA security.

The part that I don't understand on your post is "...both computers". If I
understand you correctly, you have 2 computers (judging by your other
posts)... 1 wired and the other wireless. If that is correct, you won't even
have to worry about the wired PC. Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES
encryption, enter/create a shared key.

Next step is to turn on your laptop. It will detect a wireless network name
(which is yours). Double click to join (or connect to) your Linksys router.
You'll be prompted for a shared key. Type in exactly the same key you put on
Linksys router. That is it.

 

[Holz]

Well, I was trying to get file sharing to work (see
http://tinyurl.com/2knlmv ), until I was told I needed to build the
network from scratch, because my laptop isn't in the same workgroup as
the desktop. Apparently, starting over is the only way to fix the
problem.

Thanks.
Cheryl

No really. You are already getting good answers, all that is left to do
is shoot who ever told you to start from scratch ;-)

 

[D.]

why don't you post a few more times ?
you loser .

 

[CT]

Ok, so WiFi security it is. That is correct, you can't set your Linksys to
use WPA and your laptop to use WEP or WPA2 for instance. If you set Linksys
to use WPA (preferably WPA2 if your laptop WLAN card supports it), you must
also set your laptop computer to use WPA security.

I would like to increase my security from WPA to the highest
available. So, that brings us back to my original question:
How do I find the highest security level available on each computer['s
WLAN card]? Where do I look? In the paperwork? In the system
somewhere?

The computers:
Desktop: WinXP Professional SP2 (Generic build), built a few years
ago. No paperwork or discs at all came with it.
Laptop: WinXP Media Center Edition(Pro) SP2 (HP Compaq Presario)
bought last year. Maybe some paperwork and discs (have yet to pull its
file from the file cabinet and look at it)

The part that I don't understand on your post is "...both computers". If I
understand you correctly, you have 2 computers (judging by your other
posts)... 1 wired and the other wireless. If that is correct, you won't even
have to worry about the wired PC. Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES
encryption, enter/create a shared key.

You understand me correctly. The desktop is wired to the router, the
laptop is connected wirelessly. I'm using the laptop and Gmail right
now, wirelessly. I can wirelessly print from the laptop to the two
printers wired to the desktop and share files (properly) only one way
- desktop can SAVE and share files to laptop, laptop cannot SAVE, only
share and only if I type the \\computer name\folder into the address
bar in My Network Places so the file appears under Entire Network .

I was told here: http://tinyurl.com/2knlmv that I need to rebuild my
network from scratch because my laptop is not on the same workgroup
(WORKGROUP) as the desktop (MSHOME). The first step I'm supposed to
perform is, "remove all the networks" (for which I have another post
going to find out what this means).

Quote: "Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES encryption, enter/
create a shared key."

Shouldn't I first find out if the laptop's WLAN card supports WPA2
with AES? This is my goal with this posting. To find out how/where to
get this information.

Next step is to turn on your laptop. It will detect a wireless network name
(which is yours). Double click to join (or connect to) your Linksys router.
You'll be prompted for a shared key. Type in exactly the same key you put on
Linksys router. That is it.

This is what I did the first time in setting up the network. The
shared key is identical to the router's. The only thing, it seems,
that I messed up was placing the laptop in its own separate workgroup
called WORKGROUP instead of placing it with the desktop in MSHOME. :-
(

If I can get my questions answered, then I will be able to rebuild (or
simply fix?) this network the way it should be:

With more meaningful Computer and User names.
With the highest possible security level (to be determined).
With both computers on the same workgroup.

Thanks.
Cheryl

 

[CT]

No really. You are already getting good answers, all that is left to do
is shoot who ever told you to start from scratch ;-)

I don't have to rebuild the network from scratch?

Cheryl

 

[R. McCarty]

You'll have to use Device Manager to determine your Wireless card
vendor/model # and research it's security capabilities on the vendor
website. The other makeshift way to tell is through the Wireless Net
connection properties, Wireless Networks, Preferred Networks -
Select any existing Wireless Network, Properties. The Network
Authentication field will have a table of support Security Protocols. If
WPA2 or WPA2-PSK isn't shown the NIC isn't capable of that
security level.

For an XP machine to be able to use/access WPA2 requires a
hotfix to be applied.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...amp;amp;amp;amp;displaylang=en&displaylang=en

Ok, so WiFi security it is. That is correct, you can't set your Linksys
to
use WPA and your laptop to use WEP or WPA2 for instance. If you set
Linksys
to use WPA (preferably WPA2 if your laptop WLAN card supports it), you
must
also set your laptop computer to use WPA security.

I would like to increase my security from WPA to the highest
available. So, that brings us back to my original question:
How do I find the highest security level available on each computer['s
WLAN card]? Where do I look? In the paperwork? In the system
somewhere?

The computers:
Desktop: WinXP Professional SP2 (Generic build), built a few years
ago. No paperwork or discs at all came with it.
Laptop: WinXP Media Center Edition(Pro) SP2 (HP Compaq Presario)
bought last year. Maybe some paperwork and discs (have yet to pull its
file from the file cabinet and look at it)

The part that I don't understand on your post is "...both computers". If
I
understand you correctly, you have 2 computers (judging by your other
posts)... 1 wired and the other wireless. If that is correct, you won't
even
have to worry about the wired PC. Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES
encryption, enter/create a shared key.

You understand me correctly. The desktop is wired to the router, the
laptop is connected wirelessly. I'm using the laptop and Gmail right
now, wirelessly. I can wirelessly print from the laptop to the two
printers wired to the desktop and share files (properly) only one way
- desktop can SAVE and share files to laptop, laptop cannot SAVE, only
share and only if I type the \\computer name\folder into the address
bar in My Network Places so the file appears under Entire Network .

I was told here: http://tinyurl.com/2knlmv that I need to rebuild my
network from scratch because my laptop is not on the same workgroup
(WORKGROUP) as the desktop (MSHOME). The first step I'm supposed to
perform is, "remove all the networks" (for which I have another post
going to find out what this means).

Quote: "Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES encryption, enter/
create a shared key."

Shouldn't I first find out if the laptop's WLAN card supports WPA2
with AES? This is my goal with this posting. To find out how/where to
get this information.

Next step is to turn on your laptop. It will detect a wireless network
name
(which is yours). Double click to join (or connect to) your Linksys
router.
You'll be prompted for a shared key. Type in exactly the same key you put
on
Linksys router. That is it.

This is what I did the first time in setting up the network. The
shared key is identical to the router's. The only thing, it seems,
that I messed up was placing the laptop in its own separate workgroup
called WORKGROUP instead of placing it with the desktop in MSHOME. :-
(

If I can get my questions answered, then I will be able to rebuild (or
simply fix?) this network the way it should be:

With more meaningful Computer and User names.
With the highest possible security level (to be determined).
With both computers on the same workgroup.

Thanks.
Cheryl

 

[CT]

Starting over is the Universal fix when the appropriate steps are not
known. Security for Wireless is limited by the lowest level supported
by any single network card. If you have 3 Wireless cards that use
up to WPA2 and one that only supports WEP then you must set the
router to a WEP security mode.

Thanks for responding.

This I knew, but you explain it better than I.

For networking/sharing the PC's should be in a commonly named
Workgroup ( Peer-to-Peer Network where all machines are equal ).

I just found out I messed up this part of my original network setup.
Which is why the Desktop file sharing works but the Laptop's doesn't.
Desktop is on MSHOME workgroup and laptop is on WORKGROUP workgroup.
Duh...

Each machine should have at least a single User/Password that is on
all member computers.

The same User name (User account?) is on both computers. No password
is set up on either computer.

File and Printer sharing must be bound to the
Network cards

How does one bind "File and Printer sharing...to the Network cards"?

and any software Firewall must have the IP Range of
the LAN in it's "Trusted Zone".

This I fixed already.

( Unless using Windows Firewall,
which should have "File & Printer Sharing" in it's exception list.

Only using ZoneAlarm for the third party firewall on both machines.
Not Windows firewall. It's turned off.

Thanks again for your kind help.
Cheryl

 

[CT]

why don't you post a few more times ?
you loser .

I'm not a loser, I'm disabled (confined to bed often) and need to get
this network running properly so I can work and be productive. Maybe
you could find a way to be more productive, too.

Peace
Cheryl

 

[John]

From your other post: "Broadcom 802.11b WLAN"

That may or may not support WPA2 but you will have to confirm it by looking
at the adapter in Device Manager. You can also post your laptop exact model
number (may be on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop), we may be able to
help you find out if it supports WPA2 or not.

Btw, you said you bought the laptop last year. Was it a brand new laptop or
used (older model)? I find it hard to believe last year model does not have
802.11bg network adapter.

Ok, so WiFi security it is. That is correct, you can't set your Linksys
to
use WPA and your laptop to use WEP or WPA2 for instance. If you set
Linksys
to use WPA (preferably WPA2 if your laptop WLAN card supports it), you
must
also set your laptop computer to use WPA security.

I would like to increase my security from WPA to the highest
available. So, that brings us back to my original question:
How do I find the highest security level available on each computer['s
WLAN card]? Where do I look? In the paperwork? In the system
somewhere?

The computers:
Desktop: WinXP Professional SP2 (Generic build), built a few years
ago. No paperwork or discs at all came with it.
Laptop: WinXP Media Center Edition(Pro) SP2 (HP Compaq Presario)
bought last year. Maybe some paperwork and discs (have yet to pull its
file from the file cabinet and look at it)

The part that I don't understand on your post is "...both computers". If
I
understand you correctly, you have 2 computers (judging by your other
posts)... 1 wired and the other wireless. If that is correct, you won't
even
have to worry about the wired PC. Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES
encryption, enter/create a shared key.

You understand me correctly. The desktop is wired to the router, the
laptop is connected wirelessly. I'm using the laptop and Gmail right
now, wirelessly. I can wirelessly print from the laptop to the two
printers wired to the desktop and share files (properly) only one way
- desktop can SAVE and share files to laptop, laptop cannot SAVE, only
share and only if I type the \\computer name\folder into the address
bar in My Network Places so the file appears under Entire Network .

I was told here: http://tinyurl.com/2knlmv that I need to rebuild my
network from scratch because my laptop is not on the same workgroup
(WORKGROUP) as the desktop (MSHOME). The first step I'm supposed to
perform is, "remove all the networks" (for which I have another post
going to find out what this means).

Quote: "Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES encryption, enter/
create a shared key."

Shouldn't I first find out if the laptop's WLAN card supports WPA2
with AES? This is my goal with this posting. To find out how/where to
get this information.

Next step is to turn on your laptop. It will detect a wireless network
name
(which is yours). Double click to join (or connect to) your Linksys
router.
You'll be prompted for a shared key. Type in exactly the same key you put
on
Linksys router. That is it.

This is what I did the first time in setting up the network. The
shared key is identical to the router's. The only thing, it seems,
that I messed up was placing the laptop in its own separate workgroup
called WORKGROUP instead of placing it with the desktop in MSHOME. :-
(

If I can get my questions answered, then I will be able to rebuild (or
simply fix?) this network the way it should be:

With more meaningful Computer and User names.
With the highest possible security level (to be determined).
With both computers on the same workgroup.

Thanks.
Cheryl

 

[CT]

You'll have to use Device Manager to determine your Wireless card
vendor/model # and research it's security capabilities on the vendor
website. The other makeshift way to tell is through the Wireless Net
connection properties, Wireless Networks, Preferred Networks -
Select any existing Wireless Network, Properties. The Network
Authentication field will have a table of support Security Protocols. If
WPA2 or WPA2-PSK isn't shown the NIC isn't capable of that
security level.

For an XP machine to be able to use/access WPA2 requires a
hotfix to be applied.http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=662BB74D-E7C...

Thank you so very much!
Cheryl

 

[John]

You'll have to use Device Manager to determine your Wireless card
vendor/model # and research it's security capabilities on the vendor
website. The other makeshift way to tell is through the Wireless Net
connection properties, Wireless Networks, Preferred Networks -
Select any existing Wireless Network, Properties. The Network
Authentication field will have a table of support Security Protocols. If
WPA2 or WPA2-PSK isn't shown the NIC isn't capable of that
security level.

For an XP machine to be able to use/access WPA2 requires a
hotfix to be applied.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...amp;amp;amp;amp;displaylang=en&displaylang=en

Yes and no. KB893357 is needed only if you want to use Windows Wireless
Configuration. If the adapter's driver already supports it, you won't need
KB893357. My Linksys WUSB adapter can connect to WPA2 (with AES) network
without KB893357, only if I let Linksys (software) manage my WiFi
connection.

 

[Jim]

I don't have to rebuild the network from scratch?

Cheryl

No.
Jim

 

[Jim]

Ok, so WiFi security it is. That is correct, you can't set your Linksys
to
use WPA and your laptop to use WEP or WPA2 for instance. If you set
Linksys
to use WPA (preferably WPA2 if your laptop WLAN card supports it), you
must
also set your laptop computer to use WPA security.

I would like to increase my security from WPA to the highest
available. So, that brings us back to my original question:
How do I find the highest security level available on each computer['s
WLAN card]? Where do I look? In the paperwork? In the system
somewhere?

The computers:
Desktop: WinXP Professional SP2 (Generic build), built a few years
ago. No paperwork or discs at all came with it.
Laptop: WinXP Media Center Edition(Pro) SP2 (HP Compaq Presario)
bought last year. Maybe some paperwork and discs (have yet to pull its
file from the file cabinet and look at it)

The part that I don't understand on your post is "...both computers". If
I
understand you correctly, you have 2 computers (judging by your other
posts)... 1 wired and the other wireless. If that is correct, you won't
even
have to worry about the wired PC. Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES
encryption, enter/create a shared key.

You understand me correctly. The desktop is wired to the router, the
laptop is connected wirelessly. I'm using the laptop and Gmail right
now, wirelessly. I can wirelessly print from the laptop to the two
printers wired to the desktop and share files (properly) only one way
- desktop can SAVE and share files to laptop, laptop cannot SAVE, only
share and only if I type the \\computer name\folder into the address
bar in My Network Places so the file appears under Entire Network .

I was told here: http://tinyurl.com/2knlmv that I need to rebuild my
network from scratch because my laptop is not on the same workgroup
(WORKGROUP) as the desktop (MSHOME). The first step I'm supposed to
perform is, "remove all the networks" (for which I have another post
going to find out what this means).

Quote: "Configure Linksys to use WPA2 with AES encryption, enter/
create a shared key."

Shouldn't I first find out if the laptop's WLAN card supports WPA2
with AES? This is my goal with this posting. To find out how/where to
get this information.

Next step is to turn on your laptop. It will detect a wireless network
name
(which is yours). Double click to join (or connect to) your Linksys
router.
You'll be prompted for a shared key. Type in exactly the same key you put
on
Linksys router. That is it.

This is what I did the first time in setting up the network. The
shared key is identical to the router's. The only thing, it seems,
that I messed up was placing the laptop in its own separate workgroup
called WORKGROUP instead of placing it with the desktop in MSHOME. :-
(

If I can get my questions answered, then I will be able to rebuild (or
simply fix?) this network the way it should be:

With more meaningful Computer and User names.
With the highest possible security level (to be determined).
With both computers on the same workgroup.

Thanks.
Cheryl

The easy way to correct the workgroup of the laptop is to create a network
setup floppy using the Network Setup Wizard on your desktop. The wizard wll
display all of the desktop settings, and
you accept all of the existing settings. At some point, the wizard will ask
you if you wish to create the setup floppy. You accept this choice.
When all is done on the desktop, you take the floppy over to your laptop and
execute the file which resides on the floppy. When done, you have made the
settings on your laptop
to agree with those on your desktop. This procedure, in effect, rebuilds
the network settings on your laptop. If you don't have a floppy, then you
may be able to use a CD.

USB floppy drives are quite cheap anyway.

Jim

 

[Holz]

I don't have to rebuild the network from scratch?

Cheryl

Not at all. Changing a workgroup name is a matter of 30 seconds
including a reboot.
You seem to be eager to learn, so here are some pointers:

Easy Home Networking Tutorial! (Version 2.0)
http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/HomeNet-start.asp

Home Network Setup - Setting up a Local Area Network
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/hmnetwk1.html

Google questions in simple language, you get many answers, and you are
already one step ahead of the rest, you want to know how, which is the
most important part!