[X4U] Setting up Netgear DG834G problem

[Stroller]

On Dec 6, 2005, at 10:51 pm, Michel Treisman wrote:
>
>   I have replaced my Speedtouch router with a Netgear DG834G Wireless 
> ADSL Firewall Router, in order that I can get online wirelessly with 
> my AlBook.

Hi there,

I use this router a LOT. Must have installed 20 or 30 of them for 
customers over the last 18 months. Configuration is much easier than 
with other brands.

> And it works. Except for one thing - it works only when the Security 
> Option I choose is  'Disable'.
> The problem  seems to be that the Netgear interface, and internet 
> Connect  (Mac OS X 10.4.3)  don't seem to offer compatible security 
> options.
>
> Netgear offers three options:
>
> WEP (Wired equivalent privacy)
> ...
> And Internet Connect offers:
> ...
> WEP 40/128-bit hex

The Netgear's interface displays the network key in hex.

The long story is that a few bits of the key don't change, or don't 
affect the encryption, or something, so that a "64-bit" WEP key only 
has 40-bits of useful encryption and a "128-bit" key only 104 bits. 
This is why when you set "64-bit" encryption in the Netgear you enter a 
"40/128-bit hex" key in Airport.

In fact, the keys are neither hex, nor ascii, but long strings of ones 
and zeros - a long binary number. Hex and ASCII are merely convenient 
notations for the same number. Since hex is counting is base 16 it runs 
out of numbers after 9, 10base10 is represented by A, 11 (base10) by B 
and so on, until 15 is F; 10 in hex is 16 in base 10. Consequently, a 
big hex number is readily identifiable - if you see a big long "number" 
(and it is a number!) containing the letters a to f (or A to F) then 
you can be sure it's hex. Put anything you like (I just splash a few 
random keys on my keyboard) into the Netgear's wireless setup page & 
click "generate" and you'll see what I mean!!

> I wanted to use WPA and I tried pairing up WPA-PSK from Netgear with 
> WPA Personal from Internet Connect, but the wi-fi connection stops 
> working when I do this, and I have to go back to no security, to get 
> online again.

I haven't tried WPA on the Netgear, only on a Belkin which a customer 
(or his helpful mate) had setup. I had no joy with that & reverted to 
WEP.

Stroller.