Network Security Authentication Methods WEP, WPA, WPA2 and where itresides

Our company is evaluating the purchase of a new gigabyte router and
have a questions surrounding the security mode. I have read from
several places that WEP and WPA have the potential to cause through-
put issues but WPA2 seems to have resolved this. My questions is, how
do I know if everyone is able to connect to a WPA2 encrypted network?
Is this a NIC card attribute or an OS feature? Any suggestions as to
who to talk with or articles that would help are GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Brian Smith

 

If you're considering this for a business, you should only use WPA2
anyway, from a security point of view.

From the client side, the ability to use WPA2 is dependent on hardware
(the wireless NIC), the driver software for the wireless NIC, and the OS.

The good news is that Windows XP (assuming that all critical updates and
service packs have been applied -- and you shouldn't permit anyone on
your company's LAN if that's not the case) and Windows Vista both can do
WPA2.

Most recent wireless adapters also can handle WPA2, although some may
need a driver update.

The bottom line is that you should implement WPA2 on your company's
router, and if someone is unable to connect, deal with that on a case by
case basis by upgrading hardware or software as necessary.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (KB893357) for WinXP isn't installed by default
unless MS has recently changed its delivery thru automatic update. A fully
patched WinXP SP2 still doesn't have KB893357 installed. You must manually
install it. I think WinXP SP3 includes WPA2.

 

Thanks for picking that up.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

I have downloaded the patch and am trying it out on a test machine.
Thanks for the help!

 

Several software products exist that do WPA2 stuff on the server side
and also provide access and policy control for wi-fi gateways - perhaps
you'd want to check out these.

--PA