I've been using a Belkin ethernet router up until now but decided to go to a wireless router in order for me to use my G4 iBook wirelessly and my wife to use her windows laptop wirelessly. I bought a Belkin F5D7230-4 Wireless G Router.

I simply hooked it up and it works. Great. My base computer is a MDD 1.25 Ghz machine running 10.4.6 connected to the router via ethernet.

My question is this- the manual talks about the security options (which are not turned on by default). I can't get the wizard on the enclosed CD to run- it bombs every time. I can't find an updated version on Belkin's website. I did access the set-up info manually using Safari and the routers web address (192.168.2.1). Security options according to the documentation are WPA-PSK or 64 / 128 WEP encription.

I'm ignorant of the security options. Any places I can go for a tutorial in setting up security that will also educate me? Once security is established, how do my other computers use the security? Are passwords set up on each computer? Sorry to sound so dumb, but I guess I've never felt the need to get into the deeper stuff before. I've been using Macs since 1986- they just work so well with plug and play. Any help is greatly appreciated.

CElliott

Not so dumb . . . I have a Belkin router and I tried to set up some sort of encryption more than once and ended up reverting due to some machine or other not being able to get on.
All's I know is that people in the know always recommend the 128-bit . . .

I'd also appreciate any pointers to something with explanations at the 8th grade level.

One thing I did figure out how to use is the mac address filtering.

You can look at the DHCP client list, and compare the numbers there to what you see in your connected computer's "about this mac/more info" under "network" to find out which is which.

The downside is you have to enable any "guest" computer you might want connected.

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman

Like h'oard pointed out MAC filtering is a fairly simple way to boost security a bit. It will keep nosy neighbors off your wireless along with not broadcasting the station ID. Longer key size (128 bit vs. 40) is better but to a determined hacker won't make much difference. If your router and Mac support WPA2 that's an improvement over the original protocol. (You mentioned WPA-Pre Shared Key, that's the newer one. WEP is the older one.)

If your router supports remote administration over the internet you should turn that off. You should definitely change the router admin password. Most of the wireless networks in my building still use the original password! I've had to teach my neighbors about the basics.

If you add the MAC for each approved machine they will still need to know the wireless network name and password for access. With most machines it's possible to store both those pieces of information to make things easier.

Guest machines will need to have their MAC added to the router security to get on. Clumsy but more secure.

Consumer wireless security is not great but unless a neighbor is a hacker, or someone parked in a car next to your apartment is trolling for networks to break into you should be fine.

Thanks, Rob.

I just took the time to learn all the mac addresses on my network, and enabled filtering. Had to give the ethernet settings on the cube a kick to get it to connect, but now it's all good.

Big "duh" about the password-- I still haven't set one up.

However, doesn't a machine have to be "allowed" on the network before being able to log in to the router?

Elliot, after further thought I realized all you'd have to do to enable guests to connect, when desired, is log in to the router and uncheck "enable" in the filtering controls.

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman

OK, a bit confused now . . .
I set a password, and enabled "log in from anywhere on the internet" . . .
so, I can type 192.168.2.1 from any computer, anywhere, and access -my- router?
Don't think so-- what am I missing?

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman

Well, 8th grade responses aren't working- how about 6th grade? I appreciate the help, but "mac filtering"? Like I said, I'm new to the lingo (and the implementation). I need some education not just on what to do, but what it is and how to do it. I'm feeling really dense at the moment.

Well, I looked under About this Mac, more info and went to the Network section. Under locations I found the Harware (MAC) Address. For illustration purpose lets say its 00:0a:14:ff:fe:e0:0e:36 (not the real address).

In the Belkin set up, I went to the MAC address filtering. there is a check box to enable along with a another box to insert the MAC address. I tried doing so, but it only accepts this much of the address- 00:0a:14:ff:

It won't allow anymore digits, and when I hit update I get a message saying that I haven't entered a complete address. Well, I figured that given that it wouldn't take all of the info. What am I missing here? I thought it might be a problem with Safari, but Firefox gives the same results. Am I in the wrong spot? Is there something else I need to do first?

I'm not sure I understand h' response "You can look at the DHCP client list, and compare the numbers there to what you see in your connected computer's 'about this mac/more info' under 'network' to find out which is which."

Thanks. I think I'm getting closer to some understanding.

Easy one.
Just leave out all the odd characters--

00:0a:14:ff:fe:e0:0e:36

==>

000a14fffee00e36

Bet you've discovered that on yor own already

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman

Re: I'm not sure I understand h' response "You can look at the DHCP client list, and compare the numbers there to what you see in your connected computer's 'about this mac/more info' under 'network' to find out which is which."

Do you see a place to click on "DHCP client list" on the left margin?
It's the second item down in my menu.

I'm using the 7231 so my menus may be different (I definitely have options you don't).

My 7230 is sitting behind me waiting for a home.

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman

Hey, Guys, I got it up and running. Only MAC address security right now. I have my MDD and my oldest son's Mac Mini going through the Belkin router via ethernet. I have my G4 iBook G4 and my youngest son's G4 iBook going through the Belkin via Airport Extreme. I also now have my wife's Windows ThinkPad going through the Belkin via her built-in wireless. All can access the internet through my cable modem. Wow!

Here's a question, however. On the MDD, the Mini and the iBooks, when surfing, there is a distinct lag before the page loads when we click on a link. Usually 3-5 seconds. We didn't have that occurance when I was using the ethernet wired only router. For comparison, on this same network, when I click on a link on my wife's Thinkpad, the page load is almost immediate- it's much faster accessing pages. The pages load is about the same speed on all of the Macs and the Thinkpad, it's just accessing the pages that seems to have taken a hit. Any thoughts? Is this an us vs them issue?

CElliot Quote.:
"My question is this- the manual talks about the security options (which are not turned on by default). I can't get the wizard on the enclosed CD to run- it bombs every time. I can't find an updated version on Belkin's website. I did access the set-up info manually using Safari and the routers web address (192.168.2.1). Security options according to the documentation are WPA-PSK or 64 / 128 WEP encription. "

Yep, the Wizards run on Windows, not the Mac.
Read the manual, the part about using a browser to log into the Belkin, and setting it up that way. Much easier, much nicer.

BGnR

BGnR,
Thanks, but actually the wizard on the CD is a Mac version. They have two versions on the CD for Macs- OS 9 and OS X (in addition to a Windows version). I did use the browser method and all seems to be going pretty well. I'm learning while I go, picking up a little here and there.

Thanks for all the help you can give me.

Quote
celliott
Hey, Guys, I got it up and running. Only MAC address security right now. I have my MDD and my oldest son's Mac Mini going through the Belkin router via ethernet. I have my G4 iBook G4 and my youngest son's G4 iBook going through the Belkin via Airport Extreme. I also now have my wife's Windows ThinkPad going through the Belkin via her built-in wireless. All can access the internet through my cable modem. Wow!

Here's a question, however. On the MDD, the Mini and the iBooks, when surfing, there is a distinct lag before the page loads when we click on a link. Usually 3-5 seconds. We didn't have that occurance when I was using the ethernet wired only router. For comparison, on this same network, when I click on a link on my wife's Thinkpad, the page load is almost immediate- it's much faster accessing pages. The pages load is about the same speed on all of the Macs and the Thinkpad, it's just accessing the pages that seems to have taken a hit. Any thoughts? Is this an us vs them issue?

Good question . . . dunno the answer.

---

I suffer from the same sensitivity that you do. A few nuggets of wisdom were shared with me and I'm "trying" to incorporate them into my life. First, remember that nobody can hurt your feelings unless you let them. You can always reject what is being forced on you emotionally.
Second, nothing changes unless you change it. If you don't want the behavior to be repeated then you need to take action. Otherwise the kid has learned that his behavior is the way to get things done, because everyone lets him get away with it.
In the meantime I sympathize because I've been there.
-beerman