India Broadband Forum

Brightstar

WA3302-g4 router - help needed to change access keys

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I just got broadband installed from MTNL and have got WA3002-g4 router (wireless router/builtin modem- single device) pre-configured by them.
I want to change the wireless network access key as MTNL default scheme is too well known.
I am on wireless mode. In interface setup menu I can see Authentication type " WEP-64 bits" and radio button Key#1 has some numerics in Hex code.
I would like to enhance the security to say WPA-PSK with TKIP
or WPA2-PSK .
How to do it is not clear from the user guide and MTNL helpline is almost impossible to get thru. I am not familiar with hex notations and would like to rely on ASCII symbols only.
Also I need to connect two laptops at least and the configurations steps for both are needed.
Can anyone please help me....
Thanks in advance

amit_bundela

in WPA-PSK with TKIP or WPA2-PSK, you can type a ASCII password with minimum length of 8 characters. It is always better to use atleast 15-20 characters in your password and keep it complex using combination of alphabets(a-b,A-B), numbers(0-9) and special characters(!@#$%^&* etc).
Also change the wireless SSID name to as your choice. Your laptop will identify the wireless network by this name and you have to enter the same password as above for connecting to the network.

The most important thing is to protect you wifi router settings by changing the default password to as your choice.
reply for more details.

Brightstar

Hi amit,
Thanks a lot for the info posted on the forum and the private message. Basically I have a doubt i.e. currently my 2 laptops access the router by the 5 ch. numeric WEP Key given by MTNL. By experimenting with the menu's I have figured out that if I change the option to WPA in the drop down menu the screen changes and it offers me an input box to fill in a 8-64 ch. pre-shared key. I understand that this can be any phrase as explained by you. Now the issue is
Should I do it by using wireless mode or for safety sake( basically fear of being locked out) by connecting the LAN chord?
Am I required to first remove the WEP key? If yes.. what would be the steps?

Once I accomplish above, I would like to disable SSID broadcast for which I have several issues to understand and will raise them later. (I have already changed the SSID name, Admin Pwd etc.)

Once all of above gets done, I would like to change default 192.168.1.1 to something like 123.123.123.123 so that no outsider can make an entry.

I will trouble you with these questions and am deeply obliged for your offer of help.

Thanks a ton and looking forward to your kind help

just4kix

First, do not perform configuration changes on a wireless router when connected wirelessly. Always use a LAN cable. This is an advice for novices - experienced people can manage even wirelessly.

Disabling SSID broadcast is a good idea but make sure that the SSID is registered on your laptop, wi-fi mobile, etc. In my opinion, disabling SSID does not really offer any strong protection.

All your other ideas have been posted here:

1. http://www.indiabroadband.net/comput...ty-primer.html
2. http://www.indiabroadband.net/bsnl-b...primer-ii.html

__________________

Brightstar

Thanks for the info and excellent links.

but one thing remains...i.e.

Am I required to first remove the WEP key? If yes.. what would be the steps?


Thanks again.

Brightstar

Hi and many thanks to everyone (and very specially to Amit and Just for kikx)who helped,
Over the weekend I did manage to change the access keys flawlessly. I also managed to change router IP address but still kept it within 192.168.xxx.xxx series. (I believe there is some convention on this but have also seen quite a few posts encouraging users to change the IP completely at random. I wonder could there be a conflict with a real IP or not and pending my clear understanding on the subject I have played safe.) Having said that I must say - I was forced to change default gateway settings in TCP/IP properties on laptop to correspond with the new IP of the router.
I was wondering that now everything is set and I don't need to connect to router thru LAN- (wireless works perfectly) Can I put the setting in TCP/IP as detect settings automatically and remove every other entry. . This is because when I have to connect to office network a completely different settings are needed and i cant be doing changes at home and office everyday back and forth.

Any ideas or I am being stupid?

Thanks in advance

PS- It is an XP m/c fully updated.

Brightstar

any thoughts on this please..............

just4kix

If you have enabled DHCP in your wireless router, then you can change machine's TCP/IP properties to dynamic.

I also use my laptop in office and home and settings are automatic.

Brightstar

yes please. DHCP has been enabled on router. I intend to fiddle with these now on weekend and would get back if I run into issues.
Thanks a lot.

amarshah

I have enabled DHCP on my router and my Laptop (Vista Business) has DHCP enabled to. My office wireless connection get detected automatically but at home i have to sent the IP and DNS server for accessing the net wirelessly. if i attached a Lan cable to the router and my laptop, it works without entering any settings.
Kindly assist !
Thanks
Amar

amit_bundela

Hi amarshah
Most probably your DHCP settings on the routers are not correct.
Enable the DHCP server on the router and set the LAN settings.

amarshah

In the status of the router i can see DHCP enabled ! What else should i look for?

When i see properties on the vista PC it shows some funny IP starting with 169. in the Details option.

One more thing ! i did a hardware reset of the wireless router... but now the login and password option is not getting saved when i shut the router down. I have to enter it and save it every time then only i can access the WEB. Whats the solution to this ?

Gary4gar

check this guide from BSNL
http://dataone.in/en/wifi/new_page.html

check this step-by-step guide!
BSNL BROADBAND MAIN MENU

amit_bundela

Hi amarshah,
Under the DHCP settings or LAN settings, whatever option is available in ur router, check for the IP range, net mask & default gateway. The IP range can start from 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.255. For Gateway you can keep 192.168.0.1 and this will be your router's IP for log in into it. In this case netmask will be 255.255.255.0.
Your vista computer is getting the IP starting from 169(not exactly funny, but for local use) bcoz the DHCP on router is not working fine or not able assign IP correctly.
You can save the login & password for your broadband service in your router where you defines the external IP(if static & provided by ur ISP) or Autmatic IP(DHCP from ISP).

If nothing works for you, i can help you in another way, but only if you use Windows XP or Vista. Send me a remote assistance invitations.
To go there, right click on My Computer -> Properties OR open System from Control Panel.

Select "Remote" Tab. Under Remote Assistance check the box(enable it). Click on Advanced button. Check the box and set the hours to 24hours atleast.
click ok & apply & ok.
Now click start button -> Help & Support and use the remote assistance wizard to send a invitation to ur friend.
you can send me the invitation on amit.bundela@gmail.com.
Please write other details like current router IP, log in name & passeord etc.

amarshah

thanks Amit, I tried to save the login and password onto the router but when i reload that page, it again vanishes. I have saved it by clicking the save button 2-3 times.

I reset the router a couple of times and tried it but the same problem.