Two Range Expanders - How to enable security?

Question

I have a linksys router (wrt54g ver 2) and two WRE54G range expanders both version 3.  Everything is working fine but I can't enable security because I can't access the set up webpage of one of the expanders.  Any ideas?  Or maybe I can use Mac Filtering but would I use the mac address of the expanders or the wireless computers? Or any other way to make my little network secure? 
I have Windows XP and broadband.
Thanks.

Answer 1

First of all you need to setup your router, and get your wireless computers working.  Then later, we can work on the range expanders.
To setup WEP security, do the following:
Turn off all your computers, except for one computer that it wired to the WRT54G.
Make sure the computer is wired to one of the numbered ports on the WRT54G, not the Internet port.  Also, make sure the wireless card in the computer is turned off.
In the computer, temporarily turn off your software firewall.
Point your browser to 192.168.1.1
Enter your user name (if any) and password.
This will take you to the router's setup pages.
Go to the "Wireless" tab, "Basic Wireless Settings" subtab.
Change your SSID to a unique name.  Do not use "linksys".  This is the name of your wireless network, and eventually, you will need to enter it into all your network devices (computers, router, expanders, etc.).
Set "SSID Broadcast" to "enabled".
Write down the "Wireless channel" that you are using, and save the paper.
Click on the "Save Settings" button, then wait (3-60 seconds) for the screen to refresh.
Next go to the "Wireless MAC filter" subtab.
Set the "Wireless MAC filter" to "disabled" for now.  (If you want to use this feature, we will need to come back later to set it up).
If you changed anything on this page, click the "Save Setting" button, and again wait for a screen refresh.
Next go to the "Security" tab, "Wireless Security" subtab.
Set the "Security Mode" to "WEP".
Click the "Save Settings" button, and again wait for a screen refresh.  (Note: the "Save Settings" might not work until you do the rest of the stuff in this paragraph.)
Set the "Default Transmit Key" to "1".
Set the WEP encryption to "64bit 10 hex digits"
Insert your passphrase of 8 to 16 characters (no spaces), then click the "Generate" button.
Copy down "key 1"  (it should be 10 hex digits) on a piece of paper and save it.
Click on the "Save Settings" button, and again wait for a refresh.
Exit your browser.
Power cycle your modem, router, and computer.
Login to your router again.  Now verify that all of the above settings are still present in the router.  If not, put them in again, and be sure to click on the "Save Settings" button on each page that you update.  After you have your router setup correctly, disconnect the wire between your computer and router, then power cycle your entire system again.
Now, you must setup your computer for wireless.  This setup varies from system to system.  So you may have to try a few things to get it to work.
First, in the computer, temporarily turn off your software firewall.
Next, turn on your wireless card and try to display the available networks in your area.  Look for the network with your SSID.  If you see it, the display will probably also say "encrypted" or "WEP".  Click on your network, then click on "Connect".  The computer will then ask for your password.  At this point, enter your 10 hex digit WEP "key 1", not your WEP password or passphrase.  It should then connect.  If it does connect, verify that you have a properly working wireless Internet connection.
If it does not connect, then go to your wireless settings and look for something called "Preferred Networks" or "Profiles".  In this area, you will be able to enter the info on your network (SSID, WEP, and your "key 1" ).  Also, setup your network as your default network, with automatic login.  You may need to right click on your network and set this up in "Properties" or perhaps in "settings".  Also, while you are here, delete any networks named "linksys", and also delete any other network that you do not recognize, or that you no longer use.
Once you get one computer working, then setup your other computers for wireless.  Get all your wireless computers working properly first, and verify that they have a properly working wireless Internet connection.
When you have this done, let me know, then we can setup the range expanders.
But you must have a properly working wireless system before you can expand the range.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 08-13-2007 06:30 PM