On Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:00:10 -0500, "bc20" <bc20z020@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>Is there not a wireless-ethernet bridge ("gaming adapter") that supports
>WPA-PSK (AES) ?
Yes. Any of the devices supported by DD-WRT firmware.
I don't have a list of game adapters that specifically mention
WPA2-PSK-AES. That's because most of the common game adapter were
introduced with firmware that does NOT support WPA2. However, they
also have firmware updates that usually supply the missing feature.
>I've bought two from a local store only to return them because they don't do
>AES.
Did you check the web sites for the unspecified hardware for updates
that might just support WPA2-PSK-AES ??
Which makes and models did you buy?
>I told them I would keep purchasing and returning until the
>manufacturers learn to put full specifications on the box.
Chuckle. I almost spilled my cup or herbal tea over that. Most of
the manufacturers are going out of their way to dramatically reduce
any technical descriptions, specs, or performance claims. I've been
fighting that battle for years with little success. Anyway, it's
considered good form to research the products online before shelling
out money. Try the wireless reviews at:
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/blogcategory/75/96/>
Let's see if the Linksys WGA54G does WPA2-Personal-AES. Looks like
v1.10 only does WEP:
<http://ui.linksys.com/files/WGA54G/1.10/Setup.htm>
I did some digging and found that the WGA54G v2 hardware supports
WPA2-TKIP but *NOT* WPA2-AES. Oddly, it claims that it requires v1.16
firmware, while the latest on the LinksysBuyCisco web pile is 1.10.
<http://www.amazon.com/review/R11ZS5JWOEDJXO>
So, you're right. No WPA2-AES for that game adapter which is not
surprising for firmware released in 2005.
>If they just
>list WEP and WPA-PSK, HTF are you supposed to know if WPA-PSK is both TKIP
>and AES?
You're right. It should be listed. However, WPA and WPA2 may have
been added after the initial firmware release.
>Thought about ordering online, but I sent an email to a couple manufacturers
>asking if specific bridges support AES but they babble talk and refuse to
>give a clear answer. Probably because they don't have a clue.
True. My favorite fun question is "What's the current version number
of the firmware?" They never seem to know that.
>What is WPA2? Is WPA2 the same thing as "WPA-PSK (AES)" ?
Yes. They're the same. PSK means "pre-shared key" which is sometime
called "WPA-Personal". AES is the "Advanced Encryption Something"
which is the new and improved encryption standard endorsed by the
federal bureaucracy. There's also authentication standards that came
with AES. See:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wpa2>
>Would I bridge
>that says WPA2 on the box work with "WPA-PSK (AES)" ?
Sorta. WPA2 will work with either TKIP encryption (as used with WPA)
or optionally AES. The optional is the key here. TKIP is a stream
cipher and is easily done in either hardware or software. AES is a
block cipher and is not so simple. AES was originally intended to be
done only in hardware. That's why it's optional. However, CPU
horsepower has improved sufficiently that AES can now be done easily
in software. The problem is that some manufacturers are reluctant to
revise firmware for products they no longer sell, resulting in no AES
support. It's also possible that they ran out of RAM/ROM needed to
implement AES. Hard to tell, but you will find devices that only do
WPA2-PSK-TKIP and NOT do WPA2-PSK-AES. Offhand, I can't think of any,
but I've seen them in the past.
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
#
http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
#
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
Wireless-ethernet bridge with WPA-PSK (AES) ? 
Linear Mode
