Wi-Fi Protected Access, WPA,
WPA2 - Update of WPA.

  
  By Granville Stewart  
       
 

For Part 1 of this article: http://lvit.com/wi-fi-protected-access-wpa-wpa2/

    
       
OVERVIEW WPA    
       
WEP
WPA
802.11
802.11b
Wi-Fi
 WEP: Wired Equivalent Privacy = Older standard 

WPA: Wi-Fi Protected Access = Update to the WEP standard. 

802.11: General standards under which LAN - Local Area Networks are under.

802.11b: General standard for Wireless LANs and Wi-Fi
    
     
 

 
Hint !
 If you have Windows XP with service pack 2 then you already have WPA, relax. If you do not have XP Service Pack 2, then upgrade. You will automatically receive WPA.  
     
 

WPA2 - "There is another..." the update to WPA.

WPA2 includes all elements of 802.11i.( see http://lvit.com/wi-fi-protected-access-wpa-wpa2/ ) In addition to TKIP and the Michael algorithm, it has a new AES-based algorithm, CCMP, that is supposed to be 100% secure. From March 13, 2006, to be Wi-Fi certified it needs to be WPA2 compatible.

  • Official support for WPA2 in Microsoft Windows XP was rolled out on 1 May 2005. Driver upgrades for network cards may be required.
  • Apple Computer supports WPA2 on all AirPort Extreme-enabled Macintoshes, the AirPort Extreme Base Station, and the AirPort Express. Firmware upgrades needed are included in AirPort 4.2, released July 14, 2005.

    This is what Microsoft says:

"The Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)/Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element (WPS IE) Update for computers that are running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) is available. This update enhances the Windows XP wireless client software with support for the new Wi-Fi Alliance certification for wireless security. The update also makes it easier to connect to secure public spaces that are equipped with wireless Internet access. These locations are otherwise known as "Wi-Fi hotspots." - Microsoft Site Quote and where you and download WPA2."

  
WPA2

WPA2

WPA2 is a product certification that is available through the Wi-Fi Alliance. WPA2 certifies that wireless equipment is compatible with the IEEE 802.11i standard. The WPA2 product certification formally replaces Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and the other security features of the original IEEE 802.11 standard. The goal of WPA2 certification is to support the additional mandatory security features of the IEEE 802.11i standard that are not already included for products that support WPA. 		 
 
 
     
What do I do now?
 Either call LVIT and we will set up your wireless network with security or go to Microsoft Site Quote and download the current WPA2 standard along with your updated XP service pack 2 and go through the setup / installation of protecting your entire network, computers, printers, important folders, servers etc... All the instructions are on the official microsoft links page to set up your WPA2 security.

But seriously, the time it will take for you to go through the process of protecting your ENTIRE wireless network is more than well spent by hiring LVIT if you are in Las Vegas. They, or even myself will come to your office and set up everything you need to be protected wirelessly. You sit back and relax and know that your network is being taken care of by Microsoft Certified Professionals.
  
     
Give LVIT a call to set up your Wireless network Security. Phone: (702) 334-2323

According to microsoft the lack of security on wireless networks not set up is because of the difficulty. Quote from Microsoft from their site ( sense when has Microsoft stated that something is difficult? )

"It's no secret that the biggest challenge for home Wi-Fi users is securing their wireless LAN. In fact, home and soho wireless networks are rarely secured because the average home user finds it too difficult." - Quote from Microsoft Site.
So give LVIT a call and let us set up your network.

  
     
Below are definitions to help you with General Networking Terms / general network definitions.
  
   
 

ACPI - Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
AFH - Adaptive Frequency Hopping
BPSK- Binary Phase Shift Keying
CCK- Complementary Code Keying
CSMA/CA - Carrier Sensing Media Access/Collision Avoidance
dBm - Decibels relative to 1 milliwatt power level
DBPSK - Differential Binary Phase Shift Keying
DFS - Dynamic Frequency Selection
DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DQPSK - Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
DSL - Digital Subscriber Line
DSSS - Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
EIRP- Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power
FHSS - Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
IP - Internet Protocol
IPSec - Internet Protocol Security
L2TP - Layer 2 Tunneling protocol
MAC - Media Access Control
NAT - Network Address Translation
OFDM - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
PBCC - Packet Binary Convolution Coding
PCMCIA - Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
PPTP - Point to Point Transport Protocol
QPSK - Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
SNMP -Simple Network Management Protocol
SSID - Service Set Identifier
TCP/IP - Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
TKIP - Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
TPC - Transmitter Power Control
UDP - User Datagram Protocol
UTP -Unshielded Twisted Pair
VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol
VPN - Virtual Private Network
WEP - Wired Equivalent Privacy
WOL - Wake-on-LAN
WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access
WPA2- Current Update to WPA

 

    

 
     
Granville Stewart - Author of Article Wi-Fi Protected Access, WPA, WPA2 - is an IT professional in Las Vegas and is a contributor to LVITweb.com  
  Find more informative articles on LVITweb.com  
     
     
  For More Information on Wireless Networking.  
  This site is for beginning and intermediate users..  
http://www.homenethelp.com  
  Home PC Network provides practical coverage of everything related to Personal Computer networks.  
http://www.practicallynetworked.com  
  Practical help on wireless networking, with product reviews step by step help  
http://www.lvit.com  
Let a team of LVIT professionals set up your Wi-Fi, WPA Network in Las Vegas.