Re: Wireless network WPA2 problem

[Neil Houghton]

Hi Steven,

As I discussed in my reply to Ronni, I'm a bit leery of updating the
software - I may try Billion's support though.

No, I'm not trying to set it up as a WDS and yes, I have (& will!) remain
firmly ethernet connected while setting up!

Cheers


Neil
-- 
Neil R. Houghton
Albany, Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9841 6063
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


on 11/9/08 2:57 PM, Steven Knowles at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Sorry Neil, on closer reading, doesn't seem that you're using WDS
> anyway.
> 
> I had an Apple base station in place to extend the reach of my 7404VGP-
> M's wireless network, as well as an Airport Express. And I recall
> somewhere along the line learning that if I wanted security in place,
> it had to be WEP. I'm 99% certain it was in the manual, but I've just
> checked the manual for your model and it doesn't seem to state that.
> 
> Anyway, at risk of stating the obvious, I'd make sue you have the
> latest firmware installed (new version released on 10 July 08). Be
> sure to connect your Mac to the Billion via ethernet before doing an
> update. The last time I did mine wirelessly, it stuffed things up, and
> right now that particular Billion is getting 're-flashed' by Billion
> under warranty. They blamed it on me doing the upgrade wirelessly
> (which is always the way I'd done it with no prior problems).
> 
> The online support offered by Billion is not too bad either in case
> you haven't tried it. They're quite quick with a response.
> 
> Cheers, Steven
> 
> On 11/09/2008, at 10:39 AM, Steven Knowles wrote:
> 
>> Hi Neil
>> 
>> I have endless hours of experience using a 7404VGP-M under similar
>> circumstances.
>> 
>> Currently I am not using the Billion, and I don't have it with me,
>> but if you check the Billion instruction manual I think from memory
>> you will need to compromise with security and use WEP. It's a
>> limitation of the Billion. I'll read your email in a little more
>> detail when I get chance, but hopefully that's a clue. I was using a
>> WDS, and it may have been that which was incompatible with WPA.
>> Anyway, it does allude to it in the manual.
>> 
>> Cheers, Steven
>> 
>> 
>> On 11/09/2008, at 9:16 AM, Neil Houghton wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> Anyone using a Billion 7402VGP (or similar?) and connecting with WPA2
>>> security?
>>> 
>>> My problem:
>>> 
>>> I've been using the above ADSL2 modem/router/VOIP for quite a while
>>> now
>>> without using the wireless (since the computer is right next to the
>>> router,
>>> I just used ethernet) - all has been well (only ADSL here in
>>> Albany, still
>>> waiting on ADSL2) with internet, networking and VOIP.
>>> 
>>> Recently I decided it would be good to try the wireless:
>>> 
>>> 1) to stream iTunes to the stereo via an Airport Express (bought
>>> with the
>>> iMac in November but not tried until now)
>>> 
>>> 2) to let me wander around with the laptop (bought in May for
>>> overseas trip)
>>> 
>>> Here's where I'm at:
>>> 
>>> My first try at setting up the billion met with mixed success:
>>> 
>>> -   Turned on the wireless feature and could connect up and browse
>>> the net
>>> OK - but default was unsecured - not a state I was happy with.
>>> -   Turned on WPA2 (I thought) and connected up again - but was not
>>> asked
>>> for a password and the network showed up without the "secured"
>>> padlock
>>> - Rechecked the router config via browser and sure enough security
>>> was
>>> disabled - turning it on and "applying" did not seem to take.
>>> 
>>> I turned off the wireless till I had time to research.
>>> 
>>> I had no problems with the airport express - other than complaining
>>> that it
>>> wasn't connected to the internet (wireless not working on Billion,
>>> no spare
>>> ethernet to connect to it) I set up a network OK, I have successfully
>>> streamed the iTunes and printed to the attached printer and
>>> connected to the
>>> Express wireless network from a second computer.
>>> 
>>> I won't go into all the interminable forums I checked out - but I
>>> finally
>>> got WPA2 security turned on for the Billion - It turns out Safari
>>> doesn't
>>> talk well to the Billion - just for wireless security, it seems, I
>>> had had
>>> no problem setting everything else up!
>>> 
>>> Anyway after much resetting of the router, saving of configuration
>>> files
>>> (checking them with BBEdit to check what had changed) changing
>>> parameters
>>> incrementally and using Firefox to apply the WPA2 settings - it all
>>> seeemed
>>> to have worked - after a restart the setting have all "stuck"  and
>>> when I
>>> turn on Airport, the network is scanned and shows up as a "secure"
>>> (padlocked) network.
>>> 
>>> I just can't connect to it!!
>>> 
>>> When I try, I get a message "connection timeout" - it obviously is
>>> talking
>>> to the Billion because if I use the wrong password it tells me
>>> "Invalid
>>> password" so when I use the correct password, it is accepting that
>>> - but
>>> then some process is timing out befo

Re: Wireless network WPA2 problem

[Neil Houghton]

Hi Ronni,

No, I'm still with the firmware that came with it (5.04k).

I was very unwilling to upgrade firmware after reading many of the forums
(both Billion & Whirlpool) where many people were having problems with the
later firmware - particularly with myNetphone (who have a couple of
interesting plans in their Whirlpool specials - I'm not using them at
present but I don't want to exclude myself by upgrading to buggy firmware).

My set-up is all working fine except for the wireless part and I would hate
to mess it up (especially the VOIP which is great and was simple to set-up
but seems to be a bugger to troubleshoot if you do have problems (just from
reading all the forum posts).

The forums are full of posts from people who have rolled back from 5.5... To
5.07 or 5.08 to solve problems - unfortunately rolling back involves using a
PC and the console to PS2 connection cable - and it's not just a case of
usb/serial adaptors, the rollback software (recovery utility) is apparently
windows only - as some Mac users had found out :(

The trouble is, many of the posts seem to have conflicting info - or rather
the problems do not appear to be consistent (Billion say they can't
reproduce them so can't fix them) some have had fixes which haven't worked
for others - and they all seem to have a better handle on how it all works
than I do!!

If I knew definitively that my problem was due to 5.04 firmware and would be
fixed by just going to 5.07 or 5.08, I might be willing to try it (I'd be a
lot more willing if it was easier to go back - but some users report
"bricking" their routers when they attempted to downgrade the firmware -
even with the billion recovery tool).

The general consensus (but not universal!) on the forums SEEMS to be that
5.07 is rock solid but is not the best wireless perfomance, 5.08 is better
at wireless but is the version at which some people started having the
problems. Then was the jump to 5.5... Which was when a lot more people
started having problems. Looking at the firmware page which you linked they
have a 5.07 available but no longer have 5.08 - though it may be available
elsewhere. I know the later firmware gives extra features like adjustable
transmission power and people have gotten improved range but that isn't
really an issue for me.

Maybe I'll see if I can get any info on the billion forums (it's just the
WAMUG speaks my language!!) - otherwise I might just live without wireless -
I don't think I could handle the grief I'd get from the other half if I mess
up the VOIP!!

Cheers


Neil
-- 
Neil R. Houghton
Albany, Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9841 6063
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


on 11/9/08 2:53 PM, Ronda Brown at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Hello Neil,
> 
> Are you using the latest firmware for your Router ...
> > 
> There were issues with earlier version firmware not being able to use
> WPA2.
> 
>> I had no problems with the airport express - other than complaining
>> that it
>> wasn't connected to the internet (wireless not working on Billion,
>> no spare
>> ethernet to connect to it) I set up a network OK, I have successfully
>> streamed the iTunes and printed to the attached printer and
>> connected to the
>> Express wireless network from a second computer.
> 
> To join the Billion's wireless network you need to use the AirPort
> Express in 'Client Mode'.
> In client mode the ethernet port is not used. It can still act as a
> print server and connect up to speakers for AirTunes.
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> On 11/09/2008, at 1:16 PM, Neil Houghton wrote:
> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> Anyone using a Billion 7402VGP (or similar?) and connecting with WPA2
>> security?
>> 
>> My problem:
>> 
>> I've been using the above ADSL2 modem/router/VOIP for quite a while
>> now
>> without using the wireless (since the computer is right next to the
>> router,
>> I just used ethernet) - all has been well (only ADSL here in Albany,
>> still
>> waiting on ADSL2) with internet, networking and VOIP.
>> 
>> Recently I decided it would be good to try the wireless:
>> 
>> 1) to stream iTunes to the stereo via an Airport Express (bought
>> with the
>> iMac in November but not tried until now)
>> 
>> 2) to let me wander around with the laptop (bought in May for
>> overseas trip)
>> 
>> Here's where I'm at:
>> 
>> My first try at setting up the billion met with mixed success:
>> 
>> -   Turned on the wireless feature and could connect up and browse
>> the net
>> OK - but default was unsecured - not a state I was happy with.
>> -   Turned on WPA2 (I thought) and connected up again - but was not
>> asked
>> for a password and the network showed up without the "secured" padlock
>> - Rechecked the router config via browser and sure enough security was
>> disabled - turning it on and "applying" did not seem to take.
>> 
>> I turned off the wireless till I had time to research.
>> 
>> I had no problems with the airport

Re: Wireless network WPA2 problem

[Steven Knowles]

Sorry Neil, on closer reading, doesn't seem that you're using WDS  
anyway.


I had an Apple base station in place to extend the reach of my 7404VGP- 
M's wireless network, as well as an Airport Express. And I recall  
somewhere along the line learning that if I wanted security in place,  
it had to be WEP. I'm 99% certain it was in the manual, but I've just  
checked the manual for your model and it doesn't seem to state that.


Anyway, at risk of stating the obvious, I'd make sue you have the  
latest firmware installed (new version released on 10 July 08). Be  
sure to connect your Mac to the Billion via ethernet before doing an  
update. The last time I did mine wirelessly, it stuffed things up, and  
right now that particular Billion is getting 're-flashed' by Billion  
under warranty. They blamed it on me doing the upgrade wirelessly  
(which is always the way I'd done it with no prior problems).


The online support offered by Billion is not too bad either in case  
you haven't tried it. They're quite quick with a response.


Cheers, Steven

On 11/09/2008, at 10:39 AM, Steven Knowles wrote:


Hi Neil

I have endless hours of experience using a 7404VGP-M under similar  
circumstances.


Currently I am not using the Billion, and I don't have it with me,  
but if you check the Billion instruction manual I think from memory  
you will need to compromise with security and use WEP. It's a  
limitation of the Billion. I'll read your email in a little more  
detail when I get chance, but hopefully that's a clue. I was using a  
WDS, and it may have been that which was incompatible with WPA.  
Anyway, it does allude to it in the manual.


Cheers, Steven


On 11/09/2008, at 9:16 AM, Neil Houghton wrote:


Hi all,

Anyone using a Billion 7402VGP (or similar?) and connecting with WPA2
security?

My problem:

I've been using the above ADSL2 modem/router/VOIP for quite a while  
now
without using the wireless (since the computer is right next to the  
router,
I just used ethernet) - all has been well (only ADSL here in  
Albany, still

waiting on ADSL2) with internet, networking and VOIP.

Recently I decided it would be good to try the wireless:

1) to stream iTunes to the stereo via an Airport Express (bought  
with the

iMac in November but not tried until now)

2) to let me wander around with the laptop (bought in May for  
overseas trip)


Here's where I'm at:

My first try at setting up the billion met with mixed success:

-   Turned on the wireless feature and could connect up and browse  
the net

OK - but default was unsecured - not a state I was happy with.
-   Turned on WPA2 (I thought) and connected up again - but was not  
asked
for a password and the network showed up without the "secured"  
padlock
- Rechecked the router config via browser and sure enough security  
was

disabled - turning it on and "applying" did not seem to take.

I turned off the wireless till I had time to research.

I had no problems with the airport express - other than complaining  
that it
wasn't connected to the internet (wireless not working on Billion,  
no spare

ethernet to connect to it) I set up a network OK, I have successfully
streamed the iTunes and printed to the attached printer and  
connected to the

Express wireless network from a second computer.

I won't go into all the interminable forums I checked out - but I  
finally
got WPA2 security turned on for the Billion - It turns out Safari  
doesn't
talk well to the Billion - just for wireless security, it seems, I  
had had

no problem setting everything else up!

Anyway after much resetting of the router, saving of configuration  
files
(checking them with BBEdit to check what had changed) changing  
parameters
incrementally and using Firefox to apply the WPA2 settings - it all  
seeemed
to have worked - after a restart the setting have all "stuck"  and  
when I

turn on Airport, the network is scanned and shows up as a "secure"
(padlocked) network.

I just can't connect to it!!

When I try, I get a message "connection timeout" - it obviously is  
talking
to the Billion because if I use the wrong password it tells me   
"Invalid
password" so when I use the correct password, it is accepting that  
- but

then some process is timing out before I get properly connected.

I have tried this from both the 24" Intel iMac and the 20" G5 iMac  
and the

behaviour is the same in both cases.

And, remember, I had no problem connecting before I turned on the  
security -
so there is no basic incompatibility with the wireless on the  
Billion.
However, I am obviously not happy to just turn off the security! (I  
had
thought prematurely that I had wireless working when I selected  
WLAN in the
airport list - till I realised I hadn't actually switched mine on -  
it was
just an unsecured network in the area! - if I figure out who, I'll  
alert

them!).

So... any ideas... anybody...

TIA


Cheers


Neil

--
Neil R. Houghton
Albany, Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9841 6063
Emai

Re: Wireless network WPA2 problem

[Ronda Brown]

Hello Neil,

Are you using the latest firmware for your Router ... 
There were issues with earlier version firmware not being able to use  
WPA2.


I had no problems with the airport express - other than complaining  
that it
wasn't connected to the internet (wireless not working on Billion,  
no spare

ethernet to connect to it) I set up a network OK, I have successfully
streamed the iTunes and printed to the attached printer and  
connected to the

Express wireless network from a second computer.


To join the Billion's wireless network you need to use the AirPort  
Express in 'Client Mode'.
In client mode the ethernet port is not used. It can still act as a  
print server and connect up to speakers for AirTunes.



Cheers,
Ronni
On 11/09/2008, at 1:16 PM, Neil Houghton wrote:


Hi all,

Anyone using a Billion 7402VGP (or similar?) and connecting with WPA2
security?

My problem:

I've been using the above ADSL2 modem/router/VOIP for quite a while  
now
without using the wireless (since the computer is right next to the  
router,
I just used ethernet) - all has been well (only ADSL here in Albany,  
still

waiting on ADSL2) with internet, networking and VOIP.

Recently I decided it would be good to try the wireless:

1) to stream iTunes to the stereo via an Airport Express (bought  
with the

iMac in November but not tried until now)

2) to let me wander around with the laptop (bought in May for  
overseas trip)


Here's where I'm at:

My first try at setting up the billion met with mixed success:

-   Turned on the wireless feature and could connect up and browse  
the net

OK - but default was unsecured - not a state I was happy with.
-   Turned on WPA2 (I thought) and connected up again - but was not  
asked

for a password and the network showed up without the "secured" padlock
- Rechecked the router config via browser and sure enough security was
disabled - turning it on and "applying" did not seem to take.

I turned off the wireless till I had time to research.

I had no problems with the airport express - other than complaining  
that it
wasn't connected to the internet (wireless not working on Billion,  
no spare

ethernet to connect to it) I set up a network OK, I have successfully
streamed the iTunes and printed to the attached printer and  
connected to the

Express wireless network from a second computer.

I won't go into all the interminable forums I checked out - but I  
finally
got WPA2 security turned on for the Billion - It turns out Safari  
doesn't
talk well to the Billion - just for wireless security, it seems, I  
had had

no problem setting everything else up!

Anyway after much resetting of the router, saving of configuration  
files
(checking them with BBEdit to check what had changed) changing  
parameters
incrementally and using Firefox to apply the WPA2 settings - it all  
seeemed
to have worked - after a restart the setting have all "stuck"  and  
when I

turn on Airport, the network is scanned and shows up as a "secure"
(padlocked) network.

I just can't connect to it!!

When I try, I get a message "connection timeout" - it obviously is  
talking
to the Billion because if I use the wrong password it tells me   
"Invalid
password" so when I use the correct password, it is accepting that -  
but

then some process is timing out before I get properly connected.

I have tried this from both the 24" Intel iMac and the 20" G5 iMac  
and the

behaviour is the same in both cases.

And, remember, I had no problem connecting before I turned on the  
security -

so there is no basic incompatibility with the wireless on the Billion.
However, I am obviously not happy to just turn off the security! (I  
had
thought prematurely that I had wireless working when I selected WLAN  
in the
airport list - till I realised I hadn't actually switched mine on -  
it was
just an unsecured network in the area! - if I figure out who, I'll  
alert

them!).



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Re: Wireless network WPA2 problem

[Steven Knowles]

Hi Neil

I have endless hours of experience using a 7404VGP-M under similar  
circumstances.


Currently I am not using the Billion, and I don't have it with me, but  
if you check the Billion instruction manual I think from memory you  
will need to compromise with security and use WEP. It's a limitation  
of the Billion. I'll read your email in a little more detail when I  
get chance, but hopefully that's a clue. I was using a WDS, and it may  
have been that which was incompatible with WPA. Anyway, it does allude  
to it in the manual.


Cheers, Steven


On 11/09/2008, at 9:16 AM, Neil Houghton wrote:


Hi all,

Anyone using a Billion 7402VGP (or similar?) and connecting with WPA2
security?

My problem:

I've been using the above ADSL2 modem/router/VOIP for quite a while  
now
without using the wireless (since the computer is right next to the  
router,
I just used ethernet) - all has been well (only ADSL here in Albany,  
still

waiting on ADSL2) with internet, networking and VOIP.

Recently I decided it would be good to try the wireless:

1) to stream iTunes to the stereo via an Airport Express (bought  
with the

iMac in November but not tried until now)

2) to let me wander around with the laptop (bought in May for  
overseas trip)


Here's where I'm at:

My first try at setting up the billion met with mixed success:

-   Turned on the wireless feature and could connect up and browse  
the net

OK - but default was unsecured - not a state I was happy with.
-   Turned on WPA2 (I thought) and connected up again - but was not  
asked

for a password and the network showed up without the "secured" padlock
- Rechecked the router config via browser and sure enough security was
disabled - turning it on and "applying" did not seem to take.

I turned off the wireless till I had time to research.

I had no problems with the airport express - other than complaining  
that it
wasn't connected to the internet (wireless not working on Billion,  
no spare

ethernet to connect to it) I set up a network OK, I have successfully
streamed the iTunes and printed to the attached printer and  
connected to the

Express wireless network from a second computer.

I won't go into all the interminable forums I checked out - but I  
finally
got WPA2 security turned on for the Billion - It turns out Safari  
doesn't
talk well to the Billion - just for wireless security, it seems, I  
had had

no problem setting everything else up!

Anyway after much resetting of the router, saving of configuration  
files
(checking them with BBEdit to check what had changed) changing  
parameters
incrementally and using Firefox to apply the WPA2 settings - it all  
seeemed
to have worked - after a restart the setting have all "stuck"  and  
when I

turn on Airport, the network is scanned and shows up as a "secure"
(padlocked) network.

I just can't connect to it!!

When I try, I get a message "connection timeout" - it obviously is  
talking
to the Billion because if I use the wrong password it tells me   
"Invalid
password" so when I use the correct password, it is accepting that -  
but

then some process is timing out before I get properly connected.

I have tried this from both the 24" Intel iMac and the 20" G5 iMac  
and the

behaviour is the same in both cases.

And, remember, I had no problem connecting before I turned on the  
security -

so there is no basic incompatibility with the wireless on the Billion.
However, I am obviously not happy to just turn off the security! (I  
had
thought prematurely that I had wireless working when I selected WLAN  
in the
airport list - till I realised I hadn't actually switched mine on -  
it was
just an unsecured network in the area! - if I figure out who, I'll  
alert

them!).

So... any ideas... anybody...

TIA


Cheers


Neil

--
Neil R. Houghton
Albany, Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9841 6063
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


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Guidelines - 
Unsubscribe -