The WiFi Zone : Wireless

Wireless Networking Gear-the Softer Side

bowman — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:04:44 GMT

I've got this great DAP-1555 Draft 802.11n "Xtreme N Duo Mediabridge" that I use to wirelessly enable my Xbox 360. (You can buy these in pairs to add to existing networks. And if you want to use your 360 wirelessly, you'll definitely want "N" speeds.) The device itself supports both the 2.4 and the 5.0 Ghz bands. In my wifi oversaturated neighborhood, the 5 GHz side is truly a neccessity!

My only beef was that the stark white color made the device stick out like a sore thumb. I stumbled on a page on D-Link's web site that showed some skins for the DIR-655 router. Since the form factor for the DAP-1555 is the same, I decided to go for it. I went with a color scheme that sort of matches my Xbox 360.

BBC's Panorama Investigative Show Thinks WiFi is Unsafe

bowman — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:22:10 GMT

The basis for all of this nonsensical conclusion is apparently some unsubstantiated leap between mobile phone technology and equipment and a theorized similarity to WiFi equipment. Say what?

Someone at Panorama is WiFi phobic. My long standing opinion of the BBC as being grounded in meticulous research and analysis has crashed and there are no survivors.

Technorati tags: WiFi, 802.11, Wireless Networking, Technology

Don't take Microsoft's Advice on this one. WEP is not secure.

bowman — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:30:00 GMT

Microsoft recently posted a column on Ad Hoc WiFi Networking on the Vista Community site and advocated using WEP if WPA was not available. This article further gave instructions on entering a 5 or 13 character WEP key without even bothering to explain the weaknesses of WEP. WEP supplies a false sense of security. In my neck of the woods, the kiddies often forego wide open networks because it's "fun and easy" to crack WEP. This is one of those backward compatibility features that I wish Microsoft had not included. Or at least given users an explanation that this is "use at great risk". The author sees the backwards compat angle but omits the red alert on security and safety side. It wasn't so long ago that MS told us all that security was job #1.

WEP is unsafe at any speed. Use WEP in a hotel and share via ICS and turn on File and Print Sharing to save money is an invitation to disaster. Just say no. Buy yourself a cheap travel router if you MUST share your connection among close personal friends (D-Link's DWL-G730AP works quite well). But do not follow the advice here unless you're interested in having your files stolen and possibly your identity as well.

I don't normally raise a red flag on Microsoft content without first having made every effort to contact them first, explaining my case, and suggesting replacement content. Be assured I've done that.

I'm a Microsoft Networking MVP, and if you know anything about me, you know that WiFi is where I live and breathe.