Passwording my wireless home network?

[alextaylor29]

Although this isn't a pure BF2 question I do play it online via my home wireless network. I'm not very technical but was able to set up my linksys router to work wirelessly for my computers at home. I have 3, my work laptop, my wifes laptop and my gaming desktop.

I set it up as 'open' because I wasn't sure how to do it otherwise.

However I've had some bandwidth problems on it this morning (I should be getting 4 Mbps down) and have this paranoid feeling some of my neighbors may be stealing my bandwidth.

So two questions. Anyway I can tell what computers or users are currently using my connection and B, how do I password my wireless link so only I and my wife can use it?

Thanks in advance.

[alextaylor29]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

OK I called link sys tech support and got it to work. Now using 64 bit Wep encryption.

So far so good!

[Gunny Highway]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

Usually you can log into the wireless router and tell what MAC (hardware address) is or has been active on your network, and thus tell if others have been granted an IP by your router.

MAC address is the physical serial number a network adapter has.

Usually configuration/setup is done via a web browser, e.g. http://192.168.1.1 or similar you can read how to configure exactly in your manual.

4 things to do at least IMO when having a wireless router.

1) Filter MAC addresses so only the MACs of your PCs LAN adapter can use the wireless router.

2) Enable WEP encryption, eventhough it can be broken easily if you know how, most will not know how to do this, so this stops casual usage your connection.

3) Disable the automatic allocation of IPs in your router, meaning DHCP, so you don't automatically get an IP on your network but have to specify it manually in your XPs LAN network settings. E.g. if your have 2 PC on your wireless LAN, then only allow two IPs to use the router, and use them on your PC.

4) Disable broadcast of SSID so ppl don't automatically get your ID, without broadcast they have to type it in manually in wireless network options. Can still be sniffed though, but still more secure.

You can also take a look at this Wireless Security FAQ: http://www.iss.net/wireless/WLAN_FAQ.php

Looking through the manual would be a good idea as this is configured differently on routers.
What wireless router do you have exactly? It is easier for ppl to look at pdf manual for your router and give advice if they know which model etc.

[AGM-114]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

The best thing you can do is throw the wireless router out the window and watch is shatter on the ground. You are guaranteed that no one will be stealing your signal!

Seriously though, watch your in game ping closely as I have a Linksys wireless router and even when the signal was almost 100% clean to my pc, I would still get spikes during play. It drove me nuts. The wireless router is maybe 20 feet from my pc with no obstructions and I still couldn't solve the problem. I tried everything I read up on and just couldn't defeat the issue. Mind you, for everyday browsing, it was not an issue at all. But for gaming, it was a pain. My pings were about 50ms at the best. Since I moved to the wired port, its around 42-45. And no more lag spikes.

One more thing to watch out for. This is usually only an issue for condo owners but sometimes you will find a lot of wireless networks around you. Remember, there are only so many channels wireless can use and you might find yourself clashing with someone elses signal. I have 15 wireless AP's near me that are farily strong so this may have also been part of my problem. If you can, stick with wired. If not, check your ping when you see lag.

Hope this info helps.

[tellysurv]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

The post above is correct, a wireless signal will never be as fast as a wired signal because of the extra work that is involved for packets to be moved from your WNIC to your access point.

Also, keep in mind microwave ovens, and cordless phones. They can be on the same frequencies as your router and interrupt your signal.

Reading the manual or downloading it from the manufacturers site is always a good idea. Put as much security on that sucker as you can to insure people arent stealing your connection and ruining your bandwidth.
Change your SSID, set it to not broadcast, change your password to your admin page, turn off DHCP and manually assign IPs (change your default internal IP if your router allows it), turn on MAC filtering for your wireless devices, and set up WPA if you have it. It is much more secure that WEP. WEP works OK though if thats all you have.
Most people wont bother trying to hack into your network if you put an obstacle in front of them. They'd rather go down the street and find another open AP to play with...

[AGM-114]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

One more thing I forgot. If you switch to manual ip addressing you will have to put in your DNS settings. Get them from the router.

[alextaylor29]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

OK thanks guys for all your input. To be clear, my gaming rig that I play BF2 on, is hardwired into my cable modem via 10/100 base-t. The wireless is for my and my wife's laptop.

Again much appreciated.

[ReallyBadPilot]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

I just wanted to add this for those who have unsecured wireless routers.

My Fiance's dad has a wireless Linksys in his APARTMENT COMPLEX....UNSECURED!!

I didnt know this, I was for sure he would have secured it...but no. One night while I was having to visit them in Oklahoma I tried to play BF2....lag was horrible. I found his manual...got into the setup utility...went to the logged MAC addresses and found 4 different users leaching off his internet. Needless to say I reset the router...secured it in 128bit encryption and never saw them again. Now my ping is pretty good (I sit about 2 feet above the router since its under the guest bed)

SECURE YOUR WIRELESS!

[DrunkenPirate]

Re: Passwording my wireless home network?

Moving this to the Hardware forums since it isn't really BF2 related.