802.1x and/or WPA

[Joost E. Boere]

Does the UX-50 support this? I've searched quite some specs, and it's not mentioned anywhere. The wifi-network which I plan to use has 802.1x as a requirement.

[sonicboy]

what is 802.1x ??

I thought 802.11g was the next evolution..

[sonicboy]

does this answer your question?
http://www.nwfusion.com/research/2002/0506whatisit.html

gotta love google :P

[sonicboy]

"The protocol in 802.1x is called EAP encapsulation over LANs (EAPOL). It is currently defined for Ethernet-like LANs including 802.11 wireless, as well as token ring LANs such as FDDI. EAPOL is not particularly sophisticated."

[Joost E. Boere]

With 802.1x, you package EAP messages in Ethernet frames and don't use PPP. It's authentication and nothing more.


The sysops of the University of Twente use it to certifiy one is allowed to access the network. It might not be "particularly sophisticated", but it gets the job done. WPA for example uses it as well. And that one should have a reasonable amount of security: "The alliance says this will eliminate the need for running wireless VPN software."

Now we know what it is, does the UX-50 support it?

[sonicboy]

well I just assumed that as "It is currently defined for Ethernet-like LANs including 802.11 wireless" that it would be

[Joost E. Boere]

I'm not that sure. It's an additional feature, not a requirement for Wifi. Just like for example wifi-sniffing. It depends if Sony thought it was an neccessity. It's not mentioned in the spec-sheets, is it in the manual?

[sonicboy]

it has wi-fi sniffing, but from what I have gathered, and correct me if I'm wrong, but 802.1x is a server based (which revolves around the 802.11 standard) not a client thing..

[Joost E. Boere]

You need a client which supports it, otherwise who would initiate the contact? On the campus overhere, they have working clients for WinXP, 2000 en Mac. Linux is work in progress.

[sonicboy]

oh ok.. I doubt it but if it is either an important or popular technology then it will be ported

[sadrik]

Time to resurrect this thread it seems.

Has anyone heard of WPA (or even just CCX, LEAP or EAP-Cisco if you prefer) drivers for 802.11-enabled Clies since this thread died?

WPA, CCX-enabled, LEAP and EAP-Cisco are a few of the options for bringing user-authentication to wireless networks. They use several methods to first authenticate the user and then encrypt data on a per user basis, instead of relying upon 'device-authentication', a single static WEP key shared amongst all.

In any modern corporate wireless deployment, it is suicide to rely solely on WEP. Statistically, static WEP keys can be cracked in as little as 9.1 minutes. (Cisco Product Bulletin No. 1515 for those with access.) Even home wireless devices are starting to support these new features.

http://www.mtghouse.com/products/ lists exactly what I desire, but it is only for the Palm Tungsten C. I've contacted the company and they suggested I talk to Sony as they have no intention on supporting any other platform.

While I'm at it, anyone played with any good IPSEC clients for PalmOS5 that would work on the Clies?

[sadrik]

Originally posted by sadrik

In any modern corporate wireless deployment, it is suicide to rely solely on WEP. Statistically, static WEP keys can be cracked in as little as 9.1 minutes. (Cisco Product Bulletin No. 1515 for those with access.) Even home wireless devices are starting to support these new features.


As an aside, here's the Cisco bulletin:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps430/prod_bulletin09186a008009246f.html

[Deanster]

I use WPA on both home and work networks, and I'd really like to be able to use my TH-55 with them. (I don't want to reduce security on my home network, and the work tech folks surely won't). Is there any support out there for WPA on the TH-55? Help!

[arth1]

The only solution I can see is to get a WiFi bridge and a Bluetooth access point, and hook them together. That way, the WiFi bridge can communicate with the WiFi access points using WPA, and your PDA communicate through Bluetooth to the BT access point.
You'd need a Bluetooth enabled TH55, though, i.e. a European version. Or a UX40/UX50 -- after all, this is the UX forum and not the TH forum :)

Regards,
--
*Art

[asiliat]

I don't think the UX50 supports WPA natively. Never saw anything pertaining to that.

WEP isn't really good enough for the hardcore hacker who insist on getting in, but it's a good deterent nonetheless for casual warsurfing s'kiddies.