Setting up wireless network

[Prometheus]

Okay so it seems I may need to setup Wireless Network when I move (I hate this of course since its too slow) anyway....

What do I need for it to have good range within our dwelling?

Security:How do I configure it for MAC address confirmation, WEP encryption, etc.

For MAC addresses how can I find out what my MAC address is and the other people I want on the network.

For wep encryption does it help to have longer alpha numeric passwords?
Anything I am missing?

Originally Posted by prometheus

Okay so it seems I may need to setup Wireless Network when I move (I hate this of course since its too slow) anyway....

what the hell? even the low end ones are faster than the connection you'll be getting.

Originally Posted by prometheus

What do I need for it to have good range within our dwelling?

depends on the antenna, radio and rfi.

Originally Posted by prometheus

Security:How do I configure it for MAC address confirmation, WEP encryption, etc.

depends on which ap you get, each configure differently.

Originally Posted by prometheus

For MAC addresses how can I find out what my MAC address is and the other people I want on the network.

on your computer? well if you're running windows 'ipconfig /all' and look at the 'physical address' field. if you mean on your ap it should say on the thing or in the documentation it has. or you can use:

 ping [ip-of-ap]
arp -a

Originally Posted by prometheus

For wep encryption does it help to have longer alpha numeric passwords?
Anything I am missing?

absolutely not, it uses RC4 encryption so no matter the length of the password the crypt will randomize and the hash will become whatever bit strength/length you decide to use. although many require certain length passwords because of the strain put on the ap's processor to create randomness, so you offload the task by using your own.

cracking a wep key on a network requires a good amount of data being logged over the air, approximately 3 gigs to get enough information about the wep key to crack it. the good thing about most home users is that it would take a long time to record 3 gigs of transfer.

although in your case you'll probably be p2ping it up with all that bandwidth you have. so i suggest just changing the key often, keep the bit rate of encryption high. and if the ap you get has any mechanisms to only allow certain mac addresses then do that and add yours to the list.

[Prometheus]

any reccomendations on routers and AP's

you don't have a router?

i don't know i have a d-link ap. i keep it open though because i like catching wifi sniffer dudes and talking if they don't get freaked out lol.

[Prometheus]

I have a regular router not a wireless one

you can have a regular router, then just buy a seperate ap.

i personally do not prefer all-in-one network equipment. i don't even like combination router/switches router/hubs. i just have a 1 port router with a 16 port switch and then everything run off that, ap, comp, comp etc.

[Prometheus]

I have that now but I can access my AP to configure WEP or anything

can't? why not? what's the problem?

so you have it and it just sits there not working?

[Prometheus]

it broadcasts....but I live on a private lane right now so there isnt much threat.

I cant figure out what its local address is...

Rc4 is futile. If you have the time that is, capturing the necessary 2000-5000 weak packets takes time. so wep is OK i guess. but make sure your militarized net is secure. Perform an entire system audit when your through. Just t make sure.