[Mac_crypto] Mac OS X, AirPort: Connecting to Third-Party Base Stations

[R. A. Hettinga]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106250

TITLE

Mac OS X, AirPort: Connecting to Third-Party Base Stations

Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 106250
3/28/01
12/9/02
TOPIC

You may need to format your password in a specific way before connecting to
(or "associating with") third-party wireless access points with AirPort in
Mac OS X

DISCUSSION

      Symptom

      When you try to connect to (or "associate with") a third-party
wireless access point, the password or WEP key does not appear to work.

      Products affected
          o Mac OS X 10.0 and later
    o Third-party wireless access points ("base stations" or "gateways")

      Solution

      Many third-party wireless access points use a WEP key or a password
entered either as a string of hexadecimal numbers or as five ASCII
characters.

      To connect Mac OS X to a third-party wireless access point that is
configured to use WEP, format your password one of these two ways:
            1. Hexadecimal - precede the string with a dollar sign ($). For
example: $123456789a
      2. ASCII - enclose the characters in double quotes ("). For example:
"magic"
      Notes:
            1. This is similar to the situation in which a third-party
wireless client attempts to connect to an AirPort Base Station. But in this
case, the WEP key or password must be obtained from the network
administrator. It cannot be obtained using the Network Equivalent Password
algorithm found in the AirPort Admin Utility.

      2. Some third-party base stations offer features for supporting up to
four WEP keys. On these systems, make sure that the AirPort password is
entered in the primary password field (first). Other settings may be
required so refer to the manufacturer's instructions for additional
information.

      Note: Wireless Internet access requires an AirPort Card, AirPort Base
Station, and an Internet service provider, for which fees may apply. Some
ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. America Online (AOL) works with
AirPort software version 2.0 or later. For more information on AOL
compatibility, see technical document 106591: "AirPort: How to Use with
AOL." Range may vary with site conditions.

-- 
-----------------
R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com>
The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/>
44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA
"... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity,
[predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to
experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'