Awesome Technologies Inc, 740 Rowlee Road, Fulton, N.Y. 13069
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562-3620
fax (315) 297-4040
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From our BLOG... techblog.awesometechhome.com
you can add your own by emailing your information to:
I received this question on the Global Site Selector
(GSS) and it occurs to me that this information could be
very useful to know... Besides it is not spoken of
very often because it usually is not a Network Engineer that
configures the DNS server, it is... well, a DNS guy or
a Unix guy...
So, the question is; "What do I need to insert in to DNS to
make my GSS work?"
The GSS works by having a delegation record in the DNS
server or DNS Proxy (D-Proxy) server.
This is an example of what gets added to BIND for
delegation:
; DNS Delegation to Cisco GSSM's for SQL clusters
; Sub-domains delegated to GSS Network
sql IN NS awetech-gssm.awesometechhhome.com.
IN NS awetech-gss2.awesometechhome.com.
; “Glue” A records with GSS interface addresses
; Cisco GSS Awesome Technologies Primary Data Center Site
(Fulton, NY)
awetech-gssm IN A 24.12.138.19
; Cisco GSS Awesome Technologies Secondary Data Center Site (Syracuse, NY)
awetech-gss2 IN A 64.19.128.11
; End Delegation
So, I guess that answers that question... If you have
any further questions, please drop up a line.
Henry Willcox
President / CEO
Awesome Technologies Inc.
The following sections describe how to use Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless to set up the required security settings for your wireless adapter. Refer to Personal Security.
It also provides information about how to configure advanced security settings for your wireless adapter. This requires information from a systems administrator (corporate environment) or advanced security settings on your access point (for home users). Refer to Enterprise Security.
For general information about security settings, refer to Security Overview.
Use Personal Security if you are a home or small business user who can use a variety of simple security procedures to protect your wireless connection. Select from the list of security settings that do not require extensive infrastructure setup for your wireless network. A RADIUS or AAA server is not required.
Name |
Setting |
Personal Security |
Select to open the Personal Security settings. The security settings that are available are dependent on the Operating Mode selected in the Profile Wizard: Device to Device (ad hoc) or Network (Infrastructure). |
Data Encryption |
If you configure a profile for a Device to Device (ad hoc) network, select
If you configure an profile for an Infrastructure network, select:
|
Advanced |
Select to access the Advanced Settings to configure the following options:
|
Back |
View the prior page in the Profile Wizard. |
OK |
Closes the Profile Wizard and saves the profile. |
Cancel |
Closes the Profile Wizard and cancels any changes made. |
Help? |
Provides the help information for the current page. |
In a home wireless network, you can use a variety of simple security procedures to protect your wireless connection. These include:
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption provides protection for your data on the network. WPA uses an encryption key called a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) to encrypt data before transmission. Enter the same password in all of the computers and access points in your home or small business network. Only devices that use the same encryption key can access the network or decrypt the encrypted data transmitted by other computers. The password automatically initiates the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for the data encryption process.
WEP encryption provides two levels of security:
For improved security, use a 128-bit key. If you use encryption, all wireless devices on your wireless network must use the same encryption keys.
You can create the key yourself and specify the key length (64- or 128-bit) and key index (the location that a specific key is stored). The greater the key length, the more secure the key.
Pass phrase (64-bit): Enter five (5) alphanumeric characters, 0-9, a-z or A-Z.
Hex key (64-bit): Enter 10 hexadecimal characters, 0-9, A-F.
Pass phrase (128-bit): Enter 13 alphanumeric characters, 0-9, a-z or A-Z.
Hex key (128-bit): Enter 26 hexadecimal characters, 0-9, A-F.
With 802.11, a wireless station can be configured with up to four keys (the key index values are 1, 2, 3, and 4). When an access point or a wireless station transmits an encrypted message that uses a key stored in a specific key index, the transmitted message indicates the key index that was used to encrypt the message body. The receiving access point or wireless station can then retrieve the key that is stored at the key index and use it to decode the encrypted message body.
In device to device mode, also called ad hoc mode, wireless computers send information directly to other wireless computers. You can use ad hoc mode to network multiple computers in a home or small office, or to set up a temporary wireless network for a meeting.
On the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window, select one of the following methods to connect to a device to device network:
NOTE: Device to Device (ad hoc) networks are identified with a notebook image () in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
To create a profile for a wireless network connection with no encryption:
When WEP data encryption is enabled, a network key or password is used for encryption.
You must enter the key and specify the length (64- or 128-bit) and key index (the location that a specific key is stored). The more complex the key (mixed letters and numbers), the more secure the key.
To add a network key to a device to device network connection:
NOTE: Device to Device (ad hoc) networks are identified with a notebook image () in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
To add a password or network key:
When WEP encryption is enabled on a device, the WEP key is used to verify access to the network. If the wireless device does not have the correct WEP key, even though authentication is successful, the device is unable to transmit data.
An infrastructure network consists of one or more access points and one or more computers with wireless adapters installed. Each access point must have a wired connection to a wireless network. For home users, this is usually a broadband or cable network.
On the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window, select one of the following methods to connect to an Infrastructure network:
NOTE: Infrastructure networks are identified with an access point image () in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
When WEP data encryption is enabled, a network key or password is used for encryption.
A network key is provided for you automatically (for example, it might be provided by your wireless network adapter manufacturer), or you can enter it yourself and specify the key length (64- or 128-bit), key format (ASCII characters or hexadecimal digits), and key index (the location where a specific key is stored). The greater the key length, the more secure the key.
To add a network key for an Infrastructure network connection:
NOTE: Infrastructure networks are identified with an access point image () in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
To add a password or network key:
When WEP encryption is enabled on an access point, the WEP key is used to verify access to the network. If the wireless device does not have the correct WEP key, even though authentication is successful, the device is unable to transmit data through the access point or decrypt data received from the access point.
To add more than one password:
WPA Personal Mode requires manual configuration of a pre-shared key (PSK) on the access point and clients. This PSK authenticates users a password or identifying code, on both the client station and the access point. An authentication server is not needed. WPA Personal Mode is targeted to home and small business environments.
WPA2 is the second generation of WPA security that provides enterprise and consumer wireless users with a high level of assurance that only authorized users can access their wireless networks. WPA2 provides a stronger encryption mechanism through Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is a requirement for some corporate and government users.
To configure a profile with WPA-Personal network authentication and TKIP data encryption:
NOTE: Infrastructure networks are identified with an access point image () in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
If your wireless access point or router supports WPA2-Personal then you should enable it on the access point and provide a long, strong password. The longer the password, the stronger the security of the wireless network. The same password entered in the access point needs to be used on this computer and all other wireless devices that access the wireless network.
NOTE: WPA-Personal and WPA2-Personal are not interoperable.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a security enhancement that strongly increases the level of data protection and access control to a wireless network. WPA enforces 802.1x authentication and key-exchange and only works with dynamic encryption keys. For a home user or small business, WPA-Personal utilizes either Advanced Encryption Standard - Counter CBC-MAC Protocol (AES-CCMP) or Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP).
To configure a profile with WPA2-Personal network authentication and AES-CCMP data encryption:
AES-CCMP (Advanced Encryption Standard - Counter CBC-MAC Protocol) is the new method for privacy protection of wireless transmissions specified in the IEEE 802.11i standard. AES-CCMP provides a stronger encryption method than TKIP. Choose AES-CCMP as the data encryption method whenever strong data protection is important.
If your Wireless access point or router supports WPA2-Personal then you should enable it on the access point and provide a long, strong password. The same password entered into access point needs to be used on this computer and all other wireless devices that access the wireless network.
NOTE: WPA-Personal and WPA2-Personal are not interoperable.
Some security solutions may not be supported by your computer's operating system. You may require additional software or hardware as well as wireless LAN infrastructure support. Contact your computer manufacturer for details.
Set Password:
From the Security Settings page you can enter the required security settings for the selected wireless network.
Use Enterprise Security if your network environment requires 802.1x authentication.
Name |
Setting |
Enterprise Security |
Select to open the Enterprise Security settings. The security settings that are available are dependent on the Operating Mode selected: Device to Device (ad hoc) or Network (Infrastructure). |
Network Authentication |
If you configure a Device to Device (ad hoc) profile, the default is Open authentication. If you configure an Infrastructure profile, select:
|
Data Encryption |
|
Enable 802.1x (Authentication Type) |
Click to open the following 802.11x authentication types:
|
Cisco Options |
Click to view the Cisco Compatible Extensions. NOTE: Cisco Compatible Extensions are automatically enabled for CKIP and LEAP profiles. |
Back |
View the prior page in the Profile Wizard. |
Next |
View the next page in the Profile Wizard. If more security information is required then the next Step of the Security page is displayed. |
OK |
Closes the Profile Wizard and saves the profile. |
Cancel |
Closes the Profile Wizard and cancels any changes made. |
Help? |
Provides the help information for the current page. |
When Open authentication is used, any wireless station can request authentication. The station that needs to authenticate with another wireless station sends an authentication management frame that contains the identity of the sending station. The receiving station grants any request for authentication. Open authentication allows any device network access. If no encryption is enabled on the network, any device that knows the SSID can gain access to the network.
In Device to Device (ad hoc) mode, wireless computers send information directly to other wireless computers. You can use ad hoc mode to network multiple computers in a home or small office, or to set up a temporary wireless network for a meeting.
NOTE: Device to Device (ad hoc) networks are identified with a notebook image () in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
NOTE: If you need to edit or change the wireless network settings, refer to Profile Management for more information.
To create a profile for a wireless network connection with no encryption:
When Open authentication is used, any wireless station can request authentication. The station that needs to authenticate with another wireless station sends an authentication management frame that contains the identity of the sending station. T he receiving station grants any request for authentication. Open authentication allows any device network access. If no encryption is enabled on the network, any device that knows the SSID can gain access to the network. Device to Device (ad hoc) networks always operate with Open authentication.
On the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window, select one of the following methods to connect to a device to device network:
NOTE: Device to Device (ad hoc) networks are identified with a notebook image in the Wireless Networks and Profiles list.
NOTE: If you need to edit or change the wireless network settings, refer to Profile Management for more information.
To create a profile for a wireless network connection with WEP encryption:
- Pass phrase (64-bit): Enter five (5) alphanumeric characters, 0-9, a-z, or A-Z.
- Hex key (64-bit): Enter 10 hexadecimal characters, 0-9, A-F.
- Pass phrase (128-bit): Enter 13 alphanumeric characters, 0-9, a-z, or A-Z.
- Hex key (128-bit): Enter 26 hexadecimal characters, 0-9, A-F.
To change the security settings:
An infrastructure network consists of one or more access points and one or more computers with wireless adapters installed. Each access point must have a wired connection to a wireless network.
On the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main page, select one of the following methods to connect to an Infrastructure network:
If there is no authentication required, the network connects without a prompt to enter any log-on credentials. Any wireless device with the correct network name (SSID) is able to associate with other devices in the network.
To create a profile for a wireless network connection with no encryption:
Open authentication allows a wireless device access to the network without 802.11 authentication. If no encryption is enabled on the network, any wireless device with the correct network name (SSID) can associate with an access point and gain access to the network.
When Shared Key authentication is used, each wireless station is assumed to have received a secret shared key over a secure channel that is independent from the 802.11 wireless network communications channel. Shared key authentication requires that the client configure a static WEP or CKIP key. The client access is granted only if it passes a challenge-based authentication. CKIP provides stronger data encryption than WEP, but not all operating systems and access points support it.
NOTE: While shared key would appear to be the better option for a higher level of security, a known weakness is created by the clear text transmission of the challenge string to the client. Once an invader finds the challenge string, the shared authentication key can be easily reverse engineered. Therefore, open authentication is actually, and counter intuitively, more secure. To create a profile with shared authentication:
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a security enhancement that strongly increases the level of data protection and access control to a wireless network. WPA enforces key-exchange and only works with dynamic encryption keys. If your wireless AP or router supports WPA-Personal and WPA2-Personal then you should enable it on the AP and provide a long, strong password. For personal or home networks without a RADIUS or AAA server, use Wi-Fi Protected Access Personal.
NOTE: WPA-Personal or WPA2 Personal are not interoperable.
Some security solutions may not be supported by your computer's operating system and may require additional software or certain hardware as well as wireless LAN infrastructure support. Check with your computer manufacturer for details.
To add a profile with WPA-Personal or WPA2-Personal network authentication:
WPA2-Enterprise requires an authentication server.
NOTE: WPA-Enterprise and WPA2-Enterprise are not interoperable.
To add a profile that uses WPA - Enterprise or WPA2 - Enterprise authentication:
MD5 authentication is a one-way authentication method that uses user names and passwords. This method does not support key management, but does require a pre-configured key if data encryption is used. To add WEP and MD5 authentication to a new profile:
NOTE: Before you begin, you need to know the user name and password on the RADIUS server that grants access to the network.
Step 2 of 2: MD5 User
NOTE: This option is unavailable if Pre-Logon Connect is not selected during installation of the Intel PROSet/Wireless software. Refer to Install or Uninstall the Single Sign On Feature.
If you did not select Use Windows logon on the Security Settings page and also did not configure user credentials, an Enter Credentials message appears when you attempt to connect to this profile. Enter your user name, domain, and password. Click OK to access the profile.
EAP-SIM uses a dynamic session-based WEP key, which is derived from the client adapter and RADIUS server, to encrypt data. EAP-SIM requires you to enter a user verification code, or Personal Identification Number (PIN), for communication with the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. A SIM card is a special smart card that is used by Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) based digital cellular networks. To add a profile with EAP-SIM authentication:
EAP-SIM authentication can be used with:
These settings define the protocol and the credentials used to authenticate a user. Transport Layer Security (TLS) authentication is a two-way authentication method that exclusively uses digital certificates to verify the identity of a client and a server.
To add a profile with TLS authentication:
Select one of the following:
Certificate Issuer: Click Any Trusted CA as the default or select a certificate issuer from the list.
Server or Certificate Name: Enter the server name.
The server name or domain to which the server belongs, depends on which of the two options below has been selected.
Server name must match the specified entry exactly: When selected, the server name must match exactly the server name found on the certificate. The server name should include the complete domain name (for example, Servername.Domain name).
Domain name must end with the specified entry: When selected, the server name identifies a domain, and the certificate must have a server name that belongs to this domain or to one of its subdomains (for example, zeelans.com, where the server is blueberry.zeelans.com). NOTE: These parameters should be obtained from the administrator.
NOTE: These parameters should be obtained from the administrator.
TTLS authentication: These settings define the protocol and credentials used to authenticate a user. The client uses EAP-TLS to validate the server and create a TLS-encrypted channel between the client and server. The client can use another authentication protocol, typically password-based protocols (for example, MD5 Challenge over this encrypted channel to enable server validation). The challenge and response packets are sent over a non-exposed TLS encrypted channel. The following example describes how to use WPA with AES-CCMP encryption with TTLS authentication.
To set up a client with TTLS Network Authentication:
For PAP, CHAP, MD5, MS-CHAP, and MS-CHAP-V2 protocols, select one of these authentication methods:
- Use the Windows logon: Select to retrieve the user's credentials from the user's Windows logon process.
NOTE: This option is unavailable if Pre-Logon Connect is not selected during installation of the Intel PROSet/Wireless software. Refer to Install or Uninstall the Single Sign On Feature.
- Prompt each time I connect: Select to prompt for user name and password before you connect to the wireless network. The user name and password must be first set in the authentication server by the administrator.
- Use the following: The user name and password are securely (encrypted) saved in the profile.
- User Name: This user name must match the user name that is set in the authentication server.
- Domain: Name of the domain on the authentication server. The server name identifies a domain or one of its subdomains (for example, zeelans.com, where the server is blueberry.zeelans.com). NOTE: Contact your administrator to obtain the domain name.
- Password: This password must match the password that is set in the authentication server. The entered password characters display as asterisks.
- Confirm Password: Reenter the user password.
When 802.1x MS RADIUS is used as an authentication server, the server authenticates the device that uses the Roaming Identity user name from Intel PROSet/Wireless software, and ignores the Authentication Protocol MS-CHAP-V2 user name. This feature is the 802.1x identity supplied to the authenticator. Microsoft IAS RADIUS accepts only a valid user name (dotNet user) for EAP clients. When 802.1x MS RADIUS is used, enter a valid user name. For all other servers, this is optional. Therefore, it is recommended to use the desired realm (for example, anonymous@myrealm) instead of a true identity.
NOTE: These parameters should be obtained from the administrator.
PEAP authentication: PEAP settings are required for the authentication of the client to the authentication server. The client uses EAP-TLS to validate the server and create a TLS-encrypted channel between client and server. The client can use another EAP mechanism (for example, Microsoft Challenge Authentication Protocol (MS-CHAP) Version 2), over this encrypted channel to enable server validation. The challenge and response packets are sent over a non-exposed TLS encrypted channel. The following example describes how to use WPA with AES-CCMP or TKIP encryption with PEAP authentication.
To set up a client with PEAP Authentication:
Obtain and install a client certificate. Refer to Set up the Client for TLS authentication or consult your administrator.
PEAP relies on Transport Layer Security (TLS) to allow unencrypted authentication types (for example, EAP-Generic Token Card (GTC) and One-Time Password (OTP) support).
When 802.1x MS RADIUS is used as an authentication server, the authentication server authenticates the device with the Roaming Identity user name from the Intel PROSet/Wireless utility and ignores the Authentication Protocol MS-CHAP-V2 user name. This feature is the 802.1x identity supplied to the authenticator. Microsoft IAS RADIUS accepts only a valid user name (dotNet user) for EAP clients. Enter a valid user name whenever 802.1x MS RADIUS is used. For all other servers, this is optional, therefore, it is recommended that you no use a true identity, but instead the desired realm (for example, anonymous@myrealm).
Configure Roaming Identity to support multiple users:
If you use a Pre-Logon or Common connection profile that requires the roaming identity to be based on the Windows logon credentials, the creator of the profile can add a roaming identity that uses %username% and %domain%. The roaming identity is parsed and the appropriate log on information is substituted for the keywords. This allows maximum flexibility in configuring the roaming identity while allowing multiple users to share the profile.
Please refer to your authentication server user guide for directions about how to format a suitable roaming identity. Possible formats are:
%domain%\%username%
%username%@%domain%
%username%@%domain%.com
%username%@mynetwork.comIf Roaming Identity is cleared, %domain%\%username% is the default.
Notes about the credentials: This user name and domain must match the user name that is set in the authentication server by the administrator prior to client authentication. The user name is case-sensitive. This name specifies the identity supplied to the authenticator by the authentication protocol operating over the TLS tunnel. This user identity is securely transmitted to the server only after an encrypted channel has been verified and established.
Authentication Protocols: These parameter specifies the authentication protocols that can operate over the TTLS tunnel. Below are instructions on how to configure a profile that uses PEAP authentication with GTC, MS-CHAP-V2 (Default), or TLS authentication protocols. Generic Token Card (GTC)
To configure a one-time password:
NOTE: The Prompt each time I connect option is unavailable if an Administrator has cleared the Cache Credentials setting in the the Administrator Tool. Refer to Administrator Settings for more information.
MS-CHAP-V2. This parameter specifies the authentication protocol operating over the PEAP tunnel.
TLS: Transport Layer Security authentication is a two-way authentication method that exclusively uses digital certificates to verify the identity of a client and a server.
Certificate Issuer: Click Any Trusted CA as the default or select a certificate issuer from the list.
Server or Certificate Name: Enter the server name.
The server name or domain to which the server belongs, depends on which of the two options below has been selected.
Server name must match the specified entry exactly: When selected, the server name must match exactly the server name found on the certificate. The server name should include the complete domain name (for example, Servername.Domain name).
Domain name must end with the specified entry: When selected, the server name identifies a domain, and the certificate must have a server name that belongs to this domain or to one of its subdomains (for example, zeelans.com, where the server is blueberry.zeelans.com). NOTE: These parameters should be obtained from the administrator.
Notes about Certificates: The specified identity should match the Issued to identity in the certificate and should be registered on the authentication server (for example, RADIUS server) that is used by the authenticator. Your certificate must be valid with respect to the authentication server. This requirement depends on the authentication server and generally means that the authentication server must know the issuer of your certificate as a Certificate Authority. Use the same user name you used to log in when the certificate was installed.
If you did not select Use Windows logon on the Security Settings page and also did not configure user credentials, no credentials are saved for this profile. Please enter your credentials to authenticate to the network.
In the Application Settings (Advanced Settings), select Intel(R) PROSet TLS Certificate Rejected Warning if you want a warning issued when a PEAP-TLS certificate is rejected. When a certificate has an invalid field expiration date, you are notified that you must take one of the following actions: A potential authentication problem for profile <profile name> has been detected. The expiration date in the associated certificate may be invalid. Choose one of the following options:
Control |
Description |
Continue with current parameters. |
Continue with the current certificate. |
Update certificate manually. |
The Select Certificate page opens for you to choose another certificate. |
Update certificate automatically based on the certificates in the local store. |
This option is enabled only when the local store holds one or more certificates for which the "issued to" and "issued by" fields match the current certificate and for which the "expiration date" has not expired. If you choose this option, the application selects the first valid certificate. |
Log off to obtain certificate during log on process (this does not update the profile and only applies to certificates configured for auto enrollment). |
Logs off the user, who must obtain a proper certificate during the next log on process. The profile must be updated to select the new certificate. |
Auto enrollment |
You are notified to: Please wait while the system is trying to obtain the certificate automatically. Click Cancel to end the certificate retrieval. |
Do not show this message again. |
A user is able to avoid this step in subsequent sessions. The choice selected is remembered for future sessions. |
Cisco LEAP (Light Extensible Authentication Protocol) is an 802.1X authentication type that supports strong mutual authentication between the client and a RADIUS server. The LEAP profiles settings include LEAP, CKIP with Rogue AP detection integration. To set up a client with LEAP Authentication:
NOTE: This option is unavailable if Pre-Logon Connect is not selected during installation of the Intel PROSet/Wireless software. Refer to Install or Uninstall the Single Sign On Feature.
Cisco Options: Use to enable or disable Radio Management and Mixed Cells Mode or Allow Fast Roaming (CCKM).
NOTE: Cisco Compatible Extensions are automatically enabled for CKIP, LEAP or EAP-FAST profiles. To override this behavior, select or clear options on this page.
Enable Cisco Compatible Options: Select to enable Cisco Compatible Extensions for this wireless connection profile.
In Cisco Compatible Extensions, Version 3 (CCXv3), Cisco added support for EAP-FAST (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling), which uses protected access credentials (PACs) to establish an authenticated tunnel between a client and a server.
Cisco Compatible Extensions, Version 4 (CCXv4) improves the provisioning methods for enhanced security and provides innovations for enhanced security, mobility, quality of service, and network management.
To set up a client with EAP-FAST authentication with Cisco Compatible Extensions, version 3 (CCXv3):
NOTE: If CCXv4 Application Setting was not installed through an Administrator Package, only EAP-FAST User settings are available for configuration. Refer to EAP-FAST User Settings.
NOTE: If the provisioned PAC is valid, Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless does not prompt the user for acceptance of the PAC. If the PAC is invalid, Intel PROSet/Wireless fails the provisioning automatically. A status message is displayed in the Wireless Event Viewer that an administrator can review on the user's computer.
To import a PAC:
- Click Select server to open the Protected Access Credentials (PAC) list.
- Click Import to import a PAC that resides on this computer or a server.
- Select the PAC and click Open.
- Enter the PAC password (optional).
- Click OK to close this page. The selected PAC is added to PAC list.
To perform client authentication in the established tunnel, a client sends a user name and password to authenticate and establish client authorization policy.
- Use the Windows logon user name and password: The user credentials are retrieved from the Windows log on process.
NOTE: This option is unavailable if Pre-Logon Connect is not selected during installation of the Intel PROSet/Wireless software. Refer to Install or Uninstall the Single Sign On Feature.
- Prompt for the user name and password: Prompts for user name and password before you connect to the wireless network. The user name and password must first be set in the authentication server by the administrator.
- Use the following user name and password: The user name and password must be first set in the authentication server by the administrator.
- User Name: This user name must match the user name that is set in the authentication server.
- Domain: Name of the domain on the authentication server. The server name identifies a domain or one of its sub-domains (for example, zeelans.com, where the server is blueberry.zeelans.com). NOTE: Contact your administrator to obtain the domain name.
- Password: This password must match the password that is set in the authentication server. The entered password characters display as asterisks.
- Confirm Password: Reenter the user password.
To set up a client with EAP-FAST authentication with Cisco Compatible Extensions, version 4 (CCXv4):
Step 1 of 3: EAP-FAST Provisioning
With CCXv4, EAP-FAST supports two modes for provisioning:
NOTE: Server-Authenticated Mode provides significant security advantages over Server-Unauthenticated Mode even when EAP-MSCHAPv2 is being used as an inner method. This mode protects the EAP-MSCHAPv2 exchanges from potential Man-in-the-Middle attacks by verifying the server’s authenticity before exchanging MSCHAPv2. Therefore, Server-Authenticated Mode is preferred whenever it is possible. EAP-FAST peer must use Server-Authenticated Mode whenever a certificate or public key is available to authenticate the server and ensure the best security practices.
Provisioning of Protected Access Credentials (PAC):
EAP-FAST uses a PAC key to protect the user credentials that are exchanged. All EAP-FAST authenticators are identified by an authority identity (A-ID). The local authenticator sends its AID to an authenticating client, and the client checks its database for a matching AID. If the client does not recognize the AID, it requests a new PAC.
NOTE: If the provisioned Protected Access Credential (PAC) is valid, Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless does not prompt the user for acceptance of the PAC. If the PAC is invalid, Intel PROSet/Wireless fails the provisioning automatically. A status message is displayed in the Wireless Event Viewer that an administrator can review on the user's computer.
NOTE: Server groups are only listed if you have installed an Administrator Package that contains EAP-FAST Authority ID (A-ID) Group settings.
PAC distribution can also be completed manually (out-of-band). Manual provisioning enables you to create a PAC for a user on an ACS server and then import it into a user's computer. A PAC file can be protected with a password, which the user needs to enter during a PAC import.
To import a PAC:
EAP-FAST CCXv4 enables support for the provisioning of other credentials beyond the PAC currently provisioned for tunnel establishment. The credential types supported include trusted CA certificate, machine credentials for machine authentication, and temporary user credentials used to bypass user authentication.
If you selected Use a certificate (TLS Authentication) and Use a user certificate on this computer, click Next (no roaming identity is required) and configure EAP-FAST Server certificate settings. If you do not need to configure EAP-FAST server settings, click OK to save your settings and return to the Profiles page.
If you selected to use a smart card, add the roaming identity, if required. Click OK to save your settings and return to the Profiles page.
If you did not select Use a certificate (TLS Authentication), click Next to select an Authentication Protocol. CCXv4 permits additional credentials or TLS cipher suites to establish the tunnel.
Authentication Protocol: Select either GTC, or MS-CHAP-V2 (Default)
GTC may be used with Server-Authenticated Mode . This enable peers using other user databases as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and one-time password (OTP) technology to be provisioned in-band. However, the replacement may only be achieved when used with the TLS cipher suites that ensure server authentication.
To configure a one-time password:
MS-CHAP-V2. This parameter specifies the authentication protocol operating over the PEAP tunnel.
NOTE: This option is unavailable if Pre-Logon Connect is not selected during installation of the Intel PROSet/Wireless software.
NOTE: Contact your administrator to obtain the domain name.
When 802.1x MS RADIUS is used as an authentication server, the server authenticates the device that uses the Roaming Identity user name from Intel PROSet/Wireless software, and ignores the Authentication Protocol MS-CHAP-V2 user name. This feature is the 802.1x identity supplied to the authenticator. Microsoft IAS RADIUS accepts only a valid user name (dotNet user) for EAP clients. When 802.1x MS RADIUS is used, enter a valid user name. For all other servers, this is optional. Therefore, it is recommended to use the desired realm (for example, anonymous@myrealm) instead of a true identity.
Authenticated-TLS-Server Provisioning Mode is supported using a trusted CA certificate, a self-signed server certificate, or server public keys and GTC as the inner EAP method.
Validate Server Certificate:
The server name or a domain to which the server belongs, depends on which of the two options below has been selected.
NOTE: These parameters should be obtained from the administrator.
NOTE: If an Administrative Package was installed on a user' computer that did not apply the Cisco Compatible Extensions, Version 4 Application Setting, only EAP-FAST User settings are available for configuration.
To set up a client with EAP-FAST authentication:
EAP-FAST User:
Select the credential retrieval method:
NOTE: This option is unavailable if Pre-Logon Connect is not selected during installation of the Intel PROSet/Wireless software. Refer to Install or Uninstall the Single Sign On Feature.
NOTE: Contact your administrator to obtain the domain name.
EAP-FAST uses a PAC key to protect the user credentials that are exchanged. All EAP-FAST authenticators are identified by an authority identity (A-ID). The local authenticator sends its AID to an authenticating client, and the client checks its database for a matching AID. If the client does not recognize the AID, it requests a new PAC.
Click PACs to view any PACs that have already been provisioned and reside on this computer. A PAC must have already been obtained to clear Allow automatic provisioning on the Security Settings.
NOTE: If the provisioned Protected Access Credential (PAC) is valid, Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless does not prompt the user for acceptance of the PAC. If the PAC is invalid, Intel PROSet/Wireless fails the provisioning automatically. A status message is displayed in the Wireless Event Viewer that an administrator can review on the user's computer.
PAC distribution can also be completed manually (out-of-band). Manual provisioning enables you to create a PAC for a user on an ACS server and then import it into a user's computer. A PAC file can be protected with a password, which the user needs to enter during a PAC import.
To import a PAC:
10 tips for improving your wireless network
Extend the range and the strength of your wireless network
By Tony Northrup
If Windows ever notifies you about a weak signal, it
probably means your connection isn't as fast or
as reliable as it could be. Worse, you might lose your
connection entirely in some parts of your
home. If you're looking to improve the signal for your
wireless network, try some of these tips for
extending your wireless range and improving your wireless
network performance.
1.
Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in
a central location.
When possible, place your wireless router in a central
location in your home. If your wireless
router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal
will be weak on the other side of
your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless
router, because there are many other
ways to improve your connection.
2.
Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal
objects (such as metal
file cabinets).
Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's
wireless signals. The closer your router
is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference,
and the weaker your connection will
be.
3.
Replace your router's antenna.
The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be
omni-directional, meaning they
broadcast in all directions around the router. If your
router is near an outside wall, half of the
wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of
your router's power will be
wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power
output, but you can make better
use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses
the wireless signals only one
direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need
it most.
4.
Replace your computer's wireless network adapter.
Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your
computer. Sometimes, your
router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer,
but your computer can't send
signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your
laptop's PC card-based wireless
network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an
external antenna. In particular,
consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter,
which adds an external, hi-gain
antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your
range.
Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent
antennas and don't need to have their
network adapters upgraded.
5.
Add a wireless repeater.
Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range
without requiring you to add any
wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between
your wireless access point and your
computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless
signal strength. Check out the
wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and
Buffalo Technology.
6.
Change your wireless channel.
Wireless routers can broadcast on several different
channels, similar to the way radio stations
use different channels. In the United States and Canada,
these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just
like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station
while another is perfectly clear,
sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try
changing your wireless router's
channel through your router's configuration page to see if
your signal strength improves. You
don't need to change your computer's configuration, because
it'll automatically detect the new
channel.
7.
Reduce wireless interference.
If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in
your home, your computer might
not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the
other wireless devices. To quiet the
noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz
frequency. Instead, look for cordless
phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.
8.
Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.
Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to
their routers. Sometimes, these
improvements increase performance. To get the latest
firmware updates for your router, visit
your router manufacturer's Web site.
Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the
software that Windows XP uses to
communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver.
These updates typically
improve performance and reliability. To get the updates,
visit Microsoft Update, and then
under Select by Type click Hardware, Optional. Install any
updates relating to your
wireless network adapter. It wouldn't hurt to install any
other updates while you're visiting
Microsoft Update, too.
Note When you go to Microsoft Update, you have two
options: the Express Install for critical
and security updates and Custom Install for high priority
and optional updates. You may find
more driver updates when you use Custom Install.
9.
Pick equipment from a single vendor.
While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network
adapter, you often get better
performance if you pick a router and network adapter from
the same vendor. Some vendors
offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance
when you choose their hardware:
Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the
108G enhancement.
10.
Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.
802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but
802.11g is about five times faster.
802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can
still use any 802.11b equipment
that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy
with the performance, consider
replacing your router and network adapters with
802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're
buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.
Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth
limits. 802.11b networks typically get
2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's
Pre-N equipment has been
measured at 37-42Mbps.
I decided to start sending these blogs in when the idea is on my mind instead of waiting till I get in the office. So I apologize ahead of time if I misspell a word of two or three… Thank you all…
Henry Willcox
AWESOME TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
*a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
740 Rowlee Road
Fulton, NY 13069
Phone: (607) 562-3620
Tollfree: (877) 411-6905
Fax: (315) 297-4040
Cell: (315) 491-9629
email: hwillcox@awesometechhome.com
For most Information Technology (IT) departments, Internet servers must support applications and services that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, such as financial transactions, database access, and corporate intranets. In addition, network applications and servers need the ability to scale performance to handle large volumes of client requests without creating unwanted delays.
Network Load Balancing clusters enable you to manage a group of independent servers as a single system for greater scalability, increased availability, and easier manageability. You can use Network Load Balancing to implement enterprise-wide scalable solutions for the delivery of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) based services and applications.
Network Load Balancing has many advantages over other load balancing solutions that can introduce single points of failure or performance bottlenecks. Because there are no special hardware requirements for Network Load Balancing, you can use any industry standard compatible computer in a Network Load Balancing cluster.
Network Load Balancing works by distributing client requests across a set of servers. It is particularly useful for ensuring that stateless applications, such as Web pages from a server running Internet Information Services (IIS), are highly available and can be scaled out by adding additional servers as the load increases. The ease with which Network Load Balancing allows you to replace a malfunctioning server or add a new server provides scalability.
A wireless network offers advantages and disadvantages compared to a wired network. Advantages of wireless include mobility and elimination of unsightly cables. Disadvantages of wireless include the potential for radio interference due to weather, other wireless devices, or obstructions like walls.
Wireless is rapidly gaining in popularity for both home and business networking. Wireless technology continues to improve, and the cost of wireless products continues to decrease. Popular wireless local area networking (WLAN) products conform to the 802.11 "Wi-Fi" standards. The gear a person needs to build wireless networks includes network adapters (NICs), access points (APs), and routers.