Changing Security Encryption

brandon1232 · 05-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Hello
Presently I am using WEP security for my 3 home PCs (2 Vista/1 XP). I plan to change that to WPA Personal/AES encryption. My question is, must I change the encryption security for all of my PCs?
Also, I noticed that unlike WEP security, WPA does not require a security key. Does WPA generate a key? Am I correct in assuming that WPA generates a new key at a pre-determined time (ex. like every 5 minutes)?
Finally, if I configure my router with WPA and one of my PCs is still configured with WEP, will that PC have access to the internet?

Bob

**johnwill** · 05-08-2009, 07:43 AM

Actually, WPA or WPA2 does indeed require a security key, don't know where you got the idea that it didn't.

It then changes the key periodically, but you need a passphrase on both ends to connect, similar to how WEP is configured.

You will need to have all the wireless devices configured for the new encryption in order to connect. The PC with WEP enabled will no longer connect until reconfigured.

05-07-2009, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
brandon1232 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 24 OS: Windows XP SP3, Vista SP2	Changing Security Encryption Hello Presently I am using WEP security for my 3 home PCs (2 Vista/1 XP). I plan to change that to WPA Personal/AES encryption. My question is, must I change the encryption security for all of my PCs? Also, I noticed that unlike WEP security, WPA does not require a security key. Does WPA generate a key? Am I correct in assuming that WPA generates a new key at a pre-determined time (ex. like every 5 minutes)? Finally, if I configure my router with WPA and one of my PCs is still configured with WEP, will that PC have access to the internet? Bob

05-08-2009, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Changing Security Encryption Actually, WPA or WPA2 does indeed require a security key, don't know where you got the idea that it didn't. It then changes the key periodically, but you need a passphrase on both ends to connect, similar to how WEP is configured. You will need to have all the wireless devices configured for the new encryption in order to connect. The PC with WEP enabled will no longer connect until reconfigured. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience