Wi-Fi Security Config

Why are some things so damn difficult?

Case in point is the configuration of security on a wi-fi network. Now I'm not trying to config any old security, mind you. I've been wracking my brain to enable 128-bit encryption with MAC filtering via a linksys w-router.

I can assure you, this is FAR from a cakewalk.

I first noticed that the WLAN I was accustomed to using, was unsecured. Okay pondered Das Behr, I'll enable an iron clad industrial strength 128-bit encryption key nicely contained in a WPA-PSK/PTIK secured wireless network. I spent most of the night doing this project and the only thing I was able to do was lock down the network so tightly I couldn't even access it. Re-entering and re-entering and re-entering the same 28 character hexidecimal encryption key over and over and over again has been driving me nuts.

Finally I thought- fuck it. Gimme an ethernet cord and I'll do a hard wired link into the router and I'll just undo everything. Upon yet another network scan, Das Behr PSP detected the WLAN now fully open to all whom know how to access such things. Das Behr PSP got online in a heartbeat. The laptop with the wireless NIC however, did not.

A phone call to the ISP was basically useless. The only thing they instructed was that I do a power cycle of both the cable modem and the router. Done and still no connectivity. Yet the laptop shows that it is connected via wi-fi but the wonderful IE v6 browser can't connect. The ISP said the problem was in the router and suggested to call Linksys. With foreign dialects on the bastardization of American English not being my strongest attribute, I have been in the email-chat queue for nearly 38 minutes now and I'm still holding!

Arrrggghhhh!

This is so fucking irritating!

Try and do something good and it just blows back on me and not in a good way!
Why can't things just auto-config themselves?

Well at least I'm not trying to change the time on my VCR!

So Sayeth Das Behr