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    APU set up with Wi-Fi

    Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • GruensFroeschliG
      GruensFroeschli
      last edited by

      @eiger3970:

      It was working, however my mobile was connecting to the old router which has the MAC filter setup.
      I haven't been able to setup a MAC filter on pfSense yet.
      Today I tried to move the mobile over from the old router Wi-Fi to the pfSense Wi-Fi, however the pfSense Wi-Fi network is not found?

      So, 2 problems:
      1. pfSense Wi-Fi network not found.

      If you can't see the network with your mobile device, i suggest installing a wifi analyzer akin to:
      https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en

      2. pfSense MAC filter not available for security?

      A MAC filter provides zero security.
      All you need is a device with which you can listen to traffic on the air, so basically everything which is capable of connecting to said access point. After that change your own MAC to one of the "allowed" addresses.

      I prefer a MAC filter as:
      everything is blocked.
      only permitted devices can connect.
      no encryption means faster transmission rates.

      This is something you REALLY don't want to do.
      No encryption does not increase the speed.
      Everyone with a wlan capable device can listen to whatever you transmit over the air.
      The only thing that changes is the time it takes to connect to the network.
      And even then we are talking about 5ms increased time until you are connected.
      You really need to have WPA2 (or at least WPA).

      as secure as a 12 character password. (yes, maybe 8 character password if a hacker knows the first 4 MAC character common to manufacturers).

      Not sure what you are talking here about. The password has absolutely nothing to do with the MAC addresses.
      For WPA2 the password has a minimal length of 8 characters and can be up to 63 characters.

      We do what we must, because we can.

      Asking questions the smart way: http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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      • E
        eiger3970
        last edited by

        Thank you for the reply.
        My mobile has a regular Wi-Fi finder which finds other working Wi-Fi networks.
        Other devices also find Wi-Fi networks and not the pfSense Wi-Fi network.
        So I don't think there's a need to download another Wi-Fi finding app.

        Ok, I will setup the pfSense Wi-Fi network on WPA2 password encryption, once the pfSense Wi-Fi works.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • stephenw10S
          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
          last edited by

          What channel is your pfSense wifi card using? It may be one that your phone cannot use, 12,13 or 14 for example.

          Steve

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          • GruensFroeschliG
            GruensFroeschli
            last edited by

            Another thing which could be wrong: Did you set the channel specifically or did you set it to "auto"?
            I've seen cards not work with the "auto" setting.

            We do what we must, because we can.

            Asking questions the smart way: http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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            • E
              eiger3970
              last edited by

              Thanks.
              I think I found the right information under pfSense > Dashboard: Interfaces: WIFI > Common wireless configuration - Settings apply to all wireless network on ath0. > Channel: Auto.
              There are 37 other manual channels to choose from?

              I should mention all devices on Wi-Fi don't find the pfSense Wi-Fi network.

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              • E
                eiger3970
                last edited by

                Ok, I just tried 3 channels from the choice of 37 channels.

                11b/g/n - 1 (2412 MHz @ 31.5 / 20)
                11a/n - 36 (5180 MHz @ 31.5 / 30)
                11a/n - 100 (5500 MHz @ 31.5 / 30)

                No change though.

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                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  You're still running 2.1.X right? Then you shouldn't be seeing any 'N' channels. Are you using 'A'? Use 802.11G mode only and you should be OK.

                  Steve

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                  • E
                    eiger3970
                    last edited by

                    Yes, I'm on pfSense Version 2.1.4-RELEASE (amd64) FreeBSD 8.3-RELEASE-p16.

                    The Wi-Fi Interface Standard is 802.11g.
                    The Wi-Fi Interface Channel is Auto.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • stephenw10S
                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                      last edited by

                      802.11g channels are 1-11 almost everywhere, 1-13 in some places including the UK and some other places can use 14 (Japan?). If you're using G mode then it shouldn't allow you to select anything in the 5GHz ranges. My own card here is G only so I can't be 100% sure what you'll see. Anything in the logs?

                      Steve

                      Edit: confusing typo

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                      • GruensFroeschliG
                        GruensFroeschli
                        last edited by

                        @stephenw10:

                        802.11g channels are 1-11 almost everywhere, 1-13 in some places including the UK and some other places can use 14 (Japan?). If you're using G mode then it should allow you to select anything in the 5GHz ranges. My own card here is G only so I can't be 100% sure what you'll see. Anything in the logs?

                        Steve

                        Didn't you mean 2.4GHz ;)
                        5GHz is 802.11a

                        @eiger3970:

                        Yes, I'm on pfSense Version 2.1.4-RELEASE (amd64) FreeBSD 8.3-RELEASE-p16.

                        The Wi-Fi Interface Standard is 802.11g.
                        The Wi-Fi Interface Channel is Auto.

                        Don't set the channel to auto.
                        Set it as a test to 2412 (channel 1) b/g

                        We do what we must, because we can.

                        Asking questions the smart way: http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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                        • E
                          eiger3970
                          last edited by

                          Ok, I set the Wi-Fi to:
                          Standard: 802.11g
                          Channel: 11b/g/n - 1 (2412 MHz @ 31.5 / 20)

                          Weird, now the mobile finds the network, but didn't just before.
                          I also updated pfSense which might have helped.

                          Anyways, now that the mobile is finding the pfSense Wi-Fi network, I might be able to somehow turn off the old router Wi-Fi and then set pfSense with WPA2 and a secure password for users.
                          Bye bye old MAC filter list on the old router Wi-Fi :-(

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • DerelictD
                            Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                            last edited by

                            Use 1, 6, or 11 please. Pretend 2-5 and 7-10 don't exist.

                            Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                            A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                            DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                            Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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                            • stephenw10S
                              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                              last edited by

                              @GruensFroeschli:

                              Didn't you mean 2.4GHz ;)

                              Yes. I meant to write 'shouldn't be able to select 5GHz' and somehow failed.  ::)

                              Steve

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                              • E
                                eiger3970
                                last edited by

                                Thank you.
                                Wi-Fi network seems to be working and WPA2 password authentication working.
                                See how it goes with some other mobiles when visitors test it during the week.

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