Wifi Protected Setup (WPS)

[sean]

I recenty bought WAP4410N Wireless-N Access Point:

Firmware: 2.0.0.5

It has a feature I never saw in prior Linksys WAPs I bought in the past. That feature is "Wifi Protected Setup"! I have two questions about this feature:

1) What is the purpose of the WPS?

2) How can I disable this feature?

I appreciate your knowledge and help!

[jforebac]

- WPS is a standard for easy and secure establishment of a wireless network. The goal of the WPS protocol is to simplify the process of configuring security on wireless networks for those users who know little about wireless security and may be intimidated by the available security options to configure. 

- There is not an option to disable this feature.

[mihagan]

WPS will cause a wireless client that supports WPS (Vista supports it and XP does not) to request a PIN to be entered in order to connect to the wireless network. You can find the appropriate PIN on the Wifi Protected Setup Screen on the WAP4410N. On the client when the request comes up you can click a link on the bottom of the screen that will allow you to connect without entering the PIN. However, for your firmware version there is a work around that will keep the WAP from requesting the PIN in the first place.

Workaround: 

1.       Factory default the Access Point.

2.       When setting up the Wireless, “Do not change” SSID 1.

3.       Enter the desired SSID Name under “SSID 2”.

4.       Check the “enable” box for SSID 2.

5.       Uncheck the “enable” box for SSID 1.

6.       Make any other changes to the mode, or channel, and then save settings.

7.       Check the Wi-Fi Protect Setup page; it should still say “Unconfigured”.

Note:  As long as you do not change the Name of SSID 1, Wi-Fi Protect will remain “Unconfigured” and will not ask for a pin number when trying to connect.