Solved: WPA-PSK over the ACU is out... Now what?

tweetywill · ‎02-11-2008

I have been tasked with upping the encryption on my wireless network from 128-bit WEP to WPA of any flavor. I would prefer to use WPA-PSK because it works best with our existing infrastructure. We have a couple dozen handheld scanners running Windows CE with Cisco 350 radios and the ACU connecting to 1200 series WAPs with the most current IOS. While checking to see if a firmware or utility upgrade would allow me to support WPA-PSK I found this post:

http://forum.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/NetProf?page=netprof&forum=Wireless%20-%20Mobility&topic=Getting%20Started%20with%20Wireless&CommCmd=MB%3Fcmd%3Dpass_through%26location%3Doutline%40%5E1%40%40.1ddc7263/0#selected_message

Whoops! Guess not!

So now I know that ACU will not support WPA-PSK.

Does anyone have a suggestion for an encryption solution using our existing hardware? Reading over related posts in this forum brings up mention of other supplicants which would work, but no specifics. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

bcolvin · ‎02-11-2008

Tyler

You did not mention you version of CE or ACU, ACU version 2.60 with the corresponding image for the 350 card or later does support WPA either directly or with the windows aupplicant. you need to contact the scanner manufacturer for the new code if available for you models.

Good Luck

Bill

View solution in original post

bcolvin · ‎02-11-2008

Tyler

You did not mention you version of CE or ACU, ACU version 2.60 with the corresponding image for the 350 card or later does support WPA either directly or with the windows aupplicant. you need to contact the scanner manufacturer for the new code if available for you models.

Good Luck

Bill

tweetywill · ‎02-12-2008

Bill,

Thanks for the response. My scanners are all running either CE 4.20 or 5.0, and the test subject has been upgraded to the most current firmware for the scanner itself, for the Cisco 350 (V5.60.21), and the ACU is at version 2.70.00 (the most current version I could find from Cisco.) I could not find where in the Edit Profile screen any encryption but WEP could be configured, so I assumed that it was still not supported.

If I am in error, could you please point me to the config docs that would show me the way?

Once again, I really appreciate your assistance.

Thanks!

tweetywill · ‎02-12-2008

Bill,

I found it! Since ACU does not support, disable the ACU! I found this document:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/wlan_adapter/350_cb20a/user/win_ce/2.6/configuration/guide/MachuPicchuICG.pdf

Which shows how to configure the 350s to use Windows to configure wireless. Step 1: Disable the ACU by selecting "External Settings" for the wireless profile and then rebooting the scanner.

After reboot, the Windows wireless config screens automatically popped up including the appropriate settings to enable WPA-PSK.

Thanks for your help!

bcolvin · ‎02-12-2008

you are correct

Glad your problem is resolved

enjoy

Bill