VAP11G

VONET VAP11G problem / issue connecting to network router

These units are great value but.. only if they work.  I purchased 3 in the hope they do...

Rebranded by others..

These are my notes in working around issues getting these functioning.  The instructions are vague and don't tell me how they will work, ie:

  • are they are mini router effectively, with either a fixed IP for the local client (or their own DHCP service for the client)
  • do they actualy bridge, ie from subnet to subnet?
  • are they simply a media interface, ie passthrough IP from Wifi router to client transparent to either?
    • That would be nicest solution and possibly simplest..
  • Do they pass through MAC as well?

And the observations:

  • If router is WPA, must be TKIP, if the router is WPA2 must be AES
  • VAP11G is a passthrough device
    • It appears to be transparent to the router, ie you see the client MAC ID in the router
    • It appears to be transparent to the client, you simply see teh network services on the other side of the wifi connection, ie DHCP etc
  • My issues were solely to do with this pass key: &#?sAd1eYeDCat2zErOzErO8
    • I was cutting / pasting this pass key every time I used from the same text file, so wasn't finger trouble.
    • I replaced the above key with a randomly generated 63 character one and everything worked fine... and heres another random;y generated on that works fine as well, on both the WPA WRT54G 7 the WPA2 DLINK DIR-615 routers: 7MUXqQjZ9#1V6VA9RYcT7BaP$RU+BtsIcNEUk/Kp-qIrwTzC#Rg,c66pu4U3uGV
    • There 95 permitted characters for WPA but i can't find the list..
  • Does it work? YES IT DOES, and thsu far, well.

 

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And what I did:

===============

Attempt 1..

Hardware:

  • new VAP11G (later model able to be powered from USB)
    • powered directly by 12V 1.2A plugpack
  • Laptop: Asus EEE1000HA
    • fresh reimaged Windows XP with all updates as at 20111117
    • DHCP auto on for wired connenction
    • Wifi disabled
  • Router: DLink DIR-615 Hardware C2, Firmware 3.01 (latest)
    • Wireless manually configured:
      • Mixed N & G
      • Auto channel scan
      • Channel width 20Mhz
      • Visible
    • Wireless security manually configured:
      • WPA2 only
      • AES
      • Manual key, mix of upper/lower case, numbers & special characters: '&#?sAd1eYeDCat2zErOzErO8'

1. Install V5.0.17 XP version of supplied VONET setup utility CD, & also required install of WINPCap 4.1.1

2. Connect VAP11G to laptop, Windows auto assigns IP address and says limited connectivity (this is ok)

3. Started Vonet utility

  • Can see VAP11G? YES
  • Can see Wifi network? YES
  • Can setup passkey? YES
  • Can confirm & save to VAP11G: NO: get message "Save config failed"

4. redid 3 above, manually entering SSID & details still same result

5. Uninstalled Vonet utility & WINPCAP & installed later version 5.0.18.4 from http://www.wifibridge.co.uk/resources/

6. redid above exercises: still cannot save config and no connectivity

Attempt 2:

7. Replaced VAP11G with a fresh one

8. repeated per 6 above, still cannot save config and no connectivity

Attempt 3:

9. Changed router setup:

  • to WPA & TKIP (VAP11G only allows TKIP with WPA, and only allows AES with WPA2)
  • G only
  • Same key as on DLink DIR-615: '&#?sAd1eYeDCat2zErOzErO8'

10. redid above exercises, still 'Config save failed'

11. Whilst doing the above made these observations:

  • After a SAVE fails, the Vonet config software can't see the VAP11G even if I power cycle it, I have to reboot the laptop (Network -Repair or get new IP address doesn't fix this either)
  • After a save fails the next time I attempt to configure the VAP11G it shows the current settings per my last 'failed' save
  • If I enter an invalid key, and get save failed, on power cycling the VAP11G the Blue 'connected' light doesn't come on
  • If I enter the valid key, and get save failed, on power cycling both VAP11G orange & blue lights on/flashing occasionally, which is what I'd expect implying it is connected to the router, but the laptop still cannot connect?

Attempt 4:

12. Changed laptop: Big mother AW120J Sony running Windows Vista

  • DHCP auto on for wired connenction
  • Wifi disabled

13. Router still:

  • WPA & TKIP
  • G only

14. installed VONET Vonet utility version 5.0.18.4 from http://www.wifibridge.co.uk/resources/ and & WINPCAP 4.1.1 (as comes / installs with VONET utility)

15. Connect VAP11G to laptop, Windows auto assigns IP address and says limited connectivity (this is ok)

16. Started Vonet utility

  • Can see VAP11G? YES
  • Can see Wifi network? YES
  • Can setup passkey? YES
  • Can confirm & save to VAP11G: YES: config saved confirmation message

Hurray.  progress.

17. Check connected: NO, and no IP change either (Laptop still autoassigning and limited connection)

  • VAP11G both orange & blue lights on/flashing occasionally, which is what I'd expect
  • still not sure what to see re local IP address, ie is it passthrough from host Wifi network DHCP or a little local subnet between client laptop & VAP11G
  • Symptons are consistant across either VAP11G on either laptop

Attempt 5:

18. On DLINK Dir-615 management interface checked Status for connected wifi devices (with all other wifi clients disabled):

  • Both VAP11G units appear & disappear, appear & disappear, every second or so

19. Change router:

  • located an old WRT54G linksys running early Sveasoft firmware (those were the days (except for the Sveasoft guy himself, what a psycho..) )
    • G only, WPA & a simple numeric key 0123456789

20. On Vista laptop, did new VAP11G setup, (can see both Wifi routers in VONET utility)

21. On save, IP address assigned ok.. looks good!

  • WRT54G has no external connection so can't verify...

22. Change router key back to '&#?sAd1eYeDCat2zErOzErO8'

23. On Vista laptop, did new VAP11G setup: No IP address, no connection!

24: Conclusion: My passkey must have an invalid character?

25. Used an online tool to randomly generate a 63 characterpasskey and now it all works.