Wireless network at compitition.

[ArJubx]

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[Nick Fury]

A bit of information on security and wireless networks. It doesn't exist. 802.11b/a/g are all really crappy for security. If you plan on using a WEP key then it is found out very easily using a program like AirSnort or even Ethereal with a plugin or two. I like the idea of setting up a wireless lan at regionals though. Wireless is extremely fun to play around with and I hope that someone will be kind enought to set one up at the SC regional. Anyway, just some info. on wireless network security. Also, if you find that a network is insecure then tell the admin of the network or fix the problem yourself and then tell the admin. Don't just leave it vulnerable.

[Joe Matt]

We used 802.11b on a 15" PB for our scouting. We did a test run at VCU and found it to work very well. We used FileMaker Pro and had it broadcasted. In Atlanta we hope to have it up so we can get iBooks to enter the info in. We didn't make the forms pretty, but they worked for me. We will probably block competers from out network by only allowing our iBooks to access the network, just for security reasons. We don't want someone to hack in and change team data. But if someone wants to see our database, I can show it to them.

[ArJubx]

What is a 15" PB?

Why would I really care about the security of our network? Like I said, I plan to let anyone setup and use the databse. Sure some might try to screw with data (Gracious Professionalism hopefully will keep these to minimum), I could then disable editing/deleting and only allow me to do that from our host comp if this issues arrises.

[Joe Matt]

15" PB= 15 inch PowerBook G4

[ArJubx]

Well I had even more issues when I just tried to plop the access database onto to the webserver....how do I set a connectionstring to a web address?

[gl75]

You would need to make a DSN in your ODBC control panel. Otherwise you could do it DSN-less in ASP with the following VB code:

Dim Conn, path
path = "c:\inetpub\wwwroot\scouting.mdb"
Set Conn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
Conn.Open "PROVIDER=MICROSOFT.JET.OLEDB.4.0;DATA SOURCE=" & path

[Nick Mac]

Here's an idea too...not sure if you'll like it or not, but if you could get a database onto a palm pilot for people that have 'em (and a lot of people in first have 'em) then they could do a bit of scouting and sync in with the comp you've got hooked up to the internet. Just an idea.

[ArJubx]

Originally Posted by Nick Mac

Here's an idea too...not sure if you'll like it or not, but if you could get a database onto a palm pilot for people that have 'em (and a lot of people in first have 'em) then they could do a bit of scouting and sync in with the comp you've got hooked up to the internet. Just an idea.

Sry, can't help ya...having issues just getting this up and running. Earlier I managed to trick myself into believing it worked...I was fumbling with the files on all my comps, doufus me extracted it to the same location on all 3 comps....managed to make myself believe it was working, lol.

So anyone wanna lend a helping hand...I have spent all night looking at refs for the DNS-less things, and still haven't figured it out. So I'm gonna upload my files here...hope someone can help out. Download Here

[ArJubx]

I have the whole thing setup now...working for real this time...I didn't trick myself.

Tommorrow I'm going to take it to school for a more comprehensive test with more computers over a longer range. I even bought one of those range extending attennas.

So for those of you who will be at the chesapeake regional. If you are interested in participating in this scouting network, just come to our pit(#1463) and get the info. We probably will have flyers to pass out to let people how to connect and use it.

Quite simple actually. Join the wireless network called "FIRST" (subject to change if it clashes with the actual event one, assuming they have one, the alternate will be "FIRSTscouting". We are still trying to get official consent from the chesapeake people, it shouldn't be a problem...thru email contact they seem to think we want internet access, but now they want to see our equipment, but whatever, it shouldn't be a problem.). Then just open up your broswer and go to www.FIRSTlook.net and follow any instructions there.

[evulish]

Just a note, you said you bought a wireless antenna for use with your WAP (I assume). The range problem still stands as before, though. You now receive data from the WAP at farther ranges but your wireless devices will still have a problem sending back to it. It's the same problem that satellites run into. Your best bet it to get a wireless repeater or something and move it into a central location. I guess this all depends on the venue. I'd imagine without an antenna on anything, you could get mediocre reception on a big gym. (This was true in the PBG regional.. I tried messing around with an ad-hoc network. Worst signal strength I saw was about 25%)

Also, some notes on wireless security. The simplest way to secure your WAP would be to enable MAC filtering (so that only the computers you add to the list can connect), disable SSID broadcasting (makes it so the router doesn't say "Hey! Look at me! I'm a WAP!" and I don't believe wireless stumbler programs will find it unless they can put your card into passive mode), enable WEP (this is definitly not super-secure, it will just keep passer-by's out but will still let l33t h4x0rs in with enough patience), and the NUMBER ONE bit of advice is to CHANGE THE PASSWORD. It's SICK how many people don't do this one simple thing. Someone could login to the router with the default u/p, upload 'new' (read: corrupted or bad) firmware. Boom. WAP = dead. Also, if you really want to get secure, I'd set up a VPN with IPSEC stuff. But I don't really want to get into that.. since that's pretty much overkill for a WAP at a FIRST competition. Also, be smart. Anything you transfer over a wireless network can be found by anyone with the means to intercept. Passwords, credit card numbers, super-secret super weapons whitepapers.. all insecure on a basic wireless network.

Also, the only networks I found at PBG was an ad-hoc network and a WEP-protected from the Red barons. (Not to mention the unencrypted network named 'CVSretail' on the way ) I was surprised that Pitt didn't have a public wireless network. I had really wanted a way to send emails and such without paying $.25/min on the hotel computer thing.

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by evulish

I was surprised that Pitt didn't have a public wireless network.

I'm surprised you didn't pick up the Carnegie Mellon wireless network. They have like a 5 mile radius outside campus covered ... or something obscene like that.

[ArJubx]

Originally Posted by evulish

Just a note, you said you bought a wireless antenna for use with your WAP (I assume). The range problem still stands as before, though. You now receive data from the WAP at farther ranges but your wireless devices will still have a problem sending back to it. It's the same problem that satellites run into. Your best bet it to get a wireless repeater or something and move it into a central location. I guess this all depends on the venue. I'd imagine without an antenna on anything, you could get mediocre reception on a big gym. (This was true in the PBG regional.. I tried messing around with an ad-hoc network. Worst signal strength I saw was about 25%)

Also, some notes on wireless security. The simplest way to secure your WAP would be to enable MAC filtering (so that only the computers you add to the list can connect), disable SSID broadcasting (makes it so the router doesn't say "Hey! Look at me! I'm a WAP!" and I don't believe wireless stumbler programs will find it unless they can put your card into passive mode), enable WEP (this is definitly not super-secure, it will just keep passer-by's out but will still let l33t h4x0rs in with enough patience), and the NUMBER ONE bit of advice is to CHANGE THE PASSWORD. It's SICK how many people don't do this one simple thing. Someone could login to the router with the default u/p, upload 'new' (read: corrupted or bad) firmware. Boom. WAP = dead. Also, if you really want to get secure, I'd set up a VPN with IPSEC stuff. But I don't really want to get into that.. since that's pretty much overkill for a WAP at a FIRST competition. Also, be smart. Anything you transfer over a wireless network can be found by anyone with the means to intercept. Passwords, credit card numbers, super-secret super weapons whitepapers.. all insecure on a basic wireless network.

Also, the only networks I found at PBG was an ad-hoc network and a WEP-protected from the Red barons. (Not to mention the unencrypted network named 'CVSretail' on the way ) I was surprised that Pitt didn't have a public wireless network. I had really wanted a way to send emails and such without paying $.25/min on the hotel computer thing.

Do I want to try and make it secure? I want this to be easily accessible for as many FIRSTers as possible.

[evulish]

Probably not. Just make sure you change the admin login u/p. (I was just bored and felt like posting all that in case anyone wanted to set up a wap for their own personal use or something like that)

[swando]

team 217 has used a wireless scouting network for the past 3 years, only ever having issues with SOAP at the midwest regional (issues with control of the airwaves between teams...)