[popwatson]

All,
I am having some problems and have searched other posts but to no avail. We have moved house and I am trying to join the existing wireless network (using an Orange Livebox router). I reset the router each time before connecting so that it is in pairing mode (much to the irritation of the neighbours). If I try to connect in the usual manner - by going through the normal airport popup box - I get the error message " The selected network uses an access control list and this computer is not on the list - see the adminsitrator for access". There is no access control list and my boyfriend has joined the network without any hassle on his PC - which I assume means that MAC filtering is not the problem either.
Someone else suggested a workaround of using the network asssitant to add the livebox network to my preferred list of networks and entering all the info (passkey etc) there. I did that, the passkey was accepted, and the network is sitting at the top of my preferred list. However when I try and connect from there it tells me that the passskey (have to enter it again) is invalid.
Anyone got any bright ideas?? Very frustrating (first time I have had any problems with airport and I am sick of the gloating PC using boyfriend!). The error message seems to change depending on which way I try to connect - but am convinced the passkey is correct, and that the problem is with my Mac not the router,..
Thanks

[Tom_Diola]

I'm slightly confused:
Who owns the Wireless Connection that you're trying to connect your router to?
Who drafted the access list and where do you think this access list exists?

[popwatson]

The wireless is owned by our landlord who lives in the flat above us. We are sharing it. There is no access control list - it is an error message generated by my Mac.

[Tom_Diola]

I'd check with the landlord -

1. Do they do MAC filtering (you do know what the MAC stands for right?)

2. Is the wireless signal encrypted e.g. WEP WPA . ..

3. If the landlord is transmitting wirelessly why are you connecting a router to it instead of just connecting directly to the landlords wireless signal?

[smax013]

Assuming the landlord knows and approves of the sharing, you might ask if he/she might be willing to temporarily shut off security (WEP/WPA/WPA2, MAC filtering, etc). Sometimes there are quirks in how different devices implement WEP/WPA/WPA2 and it can cause issues. Sometimes turning it off might "fix it" and it might not.

[popwatson]

OK problem sorted - thanks for all the help and sorry I obviously wasn't clear in my original post - when I say 'connect to the router' - I meant via wireless!

Anyway I connected via the ethernet cable and found the configuration address on the ISP's website and turned off MAC filtering on the livebox. I was under the (obviousy incorrect) assumption that MAC fitering would upset all the computers (not just my Mac) but it was turned on and it did seem to fix the problem when I turned it off.

I haven't tried to switch it back on (MAC Filtering) - is it a problem for the other users if just kept switched off? - how comprimised are we in terms of security do you think?

Don't worry the landlord approves of sharing the livebox wireless- it's all part of the rental contract and that's why I have the keys to the cupboard where the livebox lives!

[smax013]

popwatson said:

OK problem sorted - thanks for all the help and sorry I obviously wasn't clear in my original post - when I say 'connect to the router' - I meant via wireless!


Anyway I connected via the ethernet cable and found the configuration address on the ISP's website and turned off MAC filtering on the livebox. I was under the (obviousy incorrect) assumption that MAC fitering would upset all the computers (not just my Mac) but it was turned on and it did seem to fix the problem when I turned it off.


I haven't tried to switch it back on (MAC Filtering) - is it a problem for the other users if just kept switched off? - how comprimised are we in terms of security do you think?

You are likely not compromised too much. From what I understand, MAC filtering can be defeated rather easily but a knowledgeable and determined "hacker". It will likely help with the more "casual" attackers.

If you turn it back on, you just need to make sure that your computer's MAC address is added to the "approved" list of MAC addresses (note: this would be the MAC address for the wireless adapters...NOT the ethernet adapter...each will have its own).

Quote

Don't worry the landlord approves of sharing the livebox wireless- it's all part of the rental contract and that's why I have the keys to the cupboard where the livebox lives!

FWIW, your landlord should check the fine print of his/her ISP's terms of use. Sharing a connection can sometimes be a violation of terms of use, which could potentially result in the connection being terminated if the ISP finds out that it is being shared.

Beyond that, your landlord is potentially exposing himself/herself to extra potential liability. "Stuff" can be tracked back to a particular IP address which can then be associated with a particular ISP account. From there you generally cannot track back to WHO actually used that account connection. Thus, if one of your landlord's tenants does some "bad stuff" using his/her connection/account, then the landlord could be held liable for that bad stuff.

This is generally why it is NOT a good idea to share you connection with neighbors, etc.