Question about WPA and MAC recognition on my wireless network

Crabman

Hey Hey

I've got a wireless network installed with WPA security (63 character code) and also the MAC recognition to only allow my laptop and the desktop to use it.

My problem is that I have a family friend staying with us for the next couple of days and they have a laptop which I'd like to enable on our network, but this means that either I need to find out their MAC address (I've forgotten how to do it!) and also somehow give them the 63 character code to log on to the network

Is there a way for "guests" to use the network easily or should I just disable the MAC recognition for now and just issue the 63 character code? Is it ok, ie safe, to disable the MAC recognition??

Sorry for the questions but I'm still on the learning curve with wireless

Your help is appreciated techies

Cabster

stevemcol

Get him to type ipconfig/all at the DOS prompt to display his MAC address (physical address) amongst other things.
Pass him the 63 character key in a .txt file on a memory stick or disk, or temporarily use a less strong key known to your both.

Crabman

Is it risky to disable the access control then?

stevemcol

There are people on here far more expert than me, but in my humble view, no it's not risky, if you're running a strong 63 character key.
Don't do both (ie weaken your key and disable access control).

albertross_2

The 63 character encryption key is 1000 times more important than the access control, if you can do the notepad thing, do it that way, or hook him up to a wired connection, and copy and paste the key from the router config screen in IE.