IT Answers » Mobile Computing in 2010

Simple solutions for tracking Wi-Fi networks in an office environment?

ITKE — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:36:14 +0000

Hi all, I’m looking for ways to keep WiFi access under control in our office. We have a Panera and a other few open hotspots around us, and I just wanted to monitor what was out there and help keep everyone on the right networks.

I’ve heard some people used Back Track LiveCD, but wondering what other options people have found helpful.

Security concerns around .11n Networking?

ITKE — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:32:59 +0000

I’ve heard a lot of conflicting reports around whether .11n actually is much more secure than its .11x brethren. Any first-hand experience in starting to deploy it,and any tips on whether I can rest easier at night with it over a Ethernet getup?

Wireless Routers with Static DHCP settings?

ITKE — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:28:51 +0000

We have an internal wired network that DOESN’T use DHCP. Client machines have their IPs set uniquely & their gateway & DNS settings pointing at a proxy server that gives internet access. I need to add wireless capability to this network. So the access point has to be able to have a hardwired IP, gateway & DNS setting on it’s wired side in the same way as all the existing clients and ideally it will have its own DHCP server on its wireless side. Is this possible, is there a name for this particular function & if so are there any recommendations for a box that will do such. The boss has already wasted money on a wnr2000 Netgear router that, presumably because it’s a router doesn’t seem to do the trick – once you set its IP address for the internal network it just seems to disappear. I’ve tried googling for W access point comparisons but the only info that features in the results is speed, good looks & not obscure configuration abilities.

Security of MAC-based wireless access permissions

ITKE — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:44:25 +0000

A colleague and I were recently debating whether it’s an OK policy to allow wireless access based on users MAC addresses. He has a small office where most people are wired, but a few are wireless and are part of that notorious gang that can’t be bothered with passwords.

He also said that basing authentication on MAC address gets rid of network misidentification problems on the client end.

I say malarky, and whatever benefits he’s seeing aren’t worth the security risks if a spoofer comes in and sees what’s going on.

Am I just old fashioned, or is he opening up a hole the size of a barn?

Detecting WireShark and other sniffers in your wireless network?

ITKE — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:40:59 +0000

What’s the best way to root out a promiscious sniffer like WireShark? Are there any specific packet types that it spits out I can search for? I’d love suggestions for specific anti-sniffing tools to help better lock down our network.

Thanks

What of Windows 7 mobile?

Michael Morisy — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:53:24 +0000

Curious as to early impressions of Windows Mobile 7? I’ve seen a lot of uses of Windows Mobile over the years in IT, particular for more rugged deployments in the warehouse or on the road as kind of a utility computing device, none of which the new OS seems to be interested in.

Is Windows 7 mobile something you plan on seeing in the enterprise? Is it just another OS you’ll have to support, or do you think it raises any sort of real overall benefit beyond soft potential gains in productivity or connectivity?

Remote PIN updates from Windows Mobile 6

ITKE — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:27:04 +0000

If we make it mandatory for our users to have a PIN on their WinMo 6 phones, can we later reset this PIN remotely when they inevitably forget it? We’re running Exchange 2007, and I want the extra security but not the extra headache of users on the road needing a new device because they can’t remember if it’s ’12345′ or ’54321′.

Best mobility blogs

ITKE — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:40:02 +0000

As part of our mobility focus this month, we’re looking for the top bloggers on mobility. Please add any suggestions you have down in the answers section! We’ll share the best with our members in the community update.

Best books on enabling enterprise mobility?

ITKE — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:15:20 +0000

As part of IT Knowledge Exchange’s guide to mobile computing, we’re trying to put together a list of the best books on enterprise mobility, whether it’s outfitting your company with mobile devices or simply upgrading to .11n. If you have any books to recommend, just add them to the list.