Expanding my network

[aohna]

A few months ago upgraded to 50 from 20mg where I had in my network, my music system. I have now discovered that when looking to update some music on the system it does not identify the network.
The music system is a few years old but suits my needs but I believe its cannot connect because of the security settings. The system is WEP/WPA whereby the network router is Authentication type is WPA-PSK with Automatic AES/TKIP Encryption. Using a D-link DIR-615 router can I, online just downgrade my settings or is a case of uninstall /reinstall the router and can I use the same SSID?

greatful for any advice.

[MovedGoalPosts]

You should be able to just change the Wireless security system on the router. Browse to it's control panel from your computer and the wireless settings should be available to you. You'll be able to keep the same SSIS, but may be prompted to re-enter your password. As the encryption required by the wireless has changed, any devices that had connection settings already stored may need to be reset.

Of course you are downgrading and thus makine your wireless easier to hack. It's for you to decide if that is a risk you can accept.

[weesteev]

If you are changing to WEP then its worthwhile also using MAC filtering if your router supports it for extra security.

[aohna]

I value your comments guys, do you think possible or be it somewhat naff to change the settings for communicating with my music system, then change back again to maintain the higher grade of security? The transfer of d/loaded music is not an everyday thing maybe once a month. weesteev not sure what MAC filtering is?

[MovedGoalPosts]

Every time you change the settings, you risk breaking the stored settings in anything else. Change it once and accept it, or don't change it at all.

MAC filtering allows the wireless router to specifically only allow a device with a matching MAC address to connect. A MAC address is effectively a serial number of any network card that it sends to other network devices. For example in Windows I can see the MAC address of my conection by going to network connections, checking the status and details for my network card where the MAC would be listed by physical properties. If you use MAC filtering, unless the router has the MAC address listed in it's permitted clients tables, then even if you have the right security password, an attempt by the appliance to connect wirelessly would fail. MAC filtering should be an option in the router's wireless security confurations admin screen.