WPA encryption causing DNS issues with CTR-350??

byrd · EVDO User Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 49

So, I've been running my mouth on a number of threads regarding the apparent DNS issues that I've been having with my CTR-350. Instead of typing redundant posts on multiple threads, I thought I'd post what I've found in a new thread.

I've been attempting to run a number of different scenarios this evening and here's what I've found so far:

About every 12 to 24 hours, I've been noticing that the router's connection to the internet is dead. The modem is active as evidenced by the blue EVDO LED on my Franklin CDU-680, but access to the web is gone. I've ALSO noticed that whenever I Connect the modem after a manual Disconnect (from the Status page), both of the DNS settings are stuck at 0.0.0.0, and thus my internet connection is essentially dead. The ONLY way to clear the problem is though a reboot of the router.

Since I don't have the patience to sit around for 12 to 24 hours to wait for the next occurrence of a disconnection, I've been testing various configurations by using the manual "Disconnect" and "Connect" buttons on the Status page. If I can get the DNS information to update correctly after I connect, then great, if not, I'm assuming that I've still got a problem.

It turns out that my trial and error is beginning to point to an issue with the encryption method. Up to now, I've always been using WPA-Personal encryption. I've had problems refreshing my DNS info with firmware 1.7.3, 1.7.1, and 1.7.0. I then when back to the 1.6.0 firmware.

When installing 1.6.0, the router goes back to all it's factory defaults. So I went ahead and tested the default settings with the 1.6.0 firmware. Viola!! The DNS info refreshed No problems!! I immediately though it was a problem with the 1.7.x firmware (but was mistaken). I uploaded my router config file that included WPA and rebooted. The config file had WPA turned back on with the 1.6.0 firmware. Now all of the sudden things did NOT work again. I've now re-uploaded the 1.7.3 firmware back to the router with NO WPA encryption and am able to refresh my DNS settings without any issues.

What I haven't tested yet is whether or not I see the same issues with WEP. I'll check that out tomorrow, but I'm done for the evening and we'll see if the router can hold it's connection for a number of hours with no encryption.

Long story short... Does anyone know why WPA encryption should be causing modem connection issues??

Capt Ron · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

I am using 1.7.0 with WPA and don't have any problem with access to the intenet.
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Ron

byrd · EVDO User Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 49

Let me ask you this... If you go to the CTR350 Status page and manually click the "Disconnect" button, wait for all the settings to go to 0.0.0.0, then click on the "Connect" button, do your DNS settings get renewed?? Mine do not. The only way I can get my DNS settings to renew after a manual "Connect" is to use the router with no encryption.

I'm not positive, but I *think* that this is somehow related to the issues that I've been having with becoming disconnected.

It seems that there are a lot of folks here that are not having any problems, but it also seems like there are a few people who are. Of course, this makes it all the more perplexing.

visortgw · EVDO User Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 67

Do you specify primary and secondary DNS servers, or do you use the addresses provided by DHCP? I have reported issues in the case where I attempt (unsuccessfully) to specify alternate DNS servers, resulting in the 0.0.0.0 addresses.

Capt Ron · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject:

byrd,

Mine reconnects and replaces the 0s in about a 30 seconds. I did it three times to make sure. It looks like the only thing that changed is the IP address.
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Ron

byrd · EVDO User Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 49

richp01 · EVDO User Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 38

byrd,

I am also using WPA-Personal (AES), CTR FW 1.7.3, Sprint U727, and the Intel PRO/Wireless 802.11 NIC. I found that when I manually select Disconnect all entries are set to 0.0.0.0 and I then press Connect all entries receive the appropriate IP address. So I am not sure what may be different about your environment compared to mine. But after the entries are populated I am immediately able to browse the internet.

Let me know if I am missing something or what may be different in your environment and I more then willing to try to repro you problem.

byrd · EVDO User Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 49

Thanks for the input Capt Ron and richp01.

After reading Capt Ron's info yesterday, and before calling tech support, I decided to pack up the router and modem (big job packing these little things up! Smile

) and bring them to my office which is located 40 miles away. My home is in a pretty rural area. My office is in far more densely populated area.

After setting things up at the office, everything seems to be working MUCH better, and now I feel like I'm just going crazy!!! I've disconnected and reconnected over and over, and have no problem getting back on.

I'm beginning to wonder if this is all related to Sprint blocking Port 80 as has been mentioned elsewhere. Does the CTR-350 get it's WAN status info over port 80. If so, maybe this is why I'm not seeing the DNS info updating and I can't view web pages, but can still ping web sites? The coincidence of having no problems without encryption but having problems with encryption still is quite puzzling though.