'User accounts' with a wireless connection?

[Will Cheyney]

This is just a thought. It is possible to setup user accounts in order for people to access a wireless network. Obviously, I know it is possible to protect a network via WEP or WPA encryption, but is it possible to for each user to have his/her own designated login to allow access?

Thoughts?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

No, I don't think that's easily done. You'd need some kind of server to Authenticate the different users. One of the main problems with WEP/WPA is that all users on a network uses the same key. That was addressed in 802.11i, which promised better security, and WPA2 was introduced for OS X users of Airport. The thing is they didn't fix it by allowing different users, but rather by a more complicated "handshake", i.e.. exchange of keys when a new machine joins the network. Oh, well, maybe a later version of 802.11 will provide...

 

[joshysquashy]

you can restrict which computers are able to connect by adding certain mac addresses. mac addresses are individual to each computer and cannot be changed. this way, you have to manually allow a computer to connect.

 

[Will Cheyney]

Ah! I suspected as much... Damn!
The MAC address option is perfectly viable right now anyway. I only need to limit it to 4 individual users.