Wireless: How to configure WPA encryption in Sonicwall TZ devices with built-in wireless. (So

03/26/2020 55 15671

DESCRIPTION:
Wireless: How to configure WPA encryption in Sonicwall TZ devices with built-in wireless. (SonicOS Enhanced)

RESOLUTION:

WPA supports two protocols for storing and generating keys:

• Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP): EAP allows WPA to synchronize keys with an external RADIUS server. The keys are updated periodically based on time or number of packets. Use EAP in larger, enterprise-like deployments where you have an existing RADIUS framework.
• Pre-Shared Key (PSK): PSK allows WPA to generate keys from a pre-shared passphrase that you configure. The keys are updated periodically based on time or number of packets. Use PSK in smaller deployments where you do not have a RADIUS server.

Note: WPA support is only available in Access Point Mode. WPA support is not available in Bridge Mode.

Task List:

Part One: Configuration on the SonicWall Appliance

Step 1: Configuring the WLAN Interface
Step 2: Configuring WLAN Zone.
Step 3: Configuring Wireless (WPA-PSK encryption, etc)

Part Two: Configuration on the Wireless client computer

 Step 1:  Connectivity using the Wireless card utility for initial association with the WLAN Zone.

Part One: Configuration on the SonicWall Appliance

Step 1:  Configuring the WLAN Interface

The WLAN interface is only available on the TZ 170 Wireless and TZ 170 SP Wireless. You can only configure the WLAN interface with a static IP address.

1. Log into the SonicWall Management GUI, go to Network > Interfaces.
2. Click on the Notepad icon in the Configure column for WLAN Interface. The Edit Interface window is displayed.
3. Enter the IP address (172.16.31.1) and subnet mask (255.255.255.0) of the Zone in the IP Address and Subnet Mask fields.
4. Enter any optional comment text in the Comment field. This text is displayed in the Comment column of the Interface table.
5. Uncheck all supported management protocol(s): HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, Ping, SNMP, and/or SSH. (In this scenario we are not allowing wireless clients to manage the SonicWall to ensure complete security).
6. Click OK.

Step 2:  Configuring the WLAN Zone

1. Go to Network > Zones; Click the Edit icon for the WLAN zone. The Edit Zone window is displayed.

2. In the General tab, uncheck Allow Interface Trust. Select any of the following settings to enable the SonicWall Security Services on the WLAN Zone.

– Enforce Content Filtering Service - Enforces content filtering on multiple interfaces in the same Trusted, Public and WLAN zones.

  

– Enforce Client Anti-Virus Service - Enforces managed anti-virus protection on multiple interfaces in the same Trusted, Public or WLAN zones. SonicWall Client Anti-Virus manages an anti-virus client application on all clients on the zone.

 – Enable Gateway Anti-Virus - Enforces gateway anti-virus protection on multiple interfaces in the same Trusted, Public or WLAN zones. SonicWall Gateway Anti-Virus manages the anti-virus service on the SonicWall appliance.

 – Enable IPS - Enforces intrusion detection and prevention on multiple interfaces in the same Trusted, Public or WLAN zones.

 

– Enable Anti-Spyware Service - Enforces anti-spyware detection and prevention on multiple interfaces in the same Trusted, Public or WLAN zones.

 

– Enforce Global Security Clients - Enforces security policies for Global Security Clients on multiple interfaces in the same Trusted, Public or WLAN zones.

3. Click the Wireless tab, Uncheck Only allow traffic generated by a SonicPoint (if enabled: allows only traffic from SonicWall SonicPoints to enter the WLAN Zone interface)

4. Uncheck SSL-VPN Enforcement (if enabled; requires all traffic that enters into the WLAN Zone be authenticated through a SonicWall SSL-VPN appliance)

5. Uncheck WiFiSec Enforcement.
(All wireless clients must connect to the SonicWall via the SonicWall Global VPN Client if they wish to access anything (policy-allowed LAN resources, policy-allowed WAN access, and other wireless clients).

6. When WiFiSec Enforcement is enabled, you can specify services that are allowed to bypass the WiFiSec enforcement by checking WiFiSec Exception Service and then selecting the service you want to exempt from WiFiSec enforcement.

7. Uncheck Require WiFiSec for Site-to-Site VPN Tunnel Traversal (if enabled: requires WiFiSec security for all wireless connections through the WLAN zone that are part of a site-to-site VPN.)

8. Uncheck Trust WPA traffic as WiFiSec. (Allows WPA to be used as an alternative to WiFiSec.)

9. Click the Guest Services tab. Uncheck Enable Wireless Guest Services (In this scenario we will not be enabling Wireless Guest Users)

10. Click OK to apply these settings to the WLAN zone.

Step 3:  Configuring Wireless (Enabling WPA-PSK encryption)

1. Go to the Wireless > Settings page, select Access Point from the Radio Role menu.

Note: WPA support is only available in Access Point Mode. WPA support is not available in Wireless Bridge Mode.

2. Enable the WLAN port by selecting the Enable WLAN checkbox.

3. SSID: Enter a recognizable string for the SSID; the default string is sonicwall. The SSID can be changed to any alphanumeric value with a maximum of 32 characters. This is the name that will appear in clients’ lists of available wireless connections. (For example: SonicLAB)

4. Click the Apply button located at the top of the page.
5. Go to the Wireless > WEP/WPA Encryption page,
6. In the Authentication Type field: Select WPA – PSK and enter a Passphrase (Min 8 - Max 63 characters)
7. Click the Apply button.
8. If you wish to restrict access to wireless clients with certain hardware addresses, go to the Wireless > Mac Filter List page. Click the Apply button when finished.

(See KBID 4198: Wireless: Configuring the MAC filter list in the Related Items section below for more information)

Part Two: Configuration on the Wireless client computer

Step 1:  Connectivity using the Wireless card utility for initial association with the WLAN Zone.

 In this scenario, a NetGear WG111 USB wireless adapter is used to connect to the SonicWall.

Note: 

•  The procedure to associate with a wireless network differs for each manufacturer; refer to your Wireless card product guides for detailed information.
•  If you are using a third party wireless card utility, it is highly recommended that you disable the “Wireless Zero Configuration” service. Click here for instructions.

1. Ensure that the Wireless card driver and utility software has been configured correctly on the wireless computer.
2. Ensure that the Wireless Network Connection is enabled under Start > Control Panel > Network Connections.
3. Launch the NetGear Smart Wizard wireless utility software.
4. Click on the Networks tab and scan for “Available Wireless Networks - (SSID)” (For example: SonicLAB)
5. Double click on the SSID to associate with the wireless network.
6. The NetGear wireless utility program will identify the encryption type automatically while associating with the Wireless network.
7. Enter the WPA-PSK passphrase (minimum of 8 – max 63 characters)
8. Click on the About tab and ensure that a valid WLAN IP address (172.16.31.x / 24) has been assigned to the wireless adapter.

Test the Connection: You should be able to access the LAN resources of the SonicWall