Housemaster

Hi,

I have tried searching this, and other sites for a definative answer on this question, but have not been able to find one (which may well be down to my poor searching ability!), so please allow me to lay it out clearly.

I have a:
Dell Axim X3i
Pocket PC2003 (Not second edition!)

Its both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled and I have NO problem using Wi-Fi using WEP encryption at home, but I want to use WPA-PSK encryption, which is NOT supported in the OS of my Axim. I know it is NOT possible to use WPA-PSK encryption on my Dell Axim X3i in its current state (ie, standard OS) and I have the following question.

Is there any Freeware, Shareware or Payware software out there, which I can download/buy for my Dell Axim X3i which will provide the ability for me to connect to my Wi-Fi network using WPA-PSK?

Sorry to be so "chapter and verse" but I wanted it to be nice an clear, hopefully so I would get a nice and clear answer Any help on this would be greatly appreciated and I kindly ask for a clear and definative answer and not conjecture as thats why I am here, I am yet to find the clear answer

Thanks very much. :approve:
Steve.

TechnoGuy

I went through what you are going through. The X3i does not support WPA-PSK. There are no supplicants or programs that will allow this.

Housemaster

Originally Posted by TechnoGuy

I went through what you are going through. The X3i does not support WPA-PSK. There are no supplicants or programs that will allow this.

I was coming to that conclusion myself, but I have seen other people refer to certain applications which they suggest provide it, but have yet to direct me towards them.

Thanks for your response.

TechnoGuy

there are applications for the X30, but none of them are compatiable with the X3i. Please don't be fdooled into purchaseing something that will not work.

firebrand

Hmm, I'm in the same situation myself - I need WPA for my X3i so that my whole network isn't vulnerable...

In this thread, a Dell rep says Odyssey client will allow WPA on X3i. Is this incorrect??

Housemaster

Well it does seem to infer that it will provide this function, but again it seems like no one can actually come forward and say "I have an X3i, I have product X and I have WPA FULLY working" which is the problem I always have.

Lots of seems to no DOES, but once again thanks for taking the time :approve:

Housemaster

I have sent an email to them clearly laying out the question. I will post the response I get which will put this one to bed once and for all.

firebrand

Originally Posted by Housemaster

I have sent an email to them clearly laying out the question. I will post the response I get which will put this one to bed once and for all.

I had the same idea. I emailed funk, who told me unequivocally that "Yes, Odyssey Client for Windows Mobile 2003 will meet your requirements and will be able to work with your Dell Axim X3i PPC." I was thrilled - not just the answer I wanted to hear, but no two ways about it.

Then I read the next sentence of funk's reply: "WPA/WPA2 functionality will depend on the built-in wireless adapter of your PPC. Some older wireless adapter may not have the support for WPA/WPA2."

So there you have it. The definitive answer: Maybe; maybe not.

Full response from funk below, with my original question below that.

Sigh...
_______________


Thank you for your interest in our Odyssey Client.

Yes, Odyssey Client for Windows Mobile 2003 will meet your requirements and will be able to work with your Dell Axim X3i PPC. Odyssey Client supports WPA as well as WPA2. WPA/WPA2 functionality will depend on the built-in wireless adapter of your PPC. Some older wireless adapter may not have the support for WPA/WPA2.

Your D-Link wireless router will also need to support WPA. Radius server is needed when you wish to perform 802.1x/EAP authentication with WPA.

You can download our 30days trial Odyssey Client from the following link:
http://www.funk.com/RegFiles/ody30conf.asp

Please do not hesitate to let me know should you need any further assistance.

Regards,

ALEX CHEONG
Systems Engineer
Funk Software Representative Office Asia Pacific
Tel: + 603-6201-9682
Fax: +603-6201-9685
Mobile: +6012-371-2806
E-Mail: cheong@funk.com

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 1:30 PM
To: sales@funk.com
Subject: Presales question - Odyssey support for Dell Axim X3i Pocket PC?

G'day,

I have a Dell Axim X3i Pocket PC. It has built-in wi-fi, and runs Windows Mobile 2003 (no upgrade to WM2003SE available). Natively, it supports WEP, but not WPA. I also use a D-Link DI-624 wireless router, which is on your compatibility list.

Will the Odyssey Client work with my PPC? Will it give me WPA? If so, does it require a Radius server, or can it be made to work stand alone?

Thanks!

TechnoGuy

Ii was informed by dell a while back that the X3i wireless card was not WPA compatiable.

Housemaster

Originally Posted by TechnoGuy

Ii was informed by dell a while back that the X3i wireless card was not WPA compatiable.

And I think that this response confirms this:

Hello Sir,

My apologies for taking some time to answer this question, but I wanted to check some thing out practically. The fact is that we do need basic driver support for WPA to make it work with the Odyssey client, otherwise no go. Just to make sure I did test the Odyssey client on an X3, and as I suspected it did not work.

Best regards

It seems I can finally close this off with a definative answer, for now at least.....

TechnoGuy

I appreciate your time in researching this matter. I Guess I will start to look for deals on X51.

DBMcG

Do not listen to the sheeple above. The Funk software WILL work on the X3i.
Here are the steps I took to get it working on my X3i with WI-FI only (no Bluetooth).
1) Follow the link in the post above to download the Funk Odyssey client for Windows Mobile 2003.
2) Close all open programs on the Axim with the hotswap bar and connect it to your computer. Backup the PDA (suggested, not required)
3) Run the exe file from Funk and install.
4) Disconnect the Axim from the computer and perform a soft reset. Use the stylus to press in the little button below the battery on the backside of the Axim. The Axim should be on when you do this.
5) Make sure the wireless is enabled. Tap the Funk symbol in the lower right.
6) Tap Settings>Configure
7) Tap Add…
8) Tap Scan and choose the network you are trying to connect to. This will only work if the SSID is being broadcast. If the SSID is not being broadcast, call IT. Choose Infrastructure. Tap Next.
9) Choose Association>WPA. Choose Encryption Method TKIP. Uncheck "Authenticate using 802.1X". Tap in the passphrase (call IT). I did not choose "Unmask". Tap Next.
10) Tap Finish.
11) On the main screen (with Outlook stuff), tap the Funk symbol.
12) Choose Connect to> "Your network here". You may need to tap reconnect. If in status it says "adapter not present", it means your wireless isn't on, hit the side right button.

No, I did not disable the DELL utility.
YES, I DO HAVE IT WORKING ON AN AXIM X3i with Windows Mobile 2003 (not SE)! No I do not know how much Odyssey client costs. Let me know if you get a price!

Do not completely trust what DELL tells you.

Zaniax

"DBMcG
Wrong Wrong Wrong"

Thanks ...
...for making the effort
...taking the time
...providing the answer
...in details

Thanks again :-)

TechnoGuy

I don't think so, The X3i's hardware does not support WPA.

Housemaster

Originally Posted by DBMcG

Do not listen to the sheeple above. The Funk software WILL work on the X3i. Here are the steps I took to get it working on my X3i with WI-FI only (no Bluetooth). 1) Follow the link in the post above to download the Funk Odyssey client for Windows Mobile 2003. 2) Close all open programs on the Axim with the hotswap bar and connect it to your computer. Backup the PDA (suggested, not required) 3) Run the exe file from Funk and install. 4) Disconnect the Axim from the computer and perform a soft reset. Use the stylus to press in the little button below the battery on the backside of the Axim. The Axim should be on when you do this. 5) Make sure the wireless is enabled. Tap the Funk symbol in the lower right. 6) Tap Settings>Configure 7) Tap Add… 8) Tap Scan and choose the network you are trying to connect to. This will only work if the SSID is being broadcast. If the SSID is not being broadcast, call IT. Choose Infrastructure. Tap Next. 9) Choose Association>WPA. Choose Encryption Method TKIP. Uncheck "Authenticate using 802.1X". Tap in the passphrase (call IT). I did not choose "Unmask". Tap Next. 10) Tap Finish. 11) On the main screen (with Outlook stuff), tap the Funk symbol. 12) Choose Connect to> "Your network here". You may need to tap reconnect. If in status it says "adapter not present", it means your wireless isn't on, hit the side right button. No, I did not disable the DELL utility. YES, I DO HAVE IT WORKING ON AN AXIM X3i with Windows Mobile 2003 (not SE)! No I do not know how much Odyssey client costs. Let me know if you get a price! Do not completely trust what DELL tells you.

One small point....

The answer I posted above was not from Dell, it was straight from technical support at Funk who are convinced it does not work in WPA mode, though the client will happily work in WEP.

I shall try what you say to see if I can get it to work.