hi
I've recently upgraded my internet service to fiber optic. I have everything connected except a 2nd, but older iMac (Snow Leopard). When I try to connect to the new wifi network, it asks for a WAN password. My wifi password doesn't work. Is there a way to fix this? If I do have a WAN password, don't know what it could be... not even sure what a WAN password is. It's the first time I've seen it. Is there a way around this?
thx in advance
Is your new wifi network using WPA3 security? If so, then a Snow Leopard installation cannot connect to it and asking for a WAN password may be it's way of saying so (specifically, Snow Leopard is interpreting that it is on a WPA2 Enterprise network using 802.1X authentication).
You will likely have to modify your wifi security and downgrade it to WPA2. There is supposed to be a "graceful" WPA3 to WPA2 fallback in the specification for older devices - but Snow Leopard is too old even for that, even if the iMac itself might possibly be able to handle it with a newer OS (and if Snow Leopard is the latest OS possible for that system, you are pretty SOL for using modern wifi).
Of course, it begs the question of why you would be using a Snow Leopard system on wifi in the first place, since there is almost nothing you will be able to connect to, given the issues with both certificates and SMB versions you will be experiencing.
Is your new wifi network using WPA3 security? If so, then a Snow Leopard installation cannot connect to it and asking for a WAN password may be it's way of saying so (specifically, Snow Leopard is interpreting that it is on a WPA2 Enterprise network using 802.1X authentication).
You will likely have to modify your wifi security and downgrade it to WPA2. There is supposed to be a "graceful" WPA3 to WPA2 fallback in the specification for older devices - but Snow Leopard is too old even for that, even if the iMac itself might possibly be able to handle it with a newer OS (and if Snow Leopard is the latest OS possible for that system, you are pretty SOL for using modern wifi).
Of course, it begs the question of why you would be using a Snow Leopard system on wifi in the first place, since there is almost nothing you will be able to connect to, given the issues with both certificates and SMB versions you will be experiencing.
Please double-check the iMac model/processor/year.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html
The iMac in question ought to support WPA2 Personal.
The wired W1700K gateway pod appears to use a smart device detection and band selection method. Similar methods can sometimes cause difficulties with older equipment.
https://www.quantumfiber.com/support/equipment/user-guides/wifi-pods/wifi-7.html
If a wireless connection for some reason does not work here, as MartinR has suggested, you could (at least temporarily) try to connect the iMac via Ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports (of the W1700K pod).
Alternatively, connect the iMac's Ethernet port to an appropriate little Wi-Fi range extender (with WPA2 security) capable of operating in a wireless Ethernet bridge/client/wireless adapter mode.
If necessary, the iMac's operating system can also be upgraded.
Are you sure it's not asking for a WEP, WPA or WPA2 password? I have never heard of a WAN password on WiFi.
There is such a thing as a WAN Port, which is the hardware port that connects your router to your ONT (optical network terminal), or how a downstream ethernet switch, WiFi access point or router connects to another router.
What is the make/model of the router you are using for WiFi? And is Verizon your ISP?
It would also help to know the exact model Mac you are using Snow Leopard on. (Do Apple > About This Mac and tell us what it says ... it will be something like "iMac, 27" Core2Duo, Late 2009")
amdun wrote:
I use the old SL mac for working offline. The wifi connection just would've made it convenient for transferring files from mac to mac. I
I suggest using a wired ethernet connection from the Snow Leopard Mac to one of the LAN ports on your router. You should then be able to transfer files between Macs on your network even if the other Mac(s) are on WiFi.
If that router is the Verizon G3100, the LAN ports are the 4 yellow ports on the back, labeled LAN1 to LAN 4.
If it's Wifi 7 certified it almost certainly defaults to WPA3 security. And yes, if the iMac is old enough (which it sounds like), it will not play well with the automatic band detection and the WPA3 to WPA2 fallback the router supports.
You could likely change the security settings on the router to WPA2 (less than ideal, but still adequate security), connect the iMac via Ethernet, or possibly use a USB Wifi adapter to provide WPA3 compatible Wifi to the iMac.
Well, after adding the network in preferred networks, it's no longer asking for the WAN, however the network itself reads network name, WPA2 personal (security). So as g_wolfman has stated that Snow Leopard can't connect to it. The network security on the newer mac is WPA2/WPA3 personal.
Snow Leopard mac is MAC OS X 10.6.8 (iMac 21.5" Core2Duo, Mid 2010).
Verizon is ISP
WIFI is tucked away pretty good, but managed a pic...
[Edited by Moderator]
MartinR wrote:
I suggest using a wired ethernet connection from the Snow Leopard Mac to one of the LAN ports on your router. You should then be able to transfer files between Macs on your network even if the other Mac(s) are on WiFi.
If that router is the Verizon G3100, the LAN ports are the 4 yellow ports on the back, labeled LAN1 to LAN 4.
Does it matter which LAN port to use (see pic)?
I'd also called Quantum about this... they insisted that it was a modem & not a router, tho I believe it likely functions as both. More info on that...
https://www.quantumfiber.com/support/equipment/user-guides/c5500xk-smartnid.html
The network itself reads network name, WPA2 personal (security). so, ya, if what you say is true then I am likely SOL for joining. The network security on the newer mac is WPA2/WPA3 personal.
I use the old SL mac for working offline. The wifi connection just would've made it convenient for transferring files from mac to mac. I'm sure I'll need to decommission the older mac eventually.
Not sure whether a security downgrade would work with the new wifi gear.
BTW thank you both Martin & wolfman for replying
According to the WiFi 7 pod FAQs in
https://www.quantumfiber.com/support/equipment/user-guides/wifi-pods/wifi-7.html :
"Ethernet-compatible
devices can be plugged into any one of the open LAN ports on the bottom
of your WiFi 7 pod(s), depending on the speed of your device:
We strongly advise against requesting additional pods for this purpose.
Extra pods may cause other issues, including network slowdown and WiFi
oversaturation."
Now that I double check, it look as tho old iMac looks more like iMac, 21.5" 3.06 Core2Duo, Late 2009, tho i'm not sure there's a significant difference, perhaps not as nimble as the 2010... but thanx for posting.
amdun wrote:
Does it matter which LAN port to use (see pic)?
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/0466db56-96d9-4a23-832d-9d16deaedbbf
I'd also called Quantum about this... they insisted that it was a modem & not a router, tho I believe it likely functions as both. More info on that...
https://www.quantumfiber.com/support/equipment/user-guides/c5500xk-smartnid.html
Just use one of the yellow "1G LAN" ports; it doesn't matter which one.
If this is Quantum Fiber/Centurylink, you should be able to connect to any of the LAN ports on either the NID or your 360 WiFI pod.
older imac is asking for WAN password to access wifi
