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WPA3 Announced

W

weckart

macrumors 603
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Nov 7, 2004
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You can't fight progress!

From what I understand, Apple moved to the "Extreme" 802.11g variant in the first gen PowerBook G4 12" and FW800 MDD towers in early 2003, but didn't support WPA2 on these devices until Panther in or around 10.3.3 (Mid 2004-ish?).

So essentially we have 14+ years of WPA2 capable Macs currently in circulation, which is a lot more than the 5 years or so of active pre-WPA2 devices. With this in mind, I think we should be pretty safe to carry on with WPA2 for some time - it would be safe to predict another 5 years of compatibility, maybe more?

I wonder what the entry point will be for the WPA3 spec; 802.11n or ac?
 
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weckart said:
I'm wondering if the encryption will require specific processing that only newer chips can provide. That may exclude backwards compatibility or hacks towards that.
Click to expand...

The article mentions coupling WPA3 with 802.11ax, but I don't think Apple is shipping anything with this yet. I imagine WPA3 will probably require 'ac' as a minimum. 'n' will likely take a backseat with older siblings 'g' and 'b'.

MysticCow said:
So turn a router into a bridge and run a wire from that bridge to your PPC?

That to me seems like the easiest way around this issue.
Click to expand...

That's right. It's really a non-issue for at-home use, but more of a consideration for any portable Macs still on the move in 2028! :cool:
 
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AphoticD said:
You can't fight progress!

From what I understand, Apple moved to the "Extreme" 802.11g variant in the first gen PowerBook G4 12" and FW800 MDD towers in early 2003, but didn't support WPA2 on these devices until Panther in or around 10.3.3 (Mid 2004-ish?).

So essentially we have 14+ years of WPA2 capable Macs currently in circulation, which is a lot more than the 5 years or so of active pre-WPA2 devices. With this in mind, I think we should be pretty safe to carry on with WPA2 for some time - it would be safe to predict another 5 years of compatibility, maybe more?

I wonder what the entry point will be for the WPA3 spec; 802.11n or ac?
Click to expand...
You have until such time as you replace your router with one which is incapable of supporting WPA2. Until such time as WPA2 becomes woefully inadequate I see no reason to replace it with WPA3.
 
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AphoticD said:
That's right. It's really a non-issue for at-home use, but more of a consideration for any portable Macs still on the move in 2028! :cool:
Click to expand...

I think there is probably some considerable lag time here.

Most of the places I use my laptops at want to keep the largest possible compatibility for their customers. It took Starbucks 14 years to remove 802.11 A/B and that was just speed, not security.

This no longer matters at my local coffee shop because I decided to just tether to my phone now as the WiFi there is terrible.

I already have a 2006 MBP and a 2009 Thinkpad. My preference had been to upgrade to Mac as things progressed so any newer Macs would replace the older PowerPC as they eventually die. I still have a few years there, but I won't be getting any Macs that require me to run anything higher than Yosemite.

That means PC for me in about ten years, unless Apple gets off this lockdown kick they are on and stops thinking I'm a stupid idiot that can't be trusted.

So, really…by the time all this filters down to the common, everyday, shop using WPA3 it won't be PowerPC laptops I'll be trying to connect to it.

I love PowerPC and the Macs I currently have, but just like in the other thread about their popularity, there comes a point in time where it's time to walk away. For me that is when they can no longer meet the requirements I have.

Connecting to a WPA3 secured network is probably going to be one of those requirements at some point.
 
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Well said @eyoungren . It's not like anyone was complaining about not being able to use their built-in 56k modems once dialup dropped off the map. Adapt and survive. Carry on with life.

The WPA3 scenario, when it *eventually* becomes a compatibility issue will render Leopard inaccessible as a wireless device, regardless of the hardware. By that stage, anyone even considering owning a PowerPC Mac will surely only be interested in the collectability and/or novelty of the hardware and won't expect it to fulfill everyday production needs.

It's like firing up an LCII and trying to get online with it. Sure, it is indeed possible and you'll have fun in the nostalgia, but don't expect to get any work done.
 
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AphoticD said:
Well said @eyoungren . It's not like anyone was complaining about not being able to use their built-in 56k modems once dialup dropped off the map. Adapt and survive. Carry on with life.

The WPA3 scenario, when it *eventually* becomes a compatibility issue will render Leopard inaccessible as a wireless device, regardless of the hardware. By that stage, anyone even considering owning a PowerPC Mac will surely only be interested in the collectability and/or novelty of the hardware and won't expect it to fulfill everyday production needs.

It's like firing up an LCII and trying to get online with it. Sure, it is indeed possible and you'll have fun in the nostalgia, but don't expect to get any work done.
Click to expand...
For whatever reason, in my head I see PowerPC Macs as still being productive in some sort of hands-on computer museum where they are in their element. That and docents with years of experience showing visitors just what these old Macs were capable of during the day.

Considering the amount of Macs some of us here own, it's a nice dream with a hint of probability. I'd bet quite a few of these old Macs survive that long.
 
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eyoungren said:
For whatever reason, in my head I see PowerPC Macs as still being productive in some sort of hands-on computer museum where they are in their element. That and docents with years of experience showing visitors just what these old Macs were capable of during the day.

Considering the amount of Macs some of us here own, it's a nice dream with a hint of probability. I'd bet quite a few of these old Macs survive that long.
Click to expand...

Now there's an idea. A Mac Time Capsule, completely off-grid and distraction-free. Go in, get some work done in Adobe CS, Final Cut Studio, Pro Tools, Logic and other period-specific software. On the desk is a spindle of retro-DVD-Rs. Burn your work and sneaker-net your way back into augmented reality. :cool:
 
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AphoticD said:
A Mac Time Capsule, completely off-grid and distraction-free. Go in, get some work done in Adobe CS, Final Cut Studio, Pro Tools, Logic and other period-specific software. On the desk is a spindle of retro-DVD-Rs, burn your work and sneaker-net your way back into augmented reality.
Click to expand...

I like that idea. There's no point in just having the machines sit in a display case as relics of a bygone era. Might as well squeeze every drop of use out of them.
 
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AL1630 said:
I like that idea. There's no point in just having the machines sit in a display case as relics of a bygone era. Might as well squeeze every drop of use out of them.
Click to expand...
I agree and after they die then they can be put in a display case. Also WPA3 will be a non-issue for those that opt to use a wired connection whether it be USB tethering or plugging an Ethernet cable into the device.
 
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AphoticD said:
Now there's an idea. A Mac Time Capsule, completely off-grid and distraction-free. Go in, get some work done in Adobe CS, Final Cut Studio, Pro Tools, Logic and other period-specific software. On the desk is a spindle of retro-DVD-Rs. Burn your work and sneaker-net your way back into augmented reality. :cool:
Click to expand...

Sounds like nothing this community can't accomplish, most especially if all of us pitch in via some way as a sort of final project, when that time comes.
 
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This proves my theories - PPC macs while nice machines very soon may face a wall. I can imagine in 2070 just 2 years before I turn 100, that my PowerPC macs may just outlive me. But, for now in 2018, there is still plenty of life for them.
 
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