Most Ubuntu versions support connecting to wep-encrypted wireless networks. Here a brief howto on wep and Ubuntu. First a hard way-method using command line and then a more easy and more user friendly method below.
The hard way:
cc@ubuntu:~$ sudo iwconfig eth2 essid MyNet
cc@ubuntu:~$ sudo iwconfig eth2 key xxxxxxxxxx
cc@ubuntu:~$ sudo ifconfig eth2 up
cc@ubuntu:~$ sudo dhclient3 eth2
And then ready to surf…
The easy way:
Install NetworkManager
cc@atlas:~$ sudo apt-get install NetworkManager
i have network manager installed, but theres a network i am trying to connect to with wep encryption that doesn’t give the option of wep when i try to connect. it gives me the option when i go to “edit wireless networks” but it wont connect and i am fairly sure i have the right password. is there anything i might be missing?
Maybe you should take a look at Wi-Fi Protected Access (or WPA) instead. WEP has a lot of documented weaknesses. But then again – this is only possible if you control the hotspot