Apple TV

While playing around with SL server this morning, I noticed that it includes a RADIUS option under services in ServerAdmin.   Naturally, I decided to investigate further.   To my utter amazement,   SL server has the ability to automagically setup Apple Extreme base stations with WPA2 Enterprise!!   I have wanted to get WPA2 Enterprise up and running on my home network for a while now, but lacked the desire to download FreeRADIUS and go through the hassle of configuring it.   So, I was immediately excited to get this service running.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was to setup this service.   SL Server walks you through the entire process quickly and easily.   It also automatically configures each Airport Extreme to use WPA2 Enterprise.   Inside of 5 minutes, I had the service running, all base stations configured, and authenticated to my wireless network with WPA2 Enterprise.   It was extremely cool.

Then I got to thinking…what does WPA2 Enterprise mean to all the other devices on my network?   I wasn’t worried about our iphones or laptops, but what about the AppleTVs?!   I couldn’t recall if I’d ever seen a configuration setting for WPA2 Enterprise in the AppleTV software.   I quickly ran to the AppleTV in the living room and was not surprised when it began to complain about the lack of network connectivity.   So,   I figured I only needed to run through the wireless setup once again to bring it back online.   To my utter disappointment,   AppleTV (as of this writing) does NOT support WPA2 Enterprise! Total.   Fail.

Your only options are to wire the device into your LAN using CAT5/6 cable or to create another wireless network with WEP/WPA/WPA2 Personal encryption.   My solution was the latter.   I truly hope Apple adds this functionality in future updates.   I really don’t like having a separate wireless network just for AppleTV.

-Tim