Hi,
If you want to know the network addresses being used on a WEP network you can decrypt some captured packets using the key. Both Kismet and Wireshark support entry of WEP keys to view the decrypted data.

You won't be able to 'ping' the router until you're on the network i.e. have you card set up with the correct essid, channel, WEP key etc. It's the same as if you're on a wired network. You can create a ping packet without having an IP address and inject this onto the network, but you might not see the reply.

Regards,
Jimbob

i heve a expierence to crack deiferent WEP protected connections: Open, Shared key.  My best choice to collect enough IV's(40 000-90 000) is one:
arp request replay attack with :
aireplay-ng -3 - b bssid_mac_address -h 00:11:22:33:44:55 ath0

Good suggestion. I found the info you are talking about so I'll read up on it and give it a try. Thanks!

*clears voice*

Stand back everyone, I'm going to attempt to communicate with him.

do0d u liek need to l3rn hw 2 serch da web n stuff.  haxoring ait summing dat u can jus rely on other ppl 2 hld ur hand until u lern u got ta do sum wrk urself.

Definitely sounds like a question to type in to Google.

Simple, ask the network admin for the security keys.

if you want to know how to use a program, read everything you can find about it (on their website, their forums, and so on), then when it still doesn't work, post half your /etc and a dmesg or two. it is actually a whole lot more entertaining/engaging that way. and posting that you have imaginings of penetrating networks unauthorized online, not such a good idea.

besides, whats the point in cracking a password if you can just ask for it? err...

letting your school's administrator know if the network is unnecessarily at risk could be good, if you're intending to learn the tools/skills to offer that service. but if you're not willing to do some research (and learn linux), good luck with aircrack...