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Encryption
For security, the 802.11b standard incorporates a method of “scrambling”
the data being sent over the air. This is called WEP (Wired Equivalent
Privacy). There are two different levels of WEP: 64-bit encryption and
128-bit encryption. 64-bit encryption is powerful and secure. 128-bit
encryption is very powerful and very secure. The reason that two levels,
or rates, of encryption exist, is that the encryption process slows down
the data speed. The higher the rate of encryption, the slower the data
will be transmitted. 64-bit encryption will reduce data rates nearly 30-40
percent where 128-bit encryption will reduce data rates around 50-60
percent. The trade-off is slower performance for higher security. Keep in
mind, however, only large file transfers or continuous streaming data are
most affected by this. Normal browsing of the Internet, downloading
files, and sending and retrieving e-mails are not affected.
How to Use Encryption
Encryption is fairly easy to understand. Encryption uses what are called
“keys” to decode or “unscramble” data. Keys can be made by entering a
passphrase (password) or can be entered manually into the system using
a series of two-digit numbers (called hexadecimal). In Infrastructure mode,
where an access point or wireless router is being used, the access point
or wireless router is programmed with an encryption key. For a wireless
device to connect to the wireless network, the same encryption key must
be programmed into the device. Your Card can be programmed with a key
in either the passphrase manner or with the series of two-digit numbers
called hexadecimal (or hex).
wireless networking
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