Using the Belkin Wireless Client Utility
17
se
ct
io
n
1
2
3
4
5
6
128-Bit Encryption
As a result of 64-bit WEP’s potential security weaknesses, a more
secure method of 128-bit encryption was developed. 128-bit
encryption includes a key length of 104 bits plus 24 additional bits of
system-generated data (128 bits total). Some hardware manufacturers
refer to 128-bit as 104-bit encryption.
Most of the new wireless equipment in the market today supports
both 64-bit WEP and 128-bit WEP encryption, but you might have
older equipment that only supports 64-bit WEP. All Belkin wireless
products will support both 64-bit WEP and 128-bit encryption.
Encryption Keys
After selecting either the 64-bit WEP or 128-bit encryption mode, it is
critical that you generate an encryption key. If the encryption key is
not consistent throughout the entire wireless network, your wireless
networking devices will be unable to communicate with one another.
You can enter your key by typing in the hexadecimal (hex) key. A hex
key is a mixture of numbers and letters from A–F and 0–9. For 64-bit
WEP, you need to enter 10 hex keys. For 128-bit WEP, you need to
enter 26 hex keys.
For instance:
AF 0F 4B C3 D4
= 64-bit WEP key
C3 03 0F AF 0F 4B B2 C3 D4 4B C3 D4 E7
= 128-bit key
Write down the hex WEP key from your wireless router or access
point and enter it manually into the hex WEP key table in your Card’s
configuration screen.
