User’s Guide
4-11
Advanced Operations
Encryption is the process of encoding data before the radio of
your Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 or the Base Station will
transmit the data.
Each wireless computer or Base Station in the network needs to
know the correct key to decode and interpret the data correctly.
Encryption Key Formats
You can enter the encryption key in two manners:
■
5-digit or 13-digit alphanumeric values
■
10-digit or 26-digit hexadecimal values.
Which key length and notation you should choose depends on:
■
The level of security you need, and
■
The other equipment used within your network.
13/26-digit keys provide more security than 5/10 digit keys.
Hexadecimal keys allow for more variation in key values.
When your network includes wireless network equipment from
different hardware vendors, consult the user documentation that
came with the hardware to determine what type of encryption
keys are supported.
The Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 installation CD includes a
conversion tool that can help you converting Alphanumeric keys
to hexadecimal keys and vice versa.
You can find this tool in the folder \xtras\wepcnvrt\wepcnvrt.exe.
