Lancom AirLancer MC-54, Manual

Page: 37 / 47

|
Security within the Wireless LAN
37
|
AirLancer
|
EN
7 Security within the Wireless LAN
Reflecting on Wireless LANs often entails substantial doubts concerning
securtity. Many people suppose that abuse of data transmitted via radio links
is relatively simple.
Wireless LAN devices by
LANCOM Systems permit the employment of
modern security technologies:
•
Closed network
•
Access Control (via MAC-addresses)
•
Encryption of data transfer (WEP)
•
802.1x / EAP
•
optional IPSec over WLAN (VPN)
7.1 Closed network
Each Wireless LAN according to IEEE 802.11 has its own network name
(SSID). This network name serves as identification and enables administra-
tion of Wireless LANs.
A Wireless LAN can be established in such a way that any user gets access
to this network. Such networks are called open networks. Any user can
access an open network also without knowledge of its network name. Only
requirement is the input of the network name 'ANY'.
In a closed network the access via 'ANY' is not possible. User have to specify
the correct network name. Unknown networks stay hidden to them.
Ad-hoc-networks are automatically installed as closed networks and cannot
be opened. Infrastructure networks can be run either in open or closed condi-
tion. You make the settings for this at the respective base station.
7.2 Access control via MAC address
Each network device has an special identification number. This identification
number is the so-called MAC address (
M edia A ccess C ontrol), which is
world-wide unique per device.
The MAC address is programmed into the hardware and cannot be changed.
Wireless LAN devices by
LANCOM Systems have got a MAC address label
on the casing.