Reference Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point WG602v3
Wireless Networking Basics
B-17
202-10060-02, February 2005
Changes to Wireless Access Points
Wireless access points must have their firmware updated to support the following:
•
The new WPA/WPA2 information element
To advertise their support of WPA/WPA2, wireless APs send the beacon frame with a new
802.11 WPA/WPA2 information element that contains the wireless AP's security configuration
(encryption algorithms and wireless security configuration information).
•
The WPA/WPA2 two-phase authentication
Open system, then 802.1x (EAP with RADIUS or preshared key).
•
TKIP
•
Michael
•
AES
(WPA2)
To upgrade your wireless access points to support WPA/WPA2, obtain a WPA/WPA2 firmware
update from your wireless AP vendor and upload it to your wireless AP.
Changes to Wireless Network Adapters
Wireless networking software in the adapter, and possibly in the OS or client application, must be
updated to support the following:
•
The new WPA/WPA2 information element
Wireless clients must be able to process the WPA/WPA2 information element and respond
with a specific security configuration.
•
The WPA/WPA2 two-phase authentication
Open system, then 802.1x supplicant (EAP or preshared key).
•
TKIP
•
Michael
•
AES
(WPA2)
To upgrade your wireless network adapters to support WPA/WPA2, obtain a WPA/WPA2 update
from your wireless network adapter vendor and update the wireless network adapter driver.
For Windows wireless clients, you must obtain an updated network adapter driver that supports
WPA. For wireless network adapter drivers that are compatible with Windows XP (Service Pack 1)
and Windows Server 2003, the updated network adapter driver must be able to pass the adapter's
WPA capabilities and security configuration to the Wireless Zero Configuration service.
