RLX2-IHx Series ♦ 802.11a, b, g, n
Configuring a Radio - Detailed Configuration
Industrial Hotspots
User Manual
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
Page 71 of 248
Encryption Type
We recommend that you use WPA or WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) using AES for the
S
ECURITY
M
ODE
and
E
NCRYPTION
.
Use TKIP with an older client radio that does not support AES.
Use WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol) with an older client radio that does not
support AES or TKIP.
For compatibility with clients that do not support WPA, you can select TKIP+WEP128
for the
E
NCRYPTION
.
Older clients can connect to the RLX2-IHx series radio using the WEP setting, but all
other links use the more secure WPA encryption.
Important: If the 802.11n data rates are supported and enabled in the RLX2-IHx series radio, then all TKIP
and TKIP/WEP options are disabled. If a client radio only supports TKIP, then use the AES
AND
TKIP
option. If the client radio only supports WEP, then in the 802.11
M
ODE
parameter, select 802.11
A
/
G
and
then select the appropriate WEP setting.
Important: If you select TKIP+WEP128, some clients using WPA might not be able to connect unless you
use a WEP key other than number 1, due to limitations in these clients. In such cases, you should set WEP
K
EY
number to a value other than 1 and set this same key for all clients that are using WEP. See WEP Key
When you select
WEP
for the
S
ECURITY
M
ODE
, the WEP128 or WEP64 encryption types
are available but neither are recommended.
WEP is the original security protocol used by 802.11 networks but should only be used if
interoperability with a legacy device is essential. Tools are available that allow an
attacker to break the WEP keys simply by sniffing an active WEP network for a few
minutes. WPA offers vastly better protection against attacks. WPA distances the
encryption key from the actual data by performing several algorithms to create a
Session
key
before encrypting any data, and it performs dynamic key management by changing
keys frequently.
Note: If an RLX2-IHx series radio is set to use TKIP+WEP128, it can connect to other radios set to WPA
only or WPA+WEP, but it will not communicate with radios using only WEP. Likewise, an RLX2-IHx series
radio in Client mode with TKIP+WEP128 selected will not connect to an access point using only WEP.