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Using the SMC Wireless Utility (Mac)
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SMCWUSB-N4 300 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual
Table 4-2. Authentication & Security Screen
Options
Description
Authentication Type
Choose the authentication method to gain access to the wireless network. Choices are:
Open = open systems authentication. Allows the Adapter to connect to the network as long as
the Adapter knows the SSID. Wireless transmissions between your Adapter and the network are
not protected. Encryption selections are None and WEP.
Shared = shared-key authentication. Uses a WEP key as a shared-key to be exchanged between
the Adapter and access point as a simple form of authentication. If you select this option, select
WEP SETTINGS below. No encryption can be selected.
WPA = encrypts data transmission using a 256-bit key. WPA-PSK offers greater protection than
WEP. Use this method if wireless network supports WPA-PSK. Encryption selections are TKIP
and AES.
WPA-PSK = second generation of WPA that adds CCMP encryption with mathematically proven
security WPA2-PSK offers greater protection than WPA-PSK and WEP. Use this method if the
wireless network supports WPA2-PSK. If the network has older devices, however, use WPA-
PSK. Encryption selections are TKIP and AES.
WPA2 = successor of WPA, and replaces the TKIP encryption protocol with CCMP to provide
additional security. Encryption selections are TKIP and AES.
WPA2-PSK = encrypts data transmission WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK. Select this option if the
wireless network supports WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK. Encryption selections are TKIP and AES.
Encryption Type
Choose the authentication method to secure wireless communications. Choices are:
TKIP = offers strong encryption. However, TKIP may not address all of the security issues facing
wireless networks, and may not be reliable or efficient enough for sensitive corporate and
government data transmissions.
AES = requires more computing power than TKIP, but is the most secure option you can select to
connect to wireless networks. AES also has less of a performance hit than TKIP.
802.1x
Check to enable 802.1X authentication. 802.1x authentication can help enhance security for 802.11
wireless networks and wired Ethernet networks by requiring a certificate or a smart card for network
access. 802.1x authentication is typically used for workplace connections.
WPA Pre-Shared Key
If you selected WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK, enter a Shared Secret Key between 8 and 63 characters
long.
WEP SETTING
Use the Key fields to specify a minimum of one and a maximum of four hex or ASCII keys you want
to use for registration on the network. Hex and ASCII keys can be 64 or 128 bits long.
Hex = the keys are entered as hexadecimal characters. Entries should be made with the digits zero
through 9 and the characters A through F only. 26 hexadecimal characters are used to specify a
128-bit key or 10 hexadecimal characters are used to specify a 64-bit key.
ASCII = the keys are formed from characters of the ASCI character set. 13 ASCII characters are
used to specify a 128-bit key or 5 characters are used to specify a 64-bit key.
Activating a Profile
After you create one or more profiles, activate it either by double-clicking the profile in the
Profile List screen or by clicking it and then clicking the
Activate
button. A green check mark
appears next to the profile to show it is activated.