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TRENDnet User’s Guide
TEW-831DR
21
Wireless Networking and Security
How to choose the type of security for your wireless network
Setting up wireless security is very important. Leaving your wireless network open and
unsecure could expose your entire network and personal files to outsiders. TRENDnet
recommends reading through this entire section and setting up wireless security on your
new router.
There are a few different wireless security types supported in wireless networking each
having its own characteristics which may be more suitable for your wireless network
taking into consideration compatibility, performance, as well as the security strength
along with using older wireless networking hardware (also called legacy hardware).
It is strongly recommended to enable wireless security to prevent unwanted users from
accessing your network and network resources (personal documents, media, etc.).
In general, it is recommended that you choose the security type with the highest
strength and performance supported by the wireless computers and devices in your
network. Please review the security types to determine which one you should use for
your network.
Wireless Encryption Types
WEP: Legacy encryption method supported by older 802.11b/g hardware. This is
the oldest and least secure type of wireless encryption. It is generally not
recommended to use this encryption standard, however if you have old 802.11 b or
802.11g wireless adapters or computers with old embedded wireless cards(wireless
clients), you may have to set your router to WEP to allow the old adapters to
connect to the router.
Note: This encryption standard will limit connection speeds to 54Mbps.
WPA: This encryption is significantly more robust than the WEP technology. Much
of the older 802.11g hardware was been upgraded (with firmware/driver upgrades)
to support this encryption standard. Total wireless speeds under this encryption
type however are limited to 54Mbps.
WPA-Auto: This setting provides the router with the ability to detect wireless
devices using either WPA or WPA2 encryption. Your wireless network will
automatically change the encryption setting based on the first wireless device
connected. For example, if the first wireless client that connects to your wireless
network uses WPA encryption your wireless network will use WPA encryption. Only
when all wireless clients disconnect to the network and a wireless client with WPA2
encryption connects your wireless network will then change to WPA2 encryption.
Note: WPA2 encryption supports 802.11n speeds and WPA encryption will limit
your connection speeds to 54Mbps
WPA2: This is the most secure wireless encryption available today, similar to WPA
encryption but more robust. This encryption standard also supports the highest
connection speeds. TRENDnet recommends setting your router to this encryption
standard. If you find that one of your wireless network devices does not support
WPA2 encryption, then set your router to either WPA or WPA-Auto encryption.
Note: Check the specifications of your wireless network adapters and wireless
appliances to verify the highest level of encryption supported. Below is brief
comparison chart of the wireless security types and the recommended configuration
depending on which type you choose for your wireless network.
Security Standard
WEP
WPA
WPA2
Compatible
Wireless
Standards
IEEE 802.11a/b/g
(802.11n devices
will operate at
802.11g to connect
using this standard)
IEEE 802.11a/b/g
(802.11n devices
will operate at
802.11g to connect
using this
standard)
IEEE
802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Highest
Performance
Under This
Setting
Up to 54Mbps
Up to 54Mbps
Up to 800Mbps (11n)
or 1.7 Gbps (11ac)
Encryption
Strength
Low
Medium
High
Additional
Options
Open System or
Shared Key,
HEX or ASCII,
Different key sizes
TKIP or AES,
Preshared Key or
RADIUS
TKIP or AES,
Preshared Key or
RADIUS
Recommended
Configuration
Open System ASCII
13 characters
TKIP
Preshared Key
8-63 characters
AES
Preshared Key
8-63 characters
*Dependent on the maximum 802.11n data rate supported by the device (150Mbps,
300Mbps, 450Mbps, 600Mbps, 800Mbps) or maximum 802.11ac data rate supported by
the device (433Mbps, 867Mbps, 1.3Gbps, 1.7Gbps)
