ZyXEL Communications MWR211, Manual

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MWR211 User’s Guide
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This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for
unauthorized devices to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized devices can still
see the information that is sent in the wireless network.
9.3.1.2 MAC Address Filter
Every wireless client has a unique identification number, called a MAC address.
1
A
MAC address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters
2
; for
example, 00A0C5000002 or 00:A0:C5:00:00:02. To get the MAC address for
each wireless client, see the appropriate User’s Guide or other documentation.
You can use the MAC address filter to tell the AP which wireless clients are
allowed or not allowed to use the wireless network. If a wireless client is allowed
to use the wireless network, it still has to have the correct settings (SSID,
channel, and security). If a wireless client is not allowed to use the wireless
network, it does not matter if it has the correct settings.
This type of security does not protect the information that is sent in the wireless
network. Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized devices to get the MAC
address of an authorized wireless client. Then, they can use that MAC address to
use the wireless network.
9.3.1.3 Encryption
Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in
the wireless network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the
secret code, you cannot understand the message.
The types of encryption you can choose depend on the type of user
authentication.
Table 30 Types of Encryption for
Each Type of Authentication
NO AUTHENTICATION
Weakest No Security
WEP
1
Some wireless devices, such as scanners, can detect wireless networks but cannot use wireless networks.
These kinds of wireless devices might not have MAC addresses.
2
Hexadecimal characters are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.