Wireless Access Point Model 0-1591700-x User Manual
Page 24 of 34
©2004 Tyco Electronics
Issue 3
Authentication
Authentication Type
This setting is used as part of the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption. There are two
Authentication modes and if WEP is required then one of these modes must be selected. The
options are
Open System, Shared Key
and
WPA.
All stations on the network must use the same
authentication type. If you don't want to use WEP Encryption, select
NONE
to disable this function.
•
=
Open System
allows any client to authenticate against WEP as long as the client is
accepted by the MAC address filtering rules (see page 20). All authentication packets are
passed un-encrypted. This is the weakest level of security.
•
=
Shared Key
is used when both the sender and receiver share a secret key. In this mode,
the access point sends an un-encrypted challenge text string to the requesting client. The
requesting client then encrypts the challenge text and sends it back to the access point. If
the encrypted text is correctly received then the access point permits the requesting client
to authenticate.
•
=
WPA
for connecting to a network through an access point that implements WPA (Wi-Fi
Protected Access). This mode becomes pre-shared key mode (PSK) if you do not enable
the EAP setting
WEP Encryption
WEP is designed to provide a similar level of basic security as that of a wired LAN. However, WEP
is not a strong encryption system and should be used with care and always alongside other
security measures. The access point offers three WEP encryption key lengths: 64-bit (10 hex
digits), 128 bit (26 hex digits) and 152 bit (32 hex digits). When a key length is selected, then a
sub-menu is displayed. The WEP mode encrypts each frame transmitted from the radio using the
selected key set. There are 4 key sets can be entered and only one set is active at any time. Only
hexadecimal values (0 to 9 and A to F) are accepted as key values. If other character values are
entered, then an error message is displayed. Key entry can be simplified by entering the keys into
a simple text editor and saving the file. Then copy and paste the key(s) into the required fields. The
default value of WEP Encryption is
None
.
Figure 20 - WEP Key Entry Sub-Screen
Note that the identical key must be used at all the clients and at the access point, otherwise
authentication will not be possible. Keys should be changed frequently for maximum security.
