Appendix A Wireless LANs
WAP6906 User’s Guide
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3
A 256-bit Pairwise Master Key (PMK) is derived from the authentication process by the RADIUS server and
the client.
4
The RADIUS server distributes the PMK to the AP. The AP then sets up a key hierarchy and management
system, using the PMK to dynamically generate unique data encryption keys. The keys are used to
encrypt every data packet that is wirelessly communicated between the AP and the wireless clients.
Figure 45
WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example
WPA(2)-PSK Application Example
A WPA(2)-PSK application looks as follows.
1
First enter identical passwords into the AP and all wireless clients. The Pre-Shared Key (PSK) must consist
of between 8 and 63 ASCII characters or 64 hexadecimal characters (including spaces and symbols).
2
The AP checks each wireless client's password and allows it to join the network only if the password
matches.
3
The AP and wireless clients generate a common PMK (Pairwise Master Key). The key itself is not sent over
the network, but is derived from the PSK and the SSID.
4
The AP and wireless clients use the TKIP or AES encryption process, the PMK and information exchanged
in a handshake to create temporal encryption keys. They use these keys to encrypt data exchanged
between them.
