Netgear WG111U User Manual download pdf (Page 66)

User’s Manual for the NETGEAR Super AG Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111U

B-4 Wireless Networking Basics

202-10065-01

WEP Wireless Security

The absence of a physical connection between nodes makes the wireless links vulnerable to

eavesdropping and information theft. To provide a certain level of security, the IEEE 802.11

standard has defined two types of authentication methods, Open System and Shared Key. With

Open System authentication, a wireless computer can join any network and receive any messages

that are not encrypted. With Shared Key authentication, only those computers that possess the

correct authentication key can join the network. By default, IEEE 802.11 wireless devices operate

in an Open System network. Recently, Wi-Fi, the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance

(http://www.wi-fi.net) developed the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), a new strongly enhanced

Wi-Fi security. WPA will soon be incorporated into the IEEE 802.11 standard. WEP and WPA are

discussed below.

WEP Authentication

The 802.11 standard defines several services that govern how two 802.11 devices communicate.

The following events must occur before an 802.11 Station can communicate with an Ethernet

network through an access point such as the one built in to the WG111U:

1. Turn on the wireless station.

2. The station listens for messages from any access points that are in range.

3. The station finds a message from an access point that has a matching SSID.

4. The station sends an authentication request to the access point.

5. The access point authenticates the station.

6. The station sends an association request to the access point.

7. The access point associates with the station.

8. The station can now communicate with the Ethernet network through the access point.

An access point must authenticate a station before the station can associate with the access point or

communicate with the network. The IEEE 802.11 standard defines two types of WEP

authentication: Open System and Shared Key.

• Open System Authentication allows any device to join the network, assuming that the device

SSID matches the access point SSID. Alternatively, the device can use the “ANY” SSID

option to associate with any available access point within range, regardless of its SSID.

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Netgear WG111U User Manual Page 66