Netgear WG111U User Manual download pdf (Page 70)

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

B-8 Wireless Networking Basics

202-10065-01

How to Use WEP Parameters

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption is used when the wireless devices are configured

to operate in Shared Key authentication mode. There are two shared key methods implemented in

most commercially available products, 64-bit and 128-bit WEP data encryption.

Before enabling WEP on an 802.11 network, you must first consider what type of encryption you

require and the key size you want to use. Typically, there are three WEP Encryption options

available for 802.11 products:

1. Do Not Use WEP: The 802.11 network does not encrypt data. For authentication purposes, the

network uses Open System Authentication.

2. Use WEP for Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data portion of every

packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving 802.11g device decrypts the data using

the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11g network uses Open System

Authentication.

3. Use WEP for Authentication and Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data

portion of every packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving 802.11 device

decrypts the data using the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11 network uses

Shared Key Authentication.

Note: Some 802.11 access points also support Use WEP for Authentication Only (Shared Key

Authentication without data encryption). However, the WG111U does not offer this option.

WPA Wireless Security

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a specification of standards-based, interoperable security

enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future

wireless LAN systems.

The IEEE introduced the WEP as an optional security measure to secure 802.11g (Wi-Fi) WLANs,

but inherent weaknesses in the standard soon became obvious. In response to this situation, the

Wi-Fi Alliance announced a new security architecture in October 2002 that remedies the short

comings of WEP. This standard, formerly known as Safe Secure Network (SSN), is designed to

work with existing 802.11 products and offers forward compatibility with 802.11i, the new

wireless security architecture being defined in the IEEE.

WPA offers the following benefits:

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Netgear WG111U User Manual Page 70