Netgear WG111U User Manual download pdf (Page 72)

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

B-10 Wireless Networking Basics

202-10065-01

How Does WPA Compare to IEEE 802.11i?

WPA is forward compatible with the IEEE 802.11i security specification currently under

development. WPA is a subset of the current 802.11i draft and uses certain pieces of the 802.11i

draft that were ready to bring to market in 2003, such as 802.1x and TKIP. The main pieces of the

802.11i draft that are not included in WPA are secure IBSS (Ad-Hoc mode), secure fast handoff

(for specialized 802.11 VoIP phones), as well as enhanced encryption protocols such as

AES-CCMP. These features are either not yet ready for market or will require hardware upgrades

to implement.

What are the Key Features of WPA Security?

The following security features are included in the WPA standard:

• WPA Authentication

• WPA Encryption Key Management

– Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)

– Michael message integrity code

(MIC)

– AES Support

• Support for a Mixture of WPA and WEP Wireless Clients

These features are discussed below.

WPA addresses most of the known WEP vulnerabilities and is primarily intended for wireless

infrastructure networks as found in the enterprise. This infrastructure includes stations, access

points, and authentication servers (typically RADIUS servers). The RADIUS server holds (or has

access to) user credentials (e.g., user names and passwords) and authenticates wireless users

before they gain access to the network.

The strength WPA comes from an integrated sequence of operations that encompass 802.1X/EAP

authentication and sophisticated key management and encryption techniques. Its major operations

include:

• Network security capability determination. This occurs at the 802.11 level and is

communicated through WPA information elements in Beacon, Probe Response, and (Re)

Association Requests. Information in these elements includes the authentication method

(802.1X or Pre-shared key) and the preferred cipher suite (WEP, TKIP, or AES).

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Netgear WG111U User Manual Page 72