NETGEAR WG111U user manual New WPA information element, WPA two-phase authentication, Michael

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

•The new WPA information element

To advertise their support of WPA, wireless APs send the beacon frame with a new 802.11 WPA information element that contains the wireless AP's security configuration (encryption algorithms and wireless security configuration information).

•The WPA two-phase authentication

Open system, then 802.1x (EAP with RADIUS or preshared key).

•TKIP

•Michael

•AES (optional)

To upgrade your wireless access points to support WPA, obtain a WPA firmware update from your wireless AP vendor and upload it to your wireless AP.

Changes to Wireless Network Adapters

Wireless network adapters must have their firmware updated to support the following:

•The new WPA information element

Wireless clients must be able to process the WPA information element and respond with a specific security configuration.

•The WPA two-phase authentication

Open system, then 802.1x (EAP or preshared key).

•TKIP

•Michael

•AES (optional)

To upgrade your wireless network adapters to support WPA, obtain a WPA update from your wireless network adapter vendor and update the wireless network adapter driver.

For Windows wireless clients, you must obtain an updated network adapter driver that supports WPA. For wireless network adapter drivers that are compatible with Windows XP (Service Pack 1) and Windows Server 2003, the updated network adapter driver must be able to pass the adapter's WPA capabilities and security configuration to the Wireless Zero Configuration service.

Microsoft has worked with many wireless vendors to embed the WPA firmware update in the wireless adapter driver. So, to update you Windows wireless client, all you have to do is obtain the new WPA-compatible driver and install the driver. The firmware is automatically updated when the wireless network adapter driver is loaded in Windows.

Wireless Networking Basics B-17

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