Security considerations related to WDS bridges
Static Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a data encryption protocol for 802.11 wireless networks. Both access points in a given WDS link must be configured with the same security settings. For static WEP, either a static
You can enable Static WEP on the WDS link (bridge). When WEP is enabled, all data exchanged between the two access points in a WDS link is encrypted using a fixed WEP key that you provide.
Static WEP is the only security mode available for the WDS link, and it does not provide effective data protection to the level of other security modes available for service to client stations. If you use WDS on a LAN intended for secure wireless traffic you are putting your network at risk. Therefore, we recommend using WDS to bridge the guest network only for this release. Do not use WDS to bridge access points on the internal network unless you are not concerned about the security risk for data traffic on that network.
For more information about the effectiveness of different security modes, see “Configuring network security” on page 80. This topic also covers use of plain text security mode for
To specify the details of traffic exchange from this access point to others, click Advanced
>Wireless Distribution System on the Administration Web page. The Configure WDS bridges to other access points screen opens. Update the boxes as described in the following section.
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