Motorola WS5100 manual Configuring WEP

4-40WS5100 Series Switch System Reference Guide

Configuring WEP 64

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security protocol specified in the IEEE Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard. WEP is designed to provide a WLAN with a level of security and privacy comparable to that of a wired LAN.

WEP 64 is a less robust encryption scheme than WEP 128 (shorter WEP algorithm for a hacker to duplicate), but WEP 64 may be all that a small-business user needs for the simple encryption of wireless data. However, networks that require more security are at risk from a WEP flaw. The existing 802.11 standard alone offers administrators no effective method to update keys.

To configure WEP 64:

1.Select Network > Wireless LANs from the main menu tree.

2.Select an existing WLAN from those displayed within the Configuration tab and click the Edit button.

A WLAN screen displays with the WLAN’s existing configuration. Refer to the Authentication and Encryption columns to assess the WLAN’s existing security configuration.

3.Select the WEP 64 button from within the Encryption field.

4.Click the Config button to the right of the WEP 64 checkbox. The WEP 64 screen displays.

5.Specify a 4 to 32 character Pass Key and click the Generate button.

The pass key can be any alphanumeric string. The switch, other proprietary routers and Motorola MUs use the algorithm to convert an ASCII string to the same hexadecimal number. MUs without Motorola adapters need to use WEP keys manually configured as hexadecimal numbers.