NETGEAR NTGWGR614 manual Overview of WEP Parameters, Shared Key Authentication Steps

Reference Manual for Cable/DSL Wireless Router WGR614

5.The station connects to the network.

If the decrypted text does not match the original challenge text (i.e., the access point and station do not share the same WEP Key), then the access point will refuse to authenticate the station and the station will be unable to communicate with either the 802.11 network or Ethernet network.

This process is illustrated in below.

Client attempting to connect

Shared Key

Authentication Steps

1) Authentication			Access Point
	request sent to AP
		2) AP sends challenge text		FVM318

Cable or

DLS modem

3) Client encrypts challenge text and sends it back to AP

4)AP decrypts, and if correct, authenticates client

5) Client connects to network

Overview of WEP Parameters

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 device decrypts the data using the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the wireless network uses Open System Authentication.

Wireless Networking Basics D-5