NETGEAR WGR614v7 manual Changes to Wireless Access Points, The new WPA/WPA2 information element

54 Mbps Wireless Router WGR614v7 Reference Manual

Changes to Wireless Access Points

Wireless access points must have their firmware updated to support the following:

•The new WPA/WPA2 information element

To advertise their support of WPA/WPA2, wireless APs send the beacon frame with a new 802.11 WPA/WPA2 information element that contains the wireless AP's security configuration (encryption algorithms and wireless security configuration information).

•The WPA/WPA2 two-phase authentication

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

•TKIP

•Michael

•AES (WPA2)

To upgrade your wireless access points to support WPA/WPA2, obtain a WPA/WPA2 firmware update from your wireless AP vendor and upload it to your wireless AP.

Changes to Wireless Network Adapters

Wireless networking software in the adapter, and possibly in the OS or client application, must be updated to support the following:

•The new WPA/WPA2 information element

Wireless clients must be able to process the WPA/WPA2 information element and respond with a specific security configuration.

•The WPA/WPA2 two-phase authentication

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

•TKIP

•Michael

•AES (WPA2)

To upgrade your wireless network adapters to support WPA/WPA2, obtain a WPA/WPA2 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.

Wireless Networking Basics D-17

April 2006