Reference Manual for the 54 Mbps Wireless Router with Phone Adapter WGR826V
Wireless Networking Basics D-5
202-10051-01, March 2005
This process is illustrated below.
Figure D-2: Shared key authentication
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 network uses Open System Authentication.
3. Use WEP for Authentication and 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 Shared Key
Authentication.
Note: Some 802.11 access points also support Use WEP for Authentication Only (Shared Key
Authentication without data encryption).
INTERNET LOCAL
ACT
12345678
LNK
LNK/ACT
100
Cable/DSLProSafeWirelessVPNSecurityFirewall
MODELFVM318
PWR TEST
WLAN
Enable
Access Point1)Authentication
requestsent to AP
2)AP sends challenge text
3)Client encrypts
challengetext and
sendsit back to AP
4)AP decrypts, and if correct,
authenticatesclient
5)Client connects to network

802.11bAuthentication

Shared Key Steps

Cableor
DLSmodem
Client
attempting
to connect