User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311
Wireless N etworking Basics B-5
Figure 5-2: 802.11 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 802.11 device decrypts the data using
the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11 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 802.11 device
decrypts the data using the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11 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
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LNK
LNK/ACT
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Cable/DSLProSafeWirelessVPNSecurityFirewall
MODELFVM318
PWR TEST
WLAN
Enable
AccessPoint (AP)1)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
802.11Authentication
Shared Key Steps
Cableor
DLSmodem
Client
attempting
toconnect