User`s manual

6.2 Security

Security options include authentication and encryption services based on the

wired equivalent privacy (WEP) algorithm. WEP is a set of security services used

to protect 802.11 networks from unauthorized access, such as eavesdropping; in

this case, the capture of wireless network traffic. When data encryption is

enabled, secret shared encryption keys are generated and used by the source

station and the destination station to alter frame bits, thus avoiding disclosure to

eavesdroppers.

802.11 supports two subtypes of network authentication services: open system

and shared key. Under open system authentication, any wireless station can

request authentication. The system that needs to authenticate with another

wireless station sends an authentication management frame that contains the

identity of the sending station. The receiving station then sends back a frame

that indicates whether it recognizes the identity of the sending station.

Under shared key authentication, each wireless station is assumed to have

received a secret shared key over a secure channel that is independent from

802.11 wireless network communications channel.

The following screen appears when Security is selected. The Security page allows

you to configure security features of the wireless LAN interface. You can set the

network authentication method, selecting data encryption, specify whether a

network key is required to authenticate to this wireless network and specify the

encryption strength.