Operation Manual

Advanced Configuration and Handling

After all the computers have been configured, Windows will detect the wireless

network. The example shows the network name (SSID) in the list. Because the

encryption had been disabled for the first test, Windows will advise you about some

possible security issues. Accept this message for the moment and click Connect.

If you open Windows Explorer now, you'll find the other computers in My Network

Places. This procedure is identical to the one used in a cable network.

WEP – Security and Wireless Networks

In their default configuration, wireless networks are almost public. Any data is

transmitted through space, and everybody can listen to them or access your com-

puter. For the first functional tests the security features are not needed. But once

the network has been successfully set up and tested, it is highly recommended that

you use encryption. The simple and efficient encryption technology used for home

networks is called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). When using WEP you create a

secret key that encrypts all data. This will enhance the security of your wireless

network.

1. In order to be able to use the WEP encryption you need a key. All data trans-

ferred over the network will be coded by using that formula. On the Internet you'll

find key generators for free downloading. They convert a password (e.g. "abcdefghij")

into a key (e.g. 0F9Bn7I9KKM). But you can easily create such a key yourself. It

consists of a combination of digits and characters without any spaces whereby

special characters are also allowed.

However, please keep in mind that there are different levels of keys. Windows usu-

ally uses a 104-bit encryption. This means that your key becomes 13 characters

long. A modern 128-bit encryption uses 26 characters. The encryption must be the

same on all computers. If a particular computer only support 64-bit (10 characters)

you have to use this key length for all the other computers too.

2. If you have created a key on your own or have used a key generator for it, click

Start/Control Panel to open the Control Panel. Select the icon Network Connec-

tions. Choose your WLAN connection, right-click on it and select the Properties

command.