Filter
Top Products
Quick Start Guide
8
Security Settings
3Com recommends using the strongest encryption setting supported by your
wireless bridge. The Bridge Manager offers 128-bit (strong) or 40-bit (basic)
shared-key encryption; however, 128-bit encryption may not be available to
you, depending on U.S. export restrictions to your country.
Both strong and basic encryption make use of Wired Equivalent Protection
(WEP) keys, which are expressed in hexadecimal notation. The WEP keys must
be set identically for every wireless bridge you configure for your network. You
can set the WEP keys in one of two ways. You can:
■
Have the keys automatically generated
— Allows you to easily
enter any string of characters (as you would enter a password) that will
automatically generate the WEP keys the same way for every wireless
bridge you are configuring.
■
Enter the keys manually
— Allows you to use an existing set of
encryption keys, but forces you to manually enter four long series of
hexadecimal numbers in exactly the same way for every wireless bridge
you are configuring.
Entering an Encryption String
To enter an encryption string that will
automatically generate the WEP keys, follow these steps:
1
In the
Network / Security
tab of the Wireless Bridge Configuration screen,
select either
128-bit Shared Key
or
40-bit Shared Key
from the Security
setting list.
2
Click
Encryption Key Settings
.
The appropriate Encryption Key Settings screen appears.