112
• WEP (64Bit or 128B) Select the level of encryption from the drop-down
box. 128-bit WEP encryption is unique to Linksys and may conflict with
other vendors’ WEP encryption.
The WEP Encryption key is generated in one of two ways:
1. You may create an encryption key by using a Passphrase.
a. Enter a Passphrase, a user-defined password, into the Passphrase field.
The Passphrase can be a maximum of 31 letters, symbols, and numbers.
No spaces can be used.
b. Click the Generate button to create a key. The key will be 10 digits if
you chose 64-bit encryption, or 26 digits if you chose 128-bit encryption.
This key will be used to encrypt and decrypt the data being sent
between the Router and your network’s wireless PCs.
The Key field may not display all digits. Using the mouse, click
anywhere within the Key field. Move the cursor to the right to view the
rest of the Key. Make sure your write down the entire Key EXACTLY
the way it is displayed.
2. You may enter the encryption key manually.
Make a note of the Passphrase or Manual Key. You will need it for the other
wireless devices on the network, as the same WEP encryption key must be
entered in all wireless devices on the network.
Once you have chosen your key encryption method and entered either the
Passphrase or manual key, click the Apply button, and the encryption portion
of the setup is complete.
Note: In order to utilize WEP encryption, all points in your wireless
network must have WEP enabled and be set to the same Key Setting.
Note: In Windows XP, a 128-bit Key generated by the Router will be
called a "104 bits (26 digits)" key, and a 64-bit Key generated by the
Router will be called a “40 bits (10 digits)” key.
113
As Windows XP does not allow for the use of the Linksys Passphrase feature
with the wireless PC adapters, you will need to manually enter the key gen-
erated in the previous section.
The following steps will help you enable WEP and enter the encryption key
manually for your wireless PC cards, in order to enable your Windows XP
system to communicate with the Router wirelessly.
These steps assume that your CD-ROM drive is letter D and that you are
running Windows XP in the default mode.
Be sure you have the WEP Key generated by the Router.
1. As shown in Figure C-3, click the Start button and go to the Control
Panel.
Figure C-3
Configuring Wireless Security in Windows XP
Instant Wireless™ Series
Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch