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WR3000 4-Port Wireless DSL/Cable Router
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7.2.2 Authentication
Three different methods can be used to authenticate wireless stations to the network: Open
System, Shared Key, and Auto. The following fi gure illustrates the steps involved.
Open system authentication involves an unencrypted two-message procedure. A wireless
station sends an open system authentication request to the AP, which will then automatically
accept and connect the wireless station to the network. In effect, open system is not
authentication at all as any station can gain access to the network.
Shared key authentication involves a four-message procedure. A wireless station sends
a shared key authentication request to the AP, which will then reply with a challenge text
message. The wireless station must then use the AP’s default WEP key to encrypt the
challenge text and return it to the AP, which attempts to decrypt the message using the AP’s
default WEP key. If the decrypted message matches the challenge text, the wireless station is
authenticated.
When your WR3000 Wireless Router’s authentication method is set to open system, it will only
accept open system authentication requests. The same is true for shared key authentication.
However, when it is set to auto authentication, the WR3000 Wireless Router will accept
either type of authentication request and the WR3000 Wireless Router will fall back to use
open authentication if the shared key does not match.