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Professional Access Point
Administrator Guide
Security - 111
Rules to Remember for Static WEP
• All clients must have the Wireless LAN (WLAN) security set to WEP, and all clients must have one of
the WEP keys specified on the access point in order to decode access-point-to-station data transmis
-
sions.
• The access point must have all keys used by clients for station-to-access-point transmit so that it can
decode the station transmissions.
• The same key must occupy the same slot on all nodes (access point and clients). For example, if the
access point defines
abc123
key as WEP key 3, then the clients must define that same string as WEP
key 3.
• On some wireless client software (like Funk Odyssey), you can configure multiple WEP keys and
define a client transfer key index, then set the stations to encrypt the data they transmit using different
keys. This ensures that neighbouring APs cannot decode each other’s transmissions.
Authentication Algorithm The authentication algorithm defines the method used to determine whether a client
is allowed to associate with an access point when static WEP is the security mode.
Specify the authentication algorithm you want to use by choosing one of the follow-
ing:
• Open System
• Shared Key
•Both
Open System authentication allows any client to associate with the access point
whether that client has the correct WEP key or not. This algorithm is also used in
None, IEEE 802.1x, and WPA modes. When the authentication algorithm is set to
Open System, any client can associate with the access point.
That a client is allowed to associate does not ensure that the client can exchange
traffic with an access point. A client must have the correct WEP key to be able to
successfully access and decrypt data from an access point, and to transmit reada-
ble data to the access point.
Shared Key authentication requires the client to have the correct WEP key in order to
associate with the access point. When the authentication algorithm is set to Shared
Key, a station with an incorrect WEP key will not be able to associate with the
access point.
Both is the default. When the authentication algorithm is set to Both:
• Clients configured to use WEP in shared key mode must have a valid WEP key
in order to associate with the access point.
• Clients configured to use WEP in an open system mode (shared key mode not
enabled) will be able to associate with the access point even if they do not have
the correct WEP key.
Field Description