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Using the Wireless Networking Utility from Verizon
Using the Wireless Networking Utility from Verizon
64-Bit WEP
64-bit WEP was first introduced with 64-bit encryption, which includes
a key length of 40 bits plus 24 additional bits of system-generated
data (64 bits total). Some hardware manufacturers refer to 64-bit
as 40-bit encryption. Shortly after the technology was introduced,
researchers found that 64-bit encryption was too easy to decode.
128-Bit WEP
As a result of 64-bit WEP’s potential security weaknesses, a more
secure method of 128-bit encryption was developed. 128-bit
encryption includes a key length of 104 bits plus 24 additional
bits of system-generated data (128 bits total). Some hardware
manufacturers refer to 128-bit as 104-bit encryption.
Most of the new wireless equipment in the market today supports
both 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption, but you might have
older equipment that only supports 64-bit WEP. All wireless
products from Verizon will support both 64-bit and 128-bit WEP.
Encryption Keys
After selecting either the 64-bit or 128-bit
WEP
encryption mode, it is
critical that you generate an encryption key. If the encryption key is
not consistent throughout the entire wireless network, your wireless
networking devices will be unable to communicate with one another.
You can enter your key by typing in the hex key manually, or you can
type a passphrase into the “Passphrase” field and click “Generate”
to create a key. A hex (hexadecimal) key is a combination of numbers
and letters from A–F and 0–9. For 64-bit WEP, you need to enter 10
hex keys. For 128-bit WEP, you need to enter 26 hex keys.
For instance:
AF
0F
4B
C3
D4
= 64-bit WEP key
C3
03
0F
AF
0F
4B
B2
C3
D4
4B
C3
D4
E7
= 128-bit
WEP
key
The WEP passphrase is NOT the same as a WEP key. Your Adapter
uses this passphrase to generate your WEP keys, but different
hardware manufacturers might have different methods on generating
the keys. If you have multiple vendors’ equipment in your network,
the easiest thing to do is to use the hex WEP key from your wireless
router (or access point) and enter it manually into the hex WEP key
table in your Adapter’s configuration screen.