Ovation Software Ovation - Manual (Page 39)

Wireless Security Settings
WiFi Protected Access (WPA PSK)
This type of encryption helps protect your network from unauthorized access
and eavesdroppers. Like WEP, an encryption key scrambles the data between
your computers and your Ovation. Like WEP Shared Key, computers must
authenticate with your Ovation to join the network. This is where the similarities
end.
With WEP the encryption key is static – it stays the same until you change it.
With WPA PSK, you enter a single passphrase once on your Ovation and then
again on each computer you want to connect to your network. Then the WPA
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) takes over.
TKIP mathematically derives encryption keys based on your initial passphrase.
Keys are automatically changed, rotated and authenticated among devices in
your network. The same key is never used twice. WPA PSK is sometimes
referred to as extra strength encryption.
What are the drawbacks?
To use WPA PSK on your network, every device you connect to your network
must support WPA. Older devices – those manufactured before August 2003 –
might not support this new standard. Check with your manufacturer to see if a
software upgrade is available.
Setting up WPA PSK on your Ovation
Your WPA PSK passphrase can contain between 8 and 63 characters. It can
contain special characters and spaces. Ideally, a passphrase should consist of 20
characters, be a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, and contain
numbers and punctuation marks.
Since your passphrase provides the starting point for the rekeying process, using
a passphrase that is difficult to crack strengthens your network security.
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