SMC Networks EliteConnect SMCWHSG14-G User Manual

Page 156

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SMCWHSG14-G

155

Item

Default

Description

Fragmentation

Threshold

2432

This setting determines the size at which packets are

fragmented. Enter a setting ranging from 256 to 2432 bytes.

Use a low setting in areas where communication is poor or

where there is a great deal of radio interference.

Preamble Type

Long Preamble

The preamble type is a section of data at the head of a

packet that contains information the Wireless Hotspot

Gateway and client devices need when sending and

receiving packets. The setting menu allows you to select a

long, short or dynamic preamble type.

Authentication

Method

Open System

Select open system, shared Key or both.

Open System—Allows any device to authenticate and then

attempt to communicate with the Wireless Hotspot Gateway.

Using open authentication, any wireless device can

authenticate with the Wireless Hotspot Gateway, but the

device can only communicate if its WEP keys match the

Wireless Hotspot Gateway. Devices not using WEP do not

attempt to authenticate with a Wireless Service Gateway that

is using WEP.

Shared Key—During shared key authentication, the Wireless

Hotspot Gateway sends an unencrypted challenge text string

to any device attempting to communicate with the Wireless

Hotspot Gateway. The device-requesting authentication

encrypts the challenge text and sends it back to the Wireless

Hotspot Gateway. If the challenge text is encrypted correctly,

the Wireless Hotspot Gateway allows the requesting device

to authenticate. Both the unencrypted challenge and the

encrypted challenge can be monitored, however, which

leaves the Wireless Hotspot Gateway open to attack from an

intruder who calculates the WEP key by comparing the

unencrypted and encrypted text strings. Because of this

weakness, shared key authentication can be less secure than

open authentication.

Both—With this setting wireless stations can communicate

with or without data encryption.

Click Apply button to save the new settings.

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