NETGEAR WGPS606 - Manual (Page 48)

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB Print Server with 4-Port Switch
B-8 Wireless Networking Basics
202-10083-01
How to Use WEP Parameters
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption is used when the wireless devices are configured
to operate in Shared Key authentication mode. There are two shared key methods implemented in
most commercially available products, 64-bit and 128-bit WEP data encryption.
Before enabling WEP on an 802.11 network, you must first consider what type of encryption you
require and the key size you want to use. Typically, there are three WEP Encryption options
available for 802.11 products:
1. Do Not Use WEP: The 802.11 network does not encrypt data. For authentication purposes, the
network uses Open System Authentication.
2. Use WEP for Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data portion of every
packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving 802.11b device decrypts the data using
the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11b network uses Open System
Authentication.
3. Use WEP for Authentication and Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data
portion of every packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving 802.11 device
decrypts the data using the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11 network uses
Shared Key Authentication.
Note: Some 802.11 access points also support Use WEP for Authentication Only (Shared Key
Authentication without data encryption). However, the WGPS606 does not offer this option.
WPA Wireless Security
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a specification of standards-based, interoperable security
enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future
wireless LAN systems.
The IEEE introduced the WEP as an optional security measure to secure 802.11b (Wi-Fi) WLANs.
In response to this situation, the Wi-Fi Alliance announced a new security architecture in October
2002 that remedies the short comings of WEP. This standard, formerly known as Safe Secure
Network (SSN), is designed to work with existing 802.11 products and offers forward
compatibility with 802.11i, the new wireless security architecture being defined in the IEEE.
Wireless vendors have agreed on WPA as an interoperable standard.
WPA offers the following benefits: