Dell 4350 Network Access Point - Manual (Page 212)

Data encryption provides added security by encoding network communications using an encryption key. Your Dell Wireless 4350 Small
Network Access Point, in conjunction with wireless network adapters that support encryption, can scramble your transmitted data to
make it difficult for someone to eavesdrop or intercept your information. Two methods of data encryption are available: Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). If you wish to enable wireless security, click to select Enable
Wireless Security.
Wireless Security
WEP
If you wish to enable WEP encryption, click to select WEP in the Network Encryption list.
Setting Possible Values
Key Format Hexadecimal Digits / ASCII Characters
Key Length 40 bits (5 characters) / 104 bits (13 characters)
Key1, Key2, Key3, Key4 <user-defined>
There are two levels of WEP encryption: 40(64)-bit and 104(128)-bit, with 104(128)-bit being the more secure of the two. The WEP
encryption keys are simply a set of hexadecimal numbers or ASCII characters that you choose. Each Dell Wireless 4350 Small Network
Access Point and every wireless workstation must use the same WEP encryption key to communicate. For more information on
encryption, see the
Wireless Networking Overview - Encryption section of this user's guide.
·
Key Format
Key format can be in ASCII or hexadecimal format. Hexadecimal digits include the numbers 0 through 9 and the letters A through F. If
you select ASCII format, you can enter any character.
·
Key Length
Key length can be either 40(64)-bit or 104(128)-bit. Larger key lengths are more secure. Some wireless network cards are only able to
use 40(64)-bit encryption. If all your clients are able to communicate at 104(128)-bit, choose 104(128)-bit.
·
Key
If you choose 40(64)-bit encryption, enter a 5-character (or 10 hexadecimal digits) WEP encryption Key in the fields provided. For
104(128)-bit encryption, enter a 13-character (or 26 hexadecimal digits) WEP key in the fields provided. You have the option of
entering four different keys to store on the Wireless 4350. Select only one key out of the four provided in the Default Key drop-down
list. For added security, change your key often. When you change the key on one wireless device, remember that it must be changed
for all wireless devices and access points in the network.
NOTE:If you are adding the Dell Wireless 4350 Small Network Access Point to an existing network and will be using an existing
encryption key for the wireless clients, contact the person in charge of the network. The same key must be used when
configuring the encryption for the Dell Wireless 4350 Small Network Access Point. The administrator must make any changes
to all access points and wireless clients on a network. Changing the key on just one access point or wireless client