Wireless Security

To configure your wireless security, enable this feature by checking its 'Enabled' check-box on the 'Configure LAN Wireless Access Point' screen (see figure 5.60). The screen will refresh, displaying the wireless security options (see figure 5.76). Click 'Apply' to if you wish to save this change.

Stations Security Type

Select the type of security protocol for securing your wireless network. Choose between WPA, 802.1x WEP, and Non-802.1x WEP. The screen will refresh, presenting each protocol's configuration respectively.

• WPA - a data encryption method for 802.11 wireless LANs (see section 5.6.2).

  Authentication Method

  Select the authentication method you would like to use. You can choose between Pre-Shared Key and 802.1x.

  Pre-Shared Key

  This entry appears only if you had selected this authentication method. Enter your encryption key in the 'Pre-Shared Key' field. You can use either an ASCII or a Hex value by selecting the value type in the combo box provided.

  Encryption Algorithm

  Select whether to use the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) or the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for the encryption algorithm.

  Group Key Update Interval

  Defines the time interval in seconds for updating a group key.

  Figure 5.76: WPA Wireless Security Parameters

  

• 802.1x WEP (see figure 5.77) - a data encryption method utilizing a statically or automatically defined key for wireless clients that use 802.1x for authentication and WEP for encryption. You may define up to four keys but use only one at a time.

  Generate Keys Automatically

  Select this option to generate the encryption keys automatically rather than entering them manually. The screen will refresh, hiding the table of keys described below.

  Group Key Update Interval

  Defines the time interval in seconds for updating a group key.

  Active

  Select the encryption key to be activated.

  Encryption Key

  Type the encryption key until the entire field is filled. The key cannot be shorter than the field's length.

  Entry Method

  Select the character type for the key: Hex or ASCII.

  Key Length

  Select the key length in bits: 40 or 104 bits.

  Figure 5.77: 802.1x WEP Wireless Security Parameters

  

  The encryption key must be defined in the wireless Windows client as well. This is done in the Connection Properties Configuration window (to learn how to reach this window, please refer to section 5.6.2.2). If you have manually defined the encryption key, you must also specify it in this window (see figure 5.78). If you have chosen the automatic key generation, check the "The key is provided for me automatically" check box instead.

  Figure 5.78: Connection Properties Configuration

  
  1. In the 'Network Authentication' combo box, select "Shared".
  2. In the 'Data Encryption' combo box, select "WEP".
  3. Enter your encryption key in both the 'Network key' and the 'Confirm network key' fields.

• Non-802.1x WEP (see figure 5.79) - a data encryption method utilizing a statically-defined key for wireless clients that do not use 802.1x for authentication and WEP for encryption.

  This method's configuration is virtually identical to the 802.1x WEP method described above, excluding the automatic key generation and the group key update interval specification. Please refer to the 802.1x WEP section above when configuring this method. Remember that the static key must be defined in the wireless Windows client as well.

  Figure 5.79: Non-802.1x WEP Wireless Security Parameters