SMC Networks EliteConnect SMCWHSG14-G User Manual page 156

Item Default
Fragmentation
2432
Threshold
Preamble Type Long Preamble
Authentication
Open System
Method
Click Apply button to save the new settings.
SMCWHSG14-G
Description
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.
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.
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.
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