Figure 103 Wep Authentication Steps - ZyXEL Communications 802.11g Wireless Access Point ZyXEL G-560 User Manual

WEP Authentication Steps
Three different methods can be used to authenticate wireless stations to the network: Open
System, Shared Key, and Auto. The following figure illustrates the steps involved.

Figure 103 WEP Authentication Steps

Open system authentication involves an unencrypted two-message procedure. A wireless
station sends an open system authentication request to the AP, which will then automatically
accept and connect the wireless station to the network. In effect, open system is not
authentication at all as any station can gain access to the network.
Shared key authentication involves a four-message procedure. A wireless station sends a
shared key authentication request to the AP, which will then reply with a challenge text
message. The wireless station must then use the AP's default WEP key to encrypt the
challenge text and return it to the AP, which attempts to decrypt the message using the AP's
default WEP key. If the decrypted message matches the challenge text, the wireless station is
authenticated.
When your device authentication method is set to open system, it will only accept open system
authentication requests. The same is true for shared key authentication. However, when it is
set to auto authentication, the device will accept either type of authentication request and the
device will fall back to use open authentication if the shared key does not match.
Appendix B Wireless LANs
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