Wireless Networking And Security; How To Choose The Type Of Security For Your Wireless Network - TRENDnet TEW-723BRM User Manual

TRENDnet User's Guide

Wireless Networking and Security

How to choose the type of security for your wireless network

Setting up wireless security is very important. Leaving your wireless network open and
unsecure could expose your entire network and personal files to outsiders. TRENDnet
recommends reading through this entire section and setting up wireless security on your
new modem router.
There are a few different wireless security types supported in wireless networking each
having its own characteristics which may be more suitable for your wireless network
taking into consideration compatibility, performance, as well as the security strength
along with using older wireless networking hardware (also called legacy hardware).
It is strongly recommended to enable wireless security to prevent unwanted users from
accessing your network and network resources (personal documents, media, etc.).
In general, it is recommended that you choose the security type with the highest
strength and performance supported by the wireless computers and devices in your
network. Please review the security types to determine which one you should use for
your network.
Wireless Encryption Types
• WEP: Legacy encryption method supported by older 802.11b/g hardware. This is
the oldest and least secure type of wireless encryption. It is generally not
recommended to use this encryption standard, however if you have old 802.11 b or
802.11g wireless adapters or computers with old embedded wireless cards (wireless
clients), you may have to set your modem router to WEP to allow the old adapters
to connect to the modem router. Note: This encryption standard will limit
connection speeds to 54Mbps.
• WPA: This encryption is significantly more robust than the WEP technology. Much
of the older 802.11g hardware was been upgraded (with firmware/driver upgrades)
to support this encryption standard. Total wireless speeds under this encryption
type however are limited to 54Mbps.
• WPA Mixed: This setting provides the modem router with the ability to detect
wireless devices using either WPA or WPA2 encryption. Your wireless network will
automatically change the encryption setting based on the first wireless device
connected. For example, if the first wireless client that connects to your wireless
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network uses WPA encryption your wireless network will use WPA encryption. Only
when all wireless clients disconnect to the network and a wireless client with WPA2
encryption connects your wireless network will then change to WPA2 encryption.
NOTE: WPA2 encryption supports 802.11n speeds and WPA encryption will limit
your connection speeds to 54Mbps
• WPA2: This is the most secure wireless encryption available today, similar to WPA
encryption but more robust. This encryption standard also supports the highest
connection speeds. TRENDnet recommends setting your modem router to this
encryption standard. If you find that one of your wireless network devices does not
support WPA2 encryption, then set your modem router to either WPA or WPA-Auto
encryption.
Note: Check the specifications of your wireless network adapters and wireless
appliances to verify the highest level of encryption supported. Below is brief
comparison chart of the wireless security types and the recommended
configuration depending on which type you choose for your wireless network.
Security Standard WEP
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Compatible (802.11n devices
Wireless will operate at
Standards 802.11g speeds)
Highest
Performance
Under This
Setting Up to 54Mbps
Encryption
Strength Low
Open System or
Additional Shared Key,
Options HEX or ASCII,
Different key sizes
Recommended Open System ASCII
Configuration 13 characters
*Dependent on the maximum 802.11n data rate supported by the device (150Mbps,
300Mbps, or 433Mbps)
TEW-723BRM
WPA WPA2
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
(802.11n devices
will operate at
802.11g speeds) IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Up to 54Mbps Up to 433 Mbps*
Medium High
TKIP or AES, TKIP or AES,
Preshared Key or Preshared Key or
RADIUS RADIUS
TKIP AES
Preshared Key Preshared Key
8-63 characters 8-63 characters
10