User Authentication - ZyXEL Communications N4100 User Manual

Chapter 25 Wireless LAN
This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for
unauthorized wireless devices to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized wireless
devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network.

25.5.3.2 User Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying whether a wireless device is allowed to
use the wireless network. You can make every user log in to the wireless network
before they can use it. However, every device in the wireless network has to
support IEEE 802.1x to do this.
For wireless networks, you can store the user names and passwords for each user
in a RADIUS server. This is a server used in businesses more than in homes. If you
do not have a RADIUS server, you cannot set up user names and passwords for
your users.
Unauthorized wireless devices can still see the information that is sent in the
wireless network, even if they cannot use the wireless network. Furthermore,
there are ways for unauthorized wireless users to get a valid user name and
password. Then, they can use that user name and password to use the wireless
network.
25.5.3.3 Encryption
Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the
wireless network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret
code, you cannot understand the message.
The types of encryption you can choose depend on the type of authentication.
(See Section 25.5.3.2 on page 200
Table 50 Types of Encryption for Each Type of Authentication
Weakest
Strongest
For example, if the wireless network has a RADIUS server, you can choose WPA or
WPA2. If users do not log in to the wireless network, you can choose no
encryption, static WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK.
Usually, you should set up the strongest encryption that every device in the
wireless network supports. For example, suppose you have a wireless network
with the N4100 and you do not have a RADIUS server. Therefore, there is no
200
NO AUTHENTICATION RADIUS SERVER
No Security
Static WEP
WPA-PSK
WPA2-PSK
for information about this.)
WPA
WPA2
N4100 User's Guide