Security Settings; 40-Bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) Encryption Settings - 3Com 6000 User Manual

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HAPTER ONFIGURING THE

Security Settings

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IRELESS LIENT
3 In the Security/Network window, WLAN Service Area displays the name of the
wireless network with which the wireless PC client can associate. You can change
this setting as follows:
Attach to any WLAN Service Area automatically
Check this box to associate the client automatically to the WLAN service area with
the best signal strength. This is recommended.
Specify a WLAN Service Area
First uncheck the Attach to any WLAN Service Area automatically box. Then, you
can either enter the name of a service area (up to 32 characters long), or select
from recently used WLAN service areas or from all available WLAN Service Areas
within the range of the client.
You can set the level of security used to protect the network communications
between the client and the access point from interception by unintended
recipients. The security settings must match those that the network administrator
has set up on the network. Some security levels require you to supply encryption
settings. The levels of security are:
No Security (Open System)
40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi)
128-bit Dynamic Security Link
To maintain wireless association between clients and access points, follow these
guidelines:
The security setting on the client and the access points must match exactly.
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For 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security, the encryption settings on the client and
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the access point must match exactly.
For 128-bit Dynamic Security Link security, the user name and password on the
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client and the access points must match exactly.

40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) Encryption Settings

40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security requires you to set up encryption keys. Your
network administrator sets up encryption keys for the wireless network and gives
you an encryption string or hexadecimal keys.
An encryption string is a string of characters between 6 and 30 characters
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long. The string can be any combination of letters and numbers and is case
sensitive. The encryption string can be used only with other 3Com 11 Mbps
Wireless LAN PC Cards and access point 6000 units.
No encryption is used. The network communications could
be intercepted by unintended recipients.
This option encrypts the wireless transmissions to protect
your data and is compatible with other Wi-Fi certified
wireless PC clients and access points from other
manufacturers.
This option can only be used with a 3Com 11 Mbps
Wireless LAN access point 6000 units. It is the highest level
of security, in which you must enter a user name and
password. These must match the user name and password
set up by the administrator on the access points with which
you associate. Each network session automatically creates
a unique, one-time, 128-bit encryption key. You never
have to enter a key.