Choose The Security Type For Wireless Network - TRENDnet TEW-821DAP User Manual

TRENDnet User's Guide

Choose the Security Type for 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 access point.
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 access point to WEP to allow the old adapters to connect to the
access point.
ÍNote:
• 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-Auto: This setting provides the access point 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
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.
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ÍNote:
• 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 access point to this
encryption standard. If you find that one of your wireless network devices does not
support WPA2 encryption, then set your access point to either WPA or WPA-Auto
encryption.
ÍNote:
• 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
Compatible IEEE 802.11a/b/g
Wireless Standards (802.11n devices
will operate at
802.11g to connect
using this standard)
Highest Up to 54Mbps
Performance Under
This Setting
Encryption Strength Low
Additional Options Open System or
Shared Key,
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)
TEW-821DAP
WPA WPA2
IEEE 802.11a/b/g IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
(802.11n devices
will operate at
802.11g to connect
using this standard)
Up to 54Mbps Up to 300Mbps
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
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