Encryption; Wep (Rc4) Data Encryption; Static 3Des Key/Open System Authentication - 3e Technologies International 3e-531AP User Manual

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3e-531AP Wireless Access Point

Encryption

The default factory setting for the 3e-531AP is no encryption. It is rec-

ommended that you set encryption as soon as possible.

Using the 3e-531AP in gateway mode allows you to employ s the

WEP (RC4) encryption standard if you wish. WEP is not available in AP

or Bridge mode for security reasons.

If using WEP, authentication type can be set to either Open System or

Shared Key. Open System is probably adequate if you are using a remote

authentication server (e.g. RADIUS) with 802.1x.

WEP is designed to provide the same level of security for wireless

LANs as that of a wired LAN. To use WEP encryption, identify the level

of encryption (64 or 128). If using 64-bit WEP, you will need to program

the Default WEP key on the AP and each wireless device and designate

the four alternate 64-bit WEP keys. The four WEP keys thus programmed

have to be input to the setup utility on each wireless device that will be

part of the WLAN.

If using 128-bit WEP, simply designate the 48 hexidecimal digits on

the AP and program the same number on each wireless device.

Key management becomes increasingly difficult as the number of

clients increases, but the use of WEP encryption on small office or home

wireless networks provides some measure of security. WEP was never

intended to be a complete security solution but rather provides protection

equivalent to that of wired networks.

The 3e-531AP in gateway mode can accommodate advanced static

encryption using either AES or 3DES.

3DES is modeled on the older DES standard but encrypts data three

times over.

To use 3DES, enter a 192-bit key as 48 hexidecimal digit (0-9, a-f, or A-

F). Enter the key twice for verification.

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Chapter 4: Gateway Configuration

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