Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (Essid; Authentication And Wep - NETGEAR CG814W Reference Manual

Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)

The Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) is one of two types of Service Set Identification
(SSID). In an ad hoc wireless network with no access points, the Basic Service Set Identification
(BSSID) is used. In an infrastructure wireless network that includes an access point, the ESSID is
used, but may still be referred to as SSID.
An SSID is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key identifying the name of the
wireless local area network. Some vendors refer to the SSID as network name. For the wireless
devices in a network to communicate with each other, all devices must be configured with the
same SSID.

Authentication and WEP

The absence of a physical connection between nodes makes the wireless links vulnerable to
eavesdropping and information theft. To provide a certain level of security, the IEEE 802.11
standard has defined two types of authentication methods, Open System and Shared Key. With
Open System authentication, a wireless PC can join any network and receive any messages that are
not encrypted. With Shared Key authentication, only those PCs that possess the correct
authentication key can join the network. By default, IEEE 802.11 wireless devices operate in an
Open System network.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption is used when the wireless devices are configured
to operate in Shared Key authentication mode. There are two shared key methods implemented in
most commercially available products, 64-bit and 128-bit WEP data encryption.
802.11b Authentication
The 802.11b standard defines several services that govern how two 802.11b devices communicate.
The following events must occur before an 802.11b Station can communicate with an Ethernet
network through an access point such as the one built in to the CG814W Gateway:
Turn on the wireless station.
1.
The station listens for messages from any access points that are in range.
2.
The station finds a message from an access point that has a matching SSID.
3.
The station sends an authentication request to the access point.
4.
The access point authenticates the station.
5.
Networks, Routing, and Firewall Basics
Reference Manual for the Model CG814W Wireless Cable Modem Gateway
B-13