Encryption Key Distribution - Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 User Manual

Advanced Operations

Encryption Key Distribution

There are two ways to obtain the correct encryption keys for your
Wireless LAN MultiPort W200.
Manual distribution by the LAN Administrator
Automatic Distribution via a dedicated IEEE 802.1x
infrastructure.
Manual distribution of encryption keys is very common in most
network environments. In these cases the LAN Administrator sets
the encryption keys manually in each Base Station device and
wireless client.
Automatic key distribution is more secure as it allows the LAN
Administrator to change keys dynamically. This distribution
mechanism minimizes:
The effort of the LAN Administrators to ensure every
Wireless Client and Base Station device use a matching set of
keys.
The change that unauthorized users capture key values by
eavesdropping information or breaking into an individual
computer.
Automatic distribution of encryption keys requires an
infrastructure of Wireless Clients, Base Station devices and
dedicated servers that support the IEEE 802.1x EAP/TLS or
equivalent standards.
IEEE802.1x compliant server and client software can be obtained
from Microsoft or other third party vendors.
4-12 User's Guide