Encryption - Proxim Orinoco AP-2500 User Manual

Network Parameters

Encryption

The IEEE 802.11 standards specify an optional encryption feature, known as Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP, that is
designed to provide a wireless LAN with a security level equal to what is found on a wired Ethernet network. WEP
encrypts the data portion of each packet exchanged on an 802.11 network using an Encryption Key (also known as a
WEP Key).
When Encryption is enabled, two 802.11 devices must have the same Encryption Keys and both devices must be
configured to use Encryption in order to communicate. If one device is configured to use Encryption but a second
device is not, then the two devices will not communicate, even if both devices have the same Encryption Keys.
• The AP-2500 supports 64-bit and 128-bit encryption (for both 802.11a and 802.11b).
– For 64-bit encryption, an encryption key is 10 hexadecimal characters (0-9 and A-F) or 5 ASCII characters
(see ASCII Character
– For 128-bit encryption, an encryption key is 26 hexadecimal characters or 13 ASCII characters. Note that
some 802.11b cards do not support 128-bit encryption.
NOTE: 64-bit encryption is sometimes referred to as 40-bit encryption; 128-bit encryption is sometimes referred to
as 104-bit encryption.
Keep in mind that if you enable WEP encryption on the wireless interfaces, you will need to inform your subscribers of
these settings and they will need to reconfigure their wireless cards with these settings before gaining access to the
network (and before they are prompted to logon to the hotspot).
See Set WEP Encryption for each Wireless Interface (optional)
96
Chart).
for step-by-step configuration instructions.