Manual

Chapter 10: Configuring Security
118
If you selected ASCII, enter any combination of integers and letters 0-
9
, a-z, and A-Z. If you selected HEX, enter hexadecimal digits (any
combination of
0-9 and a-f or A-F).
Use the same number of characters for each key as specified in the
Characters Required field. These are the RC4 WEP keys shared with
the stations using the access point.
Each client station must be configured to use one of these same WEP
keys in the same slot as specified here on the access point. (See
“Rules to Remember for Static WEP” on page 119.)
Authentication Algorithm
The authentication algorithm defines the method used to determine
whether a client station is allowed to associate with an access point
when static WEP is the security mode.
Specify the authentication algorithm you want to use by choosing one
of the following from the list:
 Open System
Open System authentication allows any client station to associate
with the access point whether that client station has the correct
WEP key or not. This is algorithm is also used in plain text, IEEE
802.1x, and WPA modes. When the authentication algorithm is set
to Open System, any client can associate with the access point.
Note that just because a client station is allowed to associate does
not ensure it can exchange traffic with an access point. A station
must have the correct WEP key to be able to successfully access
and decrypt data from an access point, and to transmit readable
data to the access point.
 Shared Key
Shared Key authentication requires the client station to have the
correct WEP key in order to associate with the access point. When
the authentication algorithm is set to Shared Key, a station with an
incorrect WEP key will not be able to associate with the access
point.
 Both
This is the default When the authentication algorithm is set to Both:
• Client stations configured to use WEP in shared key mode
must have a valid WEP key in order to associate with the
access point.
• Client stations configured to use WEP as an open system
(shared key mode not enabled) will be able to associate with
the access point even if they do not have the correct WEP key.