WESM xl Management and Configuration Guide WS.02.XX and greater

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Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)
Configuring a WLAN
The number of characters for the key depends on the WEP key length
and on the format in which you enter the key. Table 4-3 summarizes
these requirements.
Table 4-3. Key Length for Static WEP Keys
The key next to the selected circle (Key 1 in Figure 4-31) is the key
that currently encrypts and decrypts data. For greater security,
remember to periodically change which key is in use.
Note The more often an encryption key is used, the more vulnerable it is to hackers.
Even when administrators diligently rotate and change WEP keys, this form
of WEP is significantly less secure than WEP with 802.1X authentication or
WPA/WPA2.
6. If you want to return this WLAN to the default static WEP keys, click the
Restore Default WEP Keys button.
Another screen is displayed, asking you to confirm the return to the
default keys. If you are sure, click Yes. You still have one more chance to
change your mind. The keys do not return to the defaults until you click
the OK button and close the screen. You can view the default values for
WEP keys through the CLI by entering this command: show running-
config include-factory.
7. After you set the key, click the OK button. Then click the OK button on the
WLAN’s Edit screen to apply the settings.
Configuring WEP Encryption with 802.1X Authentication (Dynamic
WEP). WEP with 802.1X authentication is also called dynamic WEP because
802.1X helps to distribute encryption keys automatically. The Wireless Edge
Services xl Module and stations encrypt and decrypt data with WEP keys;
however, instead of every station using the same key, stations first identify
themselves to a network authentication server. When a station passes the
authentication test, the station and the authentication server generate a
unique WEP key for that session alone, which the server passes to the module.
Key Length Format Characters
64-bit Hexadecimal 10
ASCII 5
128-bit Hexadecimal 26
ASCII 13