User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- User’s Manual for the NETGEAR Super AG Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111U
- Technical Support
- Statement of Conditions
- FCC Information to User
- Regulatory Compliance Information
- Export Restrictions
- Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity
- Requirements For Operation in the European Community
- Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations
- Chapter 1 About This Manual
- Chapter 2 Introduction
- Chapter 3 Basic Setup
- Chapter 4 Configuration
- Chapter 5 Wireless Security Configuration
- Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
- Basic Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- General Questions
- Why do I see no more than 54 Mbps on the Configuration Utility status line?
- The WG111U Smart Configuration Utility keeps asking me to save my settings
- Ad Hoc mode is not working correctly
- How to know if the WG111U card has received a valid IP address
- How to use XP’s own Wireless configuration utility
- I cannot connect to the AP that I want from the Networks browser list
- New Hardware Wizard appears after installation has completed
- How to get a PDF copy of the Manual
- General Questions
- Appendix A Technical Specifications
- Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics
- What You Need To Use a Router with a Broadband Modem
- Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking
- Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP Networking
- Configuring Windows NT4, 2000 or XP for IP Networking
- Configuring the Macintosh for TCP/IP Networking
- Verifying the Readiness of Your Internet Account
- Restarting the Network
- Glossary
- Index
User’s Manual for the NETGEAR Super AG Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111U
B-8 Wireless Networking Basics
202-10065-01
How to Use WEP Parameters
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.
Before enabling WEP on an 802.11 network, you must first consider what type of encryption you
require and the key size you want to use. Typically, there are three WEP Encryption options
available for 802.11 products:
1. Do Not Use WEP: The 802.11 network does not encrypt data. For authentication purposes, the
network uses Open System Authentication.
2. Use WEP for Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data portion of every
packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving 802.11g device decrypts the data using
the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11g network uses Open System
Authentication.
3. Use WEP for Authentication and Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data
portion of every packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving 802.11 device
decrypts the data using the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the 802.11 network uses
Shared Key Authentication.
Note: Some 802.11 access points also support Use WEP for Authentication Only (Shared Key
Authentication without data encryption). However, the WG111U does not offer this option.
WPA Wireless Security
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a specification of standards-based, interoperable security
enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future
wireless LAN systems.
The IEEE introduced the WEP as an optional security measure to secure 802.11g (Wi-Fi) WLANs,
but inherent weaknesses in the standard soon became obvious. In response to this situation, the
Wi-Fi Alliance announced a new security architecture in October 2002 that remedies the short
comings of WEP. This standard, formerly known as Safe Secure Network (SSN), is designed to
work with existing 802.11 products and offers forward compatibility with 802.11i, the new
wireless security architecture being defined in the IEEE.
WPA offers the following benefits: