User's Guide Part 1

Chapter 7 Wireless LAN
AMG1302/AMG1202-TSeries User’s Guide
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7.10.3.4 Encryption
Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the wireless
network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot
understand the message.
The types of encryption you can choose depend on the type of authentication. (See
Section
7.10.3.3 on page 110
for information about this.)
For example, if the wireless network has a RADIUS server, you can choose W PA or W PA2 . If users
do not log in to the wireless network, you can choose no encryption, St at ic W EP, W PA- PSK, or
W PA2 - PSK.
Usually, you should set up the strongest encryption that every device in the wireless network
supports. For example, suppose you have a wireless network with the AMG1302/AMG1202-TSeries
and you do not have a RADIUS server. Therefore, there is no authentication. Suppose the wireless
network has two devices. Device A only supports WEP, and device B supports WEP and WPA-PSK.
Therefore, you should set up St a t ic W EP in the wireless network.
Note: It is recommended that wireless networks use W PA- PSK, W PA, or stronger
encryption. The other types of encryption are better than none at all, but it is still
possible for unauthorized wireless devices to figure out the original information
pretty quickly.
When you select W PA2 or W PA2 - PSK in your AMG1302/AMG1202-TSeries, you can also select an
option (W PA com patible ) to support WPA as well. In this case, if some of the devices support WPA
and some support WPA2, you should set up W PA2 - PSK or W PA2 (depending on the type of
wireless network login) and select the W PA com pa t ible option in the AMG1302/AMG1202-TSeries.
Many types of encryption use a key to protect the information in the wireless network. The longer
the key, the stronger the encryption. Every device in the wireless network must have the same key.
7.10.4 Signal Problems
Because wireless networks are radio networks, their signals are subject to limitations of distance,
interference and absorption.
Problems with distance occur when the two radios are too far apart. Problems with interference
occur when other radio waves interrupt the data signal. Interference may come from other radio
transmissions, such as military or air traffic control communications, or from machines that are
coincidental emitters such as electric motors or microwaves. Problems with absorption occur when
physical objects (such as thick walls) are between the two radios, muffling the signal.
Table 29 Types of Encryption for Each Type of Authentication
NO AUTHENTICATION RADIUS SERVER
W ea k est No Security WPA
Static WEP
WPA-PSK
St r on ge st WPA2-PSK WPA2