Administrator’s Handbook
46
WEP-Manual
You can provide a level of data security by enabling WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) for encryption of network
data. You can enable 40- or 128-bit WEP Encryption (depending on the capability of your client wireless card)
for IP traffic on your LAN.
WEP - Manual
allows you to enter your own encryption keys manually. This is a difficult process, but only
needs to be done once. Avoid the temptation to enter all the same characters.
Key Length
: The drop-down menu selects the length of each encryption key. The longer the key, the stronger
the encryption and the more difficult it is to break the encryption.
Key
: You must enter a key using hexadecimal digits. For 40/64-bit encryption, you need ten digits; 26 digits for
128-bit WEP. Hexadecimal characters are 0 – 9, and a – f.
Examples:
±
40 bits: 02468ACE02
±
128 bits: 0123456789ABCDEF0123456789
Any WEP-enabled client must have an identical key of the same length as the router, in order to successfully
receive and decrypt the traffic. Similarly, the client also has a default key that it uses to encrypt its
transmissions. In order for the router to receive the client’s data, it must likewise have the identical key of the
same length.
Click the
Save
button.
"
NOTE:
WEP is a less current and less secure authentication method than WPA-PSK. It may be required if your wire-
less clients do not support WPA.