NETGEAR DG834G Router Manual PDF (Setup & Configuration Guide)

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Reference Manual for the Model Wireless ADSL Firewall Router DG834G

Wireless Networking Basics

D-17

•

The new WPA information element

To advertise their support of WPA, wireless APs send the beacon frame with a new 802.11

WPA information element that contains the wireless AP's security configuration (encryption

algorithms and wireless security configuration information).

•

The WPA two-phase authentication

Open system, then 802.1x (EAP with RADIUS or preshared key).

•

TKIP

•

Michael

•

AES

(optional)

To upgrade your wireless access points to support WPA, obtain a WPA firmware update from your

wireless AP vendor and upload it to your wireless AP.

Changes to Wireless Network Adapters

Wireless networking software in the adapter, and possibly in the OS or client application, must be

updated to support the following:

•

The new WPA information element

Wireless clients must be able to process the WPA information element and respond with a

specific security configuration.

•

The WPA two-phase authentication

Open system, then 802.1x supplicant (EAP or preshared key).

•

TKIP

•

Michael

•

AES

(optional)

To upgrade your wireless network adapters to support WPA, obtain a WPA update from your

wireless network adapter vendor and update the wireless network adapter driver.

For Windows wireless clients, you must obtain an updated network adapter driver that supports

WPA. For wireless network adapter drivers that are compatible with Windows XP (Service Pack 1)

and Windows Server 2003, the updated network adapter driver must be able to pass the adapter's

WPA capabilities and security configuration to the Wireless Zero Configuration service.

Microsoft has worked with many wireless vendors to embed the WPA firmware update in the

wireless adapter driver. So, to update your Microsoft Windows wireless client, all you have to do is

obtain the new WPA-compatible driver and install the driver. The firmware is automatically

updated when the wireless network adapter driver is loaded in Windows.

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Reference Manual for the Model Wireless ADSL Firewall Router DG834G

D-18

Wireless Networking Basics

Changes to Wireless Client Programs

Wireless client programs must be updated to permit the configuration of WPA authentication (and

preshared key) and the new WPA encryption algorithms (TKIP and the optional AES component).

To obtain the Microsoft WPA client program, visit the Microsoft Web site.

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Virtual Private Networking

E-1

202-10006-05, June 2005

Appendix E

Virtual Private Networking

There have been many improvements in the Internet including Quality of Service, network

performance, and inexpensive technologies, such as DSL. But one of the most important advances

has been in Virtual Private Networking (VPN) Internet Protocol security (IPSec). IPSec is one of

the most complete, secure, and commercially available, standards-based protocols developed for

transporting data.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a shared network where private data is segmented from other traffic so that only the

intended recipient has access. The term VPN was originally used to describe a secure connection

over the Internet. Today, however, VPN is also used to describe private networks, such as Frame

Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS).

A key aspect of data security is that the data flowing across the network is protected by encryption

technologies. Private networks lack data security, which allows data attackers to tap directly into

the network and read the data. IPSec-based VPNs use encryption to provide data security, which

increases the network’s resistance to data tampering or theft.

IPSec-based VPNs can be created over any type of IP network, including the Internet, Frame

Relay, ATM, and MPLS, but only the Internet is ubiquitous and inexpensive.

VPNs are traditionally used for:

•

Intranets:

Intranets connect an organization’s locations. These locations range from the

headquarters offices, to branch offices, to a remote employee’s home. Often this connectivity

is used for e-mail and for sharing applications and files. While Frame Relay, ATM, and MPLS

accomplish these tasks, the shortcomings of each limits connectivity. The cost of connecting

home users is also very expensive compared to Internet-access technologies, such as DSL or

cable. Because of this, organizations are moving their networks to the Internet, which is

inexpensive, and using IPSec to create these networks.

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Reference Manual for the Model Wireless ADSL Firewall Router DG834G

E-2

Virtual Private Networking

202-10006-05, June 2005

•

Remote Access:

Remote access enables telecommuters and mobile workers to access e-mail

and business applications. A dial-up connection to an organization’s modem pool is one

method of access for remote workers, but is expensive because the organization must pay the

associated long distance telephone and service costs. Remote access VPNs greatly reduce

expenses by enabling mobile workers to dial a local Internet connection and then set up a

secure IPSec-based VPN communications to their organization.

•

Extranets

: Extranets are secure connections between two or more organizations. Common

uses for extranets include supply-chain management, development partnerships, and

subscription services. These undertakings can be difficult using legacy network technologies

due to connection costs, time delays, and access availability. IPSec-based VPNs are ideal for

extranet connections. IPSec-capable devices can be quickly and inexpensively installed on

existing Internet connections.

What Is IPSec and How Does It Work?

IPSec is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard suite of protocols that provides data

authentication, integrity, and confidentiality as data is transferred between communication points

across IP networks. IPSec provides data security at the IP packet level. A packet is a data bundle

that is organized for transmission across a network, and includes a header and payload (the data in

the packet). IPSec emerged as a viable network security standard because enterprises wanted to

ensure that data could be securely transmitted over the Internet. IPSec protects against possible

security exposures by protecting data while in while in transit.

IPSec Security Features

IPSec is the most secure method commercially available for connecting network sites. IPSec was

designed to provide the following security features when transferring packets across networks:

•

Authentication:

Verifies that the packet received is actually from the claimed sender.

•

Integrity:

Ensures that the contents of the packet did not change in transit.

•

Confidentiality:

Conceals the message content through encryption.

IPSec Components

IPSec contains the following elements:

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Reference Manual for the Model Wireless ADSL Firewall Router DG834G

Virtual Private Networking

E-3

202-10006-05, June 2005

•

Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP)

: Provides confidentiality, authentication, and

integrity.

•

Authentication Header (AH)

: Provides authentication and integrity.

•

Internet Key Exchange (IKE)

: Provides key management and Security Association (SA)

management.

Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP)

ESP provides authentication, integrity, and confidentiality, which protect against data tampering

and, most importantly, provide message content protection.

IPSec provides an open framework for implementing industry standard algorithms, such as SHA

and MD5. The algorithms IPSec uses produce a unique and unforgeable identifier for each packet,

which is a data equivalent of a fingerprint. This fingerprint allows the device to determine if a

packet has been tampered with. Furthermore, packets that are not authenticated are discarded and

not delivered to the intended receiver.

ESP also provides all encryption services in IPSec. Encryption translates a readable message into

an unreadable format to hide the message content. The opposite process, called decryption,

translates the message content from an unreadable format to a readable message. Encryption/

decryption allows only the sender and the authorized receiver to read the data. In addition, ESP has

an option to perform authentication, called ESP authentication. Using ESP authentication, ESP

provides authentication and integrity for the payload and not for the IP header.

Figure E-1:

Original packet and packet with IPSec Encapsulated Security Payload

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