3Com 3CRWE454G72 User Guide - Page 41
Encryption, Configuring WPA Encryption, encryption method with user configurable fixed keys.
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Wireless Settings 41 Access Point Name This option allows you to name the Access Point. The field accepts any alphanumeric string upto a maximum of 32 characters. This option is useful if you have several Access Point units and want to be able to easily identify them. For example, you may name them Marketing, Research, Admin. Encryption When setting up wireless networks, it is important to remember that with encryption disabled, anyone with a Wireless PC can eavesdrop on your network. 3Com recommends that you get the network working with encryption disabled first and then enable it as the last step. This will simplify setting up your network. The Access Point supports two types of encryption: ■ WPA - Wi-FI Protected Access (WPA) is a 256 bit encryption method with keys that change over time. ■ WEP - Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a 64 bit or 128 bit encryption method with user configurable fixed keys. WPA provides a higher level of security, provided by its longer key and dynamic changes made to the key over time. 3Com recommends that you use WPA with any clients which support it. If you enable encryption on the Access Point, you must reconfigure your wireless PCs to use exactly the same Encryption Type and Keys otherwise the devices will not understand each other. The encryption methods used by the Access Point secure data transmitted through wireless communications between the Access Point and its wireless clients. Enabling encryption has no security effect on data transmitted through wired (Ethernet) connections or through your connections to the Internet. Configuring WPA Encryption The only configuration that is needed for WPA is to enter the pre-shared key. This key is used to start the dialog between the Access Point and the client. During this dialog, a new key is agreed, making it more difficult to eavesdrop on wireless networks encrypted using WPA, than those encrypted using WEP. The pre-shared key can be entered as a 256 bit series of hexadecimal digits or as a pass-phrase.