Netgear WGPS606 WGPS606 User Manual - Page 46

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB Print Server with 4-Port Switch WEP Shared Key Authentication This process is illustrated in below. 802.11 Authentication Shared Key Steps 1) Authentication request sent to AP 2) AP sends challenge text Client 3) Client encrypts attempting challenge text and to connect sends it back to AP Router with Integrated Access Point Cable/DSL ProSafeWirelessVPN Security Firewall PWR TEST IN TER N ET LNK W LA N LO CA L MODEL FVM318 100 ACT Enable LNK/ACT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cable or DLS modem 4) AP decrypts, and if correct, authenticates client 5) Client connects to network Figure B-2: 802.11 shared key authentication The following steps occur when two devices use Shared Key Authentication: 1. The station sends an authentication request to the access point. 2. The access point sends challenge text to the station. 3. The station uses its configured 64-bit or 128-bit default key to encrypt the challenge text, and sends the encrypted text to the access point. 4. The access point decrypts the encrypted text using its configured WEP Key that corresponds to the station's default key. The access point compares the decrypted text with the original challenge text. If the decrypted text matches the original challenge text, then the access point and the station share the same WEP Key and the access point authenticates the station. 5. The station connects to the network. If the decrypted text does not match the original challenge text (i.e., the access point and station do not share the same WEP Key), then the access point will refuse to authenticate the station and the station will be unable to communicate with either the 802.11 network or Ethernet network. B-6 Wireless Networking Basics 202-10083-01