TRENDnet TEW-751DR User's Guide - Page 12

TRENDnet User's Guide Wireless Networking and Security How to choose the type of security for your wireless network Setting up wireless security is very important. Leaving your wireless network open and unsecure could expose your entire network and personal files to outsiders. TRENDnet recommends reading through this entire section and setting up wireless security on your new router. There are a few different wireless security types supported in wireless networking each having its own characteristics which may be more suitable for your wireless network taking into consideration compatibility, performance, as well as the security strength along with using older wireless networking hardware (also called legacy hardware). It is strongly recommended to enable wireless security to prevent unwanted users from accessing your network and network resources (personal documents, media, etc.). In general, it is recommended that you choose the security type with the highest strength and performance supported by the wireless computers and devices in your network. Please review the security types to determine which one you should use for your network. Wireless Encryption Types • WEP: Legacy encryption method supported by older 802.11b/g hardware. This is the oldest and least secure type of wireless encryption. It is generally not recommended to use this encryption standard, however if you have old 802.11 b or 802.11g wireless adapters or computers with old embedded wireless cards(wireless clients), you may have to set your router to WEP to allow the old adapters to connect to the router. Note: This encryption standard will limit connection speeds to 54Mbps. • WPA: This encryption is significantly more robust than the WEP technology. Much of the older 802.11g hardware was been upgraded (with firmware/driver upgrades) to support this encryption standard. Total wireless speeds under this encryption type however are limited to 54Mbps. • WPA-Auto: This setting provides the router with the ability to detect wireless devices using either WPA or WPA2 encryption. Your wireless network will automatically change the encryption setting based on the first wireless device connected. For example, if the first wireless client that connects to your wireless network uses WPA encryption your wireless network will use WPA encryption. Only when all wireless clients disconnect to the network and a wireless client with WPA2 encryption connects your wireless network will then change to WPA2 encryption. © Copyright 2013 TRENDnet. All Rights Reserved. TEW-751DR Note: WPA2 encryption supports 802.11n speeds and WPA encryption will limit your connection speeds to 54Mbps • WPA2: This is the most secure wireless encryption available today, similar to WPA encryption but more robust. This encryption standard also supports the highest connection speeds. TRENDnet recommends setting your router to this encryption standard. If you find that one of your wireless network devices does not support WPA2 encryption, then set your router to either WPA or WPA-Auto encryption. Note: Check the specifications of your wireless network adapters and wireless appliances to verify the highest level of encryption supported.Below is brief comparison chart of the wireless security types and the recommended configuration depending on which type you choose for your wireless network. Security Standard Compatible Wireless Standards Highest Performance Under This Setting Encryption Strength Additional Options Recommended Configuration WEP IEEE 802.11a/b/g (802.11n devices will operate at 802.11g to connect using this standard) Up to 54Mbps Low Open System or Shared Key, HEX or ASCII, Different key sizes Open System ASCII 13 characters WPA IEEE 802.11a/b/g (802.11n devices will operate at 802.11g to connect using this standard) WPA2 IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n Up to 54Mbps Medium TKIP or AES, Preshared Key or RADIUS TKIP Preshared Key 8-63 characters Up to 450Mbps High TKIP or AES, Preshared Key or RADIUS AES Preshared Key 8-63 characters *Dependent on the maximum 802.11n data rate supported by the device (150Mbps, 300Mbps, 450Mbps) 12