ZyXEL Communications NWA-3163 & NWA-3166 User Manual

Chapter 10 Wireless Security Screen

NWA-3160 Series User’s Guide

Authentication 
Method

There are two types of WEP authentication namely, Open System and 
Shared Key. 

Open system is implemented for ease-of-use and when security is not 
an issue. The wireless station and the AP or peer computer do not share 
a secret key. Thus the wireless stations can associate with any AP or 
peer computer and listen to any transmitted data that is not encrypted.

Shared key mode involves a shared secret key to authenticate the 
wireless station to the AP or peer computer. This requires you to enable 
the wireless LAN security and use same settings on both the wireless 
station and the AP or peer computer.

• Select Shared Key to have the NWA authenticate only those 

wireless clients that use Shared Key mode and have the correct WEP 

key. 

• Select Auto to have the NWA allow association with wireless clients 

that use Open System mode. Data transfer is encrypted as long as 

the wireless client has the correct WEP key for encryption. The NWA 

authenticates wireless clients using Shared Key mode that have the 

correct WEP key.

ASCII

Select this option to enter ASCII characters as the WEP keys. 

Hex

Select this option to enter hexadecimal characters as the WEP keys.

The preceding “0x” is entered automatically. 

Key 1 to 

Key 4

The WEP keys are used to encrypt data. Both the NWA and the wireless 
stations must use the same WEP key for data transmission.

If you chose 64-bit WEP, then enter any 5 ASCII characters or 10 
hexadecimal characters ("0-9", "A-F"). 

If you chose 128-bit WEP, then enter 13 ASCII characters or 26 
hexadecimal characters ("0-9", "A-F").  

You must configure all four keys, but only one key can be activated at 
any one time. The default key is key 1.  

Apply

Click Apply to save your changes.

Reset

Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.

Table 39   Security: WEP