ZyXEL Communications 100 Series User Manual

 Chapter 13 Routing Protocols

ZyWALL USG 100/200 Series User’s Guide

Here is more detailed information about RIP and OSPF.

Authentication is used to guarantee the integrity, but not the confidentiality, of routing 
updates. The transmitting router uses its key to encrypt the original message into a smaller 
message, and the smaller message is transmitted with the original message. The receiving 
router uses its key to encrypt the received message and then verifies that it matches the smaller 
message sent with it. If the received message is verified, then the receiving router accepts the 
updated routing information. The transmitting and receiving routers must have the same key. 

The ZyWALL supports three types of authentication for RIP and OSPF routing protocols:

• None - no authentication is used.

• Text – authentication using a plain text password, and the (unencrypted) password is sent 

over the network. This method is usually used temporarily to prevent network problems.

• MD5 – authentication using an MD5 password and authentication ID.

MD5 is an authentication method that produces a 128-bit checksum, called a message-digest, 
for each packet. It also includes an authentication ID, which can be set to any value between 1 
and 255. The ZyWALL only accepts packets if these conditions are satisfied.

• The packet’s authentication ID is the same as the authentication ID of the interface that 

received it.

Authentication

Select which authentication method to use in the virtual link. This authentication 
protects the integrity, but not the confidentiality, of routing updates. 
None uses no authentication.
Text uses a plain text password that is sent over the network (not very secure).
MD5 uses an MD5 password and authentication ID (most secure).
Same as Area has the virtual link also use the Authentication settings above.

Text 
Authentication 
Key

This field is available if the Authentication is Text. Type the password for text 
authentication. The key can consist of alphanumeric characters and the 
underscore, and it can be up to 8 characters long.

MD5 
Authentication ID

This field is available if the Authentication is MD5. Type the default ID for MD5 
authentication in the area. The ID can be between 1 and 255.

MD5 
Authentication 
Key

This field is available if the Authentication is MD5. Type the default password for 
MD5 authentication in the area. The password can consist of alphanumeric 
characters and the underscore, and it can be up to 16 characters long.

Add icon

This column provides icons to add and remove virtual links.
To add a virtual link, click the Add icon at the top of the column. A new record 
appears in the virtual link list.
To delete a virtual link, click on the Remove icon next to the virtual link. The web 
configurator confirms that you want to delete the virtual link.

OK

Click OK to save your changes back to the ZyWALL.

Cancel

Click Cancel to exit this screen without saving.

Table 97   Network > Routing > OSPF > Edit (continued)