Netgear DG834Gv1 – 54 Mbps Wireless ADSL Firewall Modem Reference Manual

Wireless Networking Basics

D-5

Before enabling WEP on an 802.11 network, you must first consider what type of encryption you 
require and the key size you want to use. Typically, there are three WEP Encryption options 
available for 802.11 products:

1. Do Not Use WEP: The 802.11 network does not encrypt data. For authentication purposes, the 
network uses Open System Authentication.

2. Use WEP for Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data portion of every 
packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving device decrypts the data using the 
same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the network uses Open System Authentication.

3. Use WEP for Authentication and Encryption: A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data 
portion of every packet it sends using a configured WEP Key. The receiving device decrypts the 
data using the same WEP Key. For authentication purposes, the wireless network uses Shared Key 
Authentication.

Note: Some 802.11 access points also support Use WEP for Authentication Only (Shared Key 
Authentication without data encryption). 

I N TER N ET

LO C A L

Cable/DSL

ProSafe Wireless VPN Security Firewall

MODEL

FVM318

PWR

TEST

W LA N

Access Point

1) Authentication

request sent to AP

2) AP sends challenge text

3) Client encrypts

challenge text and

sends it back to AP

4) AP decrypts, and if correct,

authenticates client

5) Client connects to network

Client
attempting
to connect

Router