Wireless Access

can anyone tell me where to find the encryption key. I have a compaq USB card, with WEP encryption, working without encryption. Client Manager under Encryption has keys for 64 bit, 128 bit, I'm not sure if it is the key or examples. Thanks, Richard

Hello Richard,

Open the Wireless Network and in that click the Wireless Networks and in that click the Add button which will open the WEP window.

Also, 128 bit WEP devices can be used with 40 or 64 bit WEP devices as long as the device driver has a way to set the lower encryption level. The encryption level is determined by the encryption key length. If a device is capable of 128 bit encryption, it is inherently capable of 40 bit, unless the vendor decides for some reason not allow the lower encryption level.

64 bit WEP is the same as 40 bit WEP!

The lower level of WEP encryption uses a 40 bit 10 hex character secret key set by the user and a 24 bit Initialization Vector which is not under user control. Some vendors refer to this level of WEP as 40 bit, others as 64 bit. Either way, they´re the same encryption level and can interoperate.

The higher level of WEP encryption, commonly referred to as 128 bit WEP, actually uses a 104 bit , 26 hex character, secret key , set by the user and a 24 bit Initialization Vector which is not under user control.


For your information:
WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. It is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard and uses the RC4 encryption algorithm. Enabling WEP allows you to increase security by encrypting data being transferred over your wireless network.

When WEP encryption is enabled, there are up to four options*: 64-bit and 128-bit. 64-bit is the same as 40-bit WEP. The lower level of WEP encryption uses a 40-bit (10 character) "secret key" (set by the user), and a 24-bit "initialization vector" (not under user control). So lower level 40 and 64 bit WEP cards are equivalent in encryption strength and compatibility.

* 802.11B supports 64 and 128-bit encryption, 802.11B+ (enhanced) supports 64, 128, and 256-bit encryption, 802.11G support 64 and 128-bit, and 802.11A supports 64, 128, and 152-bit encryption.

Note: WEP does not stand for Wireless Encryption Protocol. Please read here for more information about WEP and security.
http://www.Wi-Fi.org

Hope this info helps. All the best.

Sundar Krishna

Richard,

I'm troubleshooting why I cannot connect to a wireless network in a new office. I'm trying to connect to a Macintosh AirPort from my Compaq Presario R3000. I got the same message you did about entering the Network Key which no one can seem to locate. Do you know where/how to locate the Network Key? Help if you can...I work with a team of graphic designers and I'm one of the few even using a PC.

Hi Lee, 5-May-05 22:08EST
I don't know if this will help. As I remember
I followed the above instructions and found
my pc wireless was much slower. I run without
encryption. I have 802.11b. Last-it has been some time since I tried this. Good luck.
Richard Ostendorf