Equinox Systems ZyAIR G-200 - Manual (Page 27)

ZyAIR G-200 User’s Guide
Using the ZyAIR Utility 2-9
Figure 2-9 WEP Authentication Steps
Open System authentication involves an unencrypted two-message procedure. A wireless station
sends an open system authentication request to the AP, which will then automatically accept and
connect the wireless station to the network. In effect, open system is not authentication at all as
any station can gain access to the network.
Shared Key authentication involves a four-message procedure. A wireless station sends a shared
key authentication request to the AP, which will then reply with a challenge text message. The
wireless station must then use the AP’s default WEP key to encrypt the challenge text and return
it to the AP, which attempts to decrypt the message using the AP’s default WEP key. If the
decrypted message matches the challenge text, the wireless station is authenticated.
When your ZyAIR's authentication method is set to open system, it will only accept open system
authentication requests. The same is true for shared key authentication. However, when it is set to
auto authentication, the ZyAIR will accept either type of authentication request and the ZyAIR
will fall back to use open authentication if the shared key does not match.