How To Configure a Wireless LAN with WEP Encryption

Release Date: 2-8-06 Product

SMC7004VWBR (750.638)

Summary
How to configure a Wireless Network with WEP Encryption.

Introduction
The following steps show you how to set up encryption on your wireless network using the SMC Wireless Router and a Windows XP SP2 PC with a wireless network card installed. This how to documentation assumes: The Router is set to factory defaults (To reset to defaults power on the SMC7004VWBR, press reset button for 5 second wait a couple minutes for router to reset.) The wireless PC is configured through the XP Wireless Manager SMC recommend that you configure the wireless settings of your Router from a wired PC first and then you set up your wireless PC to match these settings. The wired PC can be either a separate PC or your wireless PC can also have a wired connection. See the Wireless Security document for the different types of encryption.

Configuring the SMC7004VWBR Router

The first step is to configure the SMC7004VWBR Router with the encryption type and encryption keys, access the web interface as described below: Step 1 Open a browser, enter the IP address of the Router (usually 192.168.2.1) and view the Router web interface. Step 2 The password is blank by default, just click Login. Step 3 Select the Advanced Setup option. Step 4 From the Left Hand Screen menu, browse to the Wireless then clcik on the Encryption page. Step 5 From the WEP Mode drop down menu select 64-bit WEP or 128-bit WEP encryption as required. (128 bit is more secure). See Figure 1. Step 6 For 64 bit WEP, enter 10 hex digits for Key 1 to Key 4 and save the settings

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Note: Hex digits are 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,a,b,c,d,e,f. Remember the keys you enter for later. Default key 1 is selected and will not need to be changed. Do not use Passphrase to generate a key or the router will not associate to your wireless PC when following the instructions in this documentation.

Figure 1 The Router Wireless Security page, shown as 26 hex digits for 128 Bit WEP.

Wireless WEP encryption is now set up in the Router. If you are configuring the Router from a wireless PC, the wireless connection will now be lost, until you set up the same encryption settings in your PC.

Configuring the Wireless PC

The wireless PC must be set up with the same WEP settings as the Router. If you are using a single PC with a wired and wireless connection then remove the cable from the wired connection. If you have Win 98, ME or Win 2k then the wireless NIC will come with its own Wireless Client which will allow you to configure the wireless encryption. If you have a Win XP SP2 PC you can configure the wireless settings through the built in XP Wireless Manager as detailed below: Step 1 Click on the wireless icon in the system tray
Figure 2 Win XP SP2 wireless icon in the System Tray

Step 2 Click on the View Wireless Networks button to display a list of the available wireless networks. Select your wireless network and click the Connect button. Step 3 In the pop-up window, enter your hex digits for key 1 and click the Connect button. These must be exactly the same as the 10 or 26 hex digits you entered into the Router. See Figure 3.

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Figure 3 Win XP SP2 pop-up window for WEP, shown as 26 hex digits for 128 Bit WEP

The wireless PC will then try to connect to the Router with the new encryption settings and acquire an IP address. The result of this will be displayed in a pop-up window along with the available wireless networks:

If Connected is displayed with your SSID, then the wireless PC is connected to the Router and you have setup wireless encryption on your wireless network. Note: It can take 1 to 2 minutes for Connected to be displayed.

Figure 4 Win XP SP2 Wireless Manager showing SMC as a Connected wireless network

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 If Limited or no Connection is displayed with your SSID, then the wireless PC is trying to obtain an IP address from the Router. In this case: o Step 1 Click on the wireless icon in the system tray o Step 2 Select the Support tab and click the Repair button. Then wait for the wireless PC to obtain an IP address from the Router. See Figure 5. o Step 3 If this is not successful, reboot your wireless PC to obtain an IP address.

Figure 5 Win XP SP2 Wireless Support tab

If Not Connected is displayed with your SSID, then the wireless PC may have the wrong type of encryption enabled or the hex digits may not be exactly the same in the Router and the wireless PC. In this case: o Step 1 Click on the wireless icon in the system tray o Step 2 Click on the Properties button o Step 3 Select the Wireless Networks tab o Step 4 Under Preferred Networks, select SMC and click the Properties button o Step 5 Select the Association tab and check that: Network Authentication is set to Shared Data Encryption is set to WEP Network Key is set to the 10 or 26 hex digits you entered into the Router keys. Re-enter if necessary. Then click OK. See Figure 6. Note: Win XP SP2 does not support Passphrase.

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Figure 6 Win XP SP2 Association tab, shown as 26 hex digits for 128 Bit WEP.

COPYRIGHT
Information furnished by SMC Networks, Inc. (SMC) is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by SMC for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of SMC. SMC reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice. Copyright 2006 by SMC Networks, Inc. 38 Tesla Irvine, CA 92618 All rights reserved. Trademarks: Product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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