Access Point Authentication

The Access Point Authentication parameter controls the validation of the WEP Key. Shared Key Authentication validates that the client is using the same WEP Key as the Access Point. The Access Point sends a known unencrypted ‘challenge packet’ to the client. The client then encrypts the ‘challenge packet’ and sends it back to the Access Point. The Access Point then attempts to decrypt the encrypted ‘challenge packet’, and sends an Authentication response packet indicating the success or failure of the decryption back to the client. Open Authentication does not check for a matching WEP Key, if one even exists.

The Shared Key selection is not available if the client does not have a WEP Key set. It is also not available if you are using LEAP or EAP Server Based Authentication.