To greatly increase the security and confidentiality of data and help prevent unauthorised access of any resources connected to the network via wireless client devices, Lucent Technologies Global Commercial Markets (GCM) has announced two new security enhancements to its WaveLAN/IEEE wireless LAN networking systems. The enhancements, Closed Access and WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) for wireless LAN systems, are compliant with the IEEE-802.11 standard.
Gerard Glanville, regional manager at Lucent Technologies GCM southern Africa explains: "Closed Access is designed to block unauthorised users from entry at the access point level. Access points are the `base stations` that connect to a wired network and provide wireless access to various stations, both fixed and mobile. With the Closed Access feature, Lucent`s WavePOINT 802.11 compliant access point is able to screen users. When the Closed Access feature is enabled, stations which do not have the valid network name will be denied access.
This provides the primary level of access security to all resources connected to the Wireless LAN system." The Closed Access feature is available as part of the latest version of software for the WavePOINT-II access points. The new version of WaveMANAGER/AP management tool, which allows users to switch the Closed Access security feature on or off, is compliant with all WaveLAN WavePOINT II access points. The new software is available as a free download from www.wavelan.com.
"Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protects against eavesdropping and provides further protection against unauthorised access of the wireless network," says Glanville. "WEP is based upon the RC4 encryption engine and uses a 40-bit key. The key is required to listen in on the messages that go through the air. It provides an additional level of security beyond the Closed Access feature. Even if the user knows the network name, the key is required to connect to an access point."
To support the new WEP security, Lucent is introducing a new `Silver` version of the WaveLAN/IEEE card. The Closed Access feature is available immediately and runs on all WaveLAN/IEEE products. The WEP feature will be available in May 1999 and is supported only on the Silver WaveLAN/IEEE cards. The Silver WaveLAN/IEEE cards are available immediately, enabling customers to purchase the WEP-ready hardware today. For customer who purchase the Silver cards today, the WEP software will be available as a free download from the www.wavelan.com web-site in May 1999.
In addition, until the end of March 1999, owners of any WLAN system will be able to purchase new WaveLAN/IEEE-compliant system components at up to 40 percent below suggested list price. For every card or access point they upgrade, customers can get one new WaveLAN/IEEE card or access point at this special price. Details and qualification forms are available at the www.wavelan.com web site.
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