iLabs team weighs wireless security options
In this round of iLabs testing we focused on wireless security, with Global Test Alliance member Joel Snyder, a senior partner at Opus One participating in the testing and gleaning information useful to enterprise network professionals.
Wireless security with 802.1X
Network professionals in search of technology that melds authentication, encryption and wireless LANs will find the IEEE 802.1X specification is up to the job.
Browser-based wireless security
With browser-based authentication, the user must authenticate with a username and password (or other authentication technique, such as a one-time password token) through a typically encrypted browser window before their system can access to the network.
Wireless IPSec
Because IP Security (IPSec) has one of the strongest security models available in networking, using it to secure wireless networks gives even stronger security than offered by wireless security tools like 802.1X.
What's wrong with WEP?
Wired Equivalent Privacy is the privacy protocol specified in IEEE 802.11 to provide wireless LAN users protection against casual eavesdropping.
WEP is bad, but better than nothing
The wired equivalent privacy encryption algorithm has a bad reputation because it's relatively easy to crack and it's difficult to deploy. But sometimes it might be your only option.
The ups and downs of wireless security strategy
A look at the pros and cons of the various wireless security strategies.
MPLS and IP storage testing update
The iLabs MPLS and IP Storage teams will continue testing at NetWorld+Interop in Atlanta.
Related Links
The ABGs of wireless LANs
First came 802.11b wireless LAN devices a couple of years ago. Then 802.11a gear hit the market this year. And 802.11g products are slated to ship next year. As if that isn't confusing enough, 802.11b and 802.11a are incompatible, while 802.11g will be compatible with 802.11b, but not 802.11a. So let's sort it all out. Network World, 05/20/02.
Breaking news from N+I Atlanta 2002
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