The Difference Between A Shared Key and Open System?

Pablo72 · 27 Dec 2006 at 10:30

I did post this in the Network forum, but it seems a bit quiet in there, so I thought I would try my luck with you techno wizards!!!!!

Might sound like a basic question... but I'm a basic kinda guy!

What is the difference between a Shared Key and an Open System when using WEP on a wireless set-up?

Cheers

Minstadave · 27 Dec 2006 at 10:33

I moved this to Networking, it may be less busy but you're more likely to get a decent answer

ns400r · 27 Dec 2006 at 11:00

• What's the difference between Open System and Shared Key authentication?

Wireless authentication is the process of performing a security check on clients that request access to a wireless network. The 802.11b standard presently supports these two methods of authentication, although many vendor proprietary (and non-interoperable) methods are also in use.

Open System Authentication might better be called No authentication, since it allows any device to join a network without performing any security check.

Shared Key Authentication requires that the Station and the Access Point use the same WEP Key to authenticate. This basically means that WEP must be enabled and configured the same on the AP and client. This article has a good explanation of each method, along with a description of the general weaknesses of 802.11b authentication.

Source

growse · 27 Dec 2006 at 16:40

^^^^

Not convinced by the above, as that seems to just be comparing non-secured access points with WEP secured access points. In fact, it seems that you can have WEP to provide some security, but use an "open" system (not the same as no WEP key) or a "shared key" system. Default seems to be "open". I have no idea what the difference is as I use WPA.