In infrastructure mode, the wireless network consists of at least one access point connected to the wired network infrastructure and a set of wireless end stations. It is used to identify different wireless networks. WEP provides two main functions, the first prevents unauthorized access to the wireless network and the second protects the wireless communications channel from eavesdropping. One of the basic design criteria for wireless networking on campus is the requirement to provide general access to the community at large. The features in today's WLAN technology that protect from unauthorized access will not serve our purpose.
Access control is strictly a function of security by obscurity.
The availability of WEP is dependent upon the wireless cards that are purchased. Most cards today provide 40bit WEP, depending on the vendor card 128-bit WEP can have an additional cost to the vendor. To use standard WEP, users configure a WEP key in their WLAN card that matches the key that is configured in the network access point. The key needs to be well known, otherwise users cannot get access to the wireless network.