The figure displays the security mode choices of the Linksys EA6500 wireless router. Notice how the Security mode for the 2.4 GHz network uses open authentication (i.e., None) and no password is required, while the Security mode 5 GHz network uses WPA2/WPA Mixed Personal authentication and a password is required.
Note: Typically both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks would be configured with the same security modes. The example in the figure is for demonstration purposes only.
The Security mode drop-down list of the 2.4 GHz network displays the security methods available on the Linksys EA6500 router. It lists the weakest (i.e., None) to the strongest (i.e., WPA2/WPA Mixed Enterprise). The 5 GHz network includes the same drop-down list.
WPA and WPA2 support two types of authentication:
- Personal - Intended for home or small office networks, users authenticate using a pre-shared key (PSK). Wireless clients authenticate with the AP using a pre-shared password. No special authentication server is required.
- Enterprise - Intended for enterprise networks but requires a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) authentication server. Although more complicated to set up, it provides additional security. The device must be authenticated by the RADIUS server and then users must authenticate using 802.1X standard, which uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) for authentication.