Configuring WLAN Security
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Configuring WLAN Security

Finding Feature Information

Your software release may not support all the features documented in this module. For the latest feature information and caveats, see the release notes for your platform and software release. To find information about the features documented in this module, and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is supported, see the Feature Information Table at the end of this document.

Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco software image support. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​go/​cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.

Prerequisites for Layer 2 Security

WLANs with the same SSID must have unique Layer 2 security policies so that clients can make a WLAN selection based on information advertised in beacon and probe responses. The available Layer 2 security policies are as follows:

  • None (open WLAN)
  • Static WEP or 802.1X

    Note

    Because static WEP and 802.1X are both advertised by the same bit in beacon and probe responses, they cannot be differentiated by clients. Therefore, they cannot both be used by multiple WLANs with the same SSID.

  • WPA/WPA2

    Note

    Although WPA and WPA2 cannot be used by multiple WLANs with the same SSID, you can configure two WLANs with the same SSID with WPA/TKIP with PSK and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA )/Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) with 802.1X, or with WPA/TKIP with 802.1X or WPA/AES with 802.1X.

Related Concepts
Related Tasks

Information About AAA Override

The AAA Override option of a WLAN enables you to configure the WLAN for identity networking. It enables you to apply VLAN tagging, Quality of Service (QoS), and Access Control Lists (ACLs) to individual clients based on the returned RADIUS attributes from the AAA server.

Related Tasks
Related References

How to Configure WLAN Security

Configuring Static WEP + 802.1X Layer 2 Security Parameters (CLI)

Before You Begin

You must have administrator privileges.

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    configure terminal

    2.    wlan profile-name

    3.    security static-wep-key {authentication {open | sharedkey} | encryption {104 | 40} [ascii | hex] {0|8}} wep-key wep-key-index1-4

    4.    end


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1 configure terminal


    Example: 
    Switch# configure terminal
     

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 2wlan profile-name


    Example: 
    Switch# wlan test4
     

    Enters the WLAN configuration submode. The profile-name is the profile name of the configured WLAN.

     
    Step 3security static-wep-key {authentication {open | sharedkey} | encryption {104 | 40} [ascii | hex] {0|8}} wep-key wep-key-index1-4


    Example: 
    Switch(config-wlan)# security static-wep-key encryption 40 hex 0 test 2
          		Configures static WEP security on a WLAN. The keywords and arguments are as follows:
    • authentication—Configures 802.11 authentication.
    • encryption—Sets the static WEP keys and indices.
    • open—Configures open system authentication.
    • sharedkey—Configures shared key authentication.
    • 104, 40—Specifies the WEP key size.
    • hex, ascii—Specifies the input format of the key.
    • wep-key-index , wep-key-index1-4—Type of password that follows. A value of 0 indicates that an unencrypted password follows. A value of 8 indicates that an AES encrypted follows.
     
    Step 4end


    Example:
    Switch(config)# end
     

    Returns to privileged EXEC mode. Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl-Z to exit global configuration mode.

     
    Related References

    Configuring Static WEP Layer 2 Security Parameters (CLI)

    Before You Begin

    You must have administrator privileges.

    SUMMARY STEPS

      1.    configure terminal

      2.    wlan profile-name

      3.    security static-wep-key [authentication {open | shared} | encryption {104 | 40} {ascii | hex} [0 | 8]]

      4.    end


    DETAILED STEPS
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1 configure terminal


      Example: 
      Switch# configure terminal
       

      Enters global configuration mode.

       
      Step 2wlan profile-name


      Example: 
      Switch# wlan test4
       

      Enters the WLAN configuration submode. The profile-name is the profile name of the configured WLAN.

       
      Step 3 security static-wep-key [authentication {open | shared} | encryption {104 | 40} {ascii | hex} [0 | 8]]


      Example: 
      Switch(config-wlan)# security static-wep-key authentication open
       

      The keywords are as follows:

      • static-wep-key—Configures Static WEP Key authentication.
      • authentication—Specifies the authentication type you can set. The values are open and shared.
      • encryption—Specifies the encryption type that you can set. The valid values are 104 and 40. 40-bit keys must contain 5 ASCII text characters or 10 hexadecimal characters. 104-bit keys must contain 13 ASCII text characters or 26 hexadecimal characters
      • ascii—Specifies the key format as ASCII.
      • hex—Specifies the key format as HEX.

       
      Step 4end


      Example:
      Switch(config)# end
       

      Returns to privileged EXEC mode. Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl-Z to exit global configuration mode.

       
      Related References

      Configuring WPA + WPA2 Layer 2 Security Parameters (CLI)


      Note
      The default security policy is WPA2.
      Before You Begin

      You must have administrator privileges.

      SUMMARY STEPS

        1.    configure terminal

        2.    wlan profile-name

        3.    security wpa

        4.    security wpa wpa1

        5.    security wpa wpa1 ciphers [aes | tkip]

        6.    security wpa wpa2

        7.    security wpa wpa2 ciphers [aes | tkip]

        8.    end


      DETAILED STEPS
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1 configure terminal


        Example: 
        Switch# configure terminal
         

        Enters global configuration mode.

         
        Step 2wlan profile-name


        Example: 
        Switch# wlan test4
         

        Enters the WLAN configuration submode. The profile-name is the profile name of the configured WLAN.

         
        Step 3security wpa


        Example:
        Switch(config-wlan)# security wpa
         

        Enables WPA.

         
        Step 4security wpa wpa1


        Example:
        Switch(config-wlan)# security wpa wpa1
         

        Enables WPA1.

         
        Step 5security wpa wpa1 ciphers [aes | tkip]


        Example: 
        Switch(config-wlan)# security wpa wpa1 ciphers aes
         
        Specifies the WPA1 cipher. Choose one of the following encryption types:
        • aes—Specifies WPA/AES support.
        • tkip—Specifies WPA/TKIP support.

         
        Step 6security wpa wpa2


        Example:
        Switch(config-wlan)# security wpa
         

        Enables WPA 2.

         
        Step 7security wpa wpa2 ciphers [aes | tkip]


        Example: 
        Switch(config-wlan)# security wpa wpa2 ciphers tkip
         
        Configure WPA2 cipher. Choose one of the following encryption types:
        • aes—Specifies WPA/AES support.
        • tkip—Specifies WPA/TKIP support.
         
        Step 8end


        Example:
        Switch(config)# end
         

        Returns to privileged EXEC mode. Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl-Z to exit global configuration mode.

         
        Related References

        Configuring 802.1X Layer 2 Security Parameters (CLI)

        Before You Begin

        You must have administrator privileges.

        SUMMARY STEPS

          1.    configure terminal

          2.    wlan profile-name

          3.    security dot1x

          4.    security [authentication-list auth-list-name | encryption {0 | 104 | 40}

          5.    end


        DETAILED STEPS
           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1 configure terminal


          Example: 
          Switch# configure terminal
           

          Enters global configuration mode.

           
          Step 2wlan profile-name


          Example: 
          Switch# wlan test4
           

          Enters the WLAN configuration submode. The profile-name is the profile name of the configured WLAN.

           
          Step 3 security dot1x


          Example: 
          Switch(config-wlan)# security dot1x
           

          Specifies 802.1X security.

           
          Step 4security [authentication-list auth-list-name | encryption {0 | 104 | 40}


          Example:
          Switch(config-wlan)# security encryption 104
                      		The keywords and arguments are as follows:
          • authentication-list—Specifies the authentication list for IEEE 802.1X.
          • encryption—Specifies the length of the CKIP encryption key. The valid values are 0, 40, and 104. Zero (0) signifies no encryption. This is the default.
          Note    All keys within a WLAN must be of the same size.
           
          Step 5end


          Example:
          Switch(config)# end
           

          Returns to privileged EXEC mode. Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl-Z to exit global configuration mode.

           
          Related References

          Configuring Layer 2 Parameters (GUI)

          Before You Begin
          • You must have administrator privileges.
            Step 1   Click Configuration > WLAN > .

            The WLANs page appears.

            Step 2   Click the WLANs profile of the WLAN you want to configure.

            The WLANs > Edit > page appears.

            Step 3   Click the Security > Layer 2 > tab.
            Parameter Description

            Layer2 Security
            Layer2 security for the selected WLAN. Values are the following:
            • None—No Layer 2 security selected.
            • WPA+WPA2—Wi-Fi Protected Access.
            • 802.1X—WEP 802.1X data encryption type. For information on these settings, see the Layer 2 802.1X Parameters topic.
            • Static WEP—Static WEP encryption parameters.
            • Static WEP + 802.1x—Both Static WEP and 802.1X parameters.

            MAC Filtering

            MAC address filtering. You can locally configure clients by their MAC addresses in the MAC Filters > New page . Otherwise, configure the clients on a RADIUS server.

            Note    MAC Filtering is also known as MAC Authentication By Pass (MAB).
            Fast Transition Check box to enable or disable a fast transition between access points.
            Over the DS Check box to enable or disable a fast transition over a distributed system.
            Reassociation Timeout Time in seconds after which a fast transition reassociation times out.

            To configure the WPA + WPA2 parameters, provide the following details:

            Parameter Description

            WPA Policy

            Check box to enable or disable WPA policy.

            WPA Encryption

            WPA2 encryption type: TKIP or AES. Available only if the WPA policy is enabled.

            WPA2 Policy.

            Check box to enable or disable WPA2 policy.

            WPA2 Encryption

            WPA2 encryption type: TKIP or AES. Available only if the WPA2 policy is enabled.

            Authentication Key Management
            The rekeying mechanism parameter.. Values are the following:
            • 802.1X
            • CCKM
            • PSK
            • 802.1x + CCKM

            PSK Format

            Enabled when you select the PSK value for Authentication Key Management. Choose ASCII or the HEX format and enter the preshared key.

            To configure 802.1x parameters, provide the following details:

            Parameter Description

            802.11 data encryption

            WEP 802.11 data encryption type.

            Type

            Security type.

            Key size

            Key size. Values are the following:
            • None
            • 40 bits
            • 104 bits

            The third-party AP WLAN (17) can only be configured with 802.1X encryption. Drop-down configurable 802.1X parameters are not available for this WLAN.

            To specify Static WEP, configure the following parameters:

            Parameter Description

            802.11 Data Encryption

            Static WEP encryption type.

            Current Key

            Displays the current selected key details.

            Type

            Security type.

            Key size

            Key size. Values are the following:
            • Not set
            • 40 bits
            • 104 bits

            Key Index

            Key index from 1 to 4.

            One unique WEP key index can be applied to each WLAN. Because there are only four WEP key indexes, only four WLANs can be configured for static WEP Layer 2 encryption.

            Because there are only four WEP key indexes, only four WLANs can be configured for static WEP Layer 2 encryption.

            Encryption Key

            Encryption key.

            Key Format

            Encryption key format in ASCII or HEX.

            Allow Shared Key Authentication

            Key authentication that you can enable or disable.

            To configure Static WEP + 802.1X Parameters

            Parameter Description
            Static WEP Parameters
            802.11 Data Encryption Static WEP encryption type.
            Current Key Displays the current selected key details.
            Type Security type.
            Key size Key size. Values are the following:
            • Not set
            • 40 bits
            • 104 bits
            Key Index

            Key index from 1 to 4.

            One unique WEP key index can be applied to each WLAN. Because there are only four WEP key indexes, only four WLANs can be configured for static WEP Layer 2 encryption.

            Because there are only four WEP key indexes, only four WLANs can be configured for static WEP Layer 2 encryption.
            Encryption Key Encryption key.
            Key Format Encryption key format in ASCII or HEX.
            Allow Shared Key Authentication Key authentication that you can enable or disable.
            802.1x Parameters

            802.11 Data Encryption

            Static WEP encryption type.

            Current Key

            Display Only. The current selected key details.

            Type

            Security type.

            Key size

            Key size. Values are the following:
            • Not set
            • 40 bits
            • 104 bits

            Key Index

            Key index from 1 to 4.

            Note One unique WEP key index can be applied to each WLAN. Because there are only four WEP key indexes, only four WLANs can be configured for static WEP Layer 2 encryption.

            Encryption Key

            Encryption key.

            Key Format

            Encryption key format in ASCII or HEX.

            Allow Shared Key Authentication

            Key authentication that you can enable or disable.

            Step 4   Click Apply.
            Related References

            Additional References

            Related Documents

            Related Topic Document Title

            WLAN command reference

            		 WLAN Command Reference, Cisco IOS XE Release 3SE (Catalyst 3850 Switches)

            Security configuration guide

            		 Security Configuration Guide (Catalyst 3850 Switches)

            Error Message Decoder

            Description Link

            To help you research and resolve system error messages in this release, use the Error Message Decoder tool.

            https:/​/​www.cisco.com/​cgi-bin/​Support/​Errordecoder/​index.cgi

            MIBs

            MIB MIBs Link
            All supported MIBs for this release.

            To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL:

            http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​go/​mibs

            Technical Assistance

            Description Link

            The Cisco Support website provides extensive online resources, including documentation and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies.

            To receive security and technical information about your products, you can subscribe to various services, such as the Product Alert Tool (accessed from Field Notices), the Cisco Technical Services Newsletter, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds.

            Access to most tools on the Cisco Support website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password.

            http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​support

            Feature Information about WLAN Layer 2 Security

            This table lists the features in this module and provides links to specific configuration information.
            Feature Name Release Feature Information
            WLAN Security functionality Cisco IOS XE 3.2SE This feature was introduced.