Network Terms and Information 
149
16
Wireless Network Terms and Concepts 16
Security Terms 16
Authentication and encryption 16
Most wireless networks use some kind of security settings. These security settings define the authentication 
(how the device identifies itself to the network) and encryption (how the data is encrypted as it is sent on the 
network). If you do not correctly specify these options when you are configuring your Brother wireless 
printer, it will not be able to connect to the wireless network. Therefore, care must be taken when 
configuring these options.
Authentication and Encryption methods for a personal wireless network 16
A personal wireless network is a small network, for example using your printer in a wireless network at home, 
without IEEE 802.1x support.
If you want to use your printer in an IEEE 802.1x supported wireless network, see Authentication and 
Encryption methods for an enterprise wireless network on page 151.
Authentication methods
16
 Open system
Wireless devices are allowed to access the network without any authentication.
 Shared key
A secret pre-determined key is shared by all devices that will access the wireless network.
The Brother wireless printer uses a WEP key as the pre-determined key.
 WPA-PSK
Enables a Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-shared key (WPA-PSK), which enables the Brother wireless printer 
to associate with access points using TKIP for WPA-PSK.
 WPA2-PSK
Enables a Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-shared key (WPA2-PSK), which enables the Brother wireless 
printer to associate with access points using AES for WPA2-PSK (WPA-Personal).
 WPA/WPA2-PSK
Enables a Wireless Protected Access Pre-shared key (WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK), which enables the Brother 
wireless printer to associate with access points using TKIP for WPA-PSK or AES for WPA-PSK and 
WPA2-PSK (WPA-Personal).
Encryption methods
16
 None
No encryption method is used.
 WEP
When using WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), the data is transmitted and received with a secure key.