What is WEP and WPA encryption

The encryption key secures your data from unauthorized access.
The router's password is a Passphrase or the WEP or WPA orWPA2 encryption key. The Passphrase generates the WEP or WPA or WPA2 encryptionkey and this is in the router's wireless settings. To connect to your wireless router, it needs the router'swireless settings configured ie SSID, WPA or WPA2 encryption key and also thewireless cards in all the laptops and or computers needs to be configured withthese router's wireless settings. Then the laptops and desktop computers cancommunicate with your wireless router.

WEP is a weak securtiy protocol that is outdated and can be easily broken

WPA is a newer security protocol that is much harder to break with AES encryption

WPA is always recommended mode for operation over WEP.

Use WPA2 which is latest version if it is supported by device.

Error Code: 51330
This error code usually indicates a problem relating to wireless security. Please try the following troubleshooting:
Are you using WEP or WPA security on your router?

• Log into the router using the default IP (consult your router's manual for assistance)
• Locate the "wireless security" section of your router settings and find the WEP or WPA key.
• If you are using 64-bit encryption, the WEP Key must be a 10-character key consisting of numbers or letters A through F.
• If you are using 128-bit encryption, the WEP Key must be a 26-character key consisting of numbers or letters A through F.
• The WEP Key must be a Hexadecimal (0-9, A-F, no other special characters or letters).
• If your router has multiple slots for a WEP Key, make sure the active key is the one in the #1 slot.
• If you are using WPA, the Wii console is compatible with the following types:

1. WPA - PSK (TKIP)
2. WPA - PSK (AES)
3. WPA2 - PSK (AES)

But if the above information doesn't help correct this problem, then give a call to Nintendo's 1-800-255-3700 (6 am ~ 7 pm Pacific, everyday)

Sounds like your wireless network is setup to require a password (it has encryption) most commenly used is WPA, WEP and WPA2, you will have to ask the person who setup the network for the password.

Here is some more information from the NETGEAR site on WEP encryption for a wireless network:

What is WEP Encryption for Wireless Networks? Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security protocol for wireless networks that encrypts transmitted data . It's easy to configure. Without any security your data can be intercepted without difficulty.
However, WEP was an early attempt to secure wireless networks, and better security is now available such as DES, VPN, and WPA. See the Guide to Internet Security to learn about network security.
WEP has three settings: Off (no security), 64-bit (weak security), 128-bit (a bit better security). WEP is not difficult to crack, and using it reduces performance slightly.
If you run a network with only the default security, where WEP is turned off, any of your neighbors can immediately log on to your network and use your Internet connection.

• For wireless devices to communicate, all of them must use the same WEP setting. (40-bit and 64-bit WEP encryption are the same thing - 40-bit devices can communicate with 64-bit devices.)

While there is no extra performance cost to encrypting the longer key, there is a cost to transmitting the extra data over the network. 128-bit security is not much more difficult than 64-bit to crack, so if you are concerned about performance, consider using 64-bit. If you're very concerned about security, use WPA, which replaces WEP with a protocol that is - given current technology - impossible to crack. There's a good overview in What's New in Security: WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).
The WEP concept of passphrase is introduced so that you do not have to enter complicated strings for keys by hand. The passphrase you enter is converted into complicated keys. Choose passphrases with the same care you would important passwords.

• With 128-bit encryption, you need to enter a passphrase to generate each key.
• All four keys must be specified, because WEP switches between them to make your traffic more difficult to break.
• All devices within your LAN must use the same passphrases (i.e., the same keys).

WEP is not necessary if you have a gaming console such as PlayStation or Xbox, and there are no other computers on the network.
Read Instructions on how to Configure Wireless Security (WEP/WPA/Access list). Instructions are also included on the User Manuals and Reference Manuals for wireless products (available on the Product page on this site as downloads).

Doc ID: N100684.asp April 7, 2003

If your using WPA and your Nintendo DS only supports WEP Encryption theres no way you can connect it to the internet. WEP encryption is different from WPA.

WEP key uses hexadecimal - using characters 0-9, A-F or ASCII format. The ASCII format is easier to remember. The ASCII string is converted to HEX over the network.

Example of WEP key encryption are:

*64-bit hexadecimal keys are exactly 10 characters in length. (12345678FA is a valid string of 10 characters for 64-bit encryption.)
*128-bit hexadecimal keys are exactly 26 characters in length. (456FBCDF123400122225271730 is a valid string of 26 characters for 128-bit encryption.)
*64-bit ASCII keys are exactly 5 characters in length (DMODE is a valid string of 5 characters for 64-bit encryption.)
*128-bit ASCII keys are exactly 13 characters in length (2002HALOSWIN1 is a valid string of 13 characters for 128-bit encryption.)

WPA Key is entered as a pass phrase between 8 to 63 alphanumeric characters in the ASCII format at both ends of the wireless connection. Although PSK accepts a minimum of eight characters, for proper security, it is a good idea to use ample length and should not use a commonly known phrase. This phrase is used to generate session keys that are unique for each wireless client.

To resolved the issue you have an option to change the WirelessSettings on your router to WEP instead of WPA since WEP is also a secured netwrok. however you need to keep in mind that if you change the encryption you need to configure all othere device connected to the router via WPA and change the settings to WEP.


Thanks for using Fixya

The WEP encryption key is configured in the wireless section of your router. WPA and WPA2 is a later and stronger encryption than the older WEP. I suggest you use WPA or WPA2 encryption.
To secure youe wireless network from unauthorized access, please click on this link and follow my instructions :-
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

This error code usually indicates a problem relating to wireless security. Please try the following troubleshooting:

1. Are you using WEP or WPA security on your router?
   1. Log into the router using the default IP (consult your router's manual for assistance)
   2. Locate the "wireless security" section of your router settings and find the WEP or WPA key.
   3. If you are using 64-bit encryption, the WEP Key must be a 10-character key consisting of numbers or letters A through F.
   4. If you are using 128-bit encryption, the WEP Key must be a 26-character key consisting of numbers or letters A through F.
   5. The WEP Key must be a Hexadecimal (0-9, A-F, no other special characters or letters).
   6. If your router has multiple slots for a WEP Key, make sure the active key is the one in the #1 slot.
   7. If you are using WPA, the Wii console is compatible with the following types:
      • WPA - PSK (TKIP)
      • WPA - PSK (AES)
      • WPA2 - PSK (AES)
   
   

This error code usually indicates a problem relating to wireless security. Please try the following troubleshooting:

1. Are you using WEP or WPA security on your router?
   1. Log into the router using the default IP (consult your router's manual for assistance)
   2. Locate the "wireless security" section of your router settings and find the WEP or WPA key.
   3. If you are using 64-bit encryption, the WEP Key must be a 10-character key consisting of numbers or letters A through F.
   4. If you are using 128-bit encryption, the WEP Key must be a 26-character key consisting of numbers or letters A through F.
   5. The WEP Key must be a Hexadecimal (0-9, A-F, no other special characters or letters).
   6. If your router has multiple slots for a WEP Key, make sure the active key is the one in the #1 slot.
   7. If you are using WPA, the Wii console is compatible with the following types:
      • WPA - PSK (TKIP)
      • WPA - PSK (AES)
      • WPA2 - PSK (AES)

Securing your wireless network is a simple process, which generally does not require a lot of time. This can be done by:

• Enabling WEP or WPA on the Router
• Enabling Wireless MAC filter on the Router
• Disabling SSID Broadcast on the Router

NOTE: The wireless security modes available may vary depending on the model of the router and wireless adapter you are using.
Enabling WEP on the Router
Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP) is a type of wirelesssecurity which does not change. It provides comparable confidentialityto a traditional wired network. There are two types of WEP you canchoose from:
a. WEP 64-bit: This type of WEP consists of 10-hexadecimal codes. To enable WEP 64-bit, click here.
b. WEP 128-bit:This type of WEP consists of 26-hexadecimal codes hence it is moresecured compared to WEP 64-bit. To enable WEP 128-bit, click here.
Enabling WPA on the Router
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a type of wireless securitywhich is dynamic in nature. Meaning, it changes depending on the timerenewal you will specify. Hence, WPA is more secured compared to WEP.

• Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (WPA-TKIP) – utilizes a stronger encryption method and incorporates Message Integrity Code (MIC) to provide protection against hackers.
• Advanced Encryption System (WPA-AES) – utilizes a symmetric 128-bit block data encryption

To enable WPA, click here.
Enabling Wireless MAC Filter on the Router
Wireless access can be filtered using the MAC address of thewireless devices transmitting within your network’s radius. You caneither permit or prevent specific wireless computers access to yourwireless network.
To permit wireless computers to connect to your wireless network, click here.
To prevent wireless computers to connect to your wireless network, click here.
Disabling SSID Broadcast on the Router
Disabling the SSID broadcast is one way of securing your wirelessnetwork. This procedure will prevent other users from detecting yourSSID, or your wireless network name, when they attempt to viewavailable wireless networks in your area. For instructions, click here.

No, WPA is more secure than WEP. Whoever told you that is wrong, its the other way round.

WEP is an older technology of encryption. Some older wireless devices won't work with WPA, but will with WEP. If all you devices can use WPA - then stick with that.