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Wireless & Mobility · Intermediate

Authentication Frame

A management frame used for 802.11 authentication before association; also carries SAE exchanges.

Definition

In open system authentication, the client and AP exchange two authentication frames that always succeed. Shared Key used four frames with WEP. SAE (WPA3) and FT also carry their exchanges in authentication frames.

Exam tip

802.11 open system authentication is not real security; 802.1X or PSK happens after association.

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