WiFi
The RIO xR3 WiFi interface can be used in two different modes:
- Soft Access Point, or
- Join existing network.
While acting as a Soft AP, the RIO xR3 will provide a user customizable number of IP addresses via an integrated DHCP server.
This may be an easy way for on-site technicians to gain access to the RIO xR3 admin interface and even the LAN beyond.
Alternatively, the RIO xR3 will log onto an existing WiFi network. The user must then define the required credentials to allow for a successful logon.
User Button
To further increase wireless security, the RIO xR3 can be programmed to shut-down the WiFi Soft AP when the site is not occupied.
A simple button press is enough to kick-start the Soft AP the next time a technician gets on-site. The RIO xR3 will then create the required Soft AP and continuously monitors usage.
Once there is no activity for a pre-determined amount of time, the WiFi network will turn itself off again automatically.
This guarantees that there is no unwanted WiFi signal ‘leakage’ or unauthorized access attempts while the site is vacant.
Improved WiFi Security
In addition to traditional security methods (WEP/WPA-TKIP/WPA2-CCMP), the RIO xR3 supports state-of-the-art security protocols, namely:
- Protected Management Frames based on the IEEE 802.11w standard, and
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3).
WPA3 combines a whole list of enhancements compared to regular Wi-Fi access security. The intention is to eventually replace the current WPA2 standard.
To facilitate more robust authentications, WPA3 uses SAE’s (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals).
SAE is a password-authenticated key agreement method based on the Diffie-Hellman key exchange. This technology is resistant to offline-dictionary attacks.
Thus WPA3 differs significantly from WPA2, where an attacker could attempt to determine the shared password from captured 4-way handshakes, even without any further network interaction.
WPA3 provides forward secrecy. Meaning, the captured data cannot be decrypted even if a password is compromised after transmission. For more details, please refer to the Security section at the official website of the WiFi Alliance.
WiFi
