What Is a WEP Key for a DS?

The Nintendo DS is a hand-held gaming platform with Wi-Fi capabilities. Before you can get your DS online, you will likely need to configure it so that it can communicate with your wireless router. Depending on the type of router and how you've set up your network security, you might need to enter a WEP key on the DS' Edit Connection Setting Screen to enable the DS to play games online.

Identification

Wired Equivalent Privacy is a programmed encryption process put in place to help protect information sent across a wireless network.

Function

A WEP key is a password that is used to encrypt wireless data transfers between wireless devices, protecting the connection from unauthorized parties. For example, a WEP key could be used to encrypt the transfer of data between a Nintendo DS and a wireless router. Both the DS and wireless router need to have the same WEP key to communicate.

Settings

There are three settings for WEP: off, 64-bit and 128-bit. If the WEP is set to "off," it has no security; both the DS and your neighbors will be able to log on to your network without a WEP key. The 64-bit setting represents fairly loose encryption security. The 128-bit setting provides a higher level of security by means of a longer password.

References

• Nintendo Customer Service: Wireless Router Information
• NETGEAR: What is WEP Encryption for Wireless Networks?