How is WPA2-PSK and WPA2 EAP PSK?
What are the differences between WPA2-PSK and WPA2 EAP-PSK? What are the pros and cons of using one configuration or the other?
WPA2 EAP-PSK uses WPA2-Enterprise to do an 802.1X authentication to server. It uses the PSK method of EAP and allows a client to authenticate with just the use of a PSK.
The pros of WPA2-PSK is that it is supported in every 802.11 device of relatively recent manufacture (2nd gen 802.11g or so). It is simple to set up and simple to use. WPA2 EAP PSK should be somewhat more secure in that it would be harder to calculate the PSK from captured traffic. However, many of the same vulnerabilities exist if an attacker were able to get a hold of the PSK (social engineering, written down, etc).
There are a number of drawbacks: Like other WPA2-Enterprise methods, you need to have an authentication server set up to authenticate against which adds complexity. Both the server and the client supplicant need to support the EAP method. AFAIK, only wpa_supplicant has support for EAP-PSK and you will not find this native on most devices. EAP-PSK has never passed the "experimental" stage of development. There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in it, either people don't want the complexity of WPA2-Enterprise at all (even with a simple authentication method) or they are content to use other more widely supported EAP methods.
Answer (1)
WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 - Pre-Shared Key) and WPA2-EAP (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 - Extensible Authentication Protocol) are two methods of securing a wireless network, but they differ significantly in their implementation and use cases. Here's a detailed explanation of each, including their differences and use cases:
WPA2-PSK (Pre-Shared Key)Definition: WPA2-PSK is a security method used in wireless networks where each client (device) connects to the network using the same pre-shared key, which is essentially a password.
Implementation:
Setup: The same password (pre-shared key) is configured on both the wireless router (or access point) and the client devices.
Authentication: Devices use the pre-shared key to authenticate to the network. Once authenticated, the encryption keys are dynamically generated for secure communication.
Use Case:
Home Networks: Commonly used in home and small office networks due to its simplicity.
Small Businesses: Suitable for environments where a single shared password is manageable and does not change frequently.
Advantages:
Simplicity: Easy to set up and manage, as it only requires a single password for all devices.
Compatibility: Supported by nearly all modern Wi-Fi devices.
Disadvantages:
Security Risks: If the pre-shared key is compromised, an attacker can gain access to the network. Changing the key requires updating it on all devices.