Frequently Asked Questions

All of the Ethernet ports on my Gateway or Router are in use; can I still add devices? How?

Is my Actiontec DSL Gateway or Cable/DSL Router a Firewall?

Will my Xbox work with the Actiontec Gateway or Router?

Do I need to have an Actiontec Wireless Card or Adapter to connect to an Actiontec Wireless Gateway or Router?

Does Actiontec sell a Wireless Range Expander or Wireless Repeater, to extend a wireless networks coverage?

How can I make a sever on my local network, available to Internet users?

What is the default username and password for Actiontec Gateways and Routers?

What is the default IP address for accessing an Actiontec Gateway or Router?

Can I use the Actiontec Gateway or Router to connect to my employers VPN so that I can work from home?

Are the Actiontec Gateways and Routers upgrade-able?

How many simultaneous connections does a Actiontec Router or Gateway allow?

Is there a limit to the number of Wireless connections, that the Actiontec Wireless Router or Gateway will allow?

Is the antenna on the Actiontec Wireless Router and Gateway replaceable or upgrade-able?

How is a replacement Actiontec CD obtained?

Can I stop using my software Firewall or Security program on my computers, now that I have the Actiontec Gateway or Router?

I need to secure my wireless network. What types of Wireless Security are there? What kind should I use?

Are the Actiontec Routers and Gateways compatible with Windows Vista?

Is there a way to clear or Reset the Admin username and password on an Actiontec GT Series Router, Gateway or Wireless Access Point?

How do I Reset the Actiontec back to default settings?

Do Actiontec Access Points, Gateways and Routers support Wireless Bridging?

The router crashed when I loaded a custom or non-Actiontec* firmware. Is there a way I can get the router working again?

I was told to change the MTU setting of the Actiontec, so it will work with my Xbox. How do I change the MTU?

Do the Actiontec Routers and Gateways support File and Printer Sharing? Is there anything that needs to be done, to enable it?

My VPN Client shows I am connected, so why am I still unable to access resources on the VPN network?

Should I turn the Actiontec Router or Gateway Off each night, or should I leave it On, perpetually?

I need to open ports on the Actiontec, should I use Port Forwarding or DMZ Hosting? Why?

What does it mean when the LED lights on a GT704WR Wireless Router flash and or change color?

What is the current firmware version for my DSL Modem, Gateway or Router?

Should I change the Actiontecs Wireless Settings, or should I leave them at the default values?

All of the Ethernet ports on my Gateway or Router are in use; can I still add devices? How?
Yes, Connecting an Ethernet hub or switch will extend the capabilities of the Actiontec Gateway or Router. Just run a standard Ethernet cable from the UPLINK port of your new hub or switch to a LAN port on the Actiontec Gateway or Router. Then connect the power supply to the hub or switch.

Is my Actiontec DSL Gateway or Cable/DSL Router a Firewall?
Yes, the Actiontec DSL Gateway and Cable/DSL Router acts as a Firewall. They provide security through "Stateful Packet Inspection" or SPI, which inspects incoming data packets to make sure they correspond to an outgoing request. Unsolicited packets (which could be harmful) are rejected. Through the use of specific Firewall settings, the firewall can be configured to block outgoing as well as incoming traffic.

Will my Xbox work with the Actiontec Gateway or Router?
Yes, Actiontec Gateways and Routers are compatible with the Xbox. However, it may be necessary to forward the ports used by the Xbox, in the Actiontec Gateway or Router. Without Port Forwarding, the Xbox Connection Test may report a "NAT" rating of "STRICT" or "MODERATE", rather than "OPEN".

Do I need to have an Actiontec Wireless Card or Adapter to connect to an Actiontec Wireless Gateway or Router?
No. Actiontec Wireless products are not proprietary. All Actiontec Wireless Gateways, Routers and Access Points conform to recognized Standards, so any properly functioning Wireless Card or Adapter, that conforms to the same Standard, should be able to connect.

Does Actiontec sell a Wireless Range Expander or Wireless Repeater, to extend a wireless networks coverage?
No, Actiontec does not sell a Wireless Repeater. The Wireless Routers, Access Points and Gateways that we currently produce, do not support WDS or Wireless Distribution System. (WDS is a technology that allows the linking of several Wireless Access Points, to create one large Wireless network.)

How can I make a sever on my local network, available to Internet users?
Unlike local server traffic, users attempting to access your server from the Internet must pass through the Actiontec Router or Gateways SPI Firewall and NAT. To pass through, the port used by the server, must be opened in the Firewall. This process is known as Port Forwarding. For example, a FTP server would typically use port 21, so you would want to forward port 21 through the router's firewall to local address or HOST name of the FTP server. (Ports are identified by a numeric value from 0 - 65535. But the port numbers for the most common servers are in the range from 0 to 1023, so they are referred to as Well Known ports. Since IANA manages this range of ports, their web site, "iana.org" provides an accurate list of the services and their assigned port numbers.)

What is the default username and password for Actiontec Gateways and Routers?
Most Actiontec Gateways and Routers DO NOT have a default login. By default, the username is set to "admin", and the password is left blank, meaning, there is no password, and as long as the password is left blank, no login is required to access the interface of the Gateway or Router. The exceptions are the Actiontec Gateways and Routers made and branded for Verizon. Whether distributed by Verizon or sold Retail, these Gateways and Routers DO have a default login. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "password". These are the only two scenarios possible for Actiontec Gateways and Routers. However, the username and password can be changed by the user at any time. It is important to write down and save the new username and password when it is changed. If the username or password is lost or forgotten, resetting the Gateway or Router is the only way to regain access. Resetting the device to clear a lost password, necessitates a complete reconfiguration of the Gateway or Router.

What is the default IP address for accessing an Actiontec Gateway or Router?
The default  IP address for accessing most of the Actiontec Gateways and Routers is "192.168.0.1". The exceptions are the Actiontec Gateways and Routers made and branded for Verizon. Whether distributed by Verizon or sold Retail, these Gateways and Routers use an alternative IP address. The default IP address is "192.168.1.1" for the Actiontec Gateways and Routers for Verizon. These are the only two IP addresses used for the Actiontec Gateways and Routers. However, the IP address can be changed by the user, so it is important to document and save the IP address when it is changed. It is suggested that the IP address should be written on a label that is then attached to the Gateway or Router. If this new IP address is communicated to technical support early in any relevant conversation, it will save time and confusion.

Can I use the Actiontec Gateway or Router to connect to my employers VPN so that I can work from home?
Yes, the Actiontec Routers and Gateways support connecting to VPN servers. By default, Actiontec Routers and Gateways allow Client VPN traffic to pass-through. (the Actiontec will allow a connected PC to "pass-through" and connect to a remote VPN server).

NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, Actiontec Routers and Gateways do not function as VPN endpoints. They cannot make a VPN connection directly to a VPN server, router or client. The reverse is also true, VPN routers, servers and clients cannot make a VPN connection directly to the Actiontec Router itself. (Some of the proprietary VPN applications require specific ports be opened in the Actiontec, for a successful connection. Not all VPNs use the same ports, so determine the ports used by your VPN software before attempting to forward the ports.)

Are the Actiontec Gateways and Routers upgrade-able?
Yes, they can be upgraded by flashing the Routers or Gateways firmware. If the Actiontec Gateway or Router that you have, is branded for a particular ISP, the proper firmware update will ONLY be available from that ISP. Actiontec can provide only the Retail or NCS (Non-Customer Specific) version of the firmware for the Router or Gateway. The NCS firmware can not be substituted for all ISPs, but can be configured to be compatible with most. The firmware update for Actiontec Routers and Gateways is available for download on the Actiontec Support site.

How many simultaneous connections does a Actiontec Router or Gateway allow?
It varies from 190 to 254, depending on the product and the firmware. The GT704WGs that have the Verizon firmware loaded, have a limit of 190. The R7000M-2A is limited to 252, and all of the remaining Actiontec Routers and Gateways have a limit of 254. However, it is good to keep in mind that each computer added to the network will reduce the bandwidth available to the existing network computers. It is recommended to limit the number of connections to 45, but this number can vary depending on the activities of the network computers. For example, downloading MP3s, ISOs, or other large files, require much more bandwidth than checking email or simple Web browsing. If the network is Hosting Web, FTP or Gaming severs the limit for the number of network connections may be much lower.

Is there a limit to the number of Wireless connections, that the Actiontec Wireless Router or Gateway will allow?
There is no limit on the number of wireless connections, but there is a limit to the amount of traffic or bandwidth that can pass through the Actiontec. It is good to keep in mind that each computer added to the network will reduce the bandwidth available to the existing network computers. It is recommended to limit the number of connections to 45, but this number can vary depending on the activities of the network computers. For example, downloading MP3s, ISOs, or other large files, require much more bandwidth than checking email or simple Web browsing. If the network is Hosting Web, FTP or Gaming severs the limit for the number of network connections may be much lower.

Is the antenna on the Actiontec Wireless Router and Gateway replaceable or upgrade-able?
Yes, the antenna can be removed and replaced or upgraded. The connection method is, Reverse Polarity Sub-Miniture Adapter (RP-SMA), is readily available at most computer or electronics stores.

How is a replacement Actiontec CD obtained?
There are two methods for obtaining a replacement Actiontec CD.
1. Downloading the ISO for free from the Actiontec Support Site. If an ISO is available, it will be posted along with all other Drivers and Software, on the support page for that product. Instructions for converting the ISO file into a CD can be downloaded along with the ISO.
2. Contacting Actiontec Technical Support by phone and purchasing one. Actiontec CDs can be purchased for $6.95 (including S&H) within the USA, and $8.95 (including S&H) for customers in Europe and the UK.
To purchase call: 1-800-371-0442 (USA), 0800-180-4434 (UK)
Please have your Visa or MasterCard ready, along with product name and model number, or CD part number if available. (MasterCard and Visa are the only cards Actiontec is able to accept.)

Can I stop using my software Firewall or Security program on my computers, now that I have the Actiontec Gateway or Router?
The answer depends on the security requirements of your Network and what the individual computers are used for.
Actiontec Gateways and Routers have a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall built-in, and because of this many users wonder if it is safe to uninstall their PCs software Firewall, if it is a third party product, or disable it, if it is built into the Operating System. This is desirable because when customers purchase a Router, they are interested in networking their computers, and having a separate firewall on each PC can make networking quite complicated.
The short answer is Yes, the software Firewalls can be removed or disabled, but not without risk. Many operate with only the one Firewall on the router successfully for some time. The risk is if a virus or hacker gets past the routers Firewall, there is nothing to stop it from compromising the entire network. If this type of arrangement is going to be used, any sensitive information, POS machines, or PCs used for banking, should be off of the Network, or these individual computers should continue to have their own software Firewall to protect them if the network was compromised.

I need to secure my wireless network. What types of Wireless Security are there? What kind should I use?
There are several types of security for wireless networking.
Wireless MAC Address Filtering - allows the router to control access to the wireless network by allowing only certain MAC addresses to connect to the wireless network. This is an older type of security and can be circumvented. The MAC address was intended to be a unique permanent identification number assigned to every network adapter, but now the BIOS on some computers allow the MAC address to be assigned by the user, and there are free programs that allow the user to change the MAC address at will. These changes undermine the integrity of using a MAC address for identification. While some users still prefer to use this type of security, in reality it should only be used in conjunction with some other type of wireless security, and not as the sole method for securing a wireless network.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - gives the wireless network security equivalent to that of a wired network. There are known hacks, but it is probably the type of security that is most commonly used, because nearly all wireless cards support it. If WEP is going to be used, be sure to use the highest bit level possible. Common values are 64-bit, 128-bit and 256-bit, the higher the number the stronger the encryption.
WEP+ 802.1x - is an improved form of WEP that uses a Radius Server for authentication. This Enterprise class Wireless Security Solution is not commonly used outside of large companies though, due to the expensive hardware requirements.
WPA (WiFi Protected Access) - has two levels; an Enterprise mode that uses 802.1x, and replaces WEP with WPA; and a PSK (pre-shared key) mode known as WPA Personal. The latter is considered the best option available at this time for many home users. WPA's strength is that it does not trust to encryption alone. It has been improved in many areas. WPA allows a for a much larger and therefore stronger key. It also implements TKIP (temporal key integrity protocol) which dynamically changes keys as the system is used. WPA makes breaking into a wireless LAN far more difficult.

Summary:
The best choice for security is WPA Personal (WPA PSK), it uses a password or passphrase called a PSK (Pre-Shared Key) string that is created by the customer. The key needs to be from 8 to 63 characters long, with 20 characters being considered by most to be the minimum length required for a reasonably secure network. The key must be strong because this is where many hackers will attack. They often use a dictionary attack so those 20 characters CAN NOT be in the form of a real word (like dog or umbrella), they should be random, letters or numbers, capitol letters and even punctuation is allowable.
The best choice for compatibility would be WEP, it is probably the type of security that is most commonly used, because nearly all wireless cards support it.
NOTE:
Before WPA is enabled or a PSK string is set on the router, be certain that all of the wireless cards that are going to be used support WPA. If a network adapter does not support WPA, check the support pages for that product. Many adapters may have an updated driver or firmware that may provide or improve WPA compatibility.

Are the Actiontec Routers and Gateways compatible with Windows Vista?
Yes, the Gateways and Routers are compatible, but the Actiontec CD may not be. If the CD is Vista compatible then Vista will be listed on the CD with the other operating systems, such as XP and Windows 2000.
If the CD is an older unit and not Vista compatible it does not mean the Router or Gateway cannot be setup and configured for your Internet connection. It only means that the CD cannot be used to do it. The Actiontec Gateways and Routers are designed to be configured manually as well as by CD. To setup a Router or Gateway manually you will be logging into it via its Web interface, and configuring it that way.

Is there a way to clear or Reset the Admin username and password on an Actiontec GT Series Router, Gateway or Wireless Access Point?
Yes, but clearing the password also resets the configuration of the device. So following a reset, the gateway or router will need to be completely reconfigured.
To reset a 'GT' Series Router, Gateway or Wireless Access Point, begin with the unit powered up and with a solid Green Power light. Then using a small tool depress and hold the Reset button on the back of the device just until you see the color of the Power light change from Green to Amber. Be sure to release the Reset button before the Power light turns Red.
The length of time that the Reset button must be held to accomplish the reset varies from model to model, but as long as the Reset button is released while the power light is Amber the Reset will be successful.

How do I Reset the Actiontec back to default settings?
Begin with the power light solid green. Then, using a small tool, press and hold the Reset button in, just until you see the Power light change color (Green to Amber). Then, immediately release the button.
(Be aware that ALL configuration information stored in the Actiontec will be lost when resetting the unit, and that it will need to be reconfigured, once it has restarted.)

Do Actiontec Access Points, Gateways and Routers support Wireless Bridging?
No, Wireless Actiontec Gateways, Routers and Access Points do not support Wireless Bridging; they function as standard wireless access points, only.

The router crashed when I loaded a custom or non-Actiontec* firmware. Is there a way I can get the router working again?
Not always. But, provided that the Ethernet interface of the router is still functioning correctly, the Recovery procedure should be able to restore the router. Actiontec has created individual Recovery programs for each Released Firmware version. Best practice would be to always use the latest or most current firmware version when doing a Recovery. Actiontec does not provide Refunds or Replacements for routers that have been loaded with custom or non-Actiontec* firmware, if they prove to be unrecoverable.

* - A 'custom or non-Actiontec' firmware, is a firmware built from GPL code by anyone other than Actiontec.

I was told to change the MTU setting of the Actiontec, so it will work with my Xbox. How do I change the MTU?
There are several problems with this.

1. The MTU setting is not the cause. The default MTU setting for Actiontec routers and gateways is 1492 for PPPoE and PPPoA connections, and 1500 for DHCP as well as Static connections. Many of the older Actiontec routers and gateways do not allow the MTU setting to be changed. However, some of the newer firmware versions do allow this. If the firmware does allow the MTU setting to be changed, the option will be on the WAN IP Address page of the Advanced Setup in the device User Interface. Typically it is a text box near the bottom of the page. Simply enter the setting you want and click Apply to save the change.

2. The actual problem is that the ports used by the Xbox are not open for incoming traffic. There are two ways this can be changed.
A. Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). Many of our routers and gateways are delivered with UPnP disabled for security reasons. But UPnP can easily be enabled. To enable it, browse to the UPnP page in the Advanced Setup. Select the Enabled option and click Apply.
B. The other way to open the ports needed by the Xbox, is to use Port Forwarding. The Xbox uses ports 88 UDP and 3074 both UDP and TCP. Actiontec routers and gateways use two different interfaces for port forwarding. (There will be one or the other, but not both. The utility for port forwarding will be in the Advanced Setup section unless there is a Security section and a Advanced Setup section, in which case it will be in the Security section.) One method is called Port Forwarding and requires entering the port needed and the IP address of the Xbox. This step is repeated until all ports are entered. Then the user clicks Next, then Save and Restart in the lower left, followed by clicking the Save and Restart button. The other method is Application Level Gateway. This is sometimes referred to as ALG or just Applications, either way it is still the tool for port forwarding in that firmware version. To forward the ports using this tool, you must create a rule. There are many pre-configured rules, but there isn't one for the Xbox. To create a rule the User must select the HOST Name of the Xbox from the drop-down and then select the Category 'User'. Then below the Available Rules box, click the button labeled 'New'. Now enter a name for the rule (example: XBOX), and then select the protocol UDP and enter the number 88 in each of the three boxes and click Apply. Then select the protocol TCP/UDP and enter the number 3074 in all three boxes and click Apply. Now that all of the required ports are listed across the bottom of the page, click Back. Double check that the correct HOST Name is showing in the drop-down and that the bullet is by the category User. Select the new rule (XBOX) in the Available Rules window and click ADD, to apply the rule for the Xbox. To save the newly created rule click Apply at the bottom of the page.

3. Make certain that the Firewall setting is OFF or BASIC. Any other setting will in most cases block ports that the Xbox needs to work correctly.

Do the Actiontec Routers and Gateways support File and Printer Sharing? Is there anything that needs to be done, to enable it?
Yes, the Actiontec Routers and Gateways support File and Printer Sharing.
No, it does not require enabling. There are no settings on the Actiontec Routers and Gateways with regard to Sharing, it is the router's default behavior. All of the settings for Sharing are on the computers (or printers, or NAS, etc...) themselves.

The Actiontec routers and gateways do not have any additional features or settings for File and Printer Sharing (computers that can 'see each other' or a networked printer on the network). As stated earlier, the default behavior of the Actiontec allows this activity with no restrictions. Wireless devices have access to each other and to Wired devices, whether Ethernet or USB. The reverse is also true, Wired devices (like a PC) have full access to other Wired devices (like a printer or NAS), as well as Wireless devices (whether PC or printer).

Provided that the PCs in question have a functioning Internet connection through the Actiontec Router or Gateway. Then...
If a device can not 'see' the network or access resources on the network, the cause will be on the devices themselves. If it is a printer, then it may be a network TCP/IP setting or missing protocol. If it is a server or workstation that cannot be accessed, then it will be TCP/IP settings, Firewall settings or mis-configured Sharing on the PC.

The bottom line is this, there are NO settings on the Actiontec Routers and Gateways for Sharing.

Help for the configuring of File and Printer Sharing for MS Windows.

My VPN Client shows I am connected, so why am I still unable to access resources on the VPN network?
This will sometimes occur when there is a problem with the IP address used by the VPN Client computer. The remote VPN Client is either using an IP address that is in a range that conflicts with the VPN network or the VPN network requires that Clients use an IP address from within a specific range. If the IP address is in conflict, the solution is to change the range of IP addresses used by the Actiontec Router or Gateway. But if the VPN network requires a specific range of IP addresses, then only an administrator can provide the information that is needed. After contacting the network Admin to determine the correct IP range, the directions in the following section can be used to configure the LAN IP Address of the Actiontec Router or Gateway.

To change the range of addresses used by the computer network, the router's LAN IP address must be changed. To change the LAN IP address you must first access the User Interface of the Router or Gateway at the current IP address. (Virtually all of the Actiontec Routers and Gateways have a default IP address of 192.168.0.1. The exceptions are the Routers and Gateways that Actiontec produces for use on Verizon's FiOS and DSL Service. Those devices have an IP address of  192.168.1.1.) After accessing the User Interface, select the 'Advanced Setup' option. In the Advanced Setup, select 'LAN IP Address'. On the LAN IP Address page, you need to do more than just change the IP address, you need to change the network. The simplest way to do this is to change the third octet. That is the third section of the IP address. By default the third section, or octet, is either a '0' (In the address 192.168.0.1) or a '1' (In the address 192.168.1.1). Not just any number value can be used; it must be a value that is between the number '2' and the number '254'. So something like 192.168.5.1 (The third octet is '5') or 192.168.77.1 (The third octet is '77') would work. It is not enough to just change the last octet or section. That would not change the network, only the IP address. This means that the network clients would still be assigned an IP address that conflicts with the VPN sever.
(Changing the LAN IP Address will cause the Router or Gateway to assign new IP addresses that are compatible with the new LAN IP Address to all DHCP clients. Network Clients with Static IP addresses will need to be changed manually. Naturally, you will need to use the new IP address when accessing the User Interface of the device in the future.)

Should I turn the Actiontec Router or Gateway Off each night, or should I leave it On, perpetually?
Actiontec Routers and Gateways are designed to be left on continuously. The nature of the Internet makes an 'always on' connection very desirable, and in some cases a requirement. Turning the Actiontec Off when it is not being used, could arguably add to security. But any gains to Security by not being connected to the Internet 24/7, must be balanced against the loss of much convenience.
Whether it is a computer or a router, many users feel that turning electronic devices Off and On each day will wear them out prematurely, and others are convinced it will not.
Actiontec recommends leaving our routers and gateways on continuously, but they can be turned Off and On each day if you prefer.

I need to open ports on the Actiontec, should I use Port Forwarding or DMZ Hosting? Why?
Port Forwarding and DMZ Hosting are two ways to accomplish the same thing, opening ports. Where Port Forwarding is selective and specific, DMZ Hosting is indiscriminate and wide open. If you need to open one port or a small range of ports, or even a combination of both, Port Forwarding is the best choice. If the list of ports that need to be opened is long and complicated, it may be tempting to use DMZ Hosting, but it should still be avoided unless the security of the machine in question is not critical. The only time that DMZ Hosting is appropriate, is when it can be used without compromising the security of the network.

Examples where DMZ Hosting might be appropriate:
1. Devices like game consoles or web-cams with a limited Operating System
2. A server designed for that type of an environment
    (like a proxy server or a server with hardened security)
3. Possibly a gaming computer, but it is not recommended
    (At the very least the computer may need frequent reloading of the OS)

The difference between Port Forwarding and DMZ Hosting is security. While any open port will slightly degrade security, it is possible to maintain a level of security on a network that utilizes Port Forwarding. It is not really possible to keep a network secure using DMZ Hosting, unless the network or some of it's critical components are designed for it.

Rule of Thumb:
Use Port Forwarding as the primary tool for configuring ports.
Use DMZ Hosting only when it is required.

What does it mean when the LED lights on a GT704WR Wireless Router flash and or change color?
It's normal for the LED lights to change color and flash, while the Router starts up. But when the LEDs flash at the wrong time or change to the wrong color, they can be a very useful tool for troubleshooting a GT704WR with.

How to troubleshoot a GT704WR Wireless Router using it's LED lights.

What is the current firmware version for my DSL Modem, Gateway or Router?
This document lists the current product firmware versions for Actiontec and the various Internet Service Providers or ISPs.

Current Firmware Versions

If a product is not listed in the document, then there has been no firmware update or upgrade released for that product.

Should I change the Actiontecs Wireless Settings, or should I leave them at the default values?
It is always good pratice to change the default settings of a Wireless Modem, Router or Access Point. ( See the following recommended changes. )

1. Change the Name of the Wireless Network.
( SSID, ESSID and Network Name, are different terms for the same thing. )

The Network Name should be changed to something that is unique, but easy for you to remember. It should not identify you, your household or place of business in any way.

2. Use the Best Encryption Available on your Router or Access Point.
( WPA2, WPA, WEP and WPS are the most common types available. )

Use WPA2 if possible, and WPA if WPA2 is not available. Use WPS to setup your WPA wireless security if your router and adapters are compatible with Wireless Protected Setup (WPS). Use WEP if it is the only option available on your Router or Access Point.

3. Replace the default key / passphrase with one that is unique and random.
( Regardless of encryption type, the security will hinge on the Key / Passphrase. )

If your Router will allow the use of WPA or WPA2 then you are not limited to hexadecimal characters, and your key / passphrase can be from 8 to 63 ASCII characters in length. It is recommended that the key be no less than 20 characters in length as a minimum; and it is extremely important that the characters are random. That means capitol letters, lower case letters, punctuation and NO words or names.

If you are able to use WPS then the Router and Adapter will determine your key and how it is entered.

If your Router limits you to using WEP, you will likely also be forced to use only hexadecimal characters (the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F). This type of key is rarely case sensitive, but it is even more important to be sure to make the key as random as possible. It is recommended that you a key of 26 hexadecimal characters. This length key is referred to as either 104 or 128 bits depending on the manufacturer.