What does FIPS do on a home wireless network?

I recently purchased a new laptop that would connect wirelessly, but with no Internet access to a Tenda Wireless N router. Tech support told me it was an ISP DNS error (yeah right). However, I ticked the "enable FIPS" box and now everything is hunky dory!

Why is that? What does FIPS have to do here?

Solution 1:

FIPS is a set of cryptographic requirements used by US government. If it is related to wireless it simply disables (weaker) TKIP encryption for WPA and WPA2 in favour of CCMP (aka AES). It might happen that some older WPA1-TKIP clients need a firmware update to connect there (or reduction of security of your AP if no update at hand) One example of problem device is older samsung android phones. Flashing any aftermarket firmware will give them new wireless life.