NWD-310N - Wireless Adapter ZYXEL - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL NWD-310N ZYXEL

Wireless N PCI Adapter

User's Guide

Version 1.0

11/2007

Edition 1

ZvXEL

www.zyxel.com

About This User's Guide

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWD310N using the ZyXEL utility. You should have at least a basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking concepts and topology.

Related Documentation

• Quick Start Guide

The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. It contains information on setting up your network and configuring for Internet access.

Online Help

Embedded web help for descriptions of individual screens and supplementary information.

Supporting Disk

Refer to the included CD for support documents.

ZyXEL Web Site

Please refer to www.zyxel.com for additional support documentation and product certifications.

User's Guide Feedback

Help us help you. Send all User's Guide-related comments, questions or suggestions for improvement to the following address, or use e-mail instead. Thank you!

The Technical Writing Team,

ZyXEL Communications Corp.,

6 Innovation Road II,

Science-Based Industrial Park,

Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.

E-mail: [e-mail]

Document Conventions

Warnings and Notes

These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User's Guide.

Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your NWD310N.

Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.

Syntax Conventions

• The NWD310N may be referred to as the "NWD310N", the "device", the "system" or the "product" in this User's Guide.
• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in bold font.
• A key stroke is denoted by square brackets and uppercase text, for example, [ENTER] means the "enter" or "return" key on your keyboard.
• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters and then press the [ENTER] key. "Select" or "choose" means for you to use one of the predefined choices.
• A right angle bracket (>) within a screen name denotes a mouse click. For example, Maintenance > Log > Log Setting means you first click Maintenance in the navigation panel, then the Log sub menu and finally the Log Setting tab to get to that screen.
• Units of measurement may denote the "metric" value or the "scientific" value. For example, "k" for kilo may denote "1000" or "1024", "M" for mega may denote "1000000" or "1048576" and so on.
• "e.g.," is a shorthand for "for instance", and "i.e.," means "that is" or "in other words".

Icons Used in Figures

Figures in this User's Guide may use the following generic icons.

Wireless Access Point	Computer	Notebook computer
Server	Modem	Telephone
Internet	Wireless Signal

SafetyWarnings

For your safety, be sure to read and follow all warning notices and instructions.

• Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.
• Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids.
• Do NOT store things on the device.
• Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.
• Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device.
• Ground yourself (by properly using an anti-static wrist strap, for example) whenever working with the device's hardware or connections.
• ONLY qualified service personnel should service or disassemble this device.
• Antenna Warning! This device meets ETSI and FCC certification requirements when using the included antenna(s). Only use the included antenna(s).

This product is recyclable. Dispose of it properly.

Contents Overview

Introduction and Configuration 19

Getting Started 21

Tutorial 27

Wireless LANs 37

Wireless Configuration 47

Maintenance 67

Troubleshooting and Specifications 71

Troubleshooting 73

Product Specifications 77

Appendices and Index 79

Table of Contents

About This User's Guide 3

Document Conventions 4

SafetyWarnings 6

Contents Overview 7

Table of Contents 9

List of Figures 13

List of Tables 17

Part I: Introduction and Configuration 19

Chapter 1
Getting Started. 21

1.1 About Your NWD310N 21

1.1.1 Hardware 21

1.2 Application Overview 23

1.2.1 Infrastructure 23
1.2.2 Ad-Hoc 23

1.3 Hardware and Utility Installation 24

1.3.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon 24

1.4 Configuration Methods 25

1.4.1 Enabling Windows Wireless Configuration 25
1.4.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility 26

Chapter 2 Tutorial 27

2.1 Connecting to an AP using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) 27

2.1.1 Push Button Configuration (PBC) 27
2.1.2 PIN Configuration 29

2.2 Connecting to an AP Without Using WPS 32

2.2.1 Manually Connecting to a Wireless LAN 32
2.2.2 Creating and Using a Profile 34

Chapter 3 Wireless LANs 37

3.1 Wireless LAN Overview 37
3.2 Wireless LAN Security 38

3.2.1 User Authentication and Encryption 38

3.3 WiFi Protected Setup 40

3.3.1 Push Button Configuration 40
3.3.2 PIN Configuration 41
3.3.3 How WPS Works 42
3.3.4 Limitations of WPS 45

Chapter 4 Wireless Configuration 47

4.1 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary 47
4.2 The Link Info Screen 47

4.2.1 Trend Chart 49

4.3 The Site Survey Screen 49

4.3.1 Security Settings 51
4.3.2 Server Certificate Setting Screen 55
4.3.3 Summary Screen 55

4.4 The Profile Screen 56

4.4.1 Adding a New Profile 58

4.5 The Adapter Screen 61

4.5.1 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) 62
4.5.2 WPS: PIN - Use this Device's PIN 63
4.5.3 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router 63

4.6 Security Settings in Windows Vista 64

4.6.1 Using PEAP in Vista 64
4.6.2 Using TLS in Vista 65

Chapter 5 Maintenance 67

5.1 The About Screen 67
5.2 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility 67
5.3 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility 68

Part II: Troubleshooting and Specifications 71

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 73

6.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs 73
6.2 Accessing the Utility 73
6.3 Link Quality 74

6.4 Problems Communicating with Other Computers 74

Chapter 7

Product Specifications 77

Part III: Appendices and Index 79

Appendix A Setting up Your Computer's IP Address 81

Appendix B Wireless LANs 103

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management 117

Appendix D Legal Information 139

Appendix E Customer Support 143

Index 149

List of Figures

Figure 1 The NWD310N 22
Figure 2 Application: Infrastructure 23
Figure 3 Application: Ad-Hoc 24
Figure 4 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon 24
Figure 5 Enable WZC 25
Figure 6 Infrastructure Network 27
Figure 7 Example WPS Process: PBC Method 29
Figure 8 Example WPS Process: PIN Method 31
Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey 32
Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings 33
Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Summary 33
Figure 12 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info 33
Figure 13 ZyXEL Utility: Profile 34
Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Add New Profile 34
Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Security 35
Figure 16 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Encryption 35
Figure 17 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Summary 35
Figure 18 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Activate 36
Figure 19 Example of a Wireless Network 37
Figure 20 Example WPS Process: PIN Method 42
Figure 21 How WPS works 43
Figure 22 WPS: Example Network Step 1 44
Figure 23 WPS: Example Network Step 2 44
Figure 24 WPS: Example Network Step 3 45
Figure 25 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary 47
Figure 26 Link Info 48
Figure 27 Link Info: Trend Chart 49
Figure 28 Site Survey 50
Figure 29 Security Setting: WEP 51
Figure 30 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK 52
Figure 31 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 53
Figure 32 Security Setting: 802.1x 54
Figure 33 Server Certificate Setting Screen 55
Figure 34 Summary Screen 56
Figure 35 Profile 57
Figure 36 Profile: Add a New Profile 58
Figure 37 Profile: Wireless Settings 59
Figure 38 Profile: Wireless Settings 60

Figure 39 Profile: Security Settings 60

Figure 40 Profile: Confirm New Settings 60

Figure 41 Profile: Activate the Profile 61

Figure 42 Adapter 61

Figure 43 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) 62

Figure 44 WPS: PIN - Use this Device's PIN 63

Figure 45 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router 64

Figure 46 Vista Security: Additional Information Required 65

Figure 47 Vista Security: Enter Credentials 65

Figure 48 Vista Security: Additional Information Required 66

Figure 49 Vista Security: Select Certificate 66

Figure 50 About 67

Figure 51 Uninstall: Confirm 68

Figure 52 Uninstall: Finish 68

Figure 53 Windows 95/98/Me: Network: Configuration 82

Figure 54 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: IP Address 83

Figure 55 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: DNS Configuration 84

Figure 56 Windows XP: Start Menu 85

Figure 57 Windows XP: Control Panel 85

Figure 58 Windows XP: Control Panel: Network Connections: Properties 86

Figure 59 Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties 86

Figure 60 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties 87

Figure 61 Windows XP: Advanced TCP/IP Properties 88

Figure 62 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties 89

Figure 63 Windows Vista: Start Menu 90

Figure 64 Windows Vista: Control Panel 90

Figure 65 Windows Vista: Network And Internet 90

Figure 66 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center 90

Figure 67 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center 91

Figure 68 Windows Vista: Local Area Connection Properties 91

Figure 69 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties 92

Figure 70 Windows Vista: Advanced TCP/IP Properties 93

Figure 71 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties 94

Figure 72 Macintosh OS 8/9: Apple Menu 95

Figure 73 Macintosh OS 8/9: TCP/IP 95

Figure 74 Macintosh OS X: Apple Menu 96

Figure 75 Macintosh OS X: Network 97

Figure 76 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: Devices 98

Figure 77 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Ethernet Device: General 98

Figure 78 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: DNS 99

Figure 79 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: Activate 99

Figure 80 Red Hat 9.0: Dynamic IP Address Setting in ifconfig-eth0 100

Figure 81 Red Hat 9.0: Static IP Address Setting in ifconfig-eth0 100

Figure 82 Red Hat 9.0: DNS Settings in resolv.conf 100
Figure 83 Red Hat 9.0: Restart Ethernet Card 100
Figure 84 Red Hat 9.0: Checking TCP/IP Properties 101
Figure 85 Peer-to-Peer Communication in an Ad-hoc Network 103
Figure 86 Basic Service Set 104
Figure 87 Infrastructure WLAN 105
Figure 88 RTS/CTS 106
Figure 89 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example 113
Figure 90 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication 114
Figure 91 Vista: Start Menu 117
Figure 92 Vista: The Connect To Window 118
Figure 93 Vista: Additional Information 118
Figure 94 Vista: Enter Security Key 119
Figure 95 Vista: Connecting 119
Figure 96 Vista: Successful Connection 120
Figure 97 Vista: Choose a Connection Option 121
Figure 98 Vista: Connect Manually 121
Figure 99 Vista: Successfully Added Network 122
Figure 100 Vista: Set Up An Ad-hoc Network 123
Figure 101 Vista: Ad-hoc Options 123
Figure 102 Vista: Ad-hoc Network Ready 124
Figure 103 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status 125
Figure 104 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status 125
Figure 105 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties 126
Figure 106 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties 126
Figure 107 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available 127
Figure 108 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon 127
Figure 109 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status 128
Figure 110 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status 128
Figure 111 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection 129
Figure 112 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties 130
Figure 113 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK 130
Figure 114 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security 131
Figure 115 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association 131
Figure 116 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication 133
Figure 117 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties 134
Figure 118 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties 135
Figure 119 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks 136
Figure 120 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks 136

List of Tables

Table 1 NWD310N External View 22
Table 2 NWD310N LEDs 22
Table 3 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon 25
Table 4 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary 47
Table 5 Link Info 48
Table 6 Link Info: Trend Chart 49
Table 7 Site Survey 50
Table 8 Security Setting: WEP 51
Table 9 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK 52
Table 10 Security Setting: WPA/WPA2 53
Table 11 Security Settings: IEEE 802.1x 54
Table 12 Server Certificate Setting 55
Table 13 Summary Screen 56
Table 14 Profile 57
Table 15 Profile: Add a New Profile 58
Table 16 Profile: Wireless Settings 59
Table 17 Adapter 61
Table 18 WPS: PIN - Use this Device's PIN 63
Table 19 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router 64
Table 20 About 67
Table 21 Product Specifications 77
Table 22 IEEE 802.11g 107
Table 23 Wireless Security Levels 108
Table 24 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types 111
Table 25 Wireless Security Relational Matrix 114
Table 26 Vista: Connect Manually 121
Table 27 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon 127
Table 28 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection 129
Table 29 Windows XP: Wireless Networks 131
Table 30 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association 132
Table 31 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication 133
Table 32 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties 134
Table 33 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties 135

PART I

Introduction and

Configuration

Getting Started (21)

Tutorial (27)

Wireless LANs (37)

Wireless Configuration (47)

Maintenance (67)

Getting Started

This chapter introduces the NWD310N and prepares you to use the ZyXEL utility. The ZyXEL utility is a tool that helps you configure your NWD310N.

1.1 About Your NWD310N

Your NWD310N is an IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 compliant wireless LAN adapter. It can also connect to IEEE 802.11b/g wireless networks. The NWD310N is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) compliant. WPS allows you to easily connect to another WPS-enabled device.

The NWD310N is a PCI adapter which occupies a PCI slot inside your desktop computer. The NWD310N also uses MIMO (Multiple-In, Multiple-Out) antenna technology to deliver high-speed wireless networking.

See your NWD310N's Quick Start Guide for installation instructions, and see the chapter on product specifications for detailed information.

1.1.1 Hardware

This section describes the NWD310N's physical appearance.

Figure 1 The NWD310N

The following table describes the NWD310N.

Table 1 NWD310N External View

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
A	Removable antennas
B	LEDs (lights)
C	WPS button
D	PCI connector

The following table describes the operation of the NWD310N's LEDs.

Table 2 NWD310N LEDs

LED	COLOR	STATUS	DESCRIPTION
Link	Green	On	The NWD310N is connected to a wireless network.
		Off	The NWD310N is not connected to a wireless network.
Tx/Rx	Yellow	On	The NWD310N is connected to a wireless network.
		Blinking	The NWD310N is connected to a wireless network and is sending or receiving data.
		Off	The NWD310N is not connected to a wireless network.

1.2 Application Overview

This section describes some network applications for the NWD310N. You can either set the network type to Infrastructure and connect to an AP or use Ad-Hoc mode and connect to a peer computer (another wireless device in Ad-Hoc mode).

1.2.1 Infrastructure

To connect to a network via an access point (AP), set the NWD310N network type to Infrastructure (see Chapter 4 on page 56). Through the AP, you can access the Internet or the wired network behind the AP.

Figure 2 Application: Infrastructure

1.2.2 Ad-Hoc

To set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use Ad-Hoc (see Chapter 4 on page 56).

Ad-Hoc does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients communicate directly with each other.

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is not available in ad-hoc mode.

Figure 3 Application: Ad-Hoc

1.3 Hardware and Utility Installation

Follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide to install the ZyXEL utility and make hardware connections.

1.3.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon

After you install and start the ZyXEL utility, an icon for the ZyXEL utility appears in the system tray.

The ZyXEL utility system tray icon displays only when the NWD310N is installed properly.

When you use the ZyXEL utility, it automatically disables Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) in Windows XP.

Figure 4 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

The color of the ZyXEL utility system tray icon indicates the status of the NWD310N. Refer to the following table for details.

Table 3 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

COLOR	DESCRIPTION
Red	The NWD310N is not connected to a wireless network.
Green	The NWD310N is connected to a wireless network.

1.4 Configuration Methods

To configure your NWD310N, use one of the following applications:

• Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC, the Windows XP wireless configuration tool) or WLAN AutoConfig (the Windows Vista wireless configuration tool).
• The ZyXEL utility.

Do NOT use Windows XP's Wireless Zero Configuration tool at the same time you use the ZyXEL utility.

1.4.1 Enabling Windows Wireless Configuration

When you use the ZyXEL utility, it automatically disables Windows XP's wireless configuration tool.

If you want to use the Windows XP wireless configuration tool to configure the NWD310N, you need to disable the ZyXEL utility. Right-click the utility icon ( l ) in the system tray and select Exit.

Figure 5 Enable WZC

Refer to the appendices for information on how to use the Windows wireless configuration tool to manage the NWD310N.

To reactivate the ZyXEL utility, double-click the ( ) icon on your desktop or click Start, (All) Programs, ZyXEL Wireless N PCI Adapter Utility, ZyXEL Wireless N PCI Adapter Utility.

1.4.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility

Double-click on the ZyXEL wireless LAN utility icon in the system tray to open the ZyXEL utility.

The ZyXEL utility screens are similar in all Microsoft Windows versions. Screens for Windows XP are shown in this User's Guide.

Click the icon (located in the top right corner) to display the online help window.

The following sections show you how to join a wireless network using the ZyXEL utility, as in the following diagram. The wireless client is labeled C and the access point is labeled AP.

Figure 6 Infrastructure Network

2.1 Connecting to an AP using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

This section gives you an example of how to set up your wireless network using WPS. This example uses the NWD310N as the wireless client, and ZyXEL's NBG334W as the Access Point (AP).

The Access Point must be a WPS-aware device.

There are two WPS methods for creating a secure connection. This tutorial shows you both.

• Push Button Configuration (PBC) - create a secure wireless network simply by pressing a button. See Section 2.1.1 on page 27. This is the easier method.
• PIN Configuration - create a secure wireless network simply by entering a wireless client's PIN (Personal Identification Number) in the NWD310N's interface. See Section 2.1.2 on page 29. This is the more secure method, since one device can authenticate the other.

2.1.1 Push Button Configuration (PBC)

1 Make sure that your access point is turned on and that it is within range of the computer with the NWD310N installed.
2 Make sure that you have installed the NWD310N's driver and utility on your computer.

3 In the NWD310N's utility, click the Adapter tab, enable WPS and select PBC (Push Button Configuration). In the screen that appears, click Start.
4 Log into the AP's web configurator and locate its WPS settings section. On the NBG334W, press the Push Button button in the Network > Wireless Client > WPS Station screen.

It doesn't matter which button is pressed first. You must press the second button within two minutes of pressing the first one.

The AP sends the proper configuration settings to the NWD310N. This may take up to two minutes. Then the NWD310N is able to communicate with the AP securely.

The following figure shows you an example to set up wireless network and security by pressing a button on both the AP (the NBG334W in this example) and the NWD310N.

Figure 7 Example WPS Process: PBC Method

2.1.2 PIN Configuration

When you use the PIN configuration method, you need to use both the NWD310N's utility and the AP's configuration interface.

1 In the NWD310N's Adaptor tab, select WPS and PIN - Use this Device's PIN. Note down the PIN in the screen that appears.
2 Enter the PIN number in the AP's configuration interface. In the NBG334W, use the PIN field in the Network > Wireless LAN > WPS Station screen.
3 Click the Start buttons on both the NWD310N utility screen and the AP's configuration utility (the WPS Station screen on the NBG334W) within two minutes.

The NWD310N authenticates the wireless client and sends the proper configuration settings to the wireless client. This may take up to two minutes. Then the wireless client is able to communicate with the NWD310N securely.

The following figure shows you the example of configuring the wireless network and security on the NWD310N and the AP (ZyXEL's NBG334W in this example) by using the PIN method.

Figure 8 Example WPS Process: PIN Method
NWD310N AP

2.2 Connecting to an AP Without Using WPS

There are three ways to connect the wireless client (the NWD310N) to a network without using WPS.

• Configure nothing and leave the wireless client to automatically scan for and connect to any available network that has no wireless security configured.
• Manually connect to a network (see Section 2.2.1 on page 32).
• Configure a profile to have the wireless client automatically connect to a specific network or peer computer (see Section 2.2.2 on page 34).

2.2.1 Manually Connecting to a Wireless LAN

This example illustrates how to manually connect your wireless client to an access point (AP) configured for WPA-PSK security and connected to the Internet. Before you connect to the access point, you must know its Service Set IDentity (SSID) and WPA-PSK pre-shared key. In this example, the AP's SSID is "SSID_Example3" and its pre-shared key is "ThisismyWPA-PSKpre-sharedkey".

After you install the ZyXEL utility and then insert the wireless client, follow the steps below to connect to a network using the Site Survey screen.

1 Open the ZyXEL utility and click the Site Survey tab to open the screen shown next.

Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey

2 The wireless client automatically searches for available wireless networks. Click Scan if you want to search again. If no entry displays in the Available Network List, that means there is no wireless network available within range. Make sure the AP or peer computer is turned on, or move the wireless client closer to the AP or peer computer. See Table 4.3 on page 49 for detailed field descriptions.
3 To connect to an AP or peer computer, either click an entry in the list and then click Connect or double-click an entry (SSID_Example3 in this example).
4 When you try to connect to an AP with security configured, a window will pop up prompting you to specify the security settings. Enter the pre-shared key and leave the encryption type at the default setting.

Use the Next button to move on to the next screen. You can use the Back button at any time to return to the previous screen, or the Exit button to return to the Site Survey screen.

Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings

5 The Summary window appears. Check your settings and click Save to continue.

Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Summary

6 The ZyXEL utility returns to the Link Info screen while it connects to the wireless network using your settings. When the wireless link is established, the ZyXEL utility icon in the system tray turns green and the Link Info screen displays details of the active connection. Check the network information in the Link Info screen to verify that you have successfully connected to the selected network. If the wireless client is not connected to a network, the fields in this screen remain blank. See Table 4.2 on page 47 for detailed field descriptions.

Figure 12 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info

7 Open your Internet browser and enter http://www.zyxel.com or the URL of any other web site in the address bar. If you are able to access the web site, your wireless connection is successfully configured. If you cannot access the web site, check the

Troubleshooting section of this User's Guide or contact your network administrator if necessary.

2.2.2 Creating and Using a Profile

A profile lets you automatically connect to the same wireless network every time you use the ZyXEL utility. You can also configure different profiles for different networks, for example if you connect a notebook computer to wireless networks at home and at work.

This example illustrates how to set up a profile and connect the wireless client to an access point configured for WPA-PSK security. In this example, the AP's SSID is "SSID_Example3" and its pre-shared key is "ThisismyWPA-PSKpre-sharedkey". You have chosen the profile name "PN_Example3".

1 Open the ZyXEL utility and click the Profile tab to open the screen as shown. Click Add to configure a new profile.

Figure 13 ZyXEL Utility: Profile

2 The Add New Profile screen appears. The wireless client automatically searches for available wireless networks, which are displayed in the Scan Info box. You can also configure your profile for a wireless network that is not in the list.

Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Add New Profile

3 Give the profile a descriptive name (of up to 32 printable ASCII characters). Select Infrastructure and either manually enter or select the AP's SSID in the Scan Info table and click Select.
4 Choose the same encryption method as the AP to which you want to connect (In this example, WPA-PSK).

Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Security

5 This screen varies depending on the encryption method you selected in the previous screen. In this example, enter the pre-shared key and leave the encryption type at the default setting.

Figure 16 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Encryption

6 Verify the profile settings in the ready-only screen. Click Save to save and go to the next screen.

Figure 17 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Summary

7 Click Activate Now to use the new profile immediately. Otherwise, click the Activate Later button to go back to the Profile List screen.

If you clicked Activate Later you can select the profile from the list in the Profile screen and click Connect to activate it.

Only one profile can be activated and used at any given time.

Figure 18 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Activate

8 When you activate the new profile, the ZyXEL utility goes to the Link Info screen while it connects to the AP using your settings. When the wireless link is established, the ZyXEL utility icon in the system tray turns green and the Link Info screen displays details of the active connection.
9 Make sure the selected AP in the active profile is on and connected to the Internet. Open your Internet browser, enter http://www.zyxel.com or the URL of any other web site in the address bar and press ENTER. If you are able to access the web site, your new profile is successfully configured.
10 If you cannot access the Internet, go back to the Profile screen. Select the profile you are using and click Edit. Check the details you entered previously. Also, refer to the Troubleshooting section of this User's Guide or contact your network administrator if necessary.

This chapter provides background information on wireless Local Area Networks.

3.1 Wireless LAN Overview

The following figure provides an example of a wireless network with an AP. See Figure 3 on page 24 for an Ad Hoc network example.

Figure 19 Example of a Wireless Network

The wireless network is the part in the blue circle. In this wireless network, devices A and B are called wireless clients. The wireless clients use the access point (AP) to interact with other devices (such as the printer) or with the Internet

Every wireless network must follow these basic guidelines.

• Every device in the same wireless network must use the same SSID.
  The SSID is the name of the wireless network. It stands for Service Set IDentity.
• If two wireless networks overlap, they should use a different channel.

Like radio stations or television channels, each wireless network uses a specific channel, or frequency, to send and receive information.

• Every device in the same wireless network must use security compatible with the AP or peer computer.

• Security stops unauthorized devices from using the wireless network. It can also protect the information that is sent in the wireless network.

3.2 Wireless LAN Security

Wireless LAN security is vital to your network to protect wireless communications.

If you do not enable any wireless security on your NWD310N, the NWD310N's wireless communications are accessible to any wireless networking device that is in the coverage area.

You can use only WEP encryption if you set the NWD310N to Ad-hoc mode.

See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless security.

3.2.1 User Authentication and Encryption

You can make every user log in to the wireless network before they can use it. This is called user authentication. However, every wireless client in the wireless network has to support IEEE 802.1x to do this.

Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the wireless network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot understand the message.

3.2.1.1 WEP

3.2.1.1.1 Data Encryption

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption scrambles all data packets transmitted between the NWD310N and the AP or other wireless stations to keep network communications private. Both the wireless stations and the access points must use the same WEP key for data encryption and decryption.

There are two ways to create WEP keys in your NWD310N.

• Automatic WEP key generation based on a "password phrase" called a passphrase. The passphrase is case sensitive. You must use the same passphrase for all WLAN adapters with this feature in the same WLAN.

For WLAN adapters without the passphrase feature, you can still take advantage of this feature by writing down the four automatically generated WEP keys from the Security Settings screen of the ZyXEL utility and entering them manually as the WEP keys in the other WLAN adapter(s).

• Enter the WEP keys manually.

Your NWD310N allows you to configure up to four 64-bit, 128-bit or 152-bit WEP keys. Only one key is used as the default key at any one time.

3.2.1.1.2 Authentication Type

The IEEE 802.11b/g standard describes a simple authentication method between the wireless stations and AP. Three authentication types are defined: Auto, Open and Shared.

• Open mode is implemented for ease-of-use and when security is not an issue. The wireless station and the AP or peer computer do not share a secret key. Thus the wireless stations can associate with any AP or peer computer and listen to any transmitted data that is not encrypted.
• Shared mode involves a shared secret key to authenticate the wireless station to the AP or peer computer. This requires you to enable the wireless LAN security and use same settings on both the wireless station and the AP or peer computer.
• Auto authentication mode allows the NWD310N to switch between the open system and shared key modes automatically. Use the auto mode if you do not know the authentication mode of the other wireless stations.

3.2.1.2 IEEE 802.1x

The IEEE 802.1x standard outlines enhanced security methods for both the authentication of wireless stations and encryption key management. Authentication can be done using an external RADIUS server.

3.2.1.2.1 EAP Authentication

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol that runs on top of the IEEE 802.1x transport mechanism in order to support multiple types of user authentication. By using EAP to interact with an EAP-compatible RADIUS server, an access point helps a wireless station and a RADIUS server perform authentication.

The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server and an intermediary AP(s) that supports IEEE 802.1x. The NWD310N supports EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS (at the time of writing, TTLS is not available in Windows Vista) and EAP-PEAP. Refer to Appendix B on page 103 for descriptions.

For EAP-TLS authentication type, you must first have a wired connection to the network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA). Certificates (also called digital IDs) can be used to authenticate users and a CA issues certificates and guarantees the identity of each certificate owner.

3.2.1.3 WPA and WPA2

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i standard. WPA2 (IEEE 802.11i) is a wireless security standard that defines stronger encryption, authentication and key management than WPA.

Key differences between WPA(2) and WEP are improved data encryption and user authentication.

Both WPA and WPA2 improve data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Message Integrity Check (MIC) and IEEE 802.1x. WPA and WPA2 use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in the Counter mode with Cipher block chaining Message authentication code Protocol (CCMP) to offer stronger encryption than TKIP.

If both an AP and the wireless clients support WPA2 and you have an external RADIUS server, use WPA2 for stronger data encryption. If you don't have an external RADIUS server, you should use WPA2-PSK (WPA2-Pre-Shared Key) that only requires a single (identical) password entered into each access point, wireless gateway and wireless client. As long as the passwords match, a wireless client will be granted access to a WLAN.

If the AP or the wireless clients do not support WPA2, just use WPA or WPA-PSK depending on whether you have an external RADIUS server or not.

Select WEP only when the AP and/or wireless clients do not support WPA or WPA2. WEP is less secure than WPA or WPA2.

3.3 WiFi Protected Setup

Your NWD310N supports WiFi Protected Setup (WPS), which is an easy way to set up a secure wireless network. WPS is an industry standard specification, defined by the WiFi Alliance.

WPS allows you to quickly set up a wireless network with strong security, without having to configure security settings manually. Each WPS connection works between two devices. Both devices must support WPS (check each device's documentation to make sure).

Depending on the devices you have, you can either press a button (on the device itself, or in its configuration utility) or enter a PIN (a unique Personal Identification Number that allows one device to authenticate the other) in each of the two devices. When WPS is activated on a device, it has two minutes to find another device that also has WPS activated. Then, the two devices connect and set up a secure network by themselves.

3.3.1 Push Button Configuration

WPS Push Button Configuration (PBC) is initiated by pressing a button on each WPS-enabled device, and allowing them to connect automatically. You do not need to enter any information.

Not every WPS-enabled device has a physical WPS button. Some may have a WPS PBC button in their configuration utilities instead of or in addition to the physical button.

Take the following steps to set up WPS using the button.

1 Ensure that the two devices you want to set up are within wireless range of one another.
2 Look for a WPS button on each device. If the device does not have one, log into its configuration utility and locate the button (see the device's User's Guide for how to do this - for the NWD310N, see Section 4.5.1 on page 62).
3 Press the button on one of the devices (it doesn't matter which).
4 Within two minutes, press the button on the other device. The registrar sends the network name (SSID) and security key through an secure connection to the enrollee.

If you need to make sure that WPS worked, check the list of associated wireless clients in the AP's configuration utility. If you see the wireless client in the list, WPS was successful.

3.3.2 PIN Configuration

Each WPS-enabled device has its own PIN (Personal Identification Number). This may either be static (it cannot be changed) or dynamic (in some devices you can generate a new PIN by clicking on a button in the configuration interface).

Use the PIN method instead of the push-button configuration (PBC) method if you want to ensure that the connection is established between the devices you specify, not just the first two devices to activate WPS in range of each other. However, you need to log into the configuration interfaces of both devices to use the PIN method.

When you use the PIN method, you must enter the PIN from one device (usually the wireless client) into the second device (usually the Access Point or wireless router). Then, when WPS is activated on the first device, it presents its PIN to the second device. If the PIN matches, one device sends the network and security information to the other, allowing it to join the network.

Take the following steps to set up a WPS connection between an access point or wireless router (referred to here as the AP) and a client device using the PIN method.

1 Ensure WPS is enabled on both devices.
2 Access the WPS section of the AP's configuration interface. See the device's User's Guide for how to do this.
3 Look for the client's WPS PIN; it will be displayed either on the device, or in the WPS section of the client's configuration interface (see the device's User's Guide for how to find the WPS PIN - for the NWD310N, see Section 4.5 on page 61).
4 Enter the client's PIN in the AP's configuration interface.

If the client device's configuration interface has an area for entering another device's PIN, you can either enter the client's PIN in the AP, or enter the AP's PIN in the client - it does not matter which.

5 Start WPS on both devices within two minutes.

Use the configuration utility to activate WPS, not the push-button on the device itself.

6 On a computer connected to the wireless client, try to connect to the Internet. If you can connect, WPS was successful.

If you cannot connect, check the list of associated wireless clients in the AP's configuration utility. If you see the wireless client in the list, WPS was successful.

The following figure shows a WPS-enabled wireless client (installed in a notebook computer) connecting to the WPS-enabled AP via the PIN method.

Figure 20 Example WPS Process: PIN Method

3.3.3 How WPS Works

When two WPS-enabled devices connect, each device must assume a specific role. One device acts as the registrar (the device that supplies network and security settings) and the other device acts as the enrollee (the device that receives network and security settings. The registrar creates a secure EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) tunnel and sends the network name (SSID) and the WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK pre-shared key to the enrollee. Whether WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK is used depends on the standards supported by the devices. If the registrar is already part of a network, it sends the existing information. If not, it generates the SSID and WPA(2)-PSK randomly.

The following figure shows a WPS-enabled client (installed in a notebook computer) connecting to a WPS-enabled access point.

Figure 21 How WPS works

The roles of registrar and enrollee last only as long as the WPS setup process is active (two minutes). The next time you use WPS, a different device can be the registrar if necessary.

The WPS connection process is like a handshake; only two devices participate in each WPS transaction. If you want to add more devices you should repeat the process with one of the existing networked devices and the new device.

Note that the access point (AP) is not always the registrar, and the wireless client is not always the enrollee. All WPS-certified APs can be a registrar, and so can some WPS-enabled wireless clients.

By default, a WPS devices is "unconfigured". This means that it is not part of an existing network and can act as either enrollee or registrar (if it supports both functions). If the registrar is unconfigured, the security settings it transmits to the enrollee are randomly-generated. Once a WPS-enabled device has connected to another device using WPS, it becomes "configured". A configured wireless client can still act as enrollee or registrar in subsequent WPS connections, but a configured access point can no longer act as enrollee. It will be the registrar in all subsequent WPS connections in which it is involved. If you want a configured AP to act as an enrollee, you must reset it to its factory defaults.

3.3.3.1 Example WPS Network Setup

This section shows how security settings are distributed in an example WPS setup.

The following figure shows an example network. In step 1, both AP1 and Client 1 are unconfigured. When WPS is activated on both, they perform the handshake. In this example, AP1 is the registrar, and Client 1 is the enrollee. The registrar randomly generates the security information to set up the network, since it is unconfigured and has no existing information.

Figure 22 WPS: Example Network Step 1

In step 2, you add another wireless client to the network. You know that Client 1 supports registrar mode, but it is better to use AP1 for the WPS handshake with the new client since you must connect to the access point anyway in order to use the network. In this case, AP1 must be the registrar, since it is configured (it already has security information for the network). AP1 supplies the existing security information to Client 2.

Figure 23 WPS: Example Network Step 2

In step 3, you add another access point (AP2) to your network. AP2 is out of range of AP1, so you cannot use AP1 for the WPS handshake with the new access point. However, you know that Client 2 supports the registrar function, so you use it to perform the WPS handshake instead.

Figure 24 WPS: Example Network Step 3

3.3.4 Limitations of WPS

WPS has some limitations of which you should be aware.

• WPS works in Infrastructure networks only (where an AP and a wireless client communicate). It does not work in Ad-Hoc networks (where there is no AP).
• When you use WPS, it works between two devices only. You cannot enroll multiple devices simultaneously, you must enroll one after the other.

For instance, if you have two enrollees and one registrar you must set up the first enrollee (by pressing the WPS button on the registrar and the first enrollee, for example), then check that it successfully enrolled, then set up the second device in the same way.

• WPS works only with other WPS-enabled devices. However, you can still add non-WPS devices to a network you already set up using WPS.

WPS works by automatically issuing a randomly-generated WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK pre-shared key from the registrar device to the enrollee devices (see Section 4.3.1.2 on page 52 for information on pre-shared keys). Whether the network uses WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK depends on the device. You can check the configuration interface of the registrar device to discover the key the network is using (if the device supports this feature). Then, you can enter the key into the non-WPS device and join the network as normal (the non-WPS device must also support WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK).

• When you use the PBC method, there is a short period (from the moment you press the button on one device to the moment you press the button on the other device) when any WPS-enabled device could join the network. This is because the registrar has no way of identifying the "correct" enrollee, and cannot differentiate between your enrollee and a rogue device. This is a possible way for a hacker to gain access to a network.

You can easily check to see if this has happened. WPS works between only two devices simultaneously, so if another device has enrolled your device will be unable to enroll, and will not have access to the network. If this happens, open the access point's configuration interface and look at the list of associated clients (usually displayed by MAC address). It does not matter if the access point is the WPS registrar, the enrollee, or was not involved in the WPS handshake; a rogue device must still associate with the access point to gain access to the network. Check the MAC addresses of your wireless clients (usually printed on a label on the bottom of the device). If there is an unknown MAC address you can remove it or reset the AP.

Wireless Configuration

This chapter shows you how to configure your NWD310N.

4.1 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary

This section describes the ZyXEL utility screens.

Figure 25 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary

The following table describes the menus.

Table 4 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary

TAB	DESCRIPTION
Link Info	Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate statistics.
Site Survey	Use this screen to • scan for a wireless network • configure wireless security (if activated on the selected network). • connect to a wireless network.
Profile	Use this screen to add, delete, edit or activate a profile with a set of wireless and security settings.
Adapter	Use this screen to configure preamble type, enable power saving and use WiFi Protected Setup (WPS).

4.2 The Link Info Screen

When the ZyXEL utility starts, the Link Info screen displays, showing the current configuration and connection status of your NWD310N.

Figure 26 Link Info

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 5 Link Info

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Wireless Network Status
Profile Name	This is the name of the profile you are currently using.
Network Name (SSID)	TheSSID identifies the wireless network to which a wireless station is associated. This field displays the name of the wireless device to which the NWD310N is associated.
AP MAC Address	This field displays the MAC address of the AP or peer computer to which the NWD310N is associated.
Network Type	This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc) of the wireless network.
Transmission Rate	This field displays the current transmission rate of the NWD310N in megabits per second (Mbps).
Security	This field displays whether data encryption is activated (WEP / 802.1x / WPA / WPA-PSK / WPA2 / WPA2-PSK) or inactive (DISABLE).
Channel	This field displays the radio channel the NWD310N is currently using.
Statistics
Transmit Rate	This field displays the current data transmission rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).
Receive Rate	This field displays the current data receiving rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).
Authentication	This field displays the authentication method of the NWD310N.
Network Mode	This field displays the wireless standard (802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n) of the AP or peer computer.
Total Transmit	This field displays the total number of data frames transmitted.
Total Receive	This field displays the total number of data frames received.
Link Quality	This field displays the signal strength of the NWD310N.
Trend Chart	Click this button to display the real-time statistics of the data rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).
Signal Strength	The status bar shows the strength of the signal. The signal strength mainly depends on the antenna output power and the distance between your NWD310N and the AP or peer computer.
Link Quality	The status bar shows the quality of wireless connection. This refers to the percentage of packets transmitted successfully. If there are too many wireless stations in a wireless network, collisions may occur which could result in a loss of messages even though you have high signal strength.

4.2.1 Trend Chart

Click Trend Chart in the Link Info screen to display a screen as shown below. Use this screen to view real-time data traffic statistics.

Figure 27 Link Info: Trend Chart

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 6 Link Info: Trend Chart

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Transmit	This field displays the current data transmission rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).
Receive	This field displays the current data reception rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

4.3 The Site Survey Screen

Use the Site Survey screen to scan for and connect to a wireless network automatically.

Figure 28 Site Survey

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 7 Site Survey

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Available Network List	Click a column heading to sort the entries.
or	denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode and the wireless security is activated. denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode but the wireless security is deactivated. denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode and the wireless security is activated. denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode but the wireless security is deactivated.
SSID	This field displays theSSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each wireless device.
Channel	This field displays the channel number used by each wireless device.
Signal	This field displays the signal strength of each wireless device.
Scan	Click Scan to search for available wireless devices within transmission range.
Connect	Click Connect to associate to the selected wireless device.
Site Information	Click an entry in the Available Network List table to display the information of the selected wireless device.
Network Type	This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) of the wireless device.
Network Mode	This field displays the wireless standard (802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n) used by the selected wireless device.
Channel	This field displays the channel number used by each wireless device.
Security	This field shows whether data encryption is activated (WEP, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK or 802.1x) or inactive (DISABLE).
MAC address	This field displays the MAC address of the wireless device.
Surveyed at	This field displays the time when the wireless device was scanned.

4.3.1 Security Settings

When you configure the NWD310N to connect to a network with wireless security activated and the security settings are disabled on the NWD310N, the screen varies according to the encryption method used by the selected network.

Figure 29 Security Setting: WEP

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 8 Security Setting: WEP

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Security Settings
WEP	Select 64 Bits or 128 Bits to activate WEP encryption and then fill in the related fields.
Encryption Type	Select an authentication method. Choices are Open and Shared.Refer to Section 3.2.1.1.2 on page 39 for more information.
Pass Phrase	Enter a passphrase of up to 32 case-sensitive printable characters. As you enter the passphrase, the NWD310N automatically generates four different WEP keys and displays the first in the key field below. Refer to Section 3.2.1.1.1 on page 38 for more information.
Transmit Key	Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption. The key displays in the adjacent field.
Key x (where x is a number between 1 and 4)	Select this option if you want to manually enter the WEP keys. Enter the WEP key in the field provided.If you select 64 Bits in the WEP field.Enter either 10 hexadecimal digits in the range of “A-F”, “a-f” and “0-9” (for example, 11AA22BB33) for HEX key type.orEnter 5 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from “a-z”, “A-Z” and “0-9” (for example, MyKey) for ASCII key type.If you select 128 Bits in the WEP field,Enter either 26 hexadecimal digits in the range of “A-F”, “a-f” and “0-9” (for example, 00112233445566778899AABBCC) for HEX key typeorEnter 13 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from “a-z”, “A-Z” and “0-9” (for example, MyKey12345678) for ASCII key type.Note: The values for the WEP keys must be set up exactly the same on all wireless devices in the same wireless LAN.ASCII WEP keys are case sensitive.
Back	Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to another network.
Next	Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Summary screen. Refer to Section 4.3.3 on page 55.
Exit	Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

4.3.1.2 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

Figure 30 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 9 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Encryption Type	The encryption mechanisms used for WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK are the same. The only difference between the two is that WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK uses a simple common password, instead of user-specific credentials. Select the encryption type (TKIP or AES) for data encryption. Refer to Section 3.2.1.3 on page 39 for more information.
Pre-Shared Key	Type a pre-shared key (same as the AP or peer device) of between 8 and 63 case-sensitive ASCII characters (including spaces and symbols) or 64 hexadecimal characters.
Back	Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to another network.
Next	Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Summary screen. Refer to Section 4.3.3 on page 55.
Exit	Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

4.3.1.3 WPA/WPA2

The screen that displays when you select WPA or WPA2 differs, depending on the EAP Type you select (TLS, PEAP or TTLS).

The procedure to configure WPA or WPA2 is different in Windows Vista. See Section 4.6 on page 64 for information on setting up your NWD310N to use WPA or WPA2 in Vista.

Figure 31 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 10 Security Setting: WPA/WPA2

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Encryption Type	The encryption mechanisms used for WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK are the same. The only difference between the two is that WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK uses a simple common password, instead of user-specific credentials. Select the encryption type (TKIP or AES) for data encryption. Refer to Section 3.2.1.3 on page 39 for more information.
EAP Type	The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server or AP. Select an authentication method from the drop down list. Options are TLS, PEAP and TTLS (at the time of writing, TTLS is not available in Windows Vista).
Login Name	Enter a user name. This is the user name that you or an administrator set up on a RADIUS server.
Password	This field is not available when you select TLS in the EAP Type field. Enter the password associated with the user name above.
Certificate	This field is only available when you select TLS in the EAP Type field. Click Browse to select a certificate. Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA). Consult your network administrator for more information.
Validate Server Certificate	Select this to verify the certificate of the authentication server. If you select this and click Next, the Server Certificate Setting screen displays.
PEAP Inner EAP	This field is only available when you select PEAP in the EAP Type field. The PEAP method used by the RADIUS server or AP for client authentication is MS CHAP v2.
TTLS Protocol	This field is available only when you select TTLS in the EAP Type field. Select a TTLS protocol that the RADIUS server uses. Options are CHAP, MS-CHAP, MS-CHAP-V2 and PAP.
Back	Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to another network.
Next	Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Summary screen (refer to Section 4.3.3 on page 55.) If you selected Validate Server Certificate, the Server Certificate Setting screen displays (refer to Section 4.3.2 on page 55).
Exit	Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

4.3.1.4 IEEE 802.1x

Configure IEEE 802.1x security with various authentication methods in this screen.

The procedure to configure 802.1x is different in Windows Vista. See Section 4.6 on page 64 for information on setting up your NWD310N to use 802.1x in Vista.

Figure 32 Security Setting: 802.1x

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 11 Security Settings: IEEE 802.1x

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Encryption Type	Select WEP if the access point is configured to use 802.1x with WEP encryption.A dynamic WEP key is generated automatically.Otherwise, select Disable (at the time of writing, this is not available in Windows Vista).
EAP Type	The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server or AP Select an authentication method from the drop down list. Options are TLS, PEAP and TTLS (at the time of writing, TTLS is not available in Windows Vista).
Login Name	Enter a user name.This is the user name that you or an administrator set up on a RADIUS server.
Password	This field is not available when you select TLS in the EAP Type field.Enter the password associated with the user name above.
Certificate	This field is only available when you select TLS in the EAP Type field.Click Browse to select a certificate.Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA).Consult your network administrator for more information.
Validate Server Certificate	Select this to verify the certificate of the authentication server.If you select this and click Next, the Server Certificate Setting screen displays.
PEAP Inner EAP	This field is only available when you select PEAP in the EAP Type field.The PEAP method used by the RADIUS server or AP for client authentication is MS CHAP v2.

Table 11 Security Settings: IEEE 802.1x

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Back	Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to another network.
Next	Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Summary screen (refer to Section 4.3.3 on page 55.)If you selected Validate Server Certificate, the Server Certificate Setting screen displays (refer to Section 4.3.2 on page 55).
Exit	Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

4.3.2 Server Certificate Setting Screen

This screen displays if you selected Validate Server Certificate in the WPA, WPA2 or 802.1x screens.

Figure 33 Server Certificate Setting Screen

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 12 Server Certificate Setting

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Certificate Issuer	Select the name of the certificate authority from the list.
Back	Click Back to return to the previous screen.
Next	Click Next to continue to the Summary screen.
Exit	Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

4.3.3 Summary Screen

Use this screen to confirm and save the security settings.

Figure 34 Summary Screen

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 13 Summary Screen

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Network Name (SSID)	This field displays theSSID previously entered.
Network Type	This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc) of the wireless device.
Channel	This field displays the channel number used by the profile.
Security	This field shows whether data encryption is activated (WEP, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK, 802.1x) or inactive (DISABLE).
Back	Click Back to return to the previous screen.
Save	Click Save to save the changes back to the NWD310N and display the Link Info screen.
Exit	Click Exit to discard changes and return to the Site Survey screen.

4.4 The Profile Screen

A profile is a set of wireless parameters that you need to connect to a wireless network. With a profile activated, each time you start the NWD310N, it automatically scans for the specific SSID and joins that network with the pre-defined wireless security settings. If the specified network is not available, the NWD310N cannot connect to a network.

If you do not configure and activate a profile, each time you start the NWD310N, the NWD310N uses the default profile to connect to any available network that has no security enabled.

The default profile is a profile that allows you to connect to any SSID that has no security enabled.

Click the Profile tab in the ZyXEL utility program to display the Profile screen as shown next.

The profile function allows you to save the wireless network settings in this screen, or use one of the pre-configured network profiles.

Figure 35 Profile

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 14 Profile

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Profile List	Click a column heading to sort the entries.
or	denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode and the wireless security is activated. denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode but the wireless security is deactivated. denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode and the wireless security is activated. denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode but the wireless security is deactivated.
Profile Name	This is the name of the pre-configured profile.
SSID	This is theSSID of the wireless network to which the selected profile associate.
Connect	To use and activate a previously saved network profile, select a pre-configured profile name in the table and click Connect.
Add	To add a new profile into the table, click Add.
Delete	To delete an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile in the table and click Delete.
Edit	To edit an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile in the table and click Edit.
Profile Info	The following fields display detailed information of the selected profile in the Profile List table.
Network Type	This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc) of the profile.
SSID	This field displays the network's Service Set IDentity (the name of the network).
Channel	This field displays the channel number used by the profile.
Security	This field shows whether data encryption is activated (WEP, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK or 802.1x) or inactive (DISABLE).
Transfer Rate	This field displays the transmission speed of the selected profile in megabits per second (Mbps).

4.4.1 Adding a New Profile

Follow the steps below to add a new profile.

1 Click Add in the Profile screen. An Add New Profile screen displays as shown next.

Figure 36 Profile: Add a New Profile

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 15 Profile: Add a New Profile

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Add New Profile
Profile Name	Enter a descriptive name in this field.
SSID	Select an available wireless device in the Scan Info table and click Select, or enter the SSID of the wireless device to which you want to associate in this field manually. Otherwise, enter Any to have the NWD310N associate to any AP or roam between any infrastructure wireless networks.
Network Type	Select Infrastructure to associate to an AP. Select Ad-Hoc to associate to a peer computer.
Next	Click Next to go to the next screen.
Exit	Click Exit to go back to the previous screen without saving.
Scan Info	This table displays the information of the available wireless networks within the transmission range.
or	denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode and the wireless security is activated.
	denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode but the wireless security is deactivated.
	denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode and the wireless security is activated.
	denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode but the wireless security is deactivated.
SSID	This field displays theSSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each AP or peer device.
Scan	Click Scan to search for available wireless devices within transmission range.
Select	Select an available wireless device in the table and click Select to add it to this profile. Whenever you activate this profile, the NWD310N associates to the selected wireless network only.

2 If you select the Infrastructure network type in the previous screen, skip to step 3. If you select the Ad-Hoc network type in the previous screen, a screen displays as follows. Select a Channel number and Wireless Mode and click Next to continue.

To associate to an ad-hoc network, you must use the same channel as the peer computer.

Figure 37 Profile: Wireless Settings

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 16 Profile: Wireless Settings

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Wireless Settings
Channel	Select a channel number from the drop-down list box. To associate to an ad-hoc network, you must use the same channel as the peer computer.
Wireless Mode	This is the wireless standard the NWD310N uses. In Ad-Hoc mode, you can use only 802.11b or 802.11g.

3 If you selected Infrastructure network type in the first screen, select WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK or 802.1x from the drop-down list box to enable data encryption. If you selected Ad-Hoc network type in the first screen, you can use only WEP encryption method. Otherwise, select DISABLE to allow the NWD310N to communicate with the access points or other peer wireless computers without any data encryption, and skip to step 5.

Figure 38 Profile: Wireless Settings

4 The screen varies depending on the encryption method you select in the previous screen. The settings must be exactly the same on the AP or other peer wireless computers as they are on the NWD310N. Refer to Section 4.3.1 on page 51 for detailed information on wireless security configuration.

Figure 39 Profile: Security Settings

5 This read-only screen shows a summary of the new profile settings. Verify that the settings are correct. Click Save to save and go to the next screen. Click Back to return to the previous screen. Otherwise, click Exit to go back to the Profile screen without saving.

Figure 40 Profile: Confirm New Settings

6 To use this network profile, click the Activate Now button. Otherwise, click the Activate Later button. You can activate only one profile at a time.

Once you activate a profile, the ZyXEL utility will use that profile the next time it is started.

Figure 41 Profile: Activate the Profile

4.5 The Adapter Screen

To set the other advanced features on the NWD310N, click the Adapter tab.

Figure 42 Adapter

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 17 Adapter

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Adapter Setting
Preamble Type	Preamble is used to signal that data is coming to the receiver. Short preamble increases performance as less time sending preamble means more time for sending data. All IEEE 802.11b/g compliant wireless adapters support long preamble, but not all support short preamble.The NWD310N automatically uses short preamble when the access point supports it; otherwise the NWD310N uses long preamble.At the time of writing, this field is not available in Windows Vista.
Power Saving Mode	Select Fast Power Save to save power. This forces the NWD310N to go to sleep mode when it is not transmitting data. When you select Continuous Access Mode, the NWD310N will never go to sleep mode. At the time of writing, this field is not available in Windows Vista.
WMM QoS	Select this to enable Wi-fi MultiMedia Quality of Service on the NWD310N. At the time of writing, this field is not available in Windows Vista.
WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)	Select this to enable Wi-fi Protected Setup on the NWD310N.
PBC (Push Button Configuration)	Select this to use the PBC (Push-Button Configuration) WPS mode. When you use the PBC mode you do not use a PIN. When you select this, the PBC (Push Button Configuration screen appears (see Section 4.5.1 on page 62).
PIN - Use This Device's PIN	Select this to use the PIN (Personal Identification Number) WPS mode. Use this option when you want to enter the NWD310N's PIN in another WPS-enabled device. When you select this, the PIN - Use this Device's PIN screen appears (see Section 4.5.2 on page 63).
PIN - Use the PIN From the AP or Wireless Router	Select this to use the PIN (Personal Identification Number) WPS mode. Use this option when you want to enter the PIN from another WPS-enabled device in the NWD310N. When you select this, the PIN - Use the PIN From the AP or Wireless Router screen appears (see Section 4.5.3 on page 63).
Save	Click Save to save the changes to the NWD310N and return to the Link Info screen.

4.5.1 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration)

This screen allows you to use the WPS Push Button Configuration mode. See Section 3.3.1 on page 40 for more information. Select WPS and PBC (Push Button Configuration) in the Adapter screen. The following screen displays.

Figure 43 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration)

Press Start when you want to begin the WPS process. You must also press the button on the other device within two minutes.

4.5.2 WPS: PIN - Use this Device's PIN

This screen allows you to use the WPS Personal Identification Number mode, by entering the NWD310N's unique PIN in the configuration utility of the other WPS-enabled device. See Section 3.3.2 on page 41 for more information. Select WPS and PIN - Use this Device's PIN in the Adapter screen. The following screen displays.

Figure 44 WPS: PIN - Use this Device's PIN

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 18 WPS: PIN - Use this Device's PIN

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
This device's PIN	This is the NWD310N's Personal Identification Number (PIN). This field is read-only. Enter the number that displays in this field into the configuration interface of the other WPS-enabled device.Note: Each time this screen displays, the PIN is different. The PIN is valid for only one WPS transaction.
Start	Click this to start WPS. You must start WPS on the other WPS-enabled device within two minutes.

4.5.3 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router

This screen allows you to use the WPS Personal Identification Number mode, by entering the PIN from another WPS-enabled device into the NWD310N's utility. See Section 3.3.2 on page 41 for more information. Select WPS and PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router in the Adapter screen. The following screen displays.

Figure 45 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 19 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
AP or Router's PIN	Enter the PIN from your AP or wireless router in this field before you click Start.
Start	Click this to start WPS. You must start WPS on the other WPS-enabled device within two minutes.

4.6 Security Settings in Windows Vista

When you use the NWD310N in Windows Vista, the procedure for setting up WPA, WPA2 and 802.1x security settings is different from that of other operating systems (other security types are not affected).

The procedures for setting up WPA, WPA2 or 802.1x in Vista are the same. However, the procedure differs depending on whether you use PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption. Consult your network administrator if you are unsure which type of encryption to use.

See section Section 4.6.1 on page 64 to use PEAP, or see section Section 4.6.2 on page 65 to use TLS.

TTLS (Tunnelled TLS) is not available when using Windows Vista, at the time of writing.

4.6.1 Using PEAP in Vista

Take the following steps to set up WPA, WPA2 or 802.1x security using PEAP in Windows Vista.

1 Either select the AP to which you want to connect in the Site Survey screen (see Section 4.3 on page 49), or configure a profile in the normal way (see Section 4.4 on page 56).

2 In the WPA, WPA2 or 802.1x security screen (see Section 4.3.1.3 on page 52 and Section 4.3.1.4 on page 54), select PEAP as the EAP Type. Note that the Login Name and Password fields are greyed-out (not available).
3 Click Next.
4 In the Summary screen that appears, click Save.
5 A message similar to the following appears in the bottom-right of your screen. Click the message.

Figure 46 Vista Security: Additional Information Required

6 The Enter Credentials screen displays. Enter your User name and Password for the network to which you want to connect.

Figure 47 Vista Security: Enter Credentials

If you are not sure what to enter, contact your network administrator.

7 Click OK. The Enter Credentials screen disappears and the NWD310N tries to connect to the network. The ZyXEL utility's Link Info screen displays, showing the connection status (see Section 4.2 on page 47). If the Link Info screen displays an active connection, you have successfully completed the procedure.

4.6.2 Using TLS in Vista

Take the following steps to set up WPA, WPA2 or 802.1x security using TLS in Windows Vista.

1 Either select the AP to which you want to connect in the Site Survey screen (see Section 4.3 on page 49), or configure a profile (see Section 4.4 on page 56) in the normal way.

2 In the WPA, WPA2 or 802.1x security screen, select TLS as the EAP Type. Note that the Login Name, Certificate and Validate Server Certificate fields are not available (greyed-out).
3 Click Next.
4 In the Summary screen, click Save.

A message similar to the following appears in the bottom-right of your screen. Click the message.

Figure 48 Vista Security: Additional Information Required

5 The Select Certificate screen displays. Select the certificate you want to use, and enter your username.

Figure 49 Vista Security: Select Certificate

If you do not have the right certificate, or are not sure which certificate you should use, contact your network administrator.

6 Click OK. The Select Certificate screen disappears and the NWD310N tries to connect to the network. The ZyXEL utility's Link Info screen displays, showing the connection status (see Section 4.2 on page 47). If the Link Info screen displays an active connection, you have successfully completed the procedure.

This chapter describes how to uninstall or upgrade the ZyXEL utility.

5.1 The About Screen

The About screen displays driver and utility version numbers of the NWD310N. To display the screen as shown below, click the about ( ) button.

Figure 50 About

The following table describes the read-only fields in this screen.

Table 20 About

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Driver Version	This field displays the version number of the NWD310N driver.
Utility Version	This field displays the version number of the ZyXEL utility.

5.2 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility

Follow the steps below to remove (or uninstall) the ZyXEL utility from your computer.

Before you uninstall the ZyXEL utility, take note of your current wireless configurations.

1 Click Start, (All) Programs, ZyXEL Wireless N PCI Utility, Uninstall ZyXEL Wireless N PCI Adapter Utility.
2 When prompted, click OK or Yes to remove the driver and the utility software.

Figure 51 Uninstall: Confirm

3 Click Finish to complete uninstalling the software and restart the computer when prompted.

Figure 52 Uninstall: Finish

5.3 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility

Before you uninstall the ZyXEL utility, take note of your current wireless configurations.

To perform the upgrade, follow the steps below.

1 Download the latest version of the utility from the ZyXEL web site and save the file on your computer.

2 Follow the steps in Section 5.2 on page 67 to remove the current ZyXEL utility from your computer.
3 Restart your computer when prompted.
4 Disconnect the NWD310N from your computer.
5 Double-click on the setup program for the new utility to start the ZyXEL utility installation.
6 Insert the NWD310N and check the version numbers in the About screen to make sure the new utility is installed properly.

PART II

Troubleshooting and Specifications

Troubleshooting (73)

Product Specifications (77)

Troubleshooting

This chapter offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter. The potential problems are divided into the following categories.

• Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs
• Accessing the Utility
• Link Quality
• Problems Communicating with Other Computers

6.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs

The NWD310N does not turn on. None of the LEDs turn on.

1 Make sure the NWD310N is correctly installed (refer to your Quick Start Guide).
2 Restart the computer to which the NWD310N is attached.
3 If the problem continues, contact the vendor.

One of the LEDs does not behave as expected.

1 Make sure you understand the normal behavior of the LED. See Section 1.1 on page 21.
2 Check the hardware connections. See the Quick Start Guide and Section 1.1 on page 21.
3 Restart the computer to which the NWD310N is attached.
4 If the problem continues, contact the vendor.

6.2 Accessing the Utility

I cannot access the Utility

1 Make sure the NWD310N is properly inserted and the LEDs are on. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for the LED descriptions.
2 Use the Device Manager to check for possible hardware conflicts. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Hardware and Device Manager. Verify the status of the NWD310N under Network Adapter (steps may vary depending on the version of Windows).
3 Install the NWD310N in another computer.
4 If the error persists, you may have a hardware problem. In this case, you should contact your vendor.

6.3 Link Quality

The link quality and/or signal strength is poor.

1 Scan for and connect to another AP with a better link quality using the Site Survey screen.
2 Move your computer closer to the AP or the peer computer(s) within the transmission range.
3 There may be too much radio interference (for example from a microwave oven, or another AP using the same channel) around your wireless network. Lower the output power of each AP.
4 Make sure there are not too many wireless stations connected to a wireless network.

6.4 Problems Communicating with Other Computers

The computer with the NWD310N installed cannot communicate with the other computer(s).

In Infrastructure Mode

• Make sure that the AP and the associated computers are turned on and working properly.
• Make sure the NWD310N computer and the associated AP use the same SSID.
• Change the AP and the associated wireless clients to use another radio channel if interference is high.
• Make sure that the computer and the AP share the same security option and key. Verify the settings in the Profile Security Setting screen.
• If you are using WPA(2) or WPA(2)-PSK security, try changing your encryption type from TKIP to AES or vice versa.

In Ad-Hoc (IBSS) Mode

• Verify that the peer computer(s) is turned on.
• Make sure the NWD310N computer and the peer computer(s) are using the same SSID and channel.
• Make sure that the computer and the peer computer(s) share the same security settings.
• Change the wireless clients to use another radio channel if interference is high.

Product Specifications

Table 21 Product Specifications

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Product Name	NWD310N Draft 2.0 802.11n Wireless PCI Adapter
Interface	PCI bus 2.3
Standards	IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (Draft 2.0)
Operating Temperature	0 ~ 55 degrees Celsius
Storage Temperature	-10 ~ 65 degrees Celsius
Operating Humidity	20 ~ 95 % (non-condensing)
Storage Humidity	20 ~ 95 % (non-condensing)
Power Consumption	TX: < 750 mA RX: < 650mA
Voltage	3.3 V
Weight	40 g
Dimensions	122 x 121 x 221 mm
RADIO SPECIFICATIONS
Media Access Protocol	IEEE 802.11
Frequency	Industrial Scientific Medical Band 2.4 ~ 2.4835 GHz
Operating Channels	North American and Taiwan: 11 Europe: 13
Data Rate	IEEE 802.11b: 11Mbps with automatic fallback to 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps IEEE 802.11g: 54Mbps with automatic fallback to 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps IEEE 802.11n (draft): up to 300 Mbps
Modulation	IEEE 802.11b: CCK (11 and 5.5 Mbps), DQPSK (2 Mbps) and DBPSK (1 Mbps) IEEE 802.11g: OFDM with BPSK, QPSK and 16/64-QAM sub-Carrier modulations IEEE 802.11n (draft):
Average Output Power	Tolerance: +/- 1.5dBm IEEE 802.11b: 18 dBm at 11 Mbps IEEE 802.11g: 15 dBm at 54 Mbps IEEE 802.11n (draft): 15 dBm at HT20, 13 dBm at HT40
Receiver Sensitivity	Tolerance: +/- 1 dBm IEEE 802.11b: -84 dBm at 11 Mbps IEEE 802.11g: -72 dBm at 54 Mbps IEEE 802.11n (draft): -70 dBm at HT20, -67 dBm at HT40
SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS
Device Drivers	Windows Vista Windows XP 64-bit Windows XP Windows 2000 MAC OS 10.3 & 10.4
Security	64/128/152-bit WEP WPA/WPA-PSK/WPA2/WPA2-PSK IEEE 802.1x WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) Certified
Roaming	IEEE 802.11b/g/n compliant

PART III

Appendices and

Index

The appendices provide general information. Some details may not apply to your NWD310N.

Setting up Your Computer's IP Address (81)

Wireless LANs (103)

Windows Wireless Management (117)

Legal Information (139)

Customer Support (143)

Index (149)

Setting up Your Computer's IP Address

The purpose of this appendix is to show you how to configure an IP address on your computer depending on what operating system you have. It does NOT mean that your NWD310N supports all these operating systems. To see what operating systems your NWD310N supports, refer to Chapter 7 on page 77.

All computers must have a 10M or 100M Ethernet adapter card and TCP/IP installed.

Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista, Macintosh OS 7 and later operating systems and all versions of UNIX/LINUX include the software components you need to install and use TCP/IP on your computer. Windows 3.1 requires the purchase of a third-party TCP/IP application package.

TCP/IP should already be installed on computers using Windows NT/2000/XP, Macintosh OS 7 and later operating systems.

After the appropriate TCP/IP components are installed, configure the TCP/IP settings in order to "communicate" with your network.

If you manually assign IP information instead of using dynamic assignment, make sure that your computers have IP addresses that place them in the same subnet as the NWD310N's LAN port.

Windows 95/98/Me

Click Start, Settings, Control Panel and double-click the Network icon to open the Network window.

Figure 53 Windows 95/98/Me: Network: Configuration

Installing Components

The Network window Configuration tab displays a list of installed components. You need a network adapter, the TCP/IP protocol and Client for Microsoft Networks.

If you need the adapter:

1 In the Network window, click Add.
2 Select Adapter and then click Add.
3 Select the manufacturer and model of your network adapter and then click OK.

If you need TCP/IP:

1 In the Network window, click Add.
2 Select Protocol and then click Add.
3 Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers.
4 Select TCP/IP from the list of network protocols and then click OK.

If you need Client for Microsoft Networks:

1 Click Add.
2 Select Client and then click Add.
3 Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers.
4 Select Client for Microsoft Networks from the list of network clients and then click OK.
5 Restart your computer so the changes you made take effect.

Configuring

1 In the Network window Configuration tab, select your network adapter's TCP/IP entry and click Properties
2 Click the IP Address tab.

• If your IP address is dynamic, select Obtain an IP address automatically.
• If you have a static IP address, select Specify an IP address and type your information into the IP Address and Subnet Mask fields.

Figure 54 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: IP Address

3 Click the DNS Configuration tab.

• If you do not know your DNS information, select Disable DNS.
• If you know your DNS information, select Enable DNS and type the information in the fields below (you may not need to fill them all in).

Figure 55 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: DNS Configuration

4 Click the Gateway tab.

• If you do not know your gateway's IP address, remove previously installed gateways.
• If you have a gateway IP address, type it in the New gateway field and click Add.

5 Click OK to save and close the TCP/IP Properties window.
6 Click OK to close the Network window. Insert the Windows CD if prompted.
7 Turn on your NWD310N and restart your computer when prompted.

Verifying Settings

1 Click Start and then Run.
2 In the Run window, type "winipcfg" and then click OK to open the IP Configuration window.
3 Select your network adapter. You should see your computer's IP address, subnet mask and default gateway.

Windows 2000/NT/XP

The following example figures use the default Windows XP GUI theme.

1 Click start (Start in Windows 2000/NT), Settings, Control Panel.

Figure 56 Windows XP: Start Menu

2 In the Control Panel, double-click Network Connections (Network and Dial-up Connections in Windows 2000/NT).

Figure 57 Windows XP: Control Panel

3 Right-click Local Area Connection and then click Properties.

Figure 58 Windows XP: Control Panel: Network Connections: Properties

4 Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (under the General tab in Win XP) and then click Properties.

Figure 59 Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties

5 The Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties window opens (the General tab in Windows XP).

• If you have a dynamic IP address click Obtain an IP address automatically.
• If you have a static IP address click Use the following IP Address and fill in the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway fields.
• Click Advanced.

Figure 60 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties

6 If you do not know your gateway's IP address, remove any previously installed gateways in the IP Settings tab and click OK.

Do one or more of the following if you want to configure additional IP addresses:

• In the IP Settings tab, in IP addresses, click Add.
• In TCP/IP Address, type an IP address in IP address and a subnet mask in Subnet mask, and then click Add.
• Repeat the above two steps for each IP address you want to add.
• Configure additional default gateways in the IP Settings tab by clicking Add in Default gateways.
• In TCP/IP Gateway Address, type the IP address of the default gateway in Gateway. To manually configure a default metric (the number of transmission hops), clear the Automatic metric check box and type a metric in Metric.
• Click Add.
• Repeat the previous three steps for each default gateway you want to add.
• Click OK when finished.

Figure 61 Windows XP: Advanced TCP/IP Properties

7 In the Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties window (the General tab in Windows XP):

• Click Obtain DNS server address automatically if you do not know your DNS server IP address(es).
• If you know your DNS server IP address(es), click Use the following DNS server addresses, and type them in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.

If you have previously configured DNS servers, click Advanced and then the DNS tab to order them.

Figure 62 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties

8 Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window.
9 Click Close (OK in Windows 2000/NT) to close the Local Area Connection Properties window.
10 Close the Network Connections window (Network and Dial-up Connections in Windows 2000/NT).
11 Turn on your NWD310N and restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Settings

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories and then Command Prompt.
2 In the Command Prompt window, type "ipconfig" and then press [ENTER]. You can also open Network Connections, right-click a network connection, click Status and then click the Support tab.

Windows Vista

This section shows screens from Windows Vista Enterprise Version 6.0.

1 Click the Start icon, Control Panel.

Figure 63 Windows Vista: Start Menu
2 In the Control Panel, double-click Network and Internet.

Figure 64 Windows Vista: Control Panel
3 Click Network and Sharing Center.

Figure 65 Windows Vista: Network And Internet
4 Click Manage network connections.

Figure 66 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center

5 Right-click Local Area Connection and then click Properties.

During this procedure, click Continue whenever Windows displays a screen saying that it needs your permission to continue.

Figure 67 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center

6 Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Figure 68 Windows Vista: Local Area Connection Properties

7 The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window opens (the General tab).

• If you have a dynamic IP address click Obtain an IP address automatically.
• If you have a static IP address click Use the following IP address and fill in the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway fields.
• Click Advanced.

Figure 69 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties

8 If you do not know your gateway's IP address, remove any previously installed gateways in the IP Settings tab and click OK.

Do one or more of the following if you want to configure additional IP addresses:

• In the IP Settings tab, in IP addresses, click Add.
• In TCP/IP Address, type an IP address in IP address and a subnet mask in Subnet mask, and then click Add.
• Repeat the above two steps for each IP address you want to add.
• Configure additional default gateways in the IP Settings tab by clicking Add in Default gateways.
• In TCP/IP Gateway Address, type the IP address of the default gateway in Gateway. To manually configure a default metric (the number of transmission hops), clear the Automatic metric check box and type a metric in Metric.
• Click Add.
• Repeat the previous three steps for each default gateway you want to add.
• Click OK when finished.

Figure 70 Windows Vista: Advanced TCP/IP Properties

9 In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window, (the General tab):

• Click Obtain DNS server address automatically if you do not know your DNS server IP address(es).
• If you know your DNS server IP address(es), click Use the following DNS server addresses, and type them in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.

If you have previously configured DNS servers, click Advanced and then the DNS tab to order them.

Figure 71 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties

10 Click OK to close the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window.
11 Click Close to close the Local Area Connection Properties window.
12 Close the Network Connections window.
13 Turn on your NWD310N and restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Settings

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories and then Command Prompt.
2 In the Command Prompt window, type "ipconfig" and then press [ENTER]. You can also open Network Connections, right-click a network connection, click Status and then click the Support tab.

Macintosh OS 8/9

1 Click the Apple menu, Control Panel and double-click TCP/IP to open the TCP/IP Control Panel.

Figure 72 Macintosh OS 8/9:Apple Menu

2 Select Ethernet built-in from the Connect via list.

Figure 73 Macintosh OS 8/9: TCP/IP

3 For dynamically assigned settings, select Using DHCP Server from the Configure: list.
4 For statically assigned settings, do the following:

From the Configure box, select Manually.

• Type your IP address in the IP Address box.
• Type your subnet mask in the Subnet mask box.
• Type the IP address of your NWD310N in the Router address box.

5 Close the TCP/IP Control Panel.
6 Click Save if prompted, to save changes to your configuration.
7 Turn on your NWD310N and restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Settings

Check your TCP/IP properties in the TCP/IP Control Panel window.

Macintosh OS X

1 Click the Apple menu, and click System Preferences to open the System Preferences window.

Figure 74 Macintosh OS X: Apple Menu

2 Click Network in the icon bar.

• Select Automatic from the Location list.
• Select Built-in Ethernet from the Show list.
• Click the TCP/IP tab.

3 For dynamically assigned settings, select Using DHCP from the Configure list.

Figure 75 Macintosh OS X: Network

4 For statically assigned settings, do the following:

From the Configure box, select Manually.
- Type your IP address in the IP Address box.
- Type your subnet mask in the Subnet mask box.
- Type the IP address of your NWD310N in the Router address box.

5 Click Apply Now and close the window.
6 Turn on your NWD310N and restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Settings

Check your TCP/IP properties in the Network window.

Linux

This section shows you how to configure your computer's TCP/IP settings in Red Hat Linux 9.0. Procedure, screens and file location may vary depending on your Linux distribution and release version.

Make sure you are logged in as the root administrator.

Using the K Desktop Environment (KDE)

Follow the steps below to configure your computer IP address using the KDE.

1 Click the Red Hat button (located on the bottom left corner), select System Setting and click Network.

Figure 76 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: Devices

2 Double-click on the profile of the network card you wish to configure. The Ethernet Device General screen displays as shown.

Figure 77 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Ethernet Device: General

• If you have a dynamic IP address, click Automatically obtain IP address settings with and select dhcp from the drop down list.
• If you have a static IP address, click statically set IP Addresses and fill in the Address, Subnet mask, and Default Gateway Address fields.

3 Click OK to save the changes and close the Ethernet Device General screen.
4 If you know your DNS server IP address(es), click the DNS tab in the Network Configuration screen. Enter the DNS server information in the fields provided.

Figure 78 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: DNS

5 Click the Devices tab.
6 Click the Activate button to apply the changes. The following screen displays. Click Yes to save the changes in all screens.

Figure 79 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: Activate

7 After the network card restart process is complete, make sure the Status is Active in the Network Configuration screen.

Using Configuration Files

Follow the steps below to edit the network configuration files and set your computer IP address.

1 Assuming that you have only one network card on the computer, locate the ifconfig-eth0 configuration file (where eth0 is the name of the Ethernet card). Open the configuration file with any plain text editor.

• If you have a dynamic IP address, enter dhcpp in the BOOTPROTO= field. The following figure shows an example.

Figure 80 Red Hat 9.0: Dynamic IP Address Setting in ifconfig-eth0

DEVICE eth0
ONBOOT yes
BOOTPROTO dhcp
USERCTL no
PEERDNS yes
TYPE Ethernet

• If you have a static IP address, enter static in the BOOT proto = field. Type IPADDR = followed by the IP address (in dotted decimal notation) and type NETMASK = followed by the subnet mask. The following example shows an example where the static IP address is 192.168.1.10 and the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.

Figure 81 Red Hat 9.0: Static IP Address Setting in ifconfig-eth0

DEVICE=eth0  
ONBOOT=yes  
BOOTPROTO=static  
IPADDR=192.168.1.10  
NETMASK=255.255.255.0  
USERCTL=no  
PEERDNS=yes  
TYPE=Ethernet 

2 If you know your DNS server IP address(es), enter the DNS server information in the resolv.conf file in the /etc directory. The following figure shows an example where two DNS server IP addresses are specified.

Figure 82 Red Hat 9.0: DNS Settings in resolv.conf

nameserver 172.23.5.1  
nameserver 172.23.5.2 

3 After you edit and save the configuration files, you must restart the network card. Enter ./network restart in the /etc/rc.d/init.d directory. The following figure shows an example.

Figure 83 Red Hat 9.0: Restart Ethernet Card

[root@localhost init.d]# network restart Shutting down interface eth0: [OK] Shutting down loopback interface: [OK] Setting network parameters: [OK] Bringing up loopback interface: [OK] Bringing up interface eth0: [OK] 

Verifying Settings

Enter ifconfig in a terminal screen to check your TCP/IP properties.

Figure 84 Red Hat 9.0: Checking TCP/IP Properties

[root@localhost]# ifconfig   
eth0 Link encaps:Ethernet HWaddr 00:50:BA:72:5B:44 inlet addr:172.23.19.129 Bcast:172.23.19.255 Mask:255.255.255.0 UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1 RX packets:717 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0 TX packets:13 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0 collisions:0 txqueuelen:100 RX bytes:730412 (713.2 Kb) TX bytes:1570 (1.5 Kb) Interrupt:10 Base address:0x1000   
[root@localhost]# 

Wireless LANs

Wireless LAN Topologies

This section discusses ad-hoc and infrastructure wireless LAN topologies.

Ad-hoc Wireless LAN Configuration

The simplest WLAN configuration is an independent (Ad-hoc) WLAN that connects a set of computers with wireless adapters (A, B, C). Any time two or more wireless adapters are within range of each other, they can set up an independent network, which is commonly referred to as an ad-hoc network or Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). The following diagram shows an example of notebook computers using wireless adapters to form an ad-hoc wireless LAN.

Figure 85 Peer-to-Peer Communication in an Ad-hoc Network

BSS

A Basic Service Set (BSS) exists when all communications between wireless clients or between a wireless client and a wired network client go through one access point (AP).

Intra-BSS traffic is traffic between wireless clients in the BSS. When Intra-BSS is enabled, wireless client A and B can access the wired network and communicate with each other. When Intra-BSS is disabled, wireless client A and B can still access the wired network but cannot communicate with each other.

Figure 86 Basic Service Set

ESS

An Extended Service Set (ESS) consists of a series of overlapping BSSs, each containing an access point, with each access point connected together by a wired network. This wired connection between APs is called a Distribution System (DS).

This type of wireless LAN topology is called an Infrastructure WLAN. The Access Points not only provide communication with the wired network but also mediate wireless network traffic in the immediate neighborhood.

An ESSID (ESS IDentification) uniquely identifies each ESS. All access points and their associated wireless clients within the same ESS must have the same ESSID in order to communicate.

Figure 87 Infrastructure WLAN

Channel

A channel is the radio frequency(ies) used by wireless devices to transmit and receive data. Channels available depend on your geographical area. You may have a choice of channels (for your region) so you should use a channel different from an adjacent AP (access point) to reduce interference. Interference occurs when radio signals from different access points overlap causing interference and degrading performance.

Adjacent channels partially overlap however. To avoid interference due to overlap, your AP should be on a channel at least five channels away from a channel that an adjacent AP is using. For example, if your region has 11 channels and an adjacent AP is using channel 1, then you need to select a channel between 6 or 11.

RTS/CTS

A hidden node occurs when two stations are within range of the same access point, but are not within range of each other. The following figure illustrates a hidden node. Both stations (STA) are within range of the access point (AP) or wireless gateway, but out-of-range of each other, so they cannot "hear" each other, that is they do not know if the channel is currently being used. Therefore, they are considered hidden from each other.

Figure 88 RTS/CTS

When station A sends data to the AP, it might not know that the station B is already using the channel. If these two stations send data at the same time, collisions may occur when both sets of data arrive at the AP at the same time, resulting in a loss of messages for both stations.

RTS/CTS is designed to prevent collisions due to hidden nodes. An RTS/CTS defines the biggest size data frame you can send before an RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake is invoked.

When a data frame exceeds the RTS/CTS value you set (between 0 to 2432 bytes), the station that wants to transmit this frame must first send an RTS (Request To Send) message to the AP for permission to send it. The AP then responds with a CTS (Clear to Send) message to all other stations within its range to notify them to defer their transmission. It also reserves and confirms with the requesting station the time frame for the requested transmission.

Stations can send frames smaller than the specified RTS/CTS directly to the AP without the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake.

You should only configure RTS/CTS if the possibility of hidden nodes exists on your network and the "cost" of resending large frames is more than the extra network overhead involved in the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake.

If the RTS/CTS value is greater than the Fragmentation Threshold value (see next), then the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they reach RTS/CTS size.

Enabling the RTS Threshold causes redundant network overhead that could negatively affect the throughput performance instead of providing a remedy.

Fragmentation Threshold

A Fragmentation Threshold is the maximum data fragment size (between 256 and 2432 bytes) that can be sent in the wireless network before the AP will fragment the packet into smaller data frames.

A large Fragmentation Threshold is recommended for networks not prone to interference while you should set a smaller threshold for busy networks or networks that are prone to interference.

If the Fragmentation Threshold value is smaller than the RTS/CTS value (see previously) you set then the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they reach RTS/CTS size.

Preamble Type

Preamble is used to signal that data is coming to the receiver. Short and long refer to the length of the synchronization field in a packet.

Short preamble increases performance as less time sending preamble means more time for sending data. All IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless adapters support long preamble, but not all support short preamble.

Use long preamble if you are unsure what preamble mode other wireless devices on the network support, and to provide more reliable communications in busy wireless networks.

Use short preamble if you are sure all wireless devices on the network support it, and to provide more efficient communications.

Use the dynamic setting to automatically use short preamble when all wireless devices on the network support it, otherwise the NWD310N uses long preamble.

The wireless devices MUST use the same preamble mode in order to communicate.

IEEE 802.11g Wireless LAN

IEEE 802.11g is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard. This means an IEEE 802.11b adapter can interface directly with an IEEE 802.11g access point (and vice versa) at 11 Mbps or lower depending on range. IEEE 802.11g has several intermediate rate steps between the maximum and minimum data rates. The IEEE 802.11g data rate and modulation are as follows:

Table 22 IEEE 802.11g

DATA RATE (MBPS)	MODULATION
1	DBPSK (Differential Binary Phase Shift Keyed)
2	DQPSK (Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)
5.5 / 11	CCK (Complementary Code Keying)
6/9/12/18/24/36/48/54	OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)

Wireless Security Overview

Wireless security is vital to your network to protect wireless communication between wireless clients, access points and the wired network.

Wireless security methods available on the NWD310N are data encryption, wireless client authentication, restricting access by device MAC address and hiding the NWD310N identity.

The following figure shows the relative effectiveness of these wireless security methods available on your NWD310N.

Table 23 Wireless Security Levels

SECURITY LEVEL	SECURITY TYPE
Least Secure Most Secure	Unique SSID (Default)
	Unique SSID with Hide SSID Enabled
	MAC Address Filtering
	WEP Encryption
	IEEE802.1x EAP with RADIUS Server Authentication
	Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
	WPA2

You must enable the same wireless security settings on the NWD310N and on all wireless clients that you want to associate with it.

IEEE 802.1x

In June 2001, the IEEE 802.1x standard was designed to extend the features of IEEE 802.11 to support extended authentication as well as providing additional accounting and control features. It is supported by Windows XP and a number of network devices. Some advantages of IEEE 802.1x are:

• User based identification that allows for roaming.
• Support for RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service, RFC 2138, 2139) for centralized user profile and accounting management on a network RADIUS server.
• Support for EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol, RFC 2486) that allows additional authentication methods to be deployed with no changes to the access point or the wireless clients.

RADIUS

RADIUS is based on a client-server model that supports authentication, authorization and accounting. The access point is the client and the server is the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server handles the following tasks:

Authentication

Determines the identity of the users.

• Authorization

Determines the network services available to authenticated users once they are connected to the network.

• Accounting

Keeps track of the client's network activity.

RADIUS is a simple package exchange in which your AP acts as a message relay between the wireless client and the network RADIUS server.

Types of RADIUS Messages

The following types of RADIUS messages are exchanged between the access point and the RADIUS server for user authentication:

• Access-Request

Sent by an access point requesting authentication.

• Access-Reject

Sent by a RADIUS server rejecting access.

• Access-Accept

Sent by a RADIUS server allowing access.

• Access-Challenge

Sent by a RADIUS server requesting more information in order to allow access. The access point sends a proper response from the user and then sends another Access-Request message.

The following types of RADIUS messages are exchanged between the access point and the RADIUS server for user accounting:

• Accounting-Request

Sent by the access point requesting accounting.

• Accounting-Response

Sent by the RADIUS server to indicate that it has started or stopped accounting.

In order to ensure network security, the access point and the RADIUS server use a shared secret key, which is a password, they both know. The key is not sent over the network. In addition to the shared key, password information exchanged is also encrypted to protect the network from unauthorized access.

Types of EAP Authentication

This section discusses some popular authentication types: EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, PEAP and LEAP. Your wireless LAN device may not support all authentication types.

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol that runs on top of the IEEE 802.1x transport mechanism in order to support multiple types of user authentication. By using EAP to interact with an EAP-compatible RADIUS server, an access point helps a wireless station and a RADIUS server perform authentication.

The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server and an intermediary AP(s) that supports IEEE 802.1x.

For EAP-TLS authentication type, you must first have a wired connection to the network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA). A certificate (also called digital IDs) can be used to authenticate users and a CA issues certificates and guarantees the identity of each certificate owner.

EAP-MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5)

MD5 authentication is the simplest one-way authentication method. The authentication server sends a challenge to the wireless client. The wireless client 'proves' that it knows the password by encrypting the password with the challenge and sends back the information. Password is not sent in plain text.

However, MD5 authentication has some weaknesses. Since the authentication server needs to get the plaintext passwords, the passwords must be stored. Thus someone other than the authentication server may access the password file. In addition, it is possible to impersonate an authentication server as MD5 authentication method does not perform mutual authentication. Finally, MD5 authentication method does not support data encryption with dynamic session key. You must configure WEP encryption keys for data encryption.

EAP-TLS (Transport Layer Security)

With EAP-TLS, digital certifications are needed by both the server and the wireless clients for mutual authentication. The server presents a certificate to the client. After validating the identity of the server, the client sends a different certificate to the server. The exchange of certificates is done in the open before a secured tunnel is created. This makes user identity vulnerable to passive attacks. A digital certificate is an electronic ID card that authenticates the sender's identity. However, to implement EAP-TLS, you need a Certificate Authority (CA) to handle certificates, which imposes a management overhead.

EAP-TTLS (Tunnel Transport Layer Service)

EAP-TTLS is an extension of the EAP-TLS authentication that uses certificates for only the server-side authentications to establish a secure connection. Client authentication is then done by sending username and password through the secure connection, thus client identity is protected. For client authentication, EAP-TTLS supports EAP methods and legacy authentication methods such as PAP, CHAP, MS-CHAP and MS-CHAP v2.

PEAP (Protected EAP)

Like EAP-TTLS, server-side certificate authentication is used to establish a secure connection, then use simple username and password methods through the secured connection to authenticate the clients, thus hiding client identity. However, PEAP only supports EAP methods, such as EAP-MD5, EAP-MSCHAPv2 and EAP-GTC (EAP-Generic Token Card), for client authentication. EAP-GTC is implemented only by Cisco.

LEAP

LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol) is a Cisco implementation of IEEE 802.1x.

Dynamic WEP Key Exchange

The AP maps a unique key that is generated with the RADIUS server. This key expires when the wireless connection times out, disconnects or reauthentication times out. A new WEP key is generated each time reauthentication is performed.

If this feature is enabled, it is not necessary to configure a default encryption key in the wireless security configuration screen. You may still configure and store keys, but they will not be used while dynamic WEP is enabled.

EAP-MD5 cannot be used with Dynamic WEP Key Exchange

For added security, certificate-based authentications (EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS and PEAP) use dynamic keys for data encryption. They are often deployed in corporate environments, but for public deployment, a simple user name and password pair is more practical. The following table is a comparison of the features of authentication types.

Table 24 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types

	EAP-MD5	EAP-TLS	EAP-TTLS	PEAP	LEAP
Mutual Authentication	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Certificate – Client	No	Yes	Optional	Optional	No
Certificate – Server	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Dynamic Key Exchange	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Credential Integrity	None	Strong	Strong	Strong	Moderate
Deployment Difficulty	Easy	Hard	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Client Identity Protection	No	No	Yes	Yes	No

WPA and WPA2

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i standard. WPA2 (IEEE 802.11i) is a wireless security standard that defines stronger encryption, authentication and key management than WPA.

Key differences between WPA or WPA2 and WEP are improved data encryption and user authentication.

If both an AP and the wireless clients support WPA2 and you have an external RADIUS server, use WPA2 for stronger data encryption. If you don't have an external RADIUS server, you should use WPA2-PSK (WPA2-Pre-Shared Key) that only requires a single (identical) password entered into each access point, wireless gateway and wireless client. As long as the passwords match, a wireless client will be granted access to a WLAN.

If the AP or the wireless clients do not support WPA2, just use WPA or WPA-PSK depending on whether you have an external RADIUS server or not.

Select WEP only when the AP and/or wireless clients do not support WPA or WPA2. WEP is less secure than WPA or WPA2.

Encryption

Both WPA and WPA2 improve data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Message Integrity Check (MIC) and IEEE 802.1x. WPA and WPA2 use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in the Counter mode with Cipher block chaining Message authentication code Protocol (CCMP) to offer stronger encryption than TKIP.

TKIP uses 128-bit keys that are dynamically generated and distributed by the authentication server. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a block cipher that uses a 256-bit mathematical algorithm called Rijndael. They both include a per-packet key mixing function, a Message Integrity Check (MIC) named Michael, an extended initialization vector (IV) with sequencing rules, and a re-keying mechanism.

WPA and WPA2 regularly change and rotate the encryption keys so that the same encryption key is never used twice.

The RADIUS server distributes a Pairwise Master Key (PMK) key to the AP that then sets up a key hierarchy and management system, using the PMK to dynamically generate unique data encryption keys to encrypt every data packet that is wirelessly communicated between the AP and the wireless clients. This all happens in the background automatically.

The Message Integrity Check (MIC) is designed to prevent an attacker from capturing data packets, altering them and resending them. The MIC provides a strong mathematical function in which the receiver and the transmitter each compute and then compare the MIC. If they do not match, it is assumed that the data has been tampered with and the packet is dropped.

By generating unique data encryption keys for every data packet and by creating an integrity checking mechanism (MIC), with TKIP and AES it is more difficult to decrypt data on a Wi-Fi network than WEP and difficult for an intruder to break into the network.

The encryption mechanisms used for WPA(2) and WPA(2)-PSK are the same. The only difference between the two is that WPA(2)-PSK uses a simple common password, instead of user-specific credentials. The common-password approach makes WPA(2)-PSK susceptible to brute-force password-guessing attacks but it's still an improvement over WEP as it employs a consistent, single, alphanumeric password to derive a PMK which is used to generate unique temporal encryption keys. This prevent all wireless devices sharing the same encryption keys. (a weakness of WEP)

User Authentication

WPA and WPA2 apply IEEE 802.1x and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to authenticate wireless clients using an external RADIUS database. WPA2 reduces the number of key exchange messages from six to four (CCMP 4-way handshake) and shortens the time required to connect to a network. Other WPA2 authentication features that are different from WPA include key caching and pre-authentication. These two features are optional and may not be supported in all wireless devices.

Key caching allows a wireless client to store the PMK it derived through a successful authentication with an AP. The wireless client uses the PMK when it tries to connect to the same AP and does not need to go with the authentication process again.

Pre-authentication enables fast roaming by allowing the wireless client (already connecting to an AP) to perform IEEE 802.1x authentication with another AP before connecting to it.

Wireless Client WPA Suppliers

A wireless client supplicant is the software that runs on an operating system instructing the wireless client how to use WPA. At the time of writing, the most widely available supplicant is the WPA patch for Windows XP, Funk Software's Odyssey client.

The Windows XP patch is a free download that adds WPA capability to Windows XP's built-in "Zero Configuration" wireless client. However, you must run Windows XP to use it.

WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example

To set up WPA(2), you need the IP address of the RADIUS server, its port number (default is 1812), and the RADIUS shared secret. A WPA(2) application example with an external RADIUS server looks as follows. "A" is the RADIUS server. "DS" is the distribution system.

1 The AP passes the wireless client's authentication request to the RADIUS server.
2 The RADIUS server then checks the user's identification against its database and grants or denies network access accordingly.
3 A 256-bit Pairwise Master Key (PMK) is derived from the authentication process by the RADIUS server and the client.
4 The RADIUS server distributes the PMK to the AP. The AP then sets up a key hierarchy and management system, using the PMK to dynamically generate unique data encryption keys. The keys are used to encrypt every data packet that is wirelessly communicated between the AP and the wireless clients.

Figure 89 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example

WPA(2)-PSK Application Example

A WPA(2)-PSK application looks as follows.

1 First enter identical passwords into the AP and all wireless clients. The Pre-Shared Key (PSK) must consist of between 8 and 63 ASCII characters or 64 hexadecimal characters (including spaces and symbols).
2 The AP checks each wireless client's password and allows it to join the network only if the password matches.

3 The AP and wireless clients generate a common PMK (Pairwise Master Key). The key itself is not sent over the network, but is derived from the PSK and the SSID.
4 The AP and wireless clients use the TKIP or AES encryption process, the PMK and information exchanged in a handshake to create temporal encryption keys. They use these keys to encrypt data exchanged between them.

Figure 90 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication

Security Parameters Summary

Refer to this table to see what other security parameters you should configure for each authentication method or key management protocol type. MAC address filters are not dependent on how you configure these security features.

Table 25 Wireless Security Relational Matrix

AUTHENTICATION METHOD/ KEYMANAGEMENT PROTOCOL	ENCRYPTION METHOD	ENTERMANUAL KEY	IEEE 802.1X
Open	None	No	Disable
			Enable without Dynamic WEP Key
Open	WEP	No	Enable with Dynamic WEP Key
		Yes	Enable without Dynamic WEP Key
		Yes	Disable
Shared	WEP	No	Enable with Dynamic WEP Key
		Yes	Enable without Dynamic WEP Key
		Yes	Disable
WPA	TKIP/AES	No	Enable
WPA-PSK	TKIP/AES	Yes	Disable
WPA2	TKIP/AES	No	Enable
WPA2-PSK	TKIP/AES	Yes	Disable

Antenna Overview

An antenna couples RF signals onto air. A transmitter within a wireless device sends an RF signal to the antenna, which propagates the signal through the air. The antenna also operates in reverse by capturing RF signals from the air.

Positioning the antennas properly increases the range and coverage area of a wireless LAN.

Antenna Characteristics

Frequency

An antenna in the frequency of 2.4GHz (IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g) or 5GHz (IEEE 802.11a) is needed to communicate efficiently in a wireless LAN

Radiation Pattern

A radiation pattern is a diagram that allows you to visualize the shape of the antenna's coverage area.

Antenna Gain

Antenna gain, measured in dB (decibel), is the increase in coverage within the RF beam width. Higher antenna gain improves the range of the signal for better communications.

For an indoor site, each 1 dB increase in antenna gain results in a range increase of approximately 2.5% . For an unobstructed outdoor site, each 1dB increase in gain results in a range increase of approximately 5% . Actual results may vary depending on the network environment.

Antenna gain is sometimes specified in dBi, which is how much the antenna increases the signal power compared to using an isotropic antenna. An isotropic antenna is a theoretical perfect antenna that sends out radio signals equally well in all directions. dBi represents the true gain that the antenna provides.

Types of Antennas for WLAN

There are two types of antennas used for wireless LAN applications.

• Omni-directional antennas send the RF signal out in all directions on a horizontal plane. The coverage area is torus-shaped (like a donut) which makes these antennas ideal for a room environment. With a wide coverage area, it is possible to make circular overlapping coverage areas with multiple access points.
• Directional antennas concentrate the RF signal in a beam, like a flashlight does with the light from its bulb. The angle of the beam determines the width of the coverage pattern. Angles typically range from 20 degrees (very directional) to 120 degrees (less directional). Directional antennas are ideal for hallways and outdoor point-to-point applications.

Positioning Antennas

In general, antennas should be mounted as high as practically possible and free of obstructions. In point-to-point application, position both antennas at the same height and in a direct line of sight to each other to attain the best performance.

For omni-directional antennas mounted on a table, desk, and so on, point the antenna up. For omni-directional antennas mounted on a wall or ceiling, point the antenna down. For a single AP application, place omni-directional antennas as close to the center of the coverage area as possible.

For directional antennas, point the antenna in the direction of the desired coverage area.

Windows Wireless Management

This appendix shows you how to manage your NWD310N using the Windows Vista and Windows XP wireless configuration tools.

Windows Vista

Take the following steps to connect to a wireless network using the Windows Vista wireless configuration tool (WLAN AutoConfig).

Connecting to a Wireless Network

1 In the Windows Vista taskbar, click Start () Connect To.

Figure 91 Vista: Start Menu

The Connect To window displays, showing all available networks.

Figure 92 Vista: The Connect To Window

The security status of each wireless network displays, as well as an indication of its signal strength. If you use the mouse pointer to hover over a network's entry, additional information about the network displays.

Figure 93 Vista: Additional Information

2 Double-click the network's name to join the network, or select a network and click Connect.

If the network to which you want to connect does not display, see the section on setting up a connection manually on page 120.

3 If security is enabled, you may be prompted to enter your security key.

Figure 94 Vista: Enter Security Key

Your computer tries to connect to the wireless network.

Figure 95 Vista: Connecting

If your computer has connected to the wireless network successfully, the following screen displays.

Figure 96 Vista: Successful Connection

4 If you will use this network again, ensure that Save this network is selected. If you save the network, you do not have to configure its settings again.
5 Select Start this connection automatically if you want Windows to always try to use this network when you start up your computer. If you do not select this (but select Save this network) you can connect manually each time by clicking Start > Connect to and selecting the network's name from the list.

Connecting to a Network Manually

If the wireless network to which you want to connect does not appear in the Connect to window (if your network's SSID is hidden, for example), take the following steps to configure your network connection manually

1 Click Set up a connection or network at the bottom of the Connect to screen. The following screen displays.

Figure 97 Vista: Choose a Connection Option

2 Click Manually connect to a wireless network. The following screen displays.

Figure 98 Vista: Connect Manually

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 26 Vista: Connect Manually

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Network name	Enter your network's SSID (Service Set Identifier).
Security type	Select the type of security used by the network to which you want to connect. The types of available security shown depend on your computer's wireless client. In this field, WPA(2)-Personal is the same as WPA(2)-PSK, and WPA(2)-Enterprise is the same as WPA(2)

Table 26 Vista: Connect Manually

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Encryption type	Select the type of encryption used by the network. When you use WEP or 802.1x, WEP displays. When you use a WPA mode (WPA(2)-Personal or WPA(2)-Enterprise) you can choose AES or TKIP (if supported by your computer's wireless client).
Security Key / Passphrase	If your network uses WEP or WPA(2)-Personal security, enter the key here.
Display Characters	Select this if you do not want the security key characters to be hidden.
Start this connection automatically	Select this box if you always want to try to connect to this network at startup. If you leave this box unchecked, you will need to connect manually each time.
Connect even if the network is not broadcasting	Select this box if you always want to try to connect to this network at startup, even if the network is not broadcasting its SSID. The warning in this field refers to the fact that if you do this, your computer sends out probe request packets, which contain the network's SSID and could be used by an attacker to access the network.
Next	Click this to save your settings and move on to the next page.
Cancel	Click this to stop setting up your network.

3 When you have finished filling in the fields, click Next. the following screen displays.

Figure 99 Vista: Successfully Added Network

4 If you want to make any changes to the settings you just configured, click Change connection settings. Otherwise, click Connect to.... In the window that displays, double-click the new network's name to connect to the network.

Setting Up An Ad-Hoc Network

Take the following steps to set up a wireless connection between two computers in Windows Vista.

1 Click Start ( ) > Connect To. In the Connect to screen, click Set up a connection or network. The following screen displays.

Figure 100 Vista: Set Up An Ad-hoc Network

2 Select Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network and click Next. The following screen displays.

Figure 101 Vista: Ad-hoc Options

3 Enter the Network name (SSID) you want to use for your network. Select a Security type. If you are not sure what kind of security you want to use, click the Help me choose link.

Make sure all the wireless clients on your ad-hoc network can support the type of security you select.

4 Enter the Security key/Passphrase. Everybody on the network must enter this key in their computer's wireless client in order to access the network. If you want to see the characters you entered, select the Display characters box. Otherwise, leave it empty (dots display instead of the characters).
5 If you will use this ad-hoc network again, select the Save this network box. If you do this, the next time you click Start > Connect to, you can select the network from the list.
6 Click Next. The following screen displays.

Figure 102 Vista: Ad-hoc Network Ready

7 If you want to share files with other computers on the ad-hoc network, or let other computers use your Internet connection, click the Network and Sharing Center link. Otherwise, click Close.

Windows XP

Be sure you have the Windows XP service pack 2 installed on your computer. Otherwise, you should at least have the Windows XP service pack 1 already on your computer and download the support patch for WPA from the Microsoft web site.

Windows XP SP2 screen shots are shown unless otherwise specified. Click the help icon ( ) in most screens, move the cursor to the item that you want the information about and click to view the help.

Activating Wireless Zero Configuration

1 Click Start, Control Panel and double-click Network Connections.

2 Double-click on the icon for wireless network connection.
3 The status window displays as shown below. Click Properties.

Figure 103 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status

Figure 104 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status

4 The Wireless Network Connection Properties screen displays. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

Make sure the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected.

Figure 105 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

Figure 106 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties

If you see the following screen, refer to article 871122 on the Microsoft web site for information on starting WZC.

Figure 107 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available

Connecting to a Wireless Network

1 Double-click the network icon for wireless connections in the system tray to open the Wireless Network Connection Status screen.

Figure 108 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon

The type of the wireless network icon in Windows XP SP2 indicates the status of the NWD310N. Refer to the following table for details.

Table 27 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon

ICON	DESCRIPTION
	The NWD310N is connected to a wireless network.
	The NWD310N is in the process of connecting to a wireless network.
	The connection to a wireless network is limited because the network did not assign a network address to the computer.
	The NWD310N is not connected to a wireless network.

2 Windows XP SP2: In the Wireless Network Connection Status screen, click View Wireless Networks to open the Wireless Network Connection screen.

Figure 109 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status

Windows XP SP1: In the Wireless Network Connection Status screen, click Properties and the Wireless Networks tab to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties screen.

Figure 110 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status

3 Windows XP SP2: Click Refresh network list to reload and search for available wireless devices within transmission range. Select a wireless network in the list and click Connect to join the selected wireless network.

Figure 111 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection

The following table describes the icons in the wireless network list.

Table 28 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection

ICON	DESCRIPTION
	This denotes that wireless security is activated for the wireless network.
	This denotes that this wireless network is your preferred network. Ordering your preferred networks is important because the NWD310N tries to associate to the preferred network first in the order that you specify. Refer to the section on ordering the preferred networks for detailed information.
	This denotes the signal strength of the wireless network. Move your cursor to the icon to see details on the signal strength.

Windows XP SP1: Click Refresh to reload and search for available wireless devices within transmission range. Select a wireless network in the Available networks list, click Configure and set the related fields to the same security settings as the associated AP to add the selected network into the Preferred networks table. Click OK to join the selected wireless network. Refer to the section on security settings (discussed later) for more information.

Figure 112 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

4 4. Windows XP SP2: If the wireless security is activated for the selected wireless network, the Wireless Network Connection screen displays. You must set the related fields in the Wireless Network Connection screen to the same security settings as the associated AP and click Connect. Refer to the section about security settings for more information. Otherwise click Cancel and connect to another wireless network without data encryption. If there is no security activated for the selected wireless network, a warning screen appears. Click Connect Anyway if wireless security is not your concern.

Figure 113 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK

Figure 114 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security

5 Verify that you have successfully connected to the selected network and check the connection status in the wireless network list or the connection icon in the Preferred networks or Available networks list.

The following table describes the connection icons.

Table 29 Windows XP: Wireless Networks

ICON	DESCRIPTION
i	This denotes the wireless network is an available wireless network.
P	This denotes the NWD310N is associated to the wireless network.
X	This denotes the wireless network is not available.

Security Settings

When you configure the NWD310N to connect to a secure network but the security settings are not yet enabled on the NWD310N, you will see different screens according to the authentication and encryption methods used by the selected network.

Association

Select a network in the Preferred networks list and click Properties to view or configure security.

Figure 115 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 30 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Network name(SSID)	This field displays the SSID (Service Set Identifier) of each wireless network.
NetworkAuthentication	This field automatically shows the authentication method (Share, Open, WPA or WPA-PSK) used by the selected network.
Data Encryption	This field automatically shows the encryption type (TKIP, WEP or Disable) used by the selected network.
Network Key	Enter the pre-shared key or WEP key.The values for the keys must be set up exactly the same on all wireless devices in the same wireless LAN.
Confirm networkkey	Enter the key again for confirmation.
Key index(advanced)	Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption.This field is available only when the network use WEP encryption method and the The key is provided for me automatically check box is not selected.
The key isprovided for meautomatically	If this check box is selected, the wireless AP assigns the NWD310N a key.
This isacomputer-to-computer (ad hoc)network; wirelessaccess points arenot used	If this check box is selected, you are connecting to another computer directly.
OK	Click OK to save your changes.
Cancel	Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may havemade.

Authentication

Click the Authentication tab in the Wireless (network) properties screen to display the screen shown next. The fields on this screen are grayed out when the network is in Ad-Hoc mode or data encryption is disabled.

Figure 116 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 31 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network	This field displays whether the IEEE 802.1x authentication is active. If the network authentication is set to Open in the previous screen, you can choose to disable or enable this feature.
EAP Type	Select the type of EAP authentication. Options are Protected EAP (PEAP) and Smart Card or other Certificate.
Properties	Click this button to open the properties screen and configure certificates. The screen varies depending on what you select in the EAP type field.
Authentication as computer when computer information is available	Select this check box to have the computer send its information to the network for authentication when a user is not logged on.
Authentication as guest when user or computer information is unavailable	Select this check box to have the computer access to the network as a guest when a user is not logged on or computer information is not available.
OK	Click OK to save your changes.
Cancel	Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Authentication Properties

Select an EAP authentication type in the Wireless (network) properties: Authentication screen and click the Properties button to display the following screen.

Protected EAP Properties

Figure 117 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 32 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Validate server certificate	Select the check box to verify the certificate of the authentication server.
Connect to these servers	Select the check box and specify a domain in the field below to have your computer connect to a server which resides only within this domain.
Trusted Root Certification Authorities:	Select a trusted certification authority from the list below.Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA). Consult your network administrator for more information.
Do not prompt user to authorize new server or trusted certification authorities.	Select this check box to verify a new authentication server or trusted CA without prompting.This field is available only if you installed the Windows XP server pack 2.
Select Authentication Method:	Select an authentication method from the drop-down list box and click Configure to do settings.
Enable Fast Reconnect	Select the check box to automatically reconnect to the network (without re-authentication) if the wireless connection goes down.
OK	Click OK to save your changes.
Cancel	Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

Figure 118 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 33 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

LABEL	DESCRIPTION
Use my smart card	Select this check box to use the smart card for authentication.
Use a certificate on this computer	Select this check box to use a certificate on your computer for authentication.
Validate server certificate	Select the check box to check the certificate of the authentication server.
Connect to these servers	Select the check box and specify a domain in the field below to have your computer connect to a server which resides only within this domain.
Trusted Root Certification Authorities:	Select a trusted certification authority from the list below.Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA).Consult your network administrator for more information.
View Certificate	Click this button if you want to verify the selected certificate.
Use a different user name for the connection:	Select the check box to use a different user name when the user name in the smart card or certificate is not the same as the user name in the domain that you are logged on to.
OK	Click OK to save your changes.
Cancel	Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Ordering the Preferred Networks

Follow the steps below to manage your preferred networks.

1 Windows XP SP2: Click Change the order of preferred networks in the Wireless Network Connection screen (see Figure 111 on page 129). The screen displays as shown.

Figure 119 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks

Windows XP SP1: In the Wireless Network Connection Status screen, click Properties and the Wireless Networks tab to open the screen as shown.

Figure 120 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks

2 Whenever the NWD310N tries to connect to a new network, the new network is added in the Preferred networks table automatically. Select a network and click Move up or

Move down to change it's order, click Remove to delete it or click Properties to view the security, authentication or connection information of the selected network. Click Add to add a preferred network into the list manually.

Legal Information

Copyright

Copyright © 2007 by ZyXEL Communications Corporation.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any part or as a whole, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, photocopying, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of ZyXEL Communications Corporation.

Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.

Disclaimers

ZyXEL does not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any products, or software described herein. Neither does it convey any license under its patent rights nor the patent rights of others. ZyXEL further reserves the right to make changes in any products described herein without notice. This publication is subject to change without notice.

Trademarks

ZyNOS (ZyXEL Network Operating System) is a registered trademark of ZyXEL Communications, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned in this publication are used for identification purposes only and may be properties of their respective owners.

Certifications

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement

The device complies with Part 15 of FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operations.

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this device does cause harmful interference to radio/television reception, which can be determined by turning the device off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

1 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2 Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
3 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement

• This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
• IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g operation of this product in the U.S.A. is firmware-limited to channels 1 through 11.
• To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, a separation distance of at least 20~cm must be maintained between the antenna of this device and all persons.

注意！

依據 低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This device has been designed for the WLAN 2.4 GHz network throughout the EC region and Switzerland, with restrictions in France.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Viewing Certifications

1 Go to http://www.zyxel.com.

2 Select your product on the ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page.
3 Select the certification you wish to view from this page.

ZyXEL Limited Warranty

ZyXEL warrants to the original end user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in materials or workmanship for a period of up to two years from the date of purchase. During the warranty period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product have indications of failure due to faulty workmanship and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products or components without charge for either parts or labor, and to whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product or components to proper operating condition. Any replacement will consist of a new or re-manufactured functionally equivalent product of equal or higher value, and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL. This warranty shall not apply if the product has been modified, misused, tampered with, damaged by an act of God, or subjected to abnormal working conditions.

Note

Repair or replacement, as provided under this warranty, is the exclusive remedy of the purchaser. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ZyXEL shall in no event be held liable for indirect or consequential damages of any kind to the purchaser.

To obtain the services of this warranty, contact ZyXEL's Service Center for your Return Material Authorization number (RMA). Products must be returned Postage Prepaid. It is recommended that the unit be insured when shipped. Any returned products without proof of purchase or those with an out-dated warranty will be repaired or replaced (at the discretion of ZyXEL) and the customer will be billed for parts and labor. All repaired or replaced products will be shipped by ZyXEL to the corresponding return address, Postage Paid. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from country to country.

Registration

Register your product online to receive e-mail notices of firmware upgrades and information at www.zyxel.com.

Customer Support

Please have the following information ready when you contact customer support.

Required Information

Product model and serial number.
Warranty Information.
- Date that you received your device.
- Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it.

“+” is the (prefix) number you dial to make an international telephone call.

Corporate Headquarters (Worldwide)

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.com, www.europe.zyxel.com
• FTP: ftp.zyxel.com, ftp.europe.zyxel.com
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Corp., 6 Innovation Road II, Science Park, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan

Costa Rica

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.co.cr
  FTP: ftp.zyxel.co.cr
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Costa Rica, Plaza Roble Escazú, Etapa El Patio, Tercer Piso, San José, Costa Rica

Czech Republic

E-mail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.zyxel.cz

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications, Czech s.r.o., Modranska 621, 143 01 Praha 4 - Modrany, Ceská Republika

Denmark

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.dk
  Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Columbusvej, 2860 Soeborg, Denmark

Finland

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel-fi
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Oy, Malminkaari 10, 00700 Helsinki, Finland

France

E-mail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.zyxel.fr
- Regular Mail: ZyXEL France, 1 rue des Vergers, Bat. 1 / C, 69760 Limonest, France

Germany

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.de
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH., Adenauerstr. 20/A2 D-52146, Wuerselen, Germany

Hungary

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.hu
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Hungary, 48, Zoldlomb Str., H-1025, Budapest, Hungary

India

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone] to [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: http://www.zyxel.in
• Regular Mail: India - ZyXEL Technology India Pvt Ltd., II-Floor, F2/9 Okhra Phase -1, New Delhi 110020, India

Japan

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.co.jp
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Japan, 3F, Office T&U, 1-10-10 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0022, Japan

Kazakhstan

• Support: http://zyxel.kz/support
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.kz
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Kazakhstan, 43 Dostyk Ave., Office 414, Dostyk Business Centre, 050010 Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan

Malaysia

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: http://www.zyxel.com.my
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Malaysia Sdn Bhd., 1-02 & 1-03, Jalan Kenari 17F, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

North America

Support E-mail: [e-mail]
Support Telephone: [phone]
Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
Sales Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.zyxel.com

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Inc., 1130 N. Miller St., Anaheim, CA 92806-2001, U.S.A.

Norway

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.no
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Nils Hansens vei 13, 0667 Oslo, Norway

Poland

E-mail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.pl.zyxel.com
- Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications, ul. Okrzei 1A, 03-715 Warszawa, Poland

Russia

• Support: http://zyxel.ru/support
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.ru
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Russia, Ostrovityanova 37a Str., Moscow 117279, Russia

Singapore

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: http://www.zyxel.com.sg
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Singapore Pte Ltd., No. 2 International Business Park, The Strategy #03-28, Singapore 609930

Spain

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.es
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications, Arte, 215^a planta, 28033 Madrid, Spain

Sweden

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.zyxel.se
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg, Sweden

Thailand

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
  Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: http://www.zyxel.co.th
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Thailand Co., Ltd., 1/1 Moo 2, Ratchaphruk Road, Bangrak-Noi, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.

Ukraine

• Support E-mail: [e-mail]
• Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
  Telephone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Web: www.ua.zyxel.com
• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Ukraine, 13, Pimonenko Str., Kiev 04050, Ukraine

United Kingdom

Support E-mail: [e-mail]
Sales E-mail: [e-mail]
- Telephone: [phone] (UK only)
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.zyxel.co.uk
FTP: ftp.zyxel.co.uk
- Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications UK Ltd., 11 The Courtyard, Eastern Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2XB, United Kingdom (UK)

Index

A

About 67

about your ZyXEL Device 21

Access Point (AP) 37

Access point (AP) 37

Access Point. See also AP.

ACTLED 22

activating a profile 61

adapter 61

Ad-Hoc 23,59

Advanced Encryption Standard 39 See AES.

advanced settings 61

AES 112

antenna

directional 115

gain 115

omni-directional 115

AP 105

See also access point.

AP MAC address 48

authentication 48

authentication type 39 auto 39

open system 39

shared key 39

auto authentication 39

automatic connection 49

automatic network scan 32, 56

B

band 77

Basic Service Set, See BSS 103

BSS 103

C

CA 39,110

CCMP 39

Certificate Authority

See CA.

certifications 139

notices 140

viewing 140

channel 38,48,50,59,77,105

interference 105

configuration method 25

important note 25

Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) 24, 25

ZyXEL utility 25

configuration status 47

connection status 47

contact information 143

continuous access mode 62

copyright 139

creating a new profile 58

credentials 65

CTS (Clear to Send) 106

current configuration 47

current connection status 47

customer support 143

D

data encryption 50

data rate 77

digital ID 39

dimensions 77

disclaimer 139

download 68

driver version 67

dynamic WEP key exchange 111

E

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) 39

EAP Authentication 109

EAP authentication 39

EAP type 64

EAP-PEAP 39

EAP-TLS 39

EAP-TTLS 39

encryption 112

encryption type 39, 51, 53

environmental specifications 77

ESS 104

Extended Service Set, See ESS 104

F

fast power save 62

FCC interference statement 139

fragmentation threshold 106

frequency 38, 77

G

getting started 21

H

hardware connections 24

help 26

hidden node 105

humidity 77

1

IBSS 103

IEEE 802.11g 107

IEEE 802.1x 39,54,64

Independent Basic Service Set

See IBSS 103

Industrial Scientific Medical Band 77

infrastructure 23

Initialization Vector (IV) 112

installation 24

interface 77

Internet access 23

L

LEDs 22

lights 22

link information 47

LINKLED 22

link quality 48, 49

M

manual network connection 32

Message Integrity Check (MIC) 39, 112

modulation 77

N

network mode 48

network name 48

network overlap 37

network scan 56

network type 48, 50

0

online help 26

output power 77

P

packet collisions 49

Pairwise Master Key (PMK) 112, 114

passphrase 38, 51

password 38

PEAP 64

peer computer 23,59

physical specifications 77

power consumption 77

power saving 62

power saving mode 62

preamble 61

preamble mode 107

product registration 141

product specifications 77

profile 48,57

activation 61

add new 58

configure 32, 34

default 56

delete 57

edit 57

information 57

new 57, 58

PSK 112

site information 50

site survey 49

scan 50

security settings 51

sleep mode 62

SSID 32, 37, 48, 50, 74

statistics 48

syntax conventions 4

system tray 24

Q

Quick Start Guide 24, 74

R

radio band 77

radio interference 74

radio specifications 77

RADIUS 39,40,108

message types 109

messages 109

shared secret key 109

real-time data traffic statistics 49

receive rate 48

registration

product 141

related documentation 3

RTS (Request To Send) 106

threshold 105, 106

s

safety warnings 6

save power 62

scan 49

scan info 59

search 49

security 38,48,78

data encryption 38

security settings and Vista 64

sensitivity 78

Service Set Identity (SSID) 32, 37

signal strength 49, 50

T

temperature 77

Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) 39, 112

The 64

TLS 64, 65

total receive 48

total transmit 48

trademarks 139

transmission rate 48, 57

transmit key 51

transmit rate 48

trend chart 48, 49

TTLS 64

U

uninstalling the ZyXEL utility 67

upgrading the ZyXEL utility 68

important step 69

user authentication 38

utility installation 24

utility version 67

V

Vista 64, 65

voltage 77

W

warranty 141

note 141

weight 77

WEP 38,51

automatic setup 38

manual setup 38, 51

passphrase 38, 51

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) 38

WEP Encryption 51

WEP key generation 38

Wi-Fi Protected Access 39, 111

Wi-Fi Protected Setup 47

Windows 64

Windows XP 25

wireless client 37

wireless client WPA supplicants 113

wireless LAN

introduction 37

security 38

wireless LAN (WLAN) 37

wireless network 37

wireless security 107

wireless standard 48, 77

wireless station mode

adapter 61

security settings 51

site survey 49

trend chart 49

wireless tutorial 27

WLAN

interference 105

security parameters 114

WPA 39,52,64,111

key caching 112

pre-authentication 112

user authentication 112

vs WPA-PSK 112

wireless client supplicant 113

with RADIUS application example 113

WPA2 39,52,64,111

user authentication 112

vs WPA2-PSK 112

wireless client supplicant 113

with RADIUS application example 113

WPA2-Pre-Shared Key 40,111

WPA2-PSK 40,52,111,112

application example 113

WPA-PSK 40,52,111,112

application example 113

WPS

see also Wi-Fi Protected Setup 47

WZC

activating 124

network connection 127

not available 126

preferred network 135

security setting 131

system tray icon 127

WZC (Wireless Zero Configuration) 25

Z

ZyXEL Utility

accessing 26

ZyXEL utility 25

accessing 26

driver version number 67

exiting 25

help 26

reactivating 25

status 25

system tray icon 24

upgrading 68

version number 67