Zyxel NWD-211AN Dual-band Wireless N USB Adapter User's Guide

NWD-211AN

Dual-Band Wireless N USB Adapter

User’s Guide

Version 1.0

12/2008

Edition 2

www.zyxel.com

About This User's Guide

About This User's Guide

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWD-211AN using the ZyXEL

Utility. You should have 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.

• ZyXEL Utility Online Help

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

It is recommended you use the ZyXEL Utility to configure the NWD-211AN.

• Supporting Disc

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: [email protected]

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

4

Document Conventions

Document Conventions

Warnings and Notes

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

1

Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your NWD-211AN.

"

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

Syntax Conventions

• The NWD-211AN Dual-Band Wireless N USB Adapter may be referred to as the “NWD-

211AN”, 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”.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Document Conventions

Icons Used in Figures

Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons. The NWD-211AN icon is not an exact representation of your NWD-211AN.

Table 1

Common Icons

NWD-211AN Wireless AP Computer

Notebook Printer Telephone

Switch

Firewall

Router

Modem

Internet Cloud

Wireless Signal

Server Television DSLAM

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

5

6

Safety Warnings

Safety Warnings

1

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.

• Do NOT open the device or unit. Opening or removing covers can expose you to dangerous high voltage points or other risks. ONLY qualified service personnel should service or disassemble this device. Please contact your vendor for further information.

Your product is marked with this symbol, which is known as the WEEE mark. WEEE stands for Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment. It means that used electrical and electronic products should not be mixed with general waste. Used electrical and electronic equipment should be treated separately.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Contents Overview

Contents Overview

Introduction and Configuration ............................................................................................ 19

Getting Started ........................................................................................................................... 21

Tutorial ....................................................................................................................................... 27

Wireless LANs ........................................................................................................................... 37

ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode ...................................................................................................... 49

ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode ............................................................................................................ 71

Maintenance .............................................................................................................................. 81

Troubleshooting and Specifications .................................................................................... 85

Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................... 87

Product Specifications ............................................................................................................... 91

Appendices and Index ........................................................................................................... 95

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

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Contents Overview

8

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

About This User's Guide .......................................................................................................... 3

Document Conventions............................................................................................................ 4

Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................ 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 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 21

1.1.1 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 21

1.1.2 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 21

1.2 About Your NWD-211AN ................................................................................................... 22

1.2.1 Hardware .................................................................................................................... 22

1.3 Application Overview ........................................................................................................... 23

1.3.1 Infrastructure .............................................................................................................. 23

1.3.2 Ad-Hoc ....................................................................................................................... 23

1.4 Hardware and Utility Installation .......................................................................................... 24

1.4.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon ....................................................................................................... 24

1.5 Configuration Methods ....................................................................................................... 25

1.5.1 Enabling Windows Wireless Configuration ................................................................ 25

1.5.2 Opening the ZyXEL Utility ......................................................................................... 26

Chapter 2

Tutorial ..................................................................................................................................... 27

2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 27

2.1.1 What You Can Do in This Tutorial .............................................................................. 27

2.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 27

2.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 27

2.2 Connecting to an AP using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) .................................................. 28

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

9

Table of Contents

2.2.1 Push Button Configuration (PBC) .............................................................................. 28

2.2.2 PIN Configuration ....................................................................................................... 29

2.3 Connecting to an AP Without Using WPS ........................................................................... 31

2.3.1 Manually Connecting to a Wireless LAN ................................................................... 31

2.3.2 Creating and Using a Profile ...................................................................................... 33

2.4 Configuring the NWD-211AN as an AP ............................................................................... 35

Chapter 3

Wireless LANs......................................................................................................................... 37

3.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 37

3.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 37

3.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 37

3.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 38

3.2 Wireless LAN Overview ...................................................................................................... 38

3.3 Wireless LAN Security ........................................................................................................ 39

3.3.1 User Authentication and Encryption ........................................................................... 39

3.4 Wi-Fi Protected Setup ......................................................................................................... 41

3.4.1 Push Button Configuration ......................................................................................... 41

3.4.2 PIN Configuration ....................................................................................................... 42

3.4.3 How WPS Works ........................................................................................................ 43

3.4.4 Limitations of WPS ..................................................................................................... 46

Chapter 4

ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode .................................................................................................. 49

4.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 49

4.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 50

4.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 50

4.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 51

4.2 Station Mode Screen Summary ........................................................................................... 51

4.3 The Link Info Screen ........................................................................................................... 51

4.3.1 Trend Chart ................................................................................................................ 53

4.4 The Site Survey Screen ...................................................................................................... 53

4.4.1 Security Settings ....................................................................................................... 55

4.4.2 The Summary Screen ................................................................................................ 60

4.5 The Profile Screen ............................................................................................................... 60

4.5.1 Adding a New Profile .................................................................................................. 62

4.6 The Adapter Screen ............................................................................................................ 65

4.6.1 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) .................................................................... 66

4.6.2 WPS: PIN - (Personal Indentification Number) .......................................................... 67

4.6.3 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router .......................................... 68

4.7 Security Settings in Windows Vista ..................................................................................... 68

4.7.1 Using PEAP in Vista ................................................................................................... 69

4.7.2 Using TLS in Vista ..................................................................................................... 70

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Table of Contents

Chapter 5

ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode ......................................................................................................... 71

5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 71

5.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 72

5.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 72

5.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 73

5.2 AP Mode Screen Summary ................................................................................................. 73

5.3 The Link Info Screen ........................................................................................................... 74

5.4 The Configuration Screen .................................................................................................... 74

5.4.1 Security Settings ....................................................................................................... 76

5.5 The MAC Filter Screen ........................................................................................................ 79

Chapter 6

Maintenance ............................................................................................................................ 81

6.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 81

6.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 81

6.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 81

6.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 81

6.2 The About Screen ............................................................................................................... 82

6.3 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility .............................................................................................. 82

6.4 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................ 83

Part II: Troubleshooting and Specifications ........................................ 85

Chapter 7

Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 87

7.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs .......................................................................... 87

7.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................. 88

7.3 Link Quality .......................................................................................................................... 88

7.4 Problems Communicating with Other Computers ............................................................... 88

Chapter 8

Product Specifications ........................................................................................................... 91

Part III: Appendices and Index.............................................................. 95

Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address ............................................................. 97

Appendix B Wireless LANs .................................................................................................. 105

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management ...................................................................... 119

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

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Table of Contents

Appendix D Legal Information .............................................................................................. 141

Appendix E Customer Support ............................................................................................. 145

Index....................................................................................................................................... 151

12

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

List of Figures

List of Figures

Figure 1 The NWD-211AN ...................................................................................................................... 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 ....................................................................................... 30

Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey ........................................................................................................ 31

Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings ............................................................................................. 32

Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Summary .......................................................................................................... 32

Figure 12 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info .......................................................................................................... 32

Figure 13 ZyXEL Utility: Profile ............................................................................................................... 33

Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Add New Profile ............................................................................................... 33

Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Security ................................................................................................. 34

Figure 16 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Encryption ............................................................................................. 34

Figure 17 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Summary .............................................................................................. 34

Figure 18 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Activate ................................................................................................. 35

Figure 19 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode ......................................................................................................... 36

Figure 20 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode: Link Info ......................................................................................... 36

Figure 21 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode: Configuration ................................................................................ 36

Figure 22 Example of a Wireless Network ............................................................................................. 38

Figure 23 Example WPS Process: PIN Method ..................................................................................... 43

Figure 24 How WPS works ..................................................................................................................... 44

Figure 25 WPS: Example Network Step 1 .............................................................................................. 45

Figure 26 WPS: Example Network Step 2 .............................................................................................. 45

Figure 27 WPS: Example Network Step 3 .............................................................................................. 46

Figure 28 ZyXEL Utility: Setting Station Mode. ....................................................................................... 49

Figure 29 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary ............................................................................................... 51

Figure 30 Link Info ................................................................................................................................. 51

Figure 31 Link Info: Trend Chart ............................................................................................................ 53

Figure 32 Site Survey ............................................................................................................................ 53

Figure 33 Security Setting: WEP .......................................................................................................... 55

Figure 34 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................................................. 56

Figure 35 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 ................................................................................................ 57

Figure 36 Security Setting: 802.1x ........................................................................................................ 58

Figure 37 Summary Screen ................................................................................................................... 60

Figure 38 Profile ................................................................................................................................... 61

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

13

List of Figures

Figure 39 Profile: Add a New Profile ..................................................................................................... 62

Figure 40 Profile: Wireless Settings ...................................................................................................... 63

Figure 41 Profile: Wireless Settings ...................................................................................................... 64

Figure 42 Profile: Security Settings ....................................................................................................... 64

Figure 43 Profile: Confirm New Settings ............................................................................................... 64

Figure 44 Profile: Activate the Profile .................................................................................................... 65

Figure 45 Adapter .................................................................................................................................. 65

Figure 46 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) ................................................................................ 66

Figure 47 WPS: PIN - Use this Device’s PIN ......................................................................................... 67

Figure 48 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router ...................................................... 68

Figure 49 Vista Security: Additional Information Required ..................................................................... 69

Figure 50 Vista Security: Enter Credentials ............................................................................................ 69

Figure 51 Vista Security: Additional Information Required ..................................................................... 70

Figure 52 Vista Security: Select Certificate ............................................................................................ 70

Figure 53 AP Network Example ............................................................................................................. 71

Figure 54 ZyXEL Utility: Setting AP Mode. ............................................................................................. 72

Figure 55 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary ............................................................................................... 73

Figure 56 Link Info ................................................................................................................................. 74

Figure 57 The Configuration Screen ...................................................................................................... 75

Figure 58 Security Setting: WEP .......................................................................................................... 77

Figure 59 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................................................. 78

Figure 60 The MAC Filter Screen ........................................................................................................... 79

Figure 61 About ..................................................................................................................................... 82

Figure 62 Uninstall: Confirm ................................................................................................................. 82

Figure 63 Uninstall: Finish ..................................................................................................................... 83

Figure 64 Windows XP: Start Menu ........................................................................................................ 98

Figure 65 Windows XP: Control Panel ................................................................................................... 98

Figure 66 Windows XP: Control Panel > Network Connections > Properties ........................................ 99

Figure 67 Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties ................................................................... 99

Figure 68 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties ............................................................ 100

Figure 69 Windows Vista: Start Menu ................................................................................................... 101

Figure 70 Windows Vista: Control Panel .............................................................................................. 101

Figure 71 Windows Vista: Network And Internet .................................................................................. 101

Figure 72 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center ....................................................................... 102

Figure 73 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center ....................................................................... 102

Figure 74 Windows Vista: Local Area Connection Properties .............................................................. 103

Figure 75 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties ..................................... 104

Figure 76 Peer-to-Peer Communication in an Ad-hoc Network ........................................................... 105

Figure 77 Basic Service Set ................................................................................................................. 106

Figure 78 Infrastructure WLAN ............................................................................................................. 107

Figure 79 RTS/CTS ............................................................................................................................. 108

Figure 80 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ..........................................................................115

Figure 81 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication ..................................................................................................116

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 82 Vista: Start Menu ...................................................................................................................119

Figure 83 Vista: The Connect To Window ............................................................................................ 120

Figure 84 Vista: Additional Information ................................................................................................. 120

Figure 85 Vista: Enter Security Key ...................................................................................................... 121

Figure 86 Vista: Connecting ................................................................................................................. 121

Figure 87 Vista: Successful Connection ............................................................................................... 122

Figure 88 Vista: Choose a Connection Option ..................................................................................... 123

Figure 89 Vista: Connect Manually ....................................................................................................... 123

Figure 90 Vista: Successfully Added Network ...................................................................................... 124

Figure 91 Vista: Set Up An Ad-hoc Network ......................................................................................... 125

Figure 92 Vista: Ad-hoc Options .......................................................................................................... 125

Figure 93 Vista: Ad-hoc Network Ready .............................................................................................. 126

Figure 94 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................... 127

Figure 95 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................... 127

Figure 96 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ............................................... 128

Figure 97 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties ............................................... 128

Figure 98 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available ................................................................................. 129

Figure 99 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ................................................................................... 129

Figure 100 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ................................................... 130

Figure 101 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ................................................... 130

Figure 102 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .............................................................. 131

Figure 103 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ............................................. 132

Figure 104 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK .............................. 132

Figure 105 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security ........................................ 133

Figure 106 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association .................................................. 133

Figure 107 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ............................................. 135

Figure 108 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ............................................................................ 136

Figure 109 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ................................................... 137

Figure 110 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks ............................................... 138

Figure 111 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks ............................................... 138

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

15

List of Figures

16

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

List of Tables

List of Tables

Table 1 Common Icons ............................................................................................................................ 5

Table 2 NWD-211AN External View ....................................................................................................... 22

Table 3 NWD-211AN LEDs .................................................................................................................... 22

Table 4 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon ................................................................................................ 25

Table 5 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary ................................................................................................... 51

Table 6 Link Info .................................................................................................................................... 52

Table 7 Link Info: Trend Chart ............................................................................................................... 53

Table 8 Site Survey ................................................................................................................................ 54

Table 9 Security Setting: WEP ............................................................................................................... 55

Table 10 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................................................. 57

Table 11 Security Setting: WPA/WPA2 .................................................................................................. 57

Table 12 Security Settings: IEEE 802.1x ............................................................................................... 59

Table 13 Summary Screen .................................................................................................................... 60

Table 14 Profile ...................................................................................................................................... 61

Table 15 Profile: Add a New Profile ....................................................................................................... 62

Table 16 Profile: Wireless Settings ........................................................................................................ 63

Table 17 Adapter ................................................................................................................................... 65

Table 18 WPS: PIN - Use this Device’s PIN .......................................................................................... 67

Table 19 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router ...................................................... 68

Table 20 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary ................................................................................................. 73

Table 21 Link Info .................................................................................................................................. 74

Table 22 Configuration ........................................................................................................................... 75

Table 23 Security Setting: WEP ............................................................................................................. 77

Table 24 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................................................. 78

Table 25 MAC Filter ............................................................................................................................... 79

Table 26 About ....................................................................................................................................... 82

Table 27 Product Specifications ............................................................................................................. 91

Table 28 IEEE 802.11g ........................................................................................................................ 109

Table 29 Wireless Security Levels ........................................................................................................110

Table 30 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types .............................................................................113

Table 31 Wireless Security Relational Matrix .......................................................................................116

Table 32 Vista: Connect Manually ....................................................................................................... 123

Table 33 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon .................................................................................... 129

Table 34 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection ................................................................. 131

Table 35 Windows XP: Wireless Networks .......................................................................................... 133

Table 36 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association .................................................... 134

Table 37 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ................................................ 135

Table 38 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ............................................................................... 136

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

17

List of Tables

Table 39 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ..................................................... 137

18

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

P

ART

I

Introduction and

Configuration

Getting Started (21)

Tutorial (27)

Wireless LANs (37)

ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode (49)

Maintenance (81)

19

20

C

H A P T E R

1 1

Getting Started

1.1 Overview

The ZyXEL NWD-211AN USB adapter brings you a better Internet experience over existing

802.11n networks. With data rates of up to 300 Mbps, you can enjoy a breathtaking high-speed connection at home or in the office. It is an excellent solution for daily activities such as file transfers, music downloading, video streaming and online gaming.

This section includes:

• About Your NWD-211AN on page 22

• Application Overview on page 23

• Hardware and Utility Installation on page 24

• Configuration Methods on page 25

1.1.1 What You Need to Know

The following terms and concepts may help as you read through this section, and subsequently as you read through the rest of the User’s Guide.

Access Point

An Access Point (AP) is a network device that acts as a bridge between a wired and a wireless network. Outside of the home or office, APs can most often be found in coffee shops, bookstores and other businesses that offer wireless Internet connectivity to their customers.

Infrastructure

An infrastructure network is one that seamlessly combines both wireless and wired components. One or more APs often serve as the bridge between wireless and wired LANs.

Ad-Hoc

An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a self-contained group of computers connected wirelessly and which is independent of any other networks and Access Points.

1.1.2 Before You Begin

• Read the Quick Start Guide for information on making hardware connections and using the ZyXEL Utility to connect your NWD-211AN to a network.

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Getting Started

1.2 About Your NWD-211AN

Your NWD-211AN is an IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 compliant wireless LAN adapter. It can also connect to IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless networks. The NWD-211AN is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected

Setup) compliant. WPS allows you to easily connect to another WPS-enabled device.

The NWD-211AN is a USB adapter which connects to an empty USB port on your computer.

See your NWD-211AN’s Quick Start Guide for installation instructions, and see the section on product specifications in this User’s Guide for detailed information.

1.2.1 Hardware

This section describes the NWD-211AN’s physical appearance.

Figure 1

The NWD-211AN

A

B C D

22

C

D

A

B

The following table describes the NWD-211AN.

Table 2

NWD-211AN External View

LABEL DESCRIPTION

WPS button

LED

USB connector

USB connector cap

The following table describes the operation of the NWD-211AN’s LEDs.

Table 3

NWD-211AN LEDs

LED COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION

Green On

Blinking

Off

The NWD-211AN is turned on, connected to an AP, and is not transmitting or receiving data.

The NWD-211AN is turned on, connected to an AP, and is transmitting or receiving data. It also blinks when the WPS feature is being used or a WPS connection is being initiated.

The NWD-211AN is turned off.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Getting Started

1.3 Application Overview

This section describes some network applications for the NWD-211AN. 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).

1.3.1 Infrastructure

To connect to a network via an access point (AP), set the NWD-211AN network type to

Infrastructure

(see Chapter 4 on page 60 ). Through the AP, you can access the Internet or the

wired network behind the AP.

Figure 2

Application: Infrastructure

1.3.2 Ad-Hoc

To set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use

Ad-Hoc

(see Chapter 4 on page 60

).

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.

23

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Getting Started

Figure 3

Application: Ad-Hoc

24

1.4 Hardware and Utility Installation

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

1.4.1 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 NWD-211AN is installed properly.

Figure 4

ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

"

When you use the ZyXEL Utility, it automatically disables Wireless Zero

Configuration (WZC) in Windows XP.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Getting Started

The color of the ZyXEL Utility system tray icon indicates the status of the NWD-211AN.

Refer to the following table for details.

Table 4

ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

COLOR DESCRIPTION

Red

Green

The NWD-211AN is not connected to a wireless network.

The NWD-211AN is connected to a wireless network.

1.5 Configuration Methods

To configure your NWD-211AN, 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.

1.5.1 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 NWD-211AN, you need to disable the ZyXEL Utility. Right-click the utility icon ( ) 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 NWD-211AN.

To reactivate the ZyXEL Utility, double-click the ( ) icon on your desktop or click

Start

>

Programs

>

ZyXEL Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter Utility

>

ZyXEL Dual Band

Wireless N USB Adapter Utility

.

25

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Getting Started

1.5.2 Opening the ZyXEL Utility

Click 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.

26

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

C

H A P T E R

2

Tutorial

2.1 Overview

This tutorial shows you how to join a wireless infrastructure network using the ZyXEL Utility.

The wireless client is labeled

C

and the Access Point is labeled

AP

.

Figure 6

Infrastructure Network

2.1.1 What You Can Do in This Tutorial

• Connect securely either to an infrastructure AP using the WPS protocol. See

Section 2.2 on page 28

for details.

• Connect securely to an infrastructure AP using many of the strongest and most common

encryption protocols. See Section 2.3 on page 31 for details.

• Save a your settings so that you can later connect again to an infrastructure AP with a single click. See

Section 2.3.2 on page 33 for details.

2.1.2 What You Need to Know

The following term may help as you read through this section.

WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a security protocol that lets two or more devices connect securely to one another with a minimum amount of hassle on your part. It most cases, establishing a secure connection with another WPS device is as easy as pushing a button.

2.1.3 Before You Begin

• Make sure that you have already familiarized yourself with the NWD-211AN’s features and hardware, as described in

Chapter 1 on page 21

.

• You should have valid login information for an existing network Access Point, otherwise you may not be able to make a network connection right away.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

27

28

Chapter 2 Tutorial

2.2 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 NWD-211AN 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 2.2.1 on page 28 .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 NWD-211AN’s interface. See

Section

2.2.2 on page 29

. This is the more secure method, since one device can authenticate the other.

2.2.1 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 NWD-211AN installed.

2

Make sure that you have installed the NWD-211AN’s driver and utility on your computer.

3

In the NWD-211AN’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 NWD-211AN. This may take up to two minutes. Then the NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Figure 7

Example WPS Process: PBC Method

You

Chapter 2 Tutorial

AP

WITHIN 2 MINUTES

SECURITY INFO

COMMUNICATION

2.2.2 PIN Configuration

When you use the PIN configuration method, you need to use both the NWD-211AN’s utility and the AP’s configuration interface.

1

In the NWD-211AN’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 NWD-211AN utility screen and the AP’s configuration utility (the

WPS Station

screen on the NBG334W) within two minutes.

The NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN securely.

The following figure shows you the example of configuring the wireless network and security on the NWD-211AN and the AP (ZyXEL’s NBG334W in this example) by using the PIN method.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

29

Chapter 2 Tutorial

Figure 8

Example WPS Process: PIN Method

You AP

30

WITHIN 2 MINUTES

Authentication by PIN

SECURITY INFO

COMMUNICATION

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 2 Tutorial

2.3 Connecting to an AP Without Using WPS

There are three ways to connect the wireless client (the NWD-211AN) 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 2.3.1 on page 31 ).

• Configure a profile to have the wireless client automatically connect to a specific network

or peer computer (see Section 2.3.2 on page 33

).

2.3.1 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 4.4 on page 53

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.

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31

Chapter 2 Tutorial

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 4.3 on page 51

for detailed field descriptions.

Figure 12

ZyXEL Utility: Link Info

32

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, see

Troubleshooting (87) or contact your network administrator if necessary.

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Chapter 2 Tutorial

2.3.2 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).

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33

Chapter 2 Tutorial

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

34

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

"

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

Chapter 2 Tutorial

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.

2.4 Configuring the NWD-211AN as an AP

In access point mode, your NWD-211AN allows you to set up your wireless network without using a dedicated AP. See

Chapter 5 on page 71 for more information.

After you install the ZyXEL Utility and then connect the NWD-211AN to your computer, follow the steps below to set up your NWD-211AN as an AP.

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

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1

Select

AP Mode

in the main ZyXEL Utility screen. The

AP Mode

version of the default

Link Info

screen displays.

Figure 19

ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

2

Under

Status

, you can view the current settings on the NWD-211AN. In the

Association

List

, you can see if any wireless clients have connected to your NWD-211AN.

Figure 20

ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode: Link Info

3

If you want to change the access point’s SSID and enable wireless security for your

NWD-211AN, click the

Configuration

tab. See Section 5.4.1 on page 76 for detailed

field descriptions found on this screen.

Figure 21

ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode: Configuration

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

C

H A P T E R

3

Wireless LANs

3.1 Overview

This section provides background information on wireless Local Area Networks.

3.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section

• Connect securely to an AP using many of the strongest and most common encryption

protocols. See Section 3.3 on page 39

for details.

• Connect securely either to an AP or computer-to-computer using WPS. See Section 3.4 on page 41 for details.

3.1.2 What You Need to Know

The following terms and concepts may help as you read through this section.

Server

When two or more devices are connected digitally to form a network, the one that distributes data to the other devices is known as the “server”. A RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In

User Service) is a kind of server that manages logins and logout, among other things, for the network to which it is connected.

Client

When two or more devices are connected digitally to form a network, the one that contacts and obtains data from a server is known as the “client”. Each client is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of servers, and each server requires a specific kind of client. Wireless adapters are clients that connect to a network server through an AP.

Authentication

Authentication is the process of confirming a client’s or user’s digital identity when they connect to a network. Turning off authentication means disabling all security protocols and opening your network to anyone with the means to connect to it.

Encryption

The process of taking data and encoding it, usually using a mathematical formula, so that it becomes unreadable unless decrypted with the proper code or pass phrase.

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Chapter 3 Wireless LANs

3.1.3 Before You Begin

• You should have valid login information for an existing network Access Point, otherwise you may not be able to make a network connection right away.

3.2 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 22

Example of a Wireless Network

38

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.

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Chapter 3 Wireless LANs

3.3 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 NWD-211AN, the NWD-211AN’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 NWD-211AN to Ad-hoc mode.

See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless security.

3.3.1 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.

3.3.1.1 WEP

3.3.1.1.1 Data Encryption

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption scrambles all data packets transmitted between the NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN.

• 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 NWD-211AN 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.

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3.3.1.1.2 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 NWD-211AN 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.

3.3.1.2 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.

3.3.1.2.1 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 NWD-211AN 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 105 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.

3.3.1.3 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.

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

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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.

3.4 Wi-Fi Protected Setup

Your NWD-211AN supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), which is an easy way to set up a secure wireless network. WPS is an industry standard specification, defined by the Wi-Fi

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.

3.4.1 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 NWD-211AN, see Section 4.6.1 on page 66

).

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.

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41

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Chapter 3 Wireless LANs

3.4.2 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 NWD-211AN, see

Section 4.6 on page 65

).

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Figure 23

Example WPS Process: PIN Method

ENROLLEE

WPS

This device’s

WPS PIN: 123456

WPS

Enter WPS PIN from other device:

Chapter 3 Wireless LANs

REGISTRAR

START

WPS

START

WPS

WITHIN 2 MINUTES

SECURE EAP TUNNEL

SSID

WPA(2)-PSK

COMMUNICATION

3.4.3 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.

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Chapter 3 Wireless LANs

Figure 24

How WPS works

ACTIVATE

WPS

WITHIN 2 MINUTES

ACTIVATE

WPS

WPS HANDSHAKE

ENROLLEE REGISTRAR

SECURE TUNNEL

SECURITY INFO

COMMUNICATION

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.

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3.4.3.1 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 25

WPS: Example Network Step 1

ENROLLEE REGISTRAR

SECURITY INFO

CLIENT 1 AP1

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 26

WPS: Example Network Step 2

REGISTRAR

EXISTING CONNECTION

CLIENT 1 AP1

ENROLLEE

SE

CU

RIT

Y I

NF

O

CLIENT 2

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45

Chapter 3 Wireless LANs

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 27

WPS: Example Network Step 3

EXISTING CONNECTION

CLIENT 1

EX

IST

ING

CO

NN

EC

TIO

N

AP1

REGISTRAR

CLIENT 2

SECU

RITY IN

FO

ENROLLEE

AP1

3.4.4 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 4.4.1.2 on page 56 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).

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• 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.

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C

H A P T E R

4

ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

4.1 Overview

This section shows you how to configure your NWD-211AN in

Station Mode

using the

Windows version of the ZyXEL Utility.

"

Some features available in Windows XP or Windows 2000 are not available in

Windows Vista.

The NWD-211AN is in wireless station mode by default. When the NWD-211AN works as a wireless station (or “client”), 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).

Select the

Station Mode

option in the ZyXEL Utility window to have the device function as a wireless client.

Figure 28

ZyXEL Utility: Setting Station Mode.

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4.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section

• On the

Link Info

screen, you can see your current connection details, monitor signal

strength and quality, and more. See Section 4.3 on page 51 for details.

• On the

Site Survey

screen, you can connect to any available unsecured wireless network in range of the NWD-211AN, or open the security settings screen for any secured wireless network in range. See

Section 4.4 on page 53

for details.

• On the

Profile

screen, you can create, delete and manage your wireless network profiles.

See

Section 4.5 on page 60

for details.

• On the

Adapter

screen, you can configure the NWD-211AN hardware, such as activating

WPS mode or its power saving feature. See

Section 4.6 on page 65

for details.

4.1.2 What You Need to Know

The following terms and concepts may help as you read through this section.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encrypts data transmitted between wired and wireless networks to keep the transmission private. Although one of the original wireless encryption protocols, WEP is also the weakest. Many people use it strictly to deter unintentional usage of their wireless network by outsiders.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

The WPA protocol affords users with vastly stronger security than the WEP protocol. It comes in two different varieties: WPA and WPA2. The original implementation of the WPA encryption algorithm relied on TKIP encryption to ensure maximum backwards-compatibility with WEP-compliant systems. The second interation, WPA2, abandoned TKIP and utilized a more modern, more secure algorithm known as CCMP. As such, whenever possible use the

WPA2 version instead of the older WPA version.

Pre-Shared Key (PSK)

A pre-shared key is a password shared between the server and the client that unlocks the algorithm used to encrypt the data traffic between them. Without the proper password, the client and the server cannot communicate.

Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)

An enhanced security framework designed to improve an existing security protocol, such as

WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK. This does not actually encrypt data; that task is left for the encryption algorithm, in this case either WPA or WPA2. Rather, it is simply a method for encapsulating data for the authentication process.

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4.1.3 Before You Begin

Make sure the ZyXEL Utility is already installed. See the Quick Start Guide for more.

4.2 Station Mode Screen Summary

This section describes the ZyXEL Utility screens while in

Station Mode

.

Figure 29

ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary

The following table describes the menus.

Table 5

ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary

TAB DESCRIPTION

Link Info

Site Survey

Profile

Adapter

Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate statistics.

Use this screen to:

• scan for a wireless network.

• configure wireless security (if activated on the selected network).

• connect to a wireless network.

Use this screen to add, delete, edit or activate a profile with a set of wireless and security settings.

Use this screen to configure preamble type, enable power saving and use Wi-Fi

Protected Setup (WPS).

4.3 The Link Info Screen

When the ZyXEL Utility starts, the

Link Info

screen displays, showing the current configuration and connection status of your NWD-211AN.

Figure 30

Link Info

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 6

Link Info

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Wireless Network

Status

Profile Name This is the name of the profile you are currently using.

Network

Name (SSID)

The SSID identifies the wireless network to which a wireless station is associated.

This field displays the name of the wireless device to which the NWD-211AN is associated.

AP MAC

Address

This field displays the MAC address of the AP or peer computer to which the

NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN 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

).

This field displays the radio channel the NWD-211AN is currently using.

Channel

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 NWD-211AN.

Network Mode This field displays the wireless standard used by the selected wireless device. It shows

B

for 802.11b,

G

for 802.11g or

N

for 802.11n.

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 NWD-211AN.

Trend Chart Click this button to display the real-time statistics of the data rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

Signal Strength

Link Quality

The status bar shows the strength of the signal. The signal strength mainly depends on the antenna output power and the distance between your NWD-

211AN and the AP or peer computer.

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.

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4.3.1 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 31

Link Info: Trend Chart

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 7

Link Info: Trend Chart

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Transmit

Receive

This field displays the current data transmission rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

This field displays the current data reception rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

4.4 The Site Survey Screen

Use the

Site Survey

screen to scan for and connect to a wireless network automatically.

Figure 32

Site Survey

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 8

Site Survey

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Available Network

List

Click a column heading to sort the entries.

,

SSID

Signal

Scan

,

or

Channel

Connect

Site Information 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.

This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each wireless device.

This field displays the channel number used by each wireless device.

This field displays the signal strength of each wireless device.

Click

Scan

to search for available wireless devices within transmission range.

Click

Connect

to associate to the selected wireless device.

Click an entry in the

Available Network List

table to display the information of the selected wireless device.

Network Type

Network Mode

Channel

Security

MAC address

Surveyed at

This field displays the network type (

Infrastructure

or

Ad Hoc

) of the wireless device.

This field displays the wireless standard used by the selected wireless device. It shows

B

for 802.11b,

G

for 802.11g or

N

for 802.11n.

This field displays the channel number used by each wireless device.

This field shows whether data encryption is activated (

WEP

,

WPA

,

WPA-PSK

,

WPA2

,

WPA2-PSK

or

802.1x

) or inactive (

DISABLE

).

This field displays the MAC address of the wireless device.

This field displays the time when the wireless device was scanned.

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4.4.1 Security Settings

When you configure the NWD-211AN to connect to a network with wireless security activated and the security settings are disabled on the NWD-211AN, the screen varies according to the encryption method used by the selected network.

4.4.1.1 WEP Encryption

Configure WEP security in this screen.

Figure 33

Security Setting: WEP

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 9

Security Setting: WEP

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security Settings

WEP

Authentication

Type

Pass Phrase

Transmit Key

Select

64 Bits

or

128 Bits

to activate WEP encryption and then fill in the related fields.

Select an authentication method. Choices are

Open

and

Shared

.

Refer to Section 3.3.1.1.2 on page 40

for more information.

Enter a passphrase of up to 32 case-sensitive printable characters. As you enter the passphrase, the NWD-211AN automatically generates four different WEP keys

and displays the first in the key field below. Refer to Section 3.3.1.1.1 on page 39

for more information.

Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption. The key displays in the adjacent field.

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Table 9

Security Setting: WEP (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Key 1-4 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.

or

Enter 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 type or

Enter 13 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from “a-z”, “A-Z” and “0-9”

(for example, MyKey12345678) for ASCII key type.

Back

Next

Exit

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.

Click

Back

to go to the

Site Survey

screen to select and connect to another network.

Click

Next

to confirm your selections and advance to the

Summary

screen. Refer to

Section 4.4.2 on page 60

.

Click

Exit

to return to the

Site Survey

screen without saving.

4.4.1.2 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

Configure WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK security in this screen.

"

The procedure to configure WPA or WPA2 is different in Windows Vista. See

Section 4.7 on page 68 for information on setting up your NWD-211AN to use

WPA or WPA2 in Vista.

Figure 34

Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 10

Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Encryption Type

Pre-Shared Key

Back

Next

Exit

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 3.3.1.3 on page 40

for more information.

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.

Click

Back

to go to the

Site Survey

screen to select and connect to another network.

Click

Next

to confirm your selections and advance to the

Summary

screen. Refer to

Section 4.4.2 on page 60

.

Click

Exit

to return to the

Site Survey

screen without saving.

4.4.1.3 WPA/WPA2

The screen that displays when you select

WPA

or

WPA2

differs, depending on the

EAP Type

you select (

TLS

,

PEAP

or

TTLS

).

Figure 35

Security Settings: WPA/WPA2

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 11

Security Setting: WPA/WPA2

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Encryption Type

EAP Type

Login Name

Password

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 3.3.1.3 on page 40

for more information.

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).

Enter a user name.

This is the user name that you or an administrator set up on a RADIUS server.

This field is not available when you select

TLS

in the

EAP Type

field.

Enter the password associated with the user name above.

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

Table 11

Security Setting: WPA/WPA2

LABEL DESCRIPTION

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.

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

Next

Exit

Note: This feature is not available on Windows Vista.

Click

Back

to go to the

Site Survey

screen to select and connect to another network.

Click

Next

to confirm your selections and advance to the

Summary

screen (refer to

Section 4.4.2 on page 60

.)

Click

Exit

to return to the

Site Survey

screen without saving.

4.4.1.4 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

4.7 on page 68

for information on setting up your NWD-211AN to use 802.1x in

Vista.

Figure 36

Security Setting: 802.1x

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 12

Security Settings: IEEE 802.1x

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Encryption Type

EAP Type

Login Name

Password

Certificate

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).

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).

Enter a user name.

This is the user name that you or an administrator set up on a RADIUS server.

This field is not available when you select

TLS

in the

EAP Type

field.

Enter the password associated with the user name above.

This field is only available when you select

TLS

in the

EAP Type

field.

Click

Browse

to select a certificate.

TTLS Protocol

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.

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

.

Note: This feature is not available on Windows Vista.

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

.

Back

Next

Exit

Click

Back

to go to the

Site Survey

screen to select and connect to another network.

Click

Next

to confirm your selections and advance to the

Summary

screen (refer to

Section 4.4.2 on page 60

.)

Click

Exit

to return to the

Site Survey

screen without saving.

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

4.4.2 The Summary Screen

Use this screen to confirm and save the security settings.

Figure 37

Summary Screen

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 13

Summary Screen

LABEL DESCRIPTION

This field displays the SSID previously entered.

Network Name

(SSID)

Network Type

Channel

Security

Back

Save

Exit

This field displays the network type (

Infrastructure

or

Ad-Hoc

) of the wireless device.

This field displays the channel number used by the profile.

This field shows whether data encryption is activated (

WEP

,

WPA

,

WPA-PSK

,

WPA2

,

WPA2-PSK

,

802.1x

) or inactive (

DISABLE

).

Click

Back

to return to the previous screen.

Click

Save

to save the changes back to the NWD-211AN and display the

Link Info

screen.

Click

Exit

to discard changes and return to the

Site Survey

screen.

4.5 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 NWD-211AN, 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 NWD-211AN cannot connect to a network.

If you do not configure and activate a profile, each time you start the NWD-211AN, the NWD-

211AN 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 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.

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Figure 38

Profile

Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 14

Profile

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Profile List

,

,

or

Profile Name

SSID

Connect

Add

Delete

Edit

Profile Info

Network Type

SSID

Channel

Security

Transfer Rate

Click a column heading to sort the entries.

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.

This is the name of the pre-configured profile.

This is the SSID of the wireless network to which the selected profile associate.

To use and activate a previously saved network profile, select a pre-configured profile name in the table and click

Connect

.

To add a new profile into the table, click

Add

.

To delete an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile in the table and click

Delete

.

To edit an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile in the table and click

Edit

.

The following fields display detailed information of the selected profile in the

Profile List

table.

This field displays the network type (

Infrastructure

or

Ad-Hoc

) of the profile.

This field displays the network’s Service Set IDentity (the name of the network).

This field displays the channel number used by the profile.

This field shows whether data encryption is activated (

WEP

,

WPA

,

WPA-PSK

,

WPA2

,

WPA2-PSK

or

802.1x

) or inactive (

DISABLE

).

This field displays the transmission speed of the selected profile in megabits per second (Mbps).

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

4.5.1 Adding a New Profile

Follow the steps below to add a new profile.

1

Click

Add

in the

Profile

screen. The

Add New Profile

screen displays as shown next.

Figure 39

Profile: Add a New Profile

62

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 15

Profile: Add a New Profile

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Add New Profile

Profile Name

SSID

Network Type

Next

Exit

Scan Info

,

SSID

,

or

Enter a descriptive name in this field.

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 NWD-211AN associate to any AP or roam between any infrastructure wireless networks.

Select

Infrastructure

to associate to an AP. Select

Ad-Hoc

to associate to a peer computer.

Click

Next

to go to the next screen.

Click

Exit

to go back to the previous screen without saving.

This table displays the information of the available wireless networks within the transmission range.

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.

This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each AP or peer device.

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Table 15

Profile: Add a New Profile (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Scan

Select

Click

Scan

to search for available wireless devices within transmission range.

Select an available wireless device in the table and click

Select

to add it to this profile.

Whenever you activate this profile, the NWD-211AN 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 40

Profile: Wireless Settings

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 16

Profile: Wireless Settings

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Wireless Settings

Channel

Wireless Mode

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.

This is the wireless standard the NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN to communicate with the access points or other peer wireless computers without any data encryption, and skip to step 5 .

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Figure 41

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 NWD-211AN. Refer to

Section 5.4.1 on page 76

for detailed information on wireless security configuration.

Figure 42

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 43

Profile: Confirm New Settings

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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 44

Profile: Activate the Profile

4.6 The Adapter Screen

To set the other advanced features on the NWD-211AN, click the

Adapter

tab.

Figure 45

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 NWD-211AN automatically uses short preamble when the access point supports it; otherwise the NWD-211AN uses long preamble.

At the time of writing, this field is not available in Windows Vista.

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Table 17

Adapter (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Power Saving

Mode

Select

Fast Power Save

to save power. This forces the NWD-211AN to go to sleep mode when it is not transmitting data.

When you select

Continuous Access Mode

, the NWD-211AN will never go to sleep mode.

WMM QoS

Note: This field is not available in Windows Vista at the time of writing.

Select this to enable Wi-Fi MultiMedia Quality of Service on the NWD-211AN.

Note: This field is not available in Windows Vista at the time of writing.

WPS (Wi-Fi

Protected Setup)

PBC (Push Button

Configuration)

PIN - Use This

Device’s PIN

Select this to enable Wi-Fi Protected Setup on the NWD-211AN.

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 4.6.1 on page 66

).

Select this to use the PIN (Personal Identification Number) WPS mode. Use this option when you want to enter the NWD-211AN’s PIN in another WPS-enabled device.

When you select this, the

PIN - Use this Device’s PIN

screen appears (see

Section 4.6.2 on page 67

).

PIN - Use the PIN

From the AP or

Wireless Router

Save

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

NWD-211AN.

When you select this, the

PIN - Use the PIN From the AP or Wireless Router

screen appears (see Section 4.6.3 on page 68

).

Click

Save

to save the changes to the NWD-211AN and return to the

Link Info

screen.

4.6.1 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration)

This screen allows you to use the WPS Push Button Configuration mode. See

Section 3.4.1 on page 41 for more information. Select

WPS

and

PBC (Push Button Configuration)

in the

Adapter

screen. The following screen displays.

Figure 46

WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration)

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

Press

Start

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

4.6.2 WPS: PIN - (Personal Indentification Number)

This screen allows you to use the WPS Personal Identification Number mode, by entering the

NWD-211AN’s unique PIN in the configuration utility of the other WPS-enabled device. See

Section 3.4.2 on page 42 for more information. Select

WPS

and

PIN - Use this Device’s PIN

in the

Adapter

screen. The following screen displays.

Figure 47

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 NWD-211AN’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.

Start

Note: Each time this screen displays, the PIN is different. The PIN is valid for only one WPS transaction.

Click this to start WPS. You must start WPS on the other WPSenabled device within two minutes.

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

4.6.3 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 NWD-211AN’s utility. See

Section 3.4.2 on page 42 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 48

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

68

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

Start

Enter the PIN from your AP or wireless router in this field before you click

Start

.

Click this to start WPS. You must start WPS on the other WPSenabled device within two minutes.

4.7 Security Settings in Windows Vista

When you use the NWD-211AN 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 4.7.1 on page 69 to use PEAP, or see

Section 4.7.2 on page 70 to use TLS.

"

At the time of writing, TTLS (Tunneled TLS) is not available when using

Windows Vista.

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Chapter 4 ZyXEL Utility - Station Mode

4.7.1 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

4.4 on page 53

), or configure a profile in the normal way (see Section 4.5 on page 60 ).

2

In the

WPA

,

WPA2

or

802.1x

security screen (see Section 4.4.1.3 on page 57 and

Section 4.4.1.4 on page 58

), 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 it.

Figure 49

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 50

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 NWD-211AN tries to connect to the network. The ZyXEL Utility’s

Link Info

screen displays, showing the connection status (see

Section 4.3 on page 51 ). If the

Link Info

screen displays an active connection, you have successfully completed the procedure.

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4.7.2 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

4.4 on page 53 ), or configure a profile (see

Section 4.5 on page 60

) 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 greyed-out (not available).

3

Click

Next

.

4

In the

Summary

screen, click

Save

.

5

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

Figure 51

Vista Security: Additional Information Required

6

The

Select Certificate

screen displays. Select the certificate you want to use in order to authenticate with the server, and enter your username.

Figure 52

Vista Security: Select Certificate

70

"

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

7

Click

OK

. The

Select Certificate

screen disappears and the NWD-211AN tries to connect to the network. The ZyXEL Utility’s

Link Info

screen displays, showing the connection status (see

Section 4.3 on page 51 ). If the

Link Info

screen displays an active connection, you have successfully completed the procedure.

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C

H A P T E R

5

ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

5.1 Overview

This section shows you how to configure your NWD-211AN in

AP Mode

using the Windows version of the ZyXEL Utility.

"

Some features available in Windows XP or Windows 2000 are not available in

Windows Vista.

AP Mode

allows you to set up a wireless network without using a pre-existing AP. The following figure shows a sample AP network set up.

Figure 53

AP Network Example

Here, the NWD-211AN is installed on computer

A

and set to operate in access point mode.

Computer

A

provides an Internet connection to the wireless LAN, so wireless stations

B

and

C

can access the Internet.

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Chapter 5 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

Select the

AP Mode

option the ZyXEL Utility to have the device function as an access point.

Figure 54

ZyXEL Utility: Setting AP Mode.

5.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section

• On the

Link Info

screen, you can see your AP’s current transmission and security status

See

Section 5.3 on page 74

for details.

• On the

Configuration

screen, you can set up the broadcast parameters for your access point as well as its security options. See

Section 5.4 on page 74 for details.

• On the

MAC Filter

screen, you can configure the NWD-211AN to give exclusive access

to devices or exclude specific devices from connecting to the AP. See Section 5.5 on page

79

for details.

5.1.2 What You Need to Know

The following terms and concepts may help as you read through this section.

MAC Address

On a local area network (LAN) or other network, the MAC address is a computer's unique hardware number. On an Ethernet LAN, it's the same as your Ethernet address. The MAC layer frames data for transmission over the network, then passes the frame to the physical layer interface where it is transmitted as a stream of bits.

See Also...

The terms and concepts introduced in

Chapter 4 on page 49 apply to this chapter as well.

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Chapter 5 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

5.1.3 Before You Begin

Make sure the ZyXEL Utility is already installed. See the Quick Start Guide for more.

To bridge your wired and wireless network using the NWD-211AN, the following requirements must be met:

• The NWD-211AN must be installed on a computer connected to the wired network.

• Either bridge the two interfaces (wireless and wired) on the computer (using the

Configuration

screen) or configure network sharing.

• Set the wireless station’s IP address to be dynamic if you want the wireless stations to

access the wired network or the Internet through the NWD-211AN. Refer to Appendix A on page 97

for how to configure your computer’s IP address.

5.2 AP Mode Screen Summary

This section describes the ZyXEL Utility screens while in

AP Mode

.

Figure 55

ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary

The following table describes the menus.

Table 20

ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary

TAB DESCRIPTION

Link Info

Configuration

MAC Filter

Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate statistics.

Use this screen to configure wireless LAN settings.

Use this screen to configure which computer(s) you want access to the wireless

LAN through the NWD-211AN.

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Chapter 5 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

5.3 The Link Info Screen

When you enter AP Mode, the

Link Info

screen displays, showing the current configuration and connection status of your NWD-211AN access point.

Figure 56

Link Info

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 21

Link Info

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Status

SSID This field displays the name that identifies your NWD-211AN in the wireless LAN network.

This field displays the radio channel the NWD-211AN is currently using.

Current

Channel

Transmission

Rate

Security

This field displays the current transmission rate of the NWD-211AN in megabits per second (Mbps).

This field shows whether data encryption is activated (

WEP

,

WPA/WPA2

, or

WPA-

PSK

/

WPA2-PSK

) or inactive (

DISABLE

).

This field displays the MAC address of the NWD-211AN.

MAC

Output Power This field shows the strength of the NWD-211AN’s antenna gain or transmission power.

Association List This table lists the wireless clients that are currently connected to the NWD-

211AN. denotes a wireless client without wireless security. denotes a wireless client with wireless security enabled.

MAC Address This field displays the MAC addresses of a wireless client that is currently connected to the NWD-211AN.

Refresh Click

Refresh

to update this screen.

5.4 The Configuration Screen

The

Configuration

screen allows you to set up the broadcast parameters for your access point as well as its security options.

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"

The NWD-211AN in AP mode does not support IEEE 802.11a within the FCC regulatory domain.

Figure 57

The Configuration Screen

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 22

Configuration

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Wireless Settings

SSID

Hide SSID

Wireless

Mode

Enter a name for your AP This name is broadcast to all wireless-capable devices in range and can be used to connect to your AP.

You can enter up to 32 printable ASCII characters in this field.

Select this option to keep your AP’s SSID private. Only users who explicitly enter the SSID name in their connection window while connecting will be able to “see” it.

While effective at deterring the casual user from inadvertantly connecting to your

AP, it is the weakest of all wireless security. Anyone with a basic sniffer program will be able to detect the channel.

Select the wireless networking protocol used by your AP. Supported protocols are:

•

A

- Supports an operational frequency of 5 GHz.

•

B

- Supports an operational frequency of 2.41 GHz and dynamically shifts up to 11 Mbps network speed.

•

B/G

- Supports an operational frequency of 2.4 GHz and dynamically shifts up to 54 Mbps network speed.

•

B/G/N

- Supports an operational frequency of 2.4 GHz, dynamically shifts up to

300 Mbps network speed, and supports significantly boosted throughput.

•

A/B/G/N

- Supports an operational frequency of 5 GHz and 2 GHz, dynamically shifts up to 300 Mbps network speed, and supports significantly boosted throughput.

When selecting a wireless mode, try to choose one that matches the mode of all the connecting computers. For example, if you know that five different computers will be connecting to your AP and they all are using the

A

protocol, set your AP to broadcast in the same mode to reduce the likelihood of transmission interference.

If you are not certain which mode to use, select the

A/B/G/N

mode to ensure maximum compatibility with all potential incoming connections.

Note: This option is not available in Windows Vista.

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Chapter 5 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

Table 22

Configuration (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Channel Select a channel on which on broadcast your AP’s wireless signal.

If there are a high number of APs broadcast within range of one another, try to use a channel that is either not in use or that has the fewest number of broadcasters.

Too many APs using the same channel can interfere with one another.

Output Power Set this field if you need to conserve power consumption (especially for notebook computers). This control changes the strength of the NWD-211AN’s antenna gain or transmission power. Antenna gain, listed here as a percentage, is the increase in coverage. Higher antenna gain improves the range of the signal for better communications.

•

100%

- Sets the antenna gain at maximum output power. This has the highest level of power consumption. If you are using the NWD-211AN on a notebook computer running on battery power, then using this power setting will drain the battery the fastest.

•

75%

- Sets the antenna gain to medium-high output power. This is a decent comprimise between signal strength and power consumption.

•

50%

- Sets the antenna gain to medium output power. The range is reduced but the power consumption is much less.

•

25%

- Sets the antenna gain to low output power. This significantly reduces the transmission range but save considerable power.

• Lowest

- Sets the antenna gain to minimal output power. You are trading decent transmission range for significant power savings.

Bridge Select the check box and an Ethernet adapter (network interface card (NIC)) on your computer from the drop-down list box. This allows you to connect your wireless network to the specified wired network.

Security type

Save

Cancel

Note: This feature is not supported in Windows 2000.

Select a security for your AP. Options are

WEP

,

WPA

and

WPA2

.

See the Security Settings section below for information on these security settings.

Click to save the changes.

Click to discard the changes.

5.4.1 Security Settings

When you configure the NWD-211AN to act as an AP and wireless security is activated, the

Configuration

screen varies according to the encryption method used by your network.

5.4.1.1 Disable

This option indicates that no security services are enabled. Anyone within range of your AP can connect to it without having to enter a pre-shared key.

"

When security settings are disabled in

AP Mode

and if you have a shared

Internet connection via the

Bridge

feature (see page 76

) or any shared folders on the computer that is hosting the AP, they will be available to anyone who is connected.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

5.4.1.2 WEP Encryption

Configure WEP security with these options.

Figure 58

Security Setting: WEP

Chapter 5 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 23

Security Setting: WEP

LABEL

Security type

DESCRIPTION

Select

WEP

to enable this encryption type.

Authentication

Type

WEP

Transmit Key

Select an authentication method. Choices are

Open System

and

Shared Key

.

Refer to Section 3.3.1.1 on page 39

for more information.

Select

64 Bits

or

128 Bits

for your WEP encryption type.

Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption.

Note: This feature is not available in Windows Vista.

Pass Phrase If you select this transmit key option, enter a passphrase of up to 32 casesensitive printable characters.

As you enter the passphrase, the NWD-211AN automatically generates four different transmit keys and displays the first in the key field below.

Key 1-4 Select this option if you want to manually enter a transmit key. Enter the 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.

or

Enter 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 type or

Enter 13 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from “a-z”, “A-Z” and “0-9”

(for example, MyKey12345678) for ASCII key type.

Save

Cancel

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.

Click to save the changes.

Click to discard the changes.

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Chapter 5 ZyXEL Utility - AP Mode

5.4.1.3 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

Configure WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK security with these options.

Figure 59

Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 24

Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security Type Select either

WPA-PSK

or

WPA2-PSK

to enable these encryption types.

Encryption Type Select the encryption type (

TKIP

or

AES

) for data encryption.

Refer to

Section 3.3.1.3 on page 40 for more information.

Pre-Shared Key Type a pre-shared key (same as the AP or peer device) of between 8 and 63 casesensitive ASCII characters (including spaces and symbols) or 64 hexadecimal characters.

Save

Cancel

Click to save the changes.

Click to discard the changes.

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5.5 The MAC Filter Screen

The

MAC Filter

screen allows you to configure the NWD-211AN to give exclusive access to devices (

Accept

) or exclude devices from connecting to the NWD-211AN (

Reject

). The MAC address is assigned at the factory and consists of six pairs of hexadecimal characters, for example, 00:A0:C5:00:00:02. You need to know the MAC address of the device(s) to configure this screen.

Figure 60

The MAC Filter Screen

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 25

MAC Filter

LABEL

Filter Type

Filter MAC

Address 1-16

Save

Cancel

DESCRIPTION

Define the filter action for the list of MAC addresses in the MAC address filter table.

Select

Disable

to deactivate the MAC filter feature.

Select

Reject

to block access to the NWD-211AN, MAC addresses not listed will be allowed to access the NWD-211AN.

Select

Accept

to permit access to the NWD-211AN, MAC addresses not listed will be denied access to the NWD-211AN.

Specify the MAC address(es) of the wireless station(s) that is allowed or denied association to the NWD-211AN.

Enter six pairs of hexadecimal digits (separated by colons) in the range of “A-F”,

“a-f” and “0-9” (for example, 00:A0:C5:00:00:02).

If you enter an invalid MAC address, once you click

Save

to save the values, a warning screen will be displayed.

Click to save the changes.

Click to discard the changes.

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H A P T E R

6

Maintenance

6.1 Overview

This section describes how to uninstall or upgrade the ZyXEL Utility.

6.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section

• Learn which version of the ZyXEL Utility and device driver you’re currently using. See

Section 6.2 on page 82 for details.

• Remove the ZyXEL Utility from your computer. See Section 6.3 on page 82 for details.

• Upgrade the ZyXEL Utility. See

Section 6.4 on page 83

for details.

6.1.2 What You Need to Know

The following term may help as you read through this section.

Device driver

A system file that lets other programs interact with a piece of hardware, or “device.” You should never try to locate and install or uninstall device drivers yourself since they are modifications to an operating system at the core (or “kernel”) level. Doing so could irreparably damage your installation.

6.1.3 Before You Begin

Disconnect the NWD-211AN if you are going to uninstall or upgrade the ZyXEL Utility, save your work in any other open programs, and then close them.

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Chapter 6 Maintenance

6.2 The About Screen

The

About

screen displays driver and utility version numbers of the NWD-211AN. To display the screen as shown below, click the About ( ) button.

Figure 61

About

82

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

Table 26

About

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Driver Version

Utility Version

This field displays the version number of the NWD-211AN driver.

This field displays the version number of the ZyXEL Utility.

6.3 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

>

Programs

>

ZyXEL Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter Utility

>

Uninstall ZyXEL Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter Utility

.

2

When prompted, click

OK

or

Yes

to remove the driver and the utility software.

Figure 62

Uninstall: Confirm

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Chapter 6 Maintenance

3

Click

Finish

to complete uninstalling the software and restart the computer when prompted.

Figure 63

Uninstall: Finish

6.4 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 6.3 on page 82

to remove the current ZyXEL Utility from your computer.

3

Restart your computer when prompted.

4

Disconnect the NWD-211AN from your computer.

5

Double-click on the setup program for the new utility to start the ZyXEL Utility installation.

6

Insert the NWD-211AN and check the version numbers in the

About

screen to make sure the new utility is installed properly.

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P

ART

II

Troubleshooting and Specifications

Troubleshooting (87)

Product Specifications (91)

85

86

C

H A P T E R

7

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 ZyXEL Utility

•

Link Quality

•

Problems Communicating with Other Computers

7.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs

V

The NWD-211AN does not turn on. None of the LEDs turn on.

1

Make sure the NWD-211AN is correctly installed (refer to your Quick Start Guide).

2

Restart the computer to which the NWD-211AN is attached.

3

If the problem continues, contact the vendor.

V

One of the LEDs does not behave as expected.

1

Make sure you understand the normal behavior of the LED. See Section 1.2 on page 22

.

2

Check the hardware connection. See the Quick Start Guide and Section 1.2 on page 22 .

3

Restart the computer to which the NWD-211AN is attached.

4

If the problem continues, contact the vendor.

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88

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

7.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility

V

I cannot access the ZyXEL Utility

1

Make sure the NWD-211AN is properly inserted and the LEDs are on. Refer to the

Quick Start Guide for information on how to properly connect the NWD-211AN.

2

Use the

Device Manager

to check for possible hardware conflicts. Click

Start

>

Settings

>

Control Panel

>

System

>

Hardware

>

Device Manager

. Verify the status of the NWD-211AN under

Network Adapter

(steps may vary depending on the version of Windows).

3

Install the NWD-211AN on another computer.

4

If the error persists, you may have a hardware problem. In this case, you should contact your vendor.

7.3 Link Quality

V

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.

7.4 Problems Communicating with Other Computers

V

The computer with the NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN computer and the associated AP use the same SSID.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

• 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 Mode

• Verify that the peer computer(s) is turned on.

• Make sure the NWD-211AN 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.

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H A P T E R

8

Product Specifications

Table 27

Product Specifications

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

Product Name

Interface

Standards

NWD-211AN Dual-Band Wireless N USB Adapter

USB 2.0

IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0), IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, and IEEE

802.11a

Antenna

Operating Temperature

Storage Temperature

Operating Humidity

Storage Humidity

Operation Voltage

Power Saving Mode

Current Consumption

Voltage

Weight

Dimensions

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

0

°

- 40

°

Celsius

-30

°

- 70

°

Celsius

20 - 90% (non-condensing)

5 - 90% (non-condensing)

5V

Windows XP: Yes

Windows Vista: No

Transmit: <500 mA

Receive: <500 mA

5 V

21 g / 0.74 oz

81.6 (W) ×26 (D) ×11.48 (H) mm / 3.21 (W) x 1.02 (D) x 0.45 (H) in.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS

Media Access Protocol

WIRELESS STANDARDS

IEEE 802.11a

Operation Frequency

IEEE 802.11a/b/g and IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) (2.4GHz/5Ghz)

5.150GHz ~ 5.850GHz

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Chapter 8 Product Specifications

Table 27

Product Specifications (continued)

Operation Channels N. America & Taiwan

5150GHz ~ 5350GHz

N. America & Taiwan

5470GHz ~ 5700GHz

N. America & Taiwan

5725GHz ~ 5850GHz

Euro ETSI

5150GHz ~ 5350GHz

Euro ETSI

5470GHz ~ 5725GHz

IEEE 802.11b

Operation Frequency

Operation Channels

IEEE 802.11g

Operation Frequency

Operation Channels

Note: 5600~5650MHz is disabled due to Environment

Canada weather satellites operating in the band.

Dynamically shifts between 11, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps network speed.

2.412GHz ~2.472GHz

N. America &Taiwan

2.412GHz ~ 2.462GHz

Euro ETSI

2.412GHz ~ 2.472GHz

Dynamically shifts between 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9 and 6 Mbps network speed.

2.412GHz ~ 2.472GHz

N. America &Taiwan

2.412GHz ~ 2.462GHz

Euro ETSI

2.412GHz ~ 2.472GHz

IEEE 802.11n

Operation Frequency

Operation Channels

Networking Mode

2.412GHz ~ 2.472GHz, 5.150GHz ~ 5.850GHz

N. America & Taiwan HT20

2.412GHz ~ 2.462GHz

5.150GHz ~ 5.350GHz

5.470GHz ~ 5.700GHz

5.725GHz ~ 5.850GHz

N. America & Taiwan HT40

2.422GHz ~ 2.452GHz

5.150GHz ~ 5.350GHz

5.470GHz ~ 5.725GHz

5.725GHz ~ 5.850GHz

Euro ETSI HT20

2.412GHz ~ 2.472GHz

5.150GHz ~ 5.350GHz

5.470GHz ~ 5.725GHz

Euro ETSI HT40

2.422GHz ~ 2.462GHz

5.150GHz ~ 5.350GHz

5.470GHz ~ 5.725GHz

Note: 5600~5650MHz is disabled due to Environment

Canada weather satellites operating in the band.

Infrastructure, Ad-Hoc, Soft AP Support

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Chapter 8 Product Specifications

Table 27

Product Specifications (continued)

Approvals Safety

EMI

EU: EN60950 (CE-LVD)

United States: FCC Part15B Class B

Canada: IC/ RSS210

EU: CE EN 301 489-17

Australia: C-Tick

EMS

EU: CE EN55024

SAR

EU: CE EN 50371

United States: OET Bulletin 65

Canada: RSS-102

RF

United States: FCC Part15C, 15E.

Canada: RSS-210

EU: CE EN 300-328 V1.1.1, CE EN 301 893 V1.3.1

Taiwan: NCC LP0002

DFS

EU: EN 301 893 V1.3.1

United States: FCC CFR 47 subpart C 15.407

Wi-Fi Certification

802.11 a/b/g/n WPA/WPA2/WMM

WPS

Operating System

Microsoft Certification: Vista (64, 32), XP (64, 32), 2000

SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS

Device Drivers Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit)

Windows XP (32- and 64-bit)

Windows 2000

WIRELESS FEATURES

Wireless Security WEP 64bit, 128bit, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK 802.1x

(EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP), WPS.

Wireless QoS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)

Note: EAP-TTLS is not supported in Windows Vista

WMM

Push button configuration

Use device's PIN

Use AP or Router's PIN

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

93

Chapter 8 Product Specifications

94

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

P

ART

III

Appendices and

Index

"

The appendices provide general information. Some details may not apply to your specific device model.

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address (97)

Wireless LANs (105)

Windows Wireless Management (119)

Legal Information (141)

Customer Support (145)

Index (151)

95

96

A

P P E N D I X

A

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP

Address

"

Your specific ZyXEL device may not support all of the operating systems described in this appendix. See the product specifications for more information about which operating systems are supported.

This appendix shows you how to configure the IP settings on your computer in order for it to be able to communicate with the other devices on your network. Windows Vista/XP/2000,

Mac OS 9/OS X, and all versions of UNIX/LINUX include the software components you need to use TCP/IP on your computer.

If you manually assign IP information instead of using a dynamic IP, make sure that your network’s computers have IP addresses that place them in the same subnet.

In this appendix, you can set up an IP address for:

•

Windows XP/NT/2000 on page 98

•

Windows Vista on page 101

97

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

Windows XP/NT/2000

The following example uses the default Windows XP display theme but can also apply to

Windows 2000 and Windows NT.

1

Click

Start

>

Control Panel

.

Figure 64

Windows XP: Start Menu

2

In the

Control Panel

, click the

Network Connections

icon.

Figure 65

Windows XP: Control Panel

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Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

3

Right-click

Local Area Connection

and then select

Properties

.

Figure 66

Windows XP: Control Panel > Network Connections > Properties

4

On the

General

tab, select

Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

and then click

Properties

.

Figure 67

Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

99

Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

5

The

Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties

window opens.

Figure 68

Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties

6

Select

Obtain an IP address automatically

if your network administrator or ISP assigns your IP address dynamically.

Select

Use the following IP Address

and fill in the

IP address

,

Subnet mask

, and

Default gateway

fields if you have a static IP address that was assigned to you by your network administrator or ISP. You may also have to enter a

Preferred DNS server

and an

Alternate DNS server,

if that information was provided.

7

Click

OK

to close the

Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties

window.

8

Click

OK

to close the

Local Area Connection Properties

window.

Verifying Settings

1

Click

Start

>

All Programs

>

Accessories

>

Command Prompt

.

2

In the

Command Prompt

window, type "ipconfig" and then press [ENTER].

You can also go to

Start > Control Panel > Network Connections

, right-click a network connection, click

Status

and then click the

Support

tab to view your IP address and connection information.

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Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

Windows Vista

This section shows screens from Windows Vista Professional.

1

Click

Start

>

Control Panel

.

Figure 69

Windows Vista: Start Menu

2

In the

Control Panel

, click the

Network and Internet

icon.

Figure 70

Windows Vista: Control Panel

3

Click the

Network and Sharing Center

icon.

Figure 71

Windows Vista: Network And Internet

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

101

102

Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

4

Click

Manage network connections

.

Figure 72

Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center

5

Right-click

Local Area Connection

and then select

Properties

.

Figure 73

Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center

"

During this procedure, click

Continue

whenever Windows displays a screen saying that it needs your permission to continue.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

6

Select

Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

and then select

Properties

.

Figure 74

Windows Vista: Local Area Connection Properties

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

103

Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

7

The

Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties

window opens.

Figure 75

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

8

Select

Obtain an IP address automatically

if your network administrator or ISP assigns your IP address dynamically.

Select

Use the following IP Address

and fill in the

IP address

,

Subnet mask

, and

Default gateway

fields if you have a static IP address that was assigned to you by your network administrator or ISP. You may also have to enter a

Preferred DNS server

and an

Alternate DNS server,

if that information was provided.Click

Advanced

.

9

Click

OK

to close the

Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties

window.

10

Click

OK

to close the

Local Area Connection Properties

window.

Verifying Settings

1

Click

Start

>

All Programs

>

Accessories

>

Command Prompt

.

2

In the

Command Prompt

window, type "ipconfig" and then press [ENTER].

You can also go to

Start > Control Panel > Network Connections

, right-click a network connection, click

Status

and then click the

Support

tab to view your IP address and connection information.

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A

P P E N D I X

B

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 76

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

105

Appendix B Wireless LANs

Figure 77

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.

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Figure 78

Infrastructure WLAN

Appendix B Wireless LANs

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.

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107

Appendix B Wireless LANs

Figure 79

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.

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Appendix B Wireless LANs

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 NWD-211AN 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 28

IEEE 802.11g

DATA RATE (MBPS) MODULATION

1

2

DBPSK (Differential Binary Phase Shift Keyed)

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

109

Appendix B Wireless LANs

Wireless security methods available on the NWD-211AN are data encryption, wireless client authentication, restricting access by device MAC address and hiding the NWD-211AN identity.

The following figure shows the relative effectiveness of these wireless security methods available on your NWD-211AN.

Table 29

Wireless Security Levels

SECURITY

LEVEL

SECURITY TYPE

Least

Secure

Unique SSID (Default)

Unique SSID with Hide SSID Enabled

MAC Address Filtering

WEP Encryption

Most Secure

IEEE802.1x EAP with RADIUS Server Authentication

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

WPA2

"

You must enable the same wireless security settings on the NWD-211AN 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

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Appendix B Wireless LANs

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. .

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111

Appendix B Wireless LANs

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 (Tunneled 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.

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Appendix B Wireless LANs

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 30

Comparison of EAP Authentication Types

EAP-MD5 EAP-TLS EAP-TTLS PEAP LEAP

Mutual Authentication

Certificate – Client

Certificate – Server

Dynamic Key Exchange

Credential Integrity

Deployment Difficulty

Client Identity Protection

No

No

No

No

None

Easy

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Strong

Hard

No

Yes

Optional

Yes

Yes

Strong

Moderate

Yes

Yes

Optional

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Strong Moderate

Moderate Moderate

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

113

Appendix B Wireless LANs

Encryption

WPA improves data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Message

Integrity Check (MIC) and IEEE 802.1x. WPA2 also uses TKIP when required for compatibility reasons, but offers stronger encryption than TKIP with Advanced Encryption

Standard (AES) in the Counter mode with Cipher block chaining Message authentication code

Protocol (CCMP).

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.

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Appendix B Wireless LANs

Wireless Client WPA Supplicants

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 80

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

115

Appendix B Wireless LANs

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 81

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 31

Wireless Security Relational Matrix

AUTHENTICATION

METHOD/ KEY

MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

ENCRYPTIO

N METHOD

ENTER

MANUAL KEY

IEEE 802.1X

Open None No

Open

Shared

WPA

WPA-PSK

WPA2

WPA2-PSK

WEP

WEP

TKIP/AES

TKIP/AES

TKIP/AES

TKIP/AES

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Disable

Enable without Dynamic WEP Key

Enable with Dynamic WEP Key

Enable without Dynamic WEP Key

Disable

Enable with Dynamic WEP Key

Enable without Dynamic WEP Key

Disable

Enable

Disable

Enable

Disable

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Appendix B Wireless LANs

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.

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117

Appendix B Wireless LANs

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.

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A

P P E N D I X

C

Windows Wireless Management

This appendix shows you how to manage your NWD-211AN 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 82

Vista: Start Menu

The

Connect To

window displays, showing all available networks.

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119

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 83

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 84

Vista: Additional Information

120

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

122 .

3

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

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Figure 85

Vista: Enter Security Key

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Your computer tries to connect to the wireless network.

Figure 86

Vista: Connecting

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

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

121

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 87

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.

122

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Figure 88

Vista: Choose a Connection Option

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

2

Click

Manually connect to a wireless network

. The following screen displays.

Figure 89

Vista: Connect Manually

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 32

Vista: Connect Manually

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Network name

Security type

Enter your network’s SSID (Service Set IDentifier).

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)

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123

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Table 32

Vista: Connect Manually

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Encryption type

Security Key /

Passphrase

Display Characters

Start this connection automatically

Connect even if the network is not broadcasting

Next

Cancel

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).

If your network uses

WEP

or

WPA(2)-Personal

security, enter the key here.

Select this if you do not want the security key characters to be hidden.

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.

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.

Click this to save your settings and move on to the next page.

Click this to stop setting up your network.

3

When you have finished filling in the fields, click

Next

. the following screen displays.

Figure 90

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.

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

1

Click

Start

( ) >

Connect To

. In the

Connect to

screen, click

Set up a connection or network

. The following screen displays.

Figure 91

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 92

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.

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125

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

"

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 93

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

.

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NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

2

Double-click on the icon for wireless network connection.

3

The status window displays as shown below. Click

Properties

.

Figure 94

Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status

Figure 95

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.

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127

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 96

Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

Figure 97

Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties

128

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

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 98

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 99

Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon

The type of the wireless network icon in Windows XP SP2 indicates the status of the NWD-

211AN. Refer to the following table for details.

Table 33

Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon

ICON DESCRIPTION

The NWD-211AN is connected to a wireless network.

The NWD-211AN 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 NWD-211AN 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.

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129

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 100

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 101

Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status

130

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.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 102

Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection

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

Table 34

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 NWD-211AN 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.

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131

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 103

Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

132

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 104

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

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 105

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 35

Windows XP: Wireless Networks

ICON DESCRIPTION

This denotes the wireless network is an available wireless network.

This denotes the NWD-211AN is associated to the wireless network.

This denotes the wireless network is not available.

Security Settings

When you configure the NWD-211AN to connect to a secure network but the security settings are not yet enabled on the NWD-211AN, 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 106

Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association

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133

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 36

Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Network name

(SSID)

This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each wireless network.

Network

Authentication

Data Encryption

This field automatically shows the authentication method (

Share

,

Open

,

WPA

or

WPA-PSK

) used by the selected network.

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.

Enter the key again for confirmation.

Confirm network key

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 is provided for me automatically

This is a computer-tocomputer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used

If this check box is selected, the wireless AP assigns the NWD-211AN a key.

If this check box is selected, you are connecting to another computer directly.

OK

Cancel

Click

OK

to save your changes.

Click

Cancel

to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

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.

134

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Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Figure 107

Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 37

Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Enable IEEE

802.1x authentication for this network

EAP Type

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.

Properties

Select the type of EAP authentication. Options are

Protected EAP (PEAP)

and

Smart Card or other Certificate

.

Click this button to open the properties screen and configure certificates. The screen varies depending on what you select in the

EAP type

field.

Select this check box to have the computer send its information to the network for authentication when a user is not logged on.

Authenticate as computer when computer information is available

Authenticate as guest when user or computer information is unavailable

OK

Cancel

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.

Click

OK

to save your changes.

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.

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135

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Protected EAP Properties

Figure 108

Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties

136

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 38

Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Select the check box to verify the certificate of the authentication server.

Validate server certificate

Connect to these servers

Trusted Root

Certification

Authorities:

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.

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.

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.

Do not prompt user to authorize new server or trusted certification authorities.

Select

Authentication

Method:

Enable Fast

Reconnect

OK

Cancel

Select an authentication method from the drop-down list box and click

Configure

to do settings.

Select the check box to automatically reconnect to the network (without reauthentication) if the wireless connection goes down.

Click

OK

to save your changes.

Click

Cancel

to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

Figure 109

Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 39

Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Select this check box to use the smart card for authentication.

Use my smart card

Use a certificate on this computer

Validate server certificate

Connect to these servers

Trusted Root

Certification

Authorities:

Select this check box to use a certificate on your computer for authentication.

Select the check box to check the certificate of the authentication server.

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.

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

Use a different user name for the connection:

OK

Cancel

Click this button if you want to verify the selected certificate.

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.

Click

OK

to save your changes.

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.

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137

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

1

Windows XP SP2: Click

Change the order of preferred networks

in the

Wireless

Network Connection

screen (see

Figure 102 on page 131

). The screen displays as shown.

Figure 110

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 111

Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks

138

2

Whenever the NWD-211AN 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

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

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.

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Appendix C Windows Wireless Management

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P P E N D I X

D

Legal Information

Copyright

Copyright © 2008 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

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.

141

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix D Legal Information

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.

142

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement

• This device has been tested to the FCC exposure requirements (Specific Absorption Rate).

• This device complies with the requirements of Health Canada Safety Code 6 for Canada.

• Testing was performed on laptop computers with antennas at 5mm spacing. The maximum

SAR value is: < 1.2 W/kg. The device must not be collocated with any other antennas or transmitters.

• This equipment has been SAR-evaluated for use in laptops (notebooks) with side slot configuration.

• The device complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment, under 47 CFR 2.1093 paragraph (d)(2). End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance.

To maintain compliance with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, please follow operation instruction as documented in this manual.

• This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

• For operation within 5.15 ~ 5.25GHz frequency range, it is restricted to indoor environment.

• IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g operation of this product in the U.S.A. is firmware-limited to channels 1 through 11.

注意 !

依據 低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法

第十二條 經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機，非經許可，公司、商號或使用

者均不得擅自變更頻率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。

第十四條 低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信；經發現

有干擾現象時，應立即停用，並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。

前項合法通信，指依電信規定作業之無線電信。低功率射頻電機須忍

受合法通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。

在 5250MHz~5350MHz 頻帶內操作之無線資訊傳輸設備，限於室內使用。

本機限在不干擾合法電臺與不受被干擾保障條件下於室內使用。

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix D Legal Information

減少電磁波影響，請妥適使用。

Notices

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 and 5 GHz networks throughout the EC region and Switzerland, with restrictions in France.

This device has been designed for the WLAN 2.4 GHz network throughout the EC region and

Switzerland, with restrictions in France.

This device has been designed for the WLAN 5 GHz network throughout the EC region and

Switzerland, with restrictions in France.

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

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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 your vendor. You may also refer to the warranty policy for the region in which you bought the device at http://www.zyxel.com/web/ support_warranty_info.php.

Registration

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

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

143

Appendix D Legal Information

144

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

A

P P E N D I X

E

Customer Support

In the event of problems that cannot be solved by using this manual, you should contact your vendor. If you cannot contact your vendor, then contact a ZyXEL office for the region in which you bought the device. Regional offices are listed below (see also http:// www.zyxel.com/web/contact_us.php). Please have the following information ready when you contact an office.

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: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +886-3-578-3942

• Fax: +886-3-578-2439

• Web: www.zyxel.com

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Corp., 6 Innovation Road II, Science Park,

Hsinchu 300, Taiwan

China - ZyXEL Communications (Beijing) Corp.

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +86-010-82800646

• Fax: +86-010-82800587

• Address: 902, Unit B, Horizon Building, No.6, Zhichun Str, Haidian District, Beijing

• Web: http://www.zyxel.cn

China - ZyXEL Communications (Shanghai) Corp.

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +86-021-61199055

• Fax: +86-021-52069033

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

145

Appendix E Customer Support

• Address: 1005F, ShengGao International Tower, No.137 XianXia Rd., Shanghai

• Web: http://www.zyxel.cn

Costa Rica

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +506-2017878

• Fax: +506-2015098

• Web: www.zyxel.co.cr

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Costa Rica, Plaza Roble Escazú, Etapa El Patio, Tercer Piso, San

José, Costa Rica

Czech Republic

• E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +420-241-091-350

• Fax: +420-241-091-359

• Web: www.zyxel.cz

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications, Czech s.r.o., Modranská 621, 143 01 Praha 4 -

Modrany, Ceská Republika

Denmark

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +45-39-55-07-00

• Fax: +45-39-55-07-07

• Web: www.zyxel.dk

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Columbusvej, 2860 Soeborg, Denmark

Finland

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +358-9-4780-8411

• Fax: +358-9-4780-8448

• Web: www.zyxel.fi

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Oy, Malminkaari 10, 00700 Helsinki, Finland

France

• E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +33-4-72-52-97-97

• Fax: +33-4-72-52-19-20

• Web: www.zyxel.fr

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL France, 1 rue des Vergers, Bat. 1 / C, 69760 Limonest, France

146

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix E Customer Support

Germany

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +49-2405-6909-69

• Fax: +49-2405-6909-99

• Web: www.zyxel.de

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH., Adenauerstr. 20/A2 D-52146, Wuerselen,

Germany

Hungary

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +36-1-3361649

• Fax: +36-1-3259100

• Web: www.zyxel.hu

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Hungary, 48, Zoldlomb Str., H-1025, Budapest, Hungary

India

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +91-11-30888144 to +91-11-30888153

• Fax: +91-11-30888149, +91-11-26810715

• Web: http://www.zyxel.in

• Regular Mail: India - ZyXEL Technology India Pvt Ltd., II-Floor, F2/9 Okhla Phase -1,

New Delhi 110020, India

Japan

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +81-3-6847-3700

• Fax: +81-3-6847-3705

• 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: [email protected]

• Telephone: +7-3272-590-698

• Fax: +7-3272-590-689

• Web: www.zyxel.kz

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Kazakhstan, 43 Dostyk Ave., Office 414, Dostyk Business Centre,

050010 Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

147

Appendix E Customer Support

Malaysia

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +603-8076-9933

• Fax: +603-8076-9833

• 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: [email protected]

• Support Telephone: +1-800-978-7222

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales Telephone: +1-714-632-0882

• Fax: +1-714-632-0858

• Web: www.zyxel.com

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

2001, U.S.A.

Norway

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +47-22-80-61-80

• Fax: +47-22-80-61-81

• Web: www.zyxel.no

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Nils Hansens vei 13, 0667 Oslo, Norway

Poland

• E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +48-22-333 8250

• Fax: +48-22-333 8251

• 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: [email protected]

• Telephone: +7-095-542-89-29

• Fax: +7-095-542-89-25

• Web: www.zyxel.ru

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Russia, Ostrovityanova 37a Str., Moscow 117279, Russia

148

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Appendix E Customer Support

Singapore

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +65-6899-6678

• Fax: +65-6899-8887

• 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: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +34-902-195-420

• Fax: +34-913-005-345

• Web: www.zyxel.es

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications, Arte, 21 5ª planta, 28033 Madrid, Spain

Sweden

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +46-31-744-7700

• Fax: +46-31-744-7701

• Web: www.zyxel.se

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg, Sweden

Taiwan

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +886-2-27399889

• Fax: +886-2-27353220

• Web: http://www.zyxel.com.tw

• Address: Room B, 21F., No.333, Sec. 2, Dunhua S. Rd., Da-an District, Taipei

Thailand

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +662-831-5315

• Fax: +662-831-5395

• Web: http://www.zyxel.co.th

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Thailand Co., Ltd., 1/1 Moo 2, Ratchaphruk Road, Bangrak-Noi,

Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

149

Appendix E Customer Support

Turkey

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +90 212 222 55 22

• Fax: +90-212-220-2526

• Web: http:www.zyxel.com.tr

• Address: Kaptanpasa Mahallesi Piyalepasa Bulvari Ortadogu Plaza N:14/13 K:6

Okmeydani/Sisli Istanbul/Turkey

Ukraine

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +380-44-247-69-78

• Fax: +380-44-494-49-32

• Web: www.ua.zyxel.com

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Ukraine, 13, Pimonenko Str., Kiev 04050, Ukraine

United Kingdom

• Support E-mail: [email protected]

• Sales E-mail: [email protected]

• Telephone: +44-1344-303044, 0845 122 0301 (UK only)

• Fax: +44-1344-303034

• Web: www.zyxel.co.uk

• Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications UK Ltd., 11 The Courtyard, Eastern Road,

Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2XB, United Kingdom (UK)

150

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

A

About

82

about your ZyXEL Device

22

Access Point (AP)

38

Access point (AP)

38

Access Point. See also AP.

ACT LED

22

activating a profile

65

adapter

65

Ad-Hoc

23

,

63

Advanced Encryption Standard

40

See AES.

advanced settings

65

AES

114

antenna directional

117

gain

117

omni-directional

117

Antenna gain

76

Antenna output power

74

AP

See also access point.

AP (access point)

107

AP MAC address

52

AP mode configuration

35

Association list

36

,

74

authentication

52

authentication type

40

auto

40

open system

40

shared key

40

auto authentication

40

automatic connection

53

automatic network scan

31

,

60

B

Basic Service Set, See BSS

105

BSS

105

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

Index

Index

C

CA

40

,

112

CCMP

40

Certificate Authority

See CA.

certifications

141

notices

143

viewing

143

channel

38

,

52

,

54

,

63

,

76

,

107

interference

107

configuration method

25

important note

25

Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC)

24

,

25

ZyXEL utility

25

configuration status

51

,

74

connection status

51

,

74

contact information

145

continuous access mode

66

copyright

141

creating a new profile

62

credentials

69

CTS (Clear to Send)

108

current configuration

51

,

74

current connection status

51

,

74

customer support

145

D

data encryption

54

digital ID

40

dimensions

91

disclaimer

141

download

83

driver version

82

dynamic WEP key exchange

113

E

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)

40

EAP Authentication

111

151

Index

EAP authentication

40

EAP type

68

EAP-PEAP

40

EAP-TLS

40

EAP-TTLS

40

encryption

114

encryption type

40

,

57

environmental specifications

91

ESS

106

Extended Service Set, See ESS

106

F

fast power save

66

FCC interference statement

141

fragmentation threshold

108

frequency

38

,

92

G

getting started

21

H

hardware connections

24

help

26

hidden node

107

humidity

91

152

I

IBSS

105

IEEE 802.11g

109

IEEE 802.1x

40

,

58

,

68

Independent Basic Service Set

See IBSS

105

infrastructure

23

initialization vector (IV)

114

installation

24

interface

91

Internet access

23

IP address dynamic

73

L

LEDs

22

lights

22

link information

51

,

74

LINK LED

22

link quality

52

M

MAC

74

MAC filter

79

action

79

manual network connection

31

Mbps

74

Message Integrity Check (MIC)

40

,

114

N

Network interface card (NIC)

76

network mode

52

network name

52

network overlap

38

network scan

60

Network sharing

73

network type

52

,

54

O

online help

26

Output power

74

P

packet collisions

52

Pairwise Master Key (PMK)

114

,

116

passphrase

39

,

55

,

77

password

39

PEAP

68

,

69

peer computer

23

,

63

physical specifications

91

power saving

66

NWD-211AN User’s Guide

power saving mode

66

preamble

65

preamble mode

109

product registration

144

product specifications

91

profile

52

,

61

activation

65

add new

62

configure

31

,

33

default

60

delete

61

edit

61

information

61

new

61

,

62

PSK

114

Q

Quick Start Guide

24

,

88

R

radio interference

88

radio specifications

91

RADIUS

40

,

41

,

110

message types

111

messages

111

shared secret key

111

real-time data traffic statistics

53

receive rate

52

registration product

144

related documentation

3

RTS (Request To Send)

108

threshold

107

,

108

S

safety warnings

6

Save power

76

save power

66

scan

53

scan info

63

search

53

Security

74

security

38

,

39

,

52

,

93

NWD-211AN User’s Guide data encryption

39

security settings and Vista

68

Service Set Identity (SSID)

31

,

38

signal strength

52

,

54

site information

54

site survey

53

scan

54

security settings

55

,

76

sleep mode

66

SSID

31

,

38

,

52

,

54

,

74

,

88

statistics

52

syntax conventions

4

system tray

24

T

temperature

91

Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)

40

,

114

The

68

TLS

68

,

70

total receive

52

total transmit

52

trademarks

141

Transmission rate

74

transmission rate

52

,

61

transmit key

55

,

77

transmit rate

52

trend chart

52

,

53

TTLS

68

Index

U

uninstalling the ZyXEL utility

82

upgrading the ZyXEL utility

83

important step

83

user authentication

39

utility installation

24

utility version

82

V

Vista

68

,

70

voltage

91

153

Index

W

warranty

143

note

143

weight

91

WEP

39

,

55

automatic setup

39

manual setup

39

,

56

,

77

passphrase

39

,

55

,

77

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

39

WEP Encryption

55

WEP key generation

39

Wi-Fi Protected Access

40

,

113

Wi-Fi Protected Setup

51

Windows

68

Windows XP

25

Wired network

76

wireless client

38

wireless client WPA supplicants

115

wireless LAN introduction

37

security

39

wireless LAN (WLAN)

37

wireless network

38

wireless security

109

wireless standard

91

wireless station mode adapter

65

security settings

55

,

76

site survey

53

trend chart

53

wireless tutorial

28

WLAN interference

107

security parameters

116

WPA

40

,

57

,

68

,

113

key caching

114

pre-authentication

114

user authentication

114

vs WPA-PSK

114

wireless client supplicant

115

with RADIUS application example

115

WPA2

40

,

57

,

68

,

113

user authentication

114

vs WPA2-PSK

114

wireless client supplicant

115

with RADIUS application example

115

WPA2-Pre-Shared Key

41

,

113

WPA2-PSK

41

,

56

,

78

,

113

,

114

application example

115

WPA-PSK

41

,

56

,

78

,

113

,

114

application example

115

WPS

154

see also Wi-Fi Protected Setup

51

WZC activating

126

network connection

129

not available

128

preferred network

137

security setting

133

system tray icon

129

WZC (Wireless Zero Configuration)

25

Z

ZyXEL Utility accessing

26

ZyXEL utility

25

accessing

26

driver version number

82

exiting

25

help

26

reactivating

25

status

25

system tray icon

24

upgrading

83

version number

82

NWD-211AN User’s Guide