Zonet Technology ZEW1542 User Manual

Copyright Statement

is the registered trademark of Zonet Technology Inc. All the products and

product names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their

respective holders. Copyright of the whole product as integration, including its

accessories and software, belongs to Zonet Technology Inc. Without the permission of

Zonet Technology Inc., any individual or party is not allowed to copy, plagiarize, imitate

or translate it into other languages.

All the photos and product specifications mentioned in this manual are for references

only. As the upgrade of software and hardware, there will be changes. And if there are

changes, Zonet is not responsible for informing in advance. If you want to know more

about our product information, please visit our website at www.zonetusa.com .

802.11n Wireless CardBus

Table of Contents

Chapter 1.

1.1 Welcome………………………………………………………….……………………….P.1

1.2 Product Feature…………………..………………………………………………………P.1

1.3 Content of Package…………………………….………………….……………………P.1

1.4 Before You Begin……….………………………………………………………………P.2

Chapter 2. Design Your ZEW1542………..……………………………………….…….P.2

Chapter 3. Installation………………………………………………………………………P.3

3.1 Install Your ZEW1542……..…………………….……………………………………P.3

3.2 Install Driver and Utility………………………………………………………………P.4

Chapter 4. Configuration……………………………………………………………..……P.7

.1 Profile…………………………………………………………………………………..….P.7

4

4.1.1 Add/Edit Profile………………………………………………………….……P.8

4.2 Link Status…….…………………………………………………………………..……P.11

4.3 Site Survey...……………………………………………………………………………P.12

4.4 Statistics……………..………….………………………………………………………P.13

4.5 Advanced...………………………………………………………………………………P.14

4.6 QoS...…..…………………………………………………………………………………P.15

4.7 WPS Configuration……………………………………………………………………P.16

4.8 About………………………………………………………………………………………P.17

Chapter 5. Use Zero Configuration…………………………………………………….P.18

Chapter 6. Soft AP………………..………………………………………….…………..P.22

.1 Start Soft AP…………..…………………………………………………………….….P.22

6

6.2 Configuration……………..………………………………………………………..……P.23

6.3 Access Control…………………..………………………………………………………P.24

6.4 MAC Table……..……..………….………………………………………………………P.25

6.5 Switch to Working Station Mode………………………..…………………………P.25

Chapter 7. Specifications………………………………………………………………….P.26

Chapter 8. TroubleShooting…………………………………………………………….P.27

Introduction………………………………………………………………………P.1

ports Soft AP to establish your wireless LAN networking with lowest cost

802.11n Wireless CardBus

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Welcome

ZEW1542 connects you with IEEE802.11n(Draft 2.0) networks at receiving rate up to an
incredible 300Mbps! By using the reflection signal, 802.11n's “Multiple In, Multiple Out”
(MIMO) technology increases the range and reduces “dead spots” in the wireless
coverage area. Unlike ordinary wireless networking of 802.11b/g standards that are
confused by wireless reflections, MIMO can actually use these reflections to increase four
times transmission range of 802.11g products. Besides, when both ends of the wireless
link are 802.11n products, MIMO technology can utilize twice radio band to increase
three times transmission speed of ordinary 802.11g standard products, and can comply
with backwards 802.11b/802.11g standards.

Soft AP supported by ZEW1542 can help you establish wireless LAN networking with
lowest cost. Besides, WPS (PBC and PIN) encryption method can free you from
remembering the long passwords. Complete WMM function makes your voice and video
more smooth.

1.2 Product Feature

 Complies with IEEE 802.11n (Draft 2.0), IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b standards
 Provides 32-bit CardBus interface
 Provides 300Mbps receiving rate and 150Mbps sending rate
 Supports 20MHz/40MHz frequency width
 Auto-detects and changes the network transmission rate
 Provides two work modes: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc
 Sup
 Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 encryption methods and 802.1x security

authentication standard

 Supports WPS (PBC and PIN) encryption method to free you from remembering

long passwords

 Supports WMM to make your voice and video more smooth
 Supports Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista

1.3 Contents of Package

 One ZEW1542
 One Installation CD w/User Manual
 One Quick Installation Guide

Contact your local authorized reseller or the store purchased from for any items
damaged and/or missing.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

1.4 Before you begin

You must have the following:

 A laptop computer PC with an available 32-bit CardBus slot
 Minimum 300MHz processor and 32MB memory
 Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista
 A CD-ROM Drive
 CardBus controller properly installed and working in the laptop computer
 802.11n or 802.11b/g Access Point (for infrastructure Mode) or another 802.11n or

802.11b/g wireless adapter (for Ad-Hoc; Peer-to-Peer networking mode.)

Chapter 2 Designing Your ZEW1542

ZEW1542 supports up to 300Mbps connections. It is fully compliant with the
specifications defined in 802.11n (Draft 2.0) standard.

The two status LED indicators of ZEW1542 are described in the following.

 Status ON (Green): Indicates ZEW1542 is ready
 Activity ON (Green): Indicates a valid connection
 Activity Flashing: Indicates ZEW1542 is transmitting or receiving data.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

Chapter 3 Installation

3.1 Install Your ZEW1542

 Power on your notebook, let the operating system boot up completely, and log in as

needed.

 Hold the ZEW1542 with the LOGO facing up and insert it into a CardBus slot.

 Select Cancel when “Found New Hardware” window appears.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

3.2 Install Driver and Utility

NOTE:

1.

2.

Snap-shot screens of the following installation procedure are based on Windows

XP. Installation procedures will be similar for other windows operating systems.

Insert Installation CD to your CD-ROM drive. Browse CD and double-click

setup.exe

files to your computer automatically.

Click

Next

in Driver folder to execute it. The wizard will run and install all necessary

to accept the Agreement. Or click

Cancel

to cancel the installation

.

3.

Select
click

Ralink Configuration Tool

Next

.

a. It’s recommended to select Ralink Configuration Tool, which provides

fully access to all function of ZEW1542.

b. If you prefer to use the wireless configuration tool provided by Windows XP

or Vista, please select Microsoft Zero Configuration Tool.

or

Microsoft Zero Configuration Tool

then

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

4.

Select

Next

Optimize for WiFi mode or Optimize for performance mode

.

then click

5

5.

Click Finish to complete the software installation.

802.11n Wireless CardBus

You will see a tray icon appear in your system tray at the bottom of the screen after
the software and hardware installation completed successfully.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

Chapter 4 Configuration

Right-click the tray icon and then click Launch Config Utilities to use Ralink
configuration utility.

4.1 Profile

Profile can keep your favorite wireless setting among your home, office, and other
public hotspot. You may save multiple profiles and activate the one at your preference.

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1. Definitions:
a. Profile Name:
b. SSID:

The public name of a wireless network, Service Set IDentifier

c. Network Type:
d. Authentication:
e. Encryption:
f. Channel:

2. Add :

3. Edit :

to create a new profile
to edit/modify/change parameter of an existing profile

4. Delete :

5. Activate :

Channel of the connected wireless network

to delete an existing profile

to make an existing profile become active and to connect

Name of the profile, preset to PROF* (* indicate 1, 2, 3,)

Infrastructure and/or Ad-Hoc

Open, Shared, (Leap), WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA and WPA2

WEP, TKIP, AES, and None

4.1.1 Add/Edit Profile

a. Configuration

802.11n Wireless CardBus

1. Profile Name: Specify one name for the profile

2. SSID: Name of intended wireless network, User can key in the intended SSID name

or use pull down menu to select from available Access Point.

3. Network Type: you can select one from Infrastructure and Ad-hoc modes

Infrastructure:
Ad-hoc:

Peer-to-Peer network, no base station required.

A wireless Router and/or Access Point is required.

4. Power Save Mode: Choose from CAM or PSM.

CAM (Constantly Awake Mode):

ZEW1542 will stay power-ON as long as the

computer is connected to a power outlet.

PSM (Power Saving Mode):

ZEW1542 will hibernate when the computer is

hibernating.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

5. RTS Threshold: you can adjust the RTS threshold number by sliding the bar or key in

the value directly.

Default value = 2347

6. Fragment Threshold: you can adjust the Fragment threshold number by sliding the

bar or key in the value directly.

Default value = 2346

b.

Authentication and Security

1. Authentication:

2. Encryption:

3.

802.1x configuration:

Open, Shared, (Leap), WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA and WPA2

Algorithm used in BSS or IBSS, WEP, TKIP, AES, and None

authentication credentials.

It is an advanced encryption mode based on Radius server or

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c. 802.1X

802.11n Wireless CardBus

1. Authentication Type: The type selected here must be identical to the type of the

802.1x authentication type you’re using.

2. Session Resumption: Enable or Disable.

3. Domain Name: Input the domain name of 802.1x authentication. This field will be

grayed out when authentication type is not EAP-FAST.

4. Use Client: If the authentication type is using PEAP or TTLS, you can use the

certificate stored on your computer. If the authentication type is using TLS/Smart
Card, this box is always checked.

5. Allow unauthenticated provision mode: This box is always checked and can not

be modified.

6. Use protected authentication credential: If the authentication type is using

EAP-FAST, you can use protected authentication credential by check this box.

7. Remove: Remove the credential you imported previously.

8. Import: Import the authentication credential file (PAC or al file format), you’ll be

prompted to select a credential file from your computer.

9. Protocol: Select the protocol of tunneled authentication. This pull-down menu is

only available when authentication type is using PEAP or TTLS. When using

EAP-FAST as authentication type, the protocol setting is always Generic Token
Card and can not be changed.

10. Password Mode: Select the password mode of EAP-FAST authentication mode.

This setting is hidden when the authentication type is not EAP-FAST.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

4.2 Link Status

Link status page shows detail information about the current connection.

1. Status:

currently, “Disconnected” will be displayed.

2. Extra Info:

3. Channel:

4. Link Quality:

5. Signal Strength:

6. Noise Level:

high, data transfer rate will drop.

7. Transmit:

Link Speed:
Throughput:

8. Receive:

Link Speed:
Throughput:

Shows the current connected SSID / BSSID.

Shows link status and its transmit power

Shows the current connected channel

Based on signal strength and TX/RX packet error rate (%)

Shows in percentage (%) or dBm

Shows noise and signal strength ratio (%).

Shows current transmitting rate (Mbps)

Shows current transmitting throughput (Kbps)

Shows current receiving rate (Mbps)

Shows current receiving throughput (Kbps)

If there’s no active connection

If the value of this item is

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

4.3 Site Survey

Under Site Survey tab, you will know information of all surrounding wireless networks
from the last scan. Click
your profile.

Rescan

to update and refresh. Or Select a SSID to add to

Indicates your current connected network.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

4.4 Statistics

Statistics page displays the detail counter information based on 802.11 MIB counters.
This page translates that MIB counters into a format easier for user to understand

13

4.5 Advanced

The following figure shows Advance function of UI

802.11n Wireless CardBus

1. Wireless mode:

Select from 802.11B only, 802.11 B/G mixed, 802.11 B/G/N

mixed, and 802.11G only

2.

Enable Tx BURST:

Access Point that has the same technology.

3.

Enable TCP Window Size:

Ralink’s proprietary frame burst mode. Suggest using with an

Check this box and the configuration utility will adjust

TCP window size automatically to get better performance.

4. Fast Roaming at:

5. Enable CCX(Cisco Compatible eXtensions):

Fast to roaming, setup by transmitting power

a. LEAP – Turn on CCKM
b. Enable Radio Measurement:

channel measures every 0~2000 milliseconds

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4.6 QoS

802.11n Wireless CardBus

1. WMM Enable: Enable Wi-Fi Multi-Media

2. WMM - Power Save Enable: Enable WMM Power Save

3. Direct Link Setup Enable: Enable DLS (Direct Link Setup). This function will

greatly improve the data transfer rate between WMM-enabled wireless devices.

MAC Address: Input the MAC address of another WMM-enabled wireless device
you wish to establish a direct link.
Timeout Value: must be between 0~65535 in integer. If the value is zero
represents it always connects. Default value of Timeout Value is 60 seconds.
Tear Down: If you want to remove a specific wireless device from DLS table,
select the device and click this button to remove it.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

4.7 WPS Configuration

WPS page supports the configuration setup using PIN configuration method or PBC
configuration method. WPS(Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is to simplify the security setup and
management of Wi-Fi networks.

1. WPS AP List: Display the information of surrounding APs with WPS IE from last

scan result, including SSID, BSSID, Channel, ID (Device Password ID),
Security-Enabled.

2. Rescan: Update information on surrounding wireless network.

3. Information: Display the information about WPS IE on the selected network, list

including Authentication Type, Encryption Type, Config Methods, Device Password
ID, Selected Registrar, State, Version, AP Setup Locked, UUID-E and RF Bands

4. PIN Code: 8-digit numbers.

5. Config Mode: Enrollee or external Registrar

6. Detail: Information about Security and Key in the credential.

7. Connect: Connect to the selected network inside credentials.

8. Rotate: Connect to the next network inside credentials.

9. Disconnect: Stop WPS action and disconnect this active link.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

10. Export Profile: Export all credentials to Profile.

11. Delete: Delete an existing credential.

12. PIN: Start to add to AP using PIN configuration method

13. PBC: Start to add to AP using PBC configuration method

Note: When clicking PIN or PBC button, please don't click Rescan within two-minute. If you want

to abort this setup within the interval, restart PIN/PBC or press Disconnect to stop WPS.

14. WPS associate IE: Send the association request with WPS IE during WPS setup.

15. WPS probe IE: Send the probe request with WPS IE during WPS setup.

4.8 About

Display information about ZEW1542, such as Utility version/date, Driver version/date,
EEPROM version and Firmware version.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

Chapter 5 Use Zero Configuration

Windows XP and Vista has a built-in wireless network configuration utility “Windows Zero
Configuration” (WZC).
Windows

1.

Start using WZC, r
as Configuration utility.

2.

The windows wireless network connection will appear, double click the wireless

network icon on the system tray to check the wireless network, choose the
network and click Connect to setup the association.

It is a built in service to configure your wireless clients from

ight click the tray utility and select Use Zero Configuration

3.

If your wireless router has been encrypted, there will be a window appeared for input
the key. Please input the key and click Connect, then the connection connect.

18

4.

To configure the wireless connect properties, please right click the wireless icon in
the system tray and choose Status to open the page Wireless Network
Connection Status.

802.11n Wireless CardBus

5.

Click Properties button in General page and choose the tab Wireless Networks to
add the SSID of available network by clicking Add, if there are several available
networks, linking priority could be configured by the button Move up and Move

down. The icon shows the current linked AP. Click Properties to configure
authentication of wireless connection.

19

802.11n Wireless CardBus

20

6.

Advanced page configures firewall and connection sharing.

802.11n Wireless CardBus

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

Chapter 6 Soft AP

ZEW1542 has two modes: working station and Soft AP. After start Soft AP, ZEW1542 will
be an AP to accept any wireless device access.

6.1 Start Soft AP

After starting

Right click the icon and choose Switch to AP Mode, the tray icon will change to
and the soft AP configuration Utility window will appear as below.

ZEW1542

driver, you will see icon in the system tray.

,

22

802.11n Wireless CardBus

6.2 Configuration

In soft AP configuration Utility page, you can make some basic configurations, such as
wireless network name, mode, channel and authentication.

Click Security Setting button to make different security configurations of wireless
communication, and you can choose the authentication type or encryption type.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

6.3 Access Control

Choose Access Control tab to start MAC control. Access control includes Allow All and
Reject All. After editing the MAC address access list, only the MAC in the Allow All list

could access the Soft AP.

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

6.4 MAC Table

MAC Table page shows the information of the wireless devices accessed to this soft AP.

6.5 Switch to Working Station mode

In the Soft AP mode, right-click the icon in the system tray and choose Switch to
Station Mode, then ZEW1542 is switching to working station mode with an interface of

working station.

25

Chapter 7. Specifications

802.11n Wireless CardBus

General Features

Standards

Interface

OS

User interface

roaming

LED

Status / activity

Antenna type

RF and baseband Technical Features

Frequency range

Radio data rate

IEEE 802.11n(Draft 2.0)
IEEE 802.11g
IEEE 802.11b

32-bit CardBus

Windows 2000/XP/Vista

Easy to use user configuration software

Support multipoint auto roaming and
configuration; Support wireless network
environments auto detect.

I

nternal printed antenna

2.4~2.4835GHz

11n: 150/130/117/104/78/52/39/26/13Mbps
65/58.5/52/39/26/19.5/13/6.5Mbps
11g: 54/48/36/24/18/12/9/6Mbps
11b: 11/5.5/2/1Mbps

Modulation

Spectrum Spread Technology

Transmit

Antenna Gain 2 x 1.8 dBi

Number of Selectable Channels

Media Access Protocol

Data security

Environmental and Physical

Operation Temp.

Storage Temp.

Operation Humidity

output

power

BPSK, QPSK, CCK and OFDM
(BPSK/QPSK/16-QAM/64-QAM)

DSSS

11n 20MHz/40MHz: -65dBm
54Mbps: -72dBm
11Mbps: -88dBm

WMM

WPA/WPA2; 64/128-bit WEP; TKIP/AES

0°C

-20ºC

10% - 90% RH, Non-condensing

USA,Canada: 11 channels
Europe: 13 channels

~ 40°C

~ 70ºC

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802.11n Wireless CardBus

Chapter 8. TroubleShooting

This chapter provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and
operation of ZEW1542. Read the descriptions below to solve your problems.

1. The ZEW1542 does not work properly.

Reinsert ZEW1542 into your PC’s CardBus slot.
Right click on My Computer and select Properties. Select the device manager and click on
the Network Adapter. You will find ZEW1542 if it is installed successfully. If you see the
yellow exclamation mark, the resources are conflicting. You will see the status of
ZEW1542. If there is a yellow question mark, please check the following:
Make sure that your PC has a free IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest, a hardware interrupt on a
PC.)
Make sure that you have inserted the right adapter and installed the proper driver. If
ZEW1542 does not function after attempting the above steps, remove it and do the
following:
Uninstall the driver software from your PC.
Restart your PC and repeat the hardware and software installation as specified in this
User Guide.

2. I cannot communicate with the other computers linked via Ethernet in the

Infrastructure configuration.

Make sure that the PC to which ZEW1542 is associated is powered on.
Make sure that ZEW1542 is configured on the same channel and with the same security
options as with the other computers in the Infrastructure configuration.

3. What should I do when the computer with ZEW1542 installed is unable to

connect to the wireless network and/or the Internet?

Check that the LED indicators for the broadband modem are indicating normal activity. If
not, there may be a problem with the broadband connection.
Check that the LED indicators on the wireless router are functioning properly. If not,
check that the AC power and Ethernet cables are firmly connected.
Check that the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings are correctly
entered for the network.
In Infrastructure mode, make sure the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) is specified on
the settings for the wireless clients and access points.
In Ad-Hoc mode, both wireless clients will need to have the same SSID. Please note that
it might be necessary to set up one client to establish a BSS (Basic Service Set) and wait
briefly before setting up other clients. This prevents several clients from trying to
establish a BSS at the same time, which can result in multiple singular BSSs being
established, rather than a single BSS with multiple clients associated to it.
Check that the Network Connection for the wireless client is configured properly.
If Security is enabled, make sure that the correct encryption keys are entered on both
ZEW1542 and the access point.

27