ZyXEL B-220 User Manual

ZyAIR

Wireless LAN Utility

User's Guide

Version 4.0

February 2004

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Copyright

Copyright ©2004 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.

Disclaimer

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 patents' 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.

ii Copyright

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

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 (2) 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 value, and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL. This warranty
shall not apply if the product is 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 of character to the purchaser.

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

Online Registration

Register online at www.zyxel.com

for free future product updates and information.

ZyXEL Limited Warranty iii

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Information for Canadian Users

The Industry Canada label identifies certified equipment. This certification means that the equipment meets
certain telecommunications network protective operation and safety requirements. The Industry Canada
does not guarantee that the equipment will operate to a user's satisfaction.

Before installing this equipment, users should ensure that it is permissible to be connected to the facilities
of the local telecommunications company. The equipment must also be installed using an acceptable
method of connection. In some cases, the company's inside wiring associated with a single line individual
service may be extended by means of a certified connector assembly. The customer should be aware that
compliance with the above conditions may not prevent degradation of service in some situations.

Repairs to certified equipment should be made by an authorized Canadian maintenance facility designated
by the supplier. Any repairs or alterations made by the user to this equipment, or equipment malfunctions,
may give the telecommunications company cause to request the user to disconnect the equipment.

For their own protection, users should ensure that the electrical ground connections of the power utility,
telephone lines, and internal metallic water pipe system, if present, are connected together. This precaution
may be particularly important in rural areas.

Caution

Users should not attempt to make such connections themselves, but should contact the appropriate
electrical inspection authority, or electrician, as appropriate.

Note

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus
set out in the radio interference regulations of Industry.

iv Information for Canadian Users

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Federal Communications Commission

1

(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 equipment 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 commercial environment. This equipment 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.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio/television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment 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.

Notice 1

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

Caution

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

Certifications

Refer to the product page at www.zyxel.com

1

Refer to the Quick Installation Guide for model specific FCC statement(s) and the procedure to view the

product’s certification(s).

FCC Statement v

.

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Customer Support

When contacting your Customer Support Representative, please have the following information ready:

 Product model and serial number.

 Warranty Information.

 Date you received your product.
 Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it.

LOCATION

WORLDWIDE

AMERICA

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE2 WEB SITE METHOD

SALES E-MAIL FAX2 FTP SITE

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.com

ZyXEL Communications

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.de GERMANY

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone] SPAIN

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.dk DENMARK

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.no NORWAY

[e-mail]

[phone] ftp.europe.zyxel.com

[phone]

[phone] ftp.us.zyxel.com

[phone]

[phone] FRANCE [e-mail]

[phone]

[phone]

[phone]

[phone]

www.europe.zyxel.com
ftp.zyxel.com

www.us.zyxel.com NORTH

www.zyxel.fr ZyXEL France

www.zyxel.es

REGULAR MAIL

ZyXEL Communications Corp.
6 Innovation Road II
Science Park
Hsinchu 300
Taiwan

ZyXEL Communications Inc.
1130 N. Miller St.
Anaheim
CA 92806-2001
U.S.A.

ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH.
Adenauerstr. 20/A2 D-52146
Wuerselen
Germany

1 rue des Vergers
Bat. 1 / C
69760 Limonest
France

Alejandro Villegas 33
1º, 28043 Madrid
Spain

ZyXEL Communications A/S
Columbusvej 5
2860 Soeborg
Denmark

ZyXEL Communications A/S
Nils Hansens vei 13
0667 Oslo
Norway

2

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

Customer Support vii

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE2 WEB SITE METHOD

LOCATION

FINLAND [e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.fi ZyXEL Communications Oy

SALES E-MAIL FAX2 FTP SITE

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.se SWEDEN

[e-mail]

[phone]

REGULAR MAIL

ZyXEL Communications A/S
Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg
Sweden

Malminkaari 10
00700 Helsinki
Finland

viii Information for Canadian Users

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table of Contents

Copyright.......................................................................................................................................................ii

ZyXEL Limited Warranty ..........................................................................................................................iii

Information for Canadian Users.................................................................................................................iv

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement....................................................v

Customer Support.......................................................................................................................................vii

List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................xi

List of Tables ...............................................................................................................................................xii

Preface.........................................................................................................................................................xiii

Chapter 1 Getting Started.........................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 About Your ZyAIR ......................................................................................................................1-1

1.2 ZyAIR Hardware and Utility Installation.....................................................................................1-1

1.3 Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool ...........................................................1-1

1.4 Accessing the ZyAIR Utility........................................................................................................1-4

1.5 ZyAIR Modes ..............................................................................................................................1-5

1.5.1 Change ZyAIR Modes .........................................................................................................1-5

Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Network............................................................................................................2-1

2.1 Overview......................................................................................................................................2-1

2.1.1 SSID.....................................................................................................................................2-1

2.1.2 Channel ................................................................................................................................2-1

2.1.3 Transmission Rate (Tx Rate)................................................................................................2-1

2.1.4 Wireless Network Application .............................................................................................2-2

2.1.5 Roaming...............................................................................................................................2-4

2.2 Wireless LAN Security ................................................................................................................2-5

2.2.1 Data Encryption with WEP ..................................................................................................2-5

2.3 Fragmentation Threshold .............................................................................................................2-5

2.4 RTS/CTS Threshold.....................................................................................................................2-5

2.5 Authentication Type.....................................................................................................................2-6

2.6 Preamble Type .............................................................................................................................2-7

Chapter 3 Wireless Station Mode Configuration....................................................................................3-1

3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................3-1

3.2 The Link Info Screen ...................................................................................................................3-1

3.3 The Configuration Screen ............................................................................................................3-2

3.4 The Site Survey Screen ................................................................................................................3-5

3.4.1 Connecting to a Network......................................................................................................3-6

3.5 The Security Screen .....................................................................................................................3-7

3.6 The Advanced Screen ..................................................................................................................3-9

Table of Contents ix

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 4 Access Point Mode Configuration..........................................................................................4-1

4.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................4-1

4.1.1 Additional Setup Requirements ...........................................................................................4-1

4.2 The Link Info Screen ...................................................................................................................4-1

4.3 The Configuration Screen............................................................................................................4-3

4.4 The Link Status Screen ................................................................................................................ 4-6

4.5 The Security Screen..................................................................................................................... 4-7

4.6 The MAC Filter Screen................................................................................................................4-8

Chapter 5 Maintenance.............................................................................................................................5-1

5.1 The About Screen ........................................................................................................................5-1

5.2 Removing the ZyAIR Utility .......................................................................................................5-2

5.3 Upgrading the ZyAIR Utility.......................................................................................................5-2

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................6-1

6.1 Problems Starting the ZyAIR Utility Program.............................................................................6-1

6.2 Problem Connecting to an Access Point...................................................................................... 6-2

6.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers ......................................................................6-2

6.4 Problem with the Link Status.......................................................................................................6-3

Appendix A Setting up Your Computer’s IP Address ............................................................................. A

Appendix B Access Point Mode Setup Example ......................................................................................M

Index .............................................................................................................................................................Q

x Table of Contents

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

List of Figures

Figure 1-1 Windows XP: System Tray Icon.................................................................................................1-2

Figure 1-2 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................................1-2

Figure 1-3 Windows XP: Connect to Wireless Network..............................................................................1-3

Figure 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties............................................................1-4

Figure 1-5 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon...............................................................................................1-4

Figure 1-6 ZyAIR Utility: Switch Modes ....................................................................................................1-5

Figure 2-1 IBSS Example ............................................................................................................................2-2

Figure 2-2 BSS Example..............................................................................................................................2-3

Figure 2-3 Infrastructure Network Example ................................................................................................2-3

Figure 2-4 ZyAIR as an Access Point Example...........................................................................................2-4

Figure 2-5 Roaming Example......................................................................................................................2-4

Figure 2-6 RTS Threshold............................................................................................................................2-6

Figure 3-1 Station Mode: Link Info.............................................................................................................3-1

Figure 3-2 Station Mode: Configuration......................................................................................................3-3

Figure 3-3 Station Mode: Site Survey..........................................................................................................3-5

Figure 3-4 Station Mode: Site Survey Warning ...........................................................................................3-6

Figure 3-5 Station Mode: Security...............................................................................................................3-7

Figure 3-6 Station Mode: Advanced ............................................................................................................3-9

Figure 4-1 Access Point Mode: Link Info....................................................................................................4-2

Figure 4-2 Access Point Mode: Configuration.............................................................................................4-4

Figure 4-3 Access Point Mode: Link Status.................................................................................................4-6

Figure 4-4 Access Point Mode: Security......................................................................................................4-7

Figure 4-5 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter ................................................................................................4-8

Figure 5-1 About ..........................................................................................................................................5-1

Figure 5-2 Confirm File Deletion ................................................................................................................5-2

List of Figures xi

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

List of Tables

Table 1-1 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon ................................................................................................1-5

Table 3-1 Station Mode: Link Info ..............................................................................................................3-2

Table 3-2 Station Mode: Configuration .......................................................................................................3-3

Table 3-3 Station Mode: Site Survey ........................................................................................................... 3-5

Table 3-4 Color Indicator for Link Quality/Link Strength...........................................................................3-6

Table 3-5 Station Mode: Security ................................................................................................................3-7

Table 3-6 Station Mode: Advanced............................................................................................................ 3-10

Table 4-1 Access Point Mode: Link Info .....................................................................................................4-2

Table 4-2 Access Point Mode: Configuration ..............................................................................................4-4

Table 4-3 Access Point Mode: Link Status ..................................................................................................4-6

Table 4-4 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter..................................................................................................4-9

Table 5-1 About ...........................................................................................................................................5-2

Table 6-1 Troubleshooting Starting ZyAIR Utility Program .......................................................................6-1

Table 6-2 Troubleshooting Access Point Connection Problem.................................................................... 6-2

Table 6-3 Troubleshooting Communication Problems ................................................................................6-2

Table 6-4 Troubleshooting Link Quality......................................................................................................6-3

xii List of Tables

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Preface

Congratulations on the purchase of your new ZyAIR!

About This User's Guide

This manual provides information about the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility.

This guide is for ZyAIR wireless LAN adapters that use the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility for configuration,
thus the model name shown in the screens may vary from what you actually purchased.

Syntax Conventions

• “Type” or “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters. "Select" or "Choose" means for

you to use one of the predefined choices.

• Mouse action sequences are denoted using a comma. For example, “click the Apple icon, Control

Panels and then Modem” means first click the Apple icon, then point your mouse pointer to
Control Panels and then click Modem.

• Window and command choices are in Bold Times New Roman font. Predefined field choices are

in Bold Arial font.

• The ZyXEL ZyAIR wireless LAN adapter is referred to as the ZyAIR in this guide.

• The ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility may be referred to as the ZyAIR WLAN Utility or, simply, as

the ZyAIR Utility in this guide.

Related Documentation

 Support Disk

Refer to the included CD for support documents and device drivers.

 Quick Installation Guide

Our Quick Installation Guide is designed to help you get your ZyAIR up and running right away.
It contains a detailed easy-to-follow connection diagram and information on installing your
ZyAIR.

 ZyXEL Glossary and Web Site

Please refer to www.zyxel.com
documentation.

User Guide Feedback

Help us help you. E-mail all User’s Guide-related comments, questions or suggestions for improvement to
[e-mail] or send regular mail to The Technical Writing Team, ZyXEL Communications
Corp., 6 Innovation Road II, Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan. Thank you.

for an online glossary of networking terms and additional support

Preface xiii

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Graphics Icons Key

ZyWALL

Server

Telephone

DSLAM

Computer

Modem

Switch

Wireless Access Point

Notebook computer

Firewall

Router

Wireless Signal

xiv Preface

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 1

Getting Started

This chapter introduces the ZyAIR and prepares you to use the ZyAIR Utility.

1.1 About Your ZyAIR

The ZyAIR is an IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless LAN adapter. With the ZyAIR, you can enjoy the
wireless mobility within the coverage area.

The following lists the main features of your ZyAIR.

• Your ZyAIR can communicate with other IEEE 802.11b/Wi-Fi compliant wireless devices.

• Automatic rate selection.

• Offers 64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) data encryption for network security.

• Proprietary SoftAP feature turns your ZyAIR into an access point (AP).

• Low CPU utilization allowing more computer system resources for other programs.

• A built-in antenna

• Driver support for Windows XP/2000/Me/98 SE

1.2 ZyAIR Hardware and Utility Installation

Follow the instructions in the Quick Installation Guide to install the ZyAIR driver and utility and make
hardware connections.

1.3 Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool

Windows XP includes a configuration tool for wireless devices.

DO NOT use the Windows XP configuration tool and the ZyAIR Utility at the same

time. It is recommended that you use the ZyAIR Utility to configure the ZyAIR.

Follow the steps below to disable the configuration tool in Windows XP after you install the ZyAIR Utility.
Refer to the Quick Installation Guide for more information.

Getting Started 1-1

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Step 1. Double-click the network icon for wireless connections in the system tray. If the icon is not

present, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise skip to Step 5.

Figure 1-1 Windows XP: System Tray Icon

Step 2. If the icon for the wireless network connection is not in the system tray, click Start, Control

Panel and double-click Network Connections.

Step 3. Double-click on the icon for wireless network connection to display a status window as shown

next.

Figure 1-2 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Status

Step 4. Click Properties and click the Wireless Networks tab. Then skip to Step 6.

1-2 Getting Started

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Step 5. When a Connect to Wireless Network window displays, click Advanced….

Figure 1-3 Windows XP: Connect to Wireless Network

Getting Started 1-3

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Step 6. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, make sure the Use Windows to

configure my wireless network settings check box is not selected. Click OK.

Figure 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties

1.4 Accessing the ZyAIR Utility

After you install and start the ZyAIR Utility, an icon for the ZyAIR Utility appears in the system tray.

When the ZyAIR Utility system tray icon displays, the ZyAIR is installed properly.

Figure 1-5 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon

The color of the ZyAIR Utility system tray icon indicates the status of the ZyAIR. Refer to the following
table for details.

1-4 Getting Started

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 1-1 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon

COLOR DESCRIPTION

Red The ZyAIR is working properly but is not connected to any AP or wireless station.

Blue The ZyAIR is connected to a wireless network.

Double click on the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility icon in the system tray to open the ZyAIR Utility. The
ZyAIR Utility screens are similar in all Microsoft Windows versions. Screens for Windows 2000 are
shown.

1.5 ZyAIR Modes

You can set your ZyAIR to operate in either wireless station or access point (AP) modes.

In wireless station mode, your ZyAIR must connect to a peer wireless station or an AP to take part in your
wireless network.

In access point mode, your ZyAIR functions as an access point. This allows you to set up your wireless
network without using a dedicated AP device. Up to 16 wireless stations can associate to the ZyAIR to
form a wireless network. Refer to Section 4.1 for more information.

1.5.1 Change ZyAIR Modes

To change between the modes, select either the Station or Access Point option in the Link Info screen.

Figure 1-6 ZyAIR Utility: Switch Modes

Wait for about five seconds for the ZyAIR Utility to complete the mode change.

The current mode is indicated on the title bar of the ZyAIR Utility.

When you use the Windows XP configuration tool and the ZyAIR Utility to

configure the ZyAIR at the same time, the ZyAIR automatically operates in station

mode.

Getting Started 1-5

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 2

Wireless LAN Network

This chapter provides background information on wireless LAN network.

2.1 Overview

This section describes the wireless LAN network terms and applications.

2.1.1 SSID

The SSID (Service Set Identity) is a unique name shared among all wireless devices in a wireless network.
Wireless devices must have the same SSID to communicate with each other.

2.1.2 Channel

A radio frequency used by a wireless device is called a channel.

2.1.3 Transmission Rate (Tx Rate)

The ZyAIR provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options include Fully Auto,
1 M bit/sec, 2 M bit/sec, 5.5M bit/sec, 11M bit/sec, 16.5M bit/sec and 27.5M bit/sec

networking scenarios, the factory default Fully Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows
your ZyAIR to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops
below a certain level, the ZyAIR automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate. Transmission
at lower data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the communication quality improves again,
the ZyAIR gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available
transmission rate.

You can select any of the above options. If you wish to balance speed versus reliability, select 11M bit/sec
or 5.5M bit/sec in a networking environment where you are certain that all wireless devices can
communicate at the highest transmission (data) rate. 1M bit/sec or 2M bit/sec are used often in networking
environments where the range of the wireless connection is more important than speed.

3

. In most

3

The transmission rate of 27.5M bit/sec is not available at the time of writing.

Wireless LAN 2-1

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

For ZyAIR B122 and ZyAIR B-320, you may select the proprietary transmission
rates of 16.5M bit/sec or 27.5M bit/sec if you are connecting to another ZyAIR B-

320, ZyAIR B-122 client or ZyAIR B-500 AP and vice versa. 4

2.1.4 Wireless Network Application

Wireless LAN works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure.

To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using Access Points (APs), set the ZyAIR operation
mode to Infrastructure(BSS). An AP acts as a bridge between the wireless stations and the wired network.
In case you do not wish to connect to a wired network, but prefer to set up a small independent wireless
workgroup without an AP, use the Ad-hoc (IBSS) (Independent Basic Service Set) mode.

Ad-Hoc (IBSS)

Ad-hoc mode does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients communicate
directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an Independent Basic Service
Set (IBSS).

Figure 2-1 IBSS Example

4

At the time of writing, the proprietary transmission rates are only available for ZyAIR B-122, ZyAIR B-

320 and ZyAIR B-500.

2-2 Wireless LAN

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Figure 2-2 BSS Example

A series of overlapping BSS and a network medium, such as an Ethernet forms an Extended Service Set
(ESS) or infrastructure network. All communication is done through the AP, which relays data packets to
other wireless clients or devices connected to the wired network. Wireless clients can then access resource,
such as the printer, on the wired network.

Figure 2-3 Infrastructure Network Example

Access Point Mode

The following figure depicts a network example in which you set the ZyAIR in access point mode.

Wireless LAN 2-3

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Figure 2-4 ZyAIR as an Access Point Example

In the example, the ZyAIR is installed on computer A and set to operate in access point mode. Computer A
shares Internet connection to the wireless LAN, so wireless stations B and C can access the Internet.

2.1.5 Roaming

In an infrastructure network, wireless stations are able to switch from one BSS to another as they move
between the coverage areas. During this period, the wireless stations maintain uninterrupted connection to
the network. This is roaming. As the wireless station moves from place to place, it is responsible for
choosing the most appropriate AP depending on the signal strength, network utilization or other factors.

The following figure depicts a roaming example. When wireless client B moves to position X, the ZyAIR
in wireless client B automatically switches the channel to the one used by access point 2 in order to stay
connected to the network.

Figure 2-5 Roaming Example

2-4 Wireless LAN

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

2.2 Wireless LAN Security

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

Configure the wireless LAN security using the Security screen. If you do not enable any wireless security
on your ZyAIR, the ZyAIR’s wireless communications are accessible to any wireless networking device
that is in the coverage area.

2.2.1 Data Encryption with WEP

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption scrambles all data packets transmitted between the ZyAIR and
the AP or other wireless stations to keep network communications private. Both the wireless clients 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 ZyAIR.

• 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 screen of the ZyAIR
Utility and entering them manually as the WEP keys in the other WLAN adapter(s).

• Enter the WEP keys manually.

Your ZyAIR allows you to configure up to four 64-bit or 128-bit WEP keys but only one key can be
enabled at any one time.

2.3 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 ZyAIR will fragment the packet into smaller data frames.

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

If the Fragmentation Threshold value is smaller than the RTS/CTS Threshold 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 Threshold size.

2.4 RTS/CTS Threshold

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 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.

Wireless LAN 2-5

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Figure 2-6 RTS Threshold

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 Threshold is designed to prevent collisions due to hidden nodes. An RTS/CTS Threshold
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 Threshold 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 Threshold directly to the AP without the
RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake.

You should only configure RTS/CTS Threshold 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 Threshold 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 Threshold size.

Enabling the RTS Threshold causes redundant network overhead that could

negatively affect the throughput performance.

2.5 Authentication Type

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

2-6 Wireless LAN

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Open authentication mode is implemented for ease-of-use and when security is not an issue. The wireless
station and the AP do not share a secret key. Thus the wireless stations can associate with any AP and listen
to any data transmitted plaintext.

Shared authentication mode involves a shared secret key to authenticate the wireless station to the AP. This
requires you to enable a security feature and specify a shared secret key (usually the WEP encryption and
WEP key) on both the wireless station and the AP.

Auto authentication mode allows the ZyAIR to switch between the open and shared key authentication
modes automatically. Use the auto mode if you do not know the authentication mode of the other wireless
clients.

2.6 Preamble Type

A preamble is used to synchronize the transmission timing in your wireless network. There are two
preamble modes: Long Preamble and Short Preamble.

Short preamble takes less time to process and minimizes overhead, so it should be used in a good wireless
network environment when all wireless clients support it.

Select Long Preamble if you have a ‘noisy’ network or are unsure of what preamble mode the access point
or the other wireless clients support as all IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapters must support long
preamble. However, not all wireless adapters support short preamble. Use long preamble if you are unsure
what preamble mode the wireless adapters support, to ensure interpretability between the ZyAIR and the
access point/wireless stations and to provide more reliable communication in ‘noisy’ networks.

Select Auto to have the ZyAIR automatically use short preamble when all access point/wireless stations
support it, otherwise the ZyAIR uses long preamble.

The ZyAIR and the access point/wireless stations MUST use the same preamble mode in order to
communicate.

Wireless LAN 2-7

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 3

Wireless Station Mode Configuration

This chapter shows you how to configure your ZyAIR in wireless station mode.

3.1 Introduction

To set your ZyAIR as a wireless station, refer to Section 1.5.1.

3.2 The Link Info Screen

When the ZyAIR Utility starts, the Link Info screen displays, showing the current configuration of your
ZyAIR. The model name shown in the screens may vary depending on the model you are using.

Figure 3-1 Station Mode: Link Info

Wireless Station Mode Configuration 3-1

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 3-1 Station Mode: Link Info

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Access Point

Station

Device This field displays the model name of your ZyAIR. Select from the drop-down list menu if

Re-Connect

Current Channel This field displays the radio channel the ZyAIR is currently using.

Current Transfer
Rate

Current Service
Set Identifier

NIC MAC
Address

Tx/Rx Frame

Transmitted This field displays the number of data frames transmitted.

Received This field displays the number of data frames received.

Link Quality The status bar and the percentage number show the quality of the signal.

Link Strength The status bar and the percentage number or a number in dBm (decibel relative units

Percent/dBm

OK

Cancel

Help

Select Access Point to set the ZyAIR to operate in access point mode. Refer to
Section1.5 for more information.

Select Station to set the ZyAIR to operate in wireless station mode. Refer to Section1.5
for more information.

you have more than one wireless LAN adapter in your computer.

Click Re-Connect to re-establish the connection to the wireless network whose SSID is
shown in the Current Service Set Identifier field.

This field displays the current transmission rate of the ZyAIR in megabits per second
(Mbps).

This field displays the name of the wireless device to which the ZyAIR is associated.

This field displays the MAC address of the ZyAIR.

compared to milliwatts) show the strength of the signal.

Click this button to display either percentages in the Link Quality and Link Strength
fields or a number of dBm in the Link Strength field.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display on-line help window.

3.3 The Configuration Screen

Click Configuration in the ZyAIR Utility program to display the Configuration screen as shown next.

3-2 Wireless Station Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Figure 3-2 Station Mode: Configuration

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 3-2 Station Mode: Configuration

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Profile

The Profile function allows you to save the wireless network settings in this screen, use one of the pre­configured network profiles or reset the settings in this screen to the factory default values.

Remove To delete an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile from the drop-down

list box and click Remove.

Create

Enter a descriptive name in the drop-down list box and click Create to save the current
settings in the Configuration screen to a new profile,

Wireless Station Mode Configuration 3-3

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 3-2 Station Mode: Configuration

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Activate To use a previously saved network profile, select the profile file name from the drop-

down list box and click Activate.

Configuration

Operating Mode

Service Set
Identifier (SSID)

Transfer Rate

Channel Select the channel number from the drop-down list box. To associate to an ad-hoc

Power Saving
Mode

Restore Default

Undo Changes

Apply Changes

OK

Cancel

Help

Select Infrastructure(BSS) or Ad-Hoc(IBSS) from the drop-down list box.

Select Infrastructure(BSS) to associate to an AP.

Select Ad-Hoc(IBSS) to associate to a peer computer.

Enter the SSID of the wireless network to which you want to associate. To associate to
an ad-hoc network, you must enter the same SSID as the peer computer.

Enter Any to associate to or roam between any infrastructure wireless networks. This is
the default setting.

Select a transmission speed from the drop-down list box. Choose from Fully Auto
(default), 1M bit/sec, 2M bit/sec, 5.5M bit/sec, 11M bit/sec, 16.5M bit/sec and 27.5M

5

bit/sec

.

For ZyAIR B-122 and ZyAIR B-320, the proprietary transmission rates of 16.5M bit/sec
and 27.5M bit/sec are available. Select one of the options only if you are connecting to
another ZyAIR B-122, ZyAIR B-320 clients or ZyAIR B-500 and vice versa

6

.

network, you must use the same channel as the peer computer.

Select Enable to save power (especially for notebook computers). This forces the ZyAIR
to go to sleep mode when it is not transmitting data.

When you select Disable, the ZyAIR will never go to sleep mode.

Click Restore Default to reset all fields back to factory default values.

Click Undo Changes to start configuring the fields again.

Click Apply Changes to save the changes back to the ZyAIR.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

5

The transmission rate of 27.5M bit/sec is not available at the time of writing.

6

At the time of writing, the proprietary transmission rates are only available for connection with another

ZyAIR B-122, ZyAIR B-320 or ZyAIR B-500.

3-4 Wireless Station Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

3.4 The Site Survey Screen

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

Figure 3-3 Station Mode: Site Survey

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 3-3 Station Mode: Site Survey

LABEL DESCRIPTION

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

BSSID This field displays the MAC address of the wireless device.

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

Signal This field displays the signal strength of each wireless device.

Wireless Station Mode Configuration 3-5

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 3-3 Station Mode: Site Survey

LABEL DESCRIPTION

WEP

Search

Connect

OK

Cancel

Help

This field shows whether WEP data encryption is activated (Enable) or inactive (Disable).

Click Search to scan for available wireless device within transmission range.

Click Connect to associate to the selected wireless device.

Click OK to save all changes and closes the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

The following table describes the colors used for the entries in the Site Survey screen.

Table 3-4 Color Indicator for Link Quality/Link Strength

COLOR DESCRIPTION

Green Excellent link quality or link strength.

Blue Good link quality or link strength.

Red Poor link quality or link strength.

3.4.1 Connecting to a Network

Follow the steps below to connect to a network.

Step 1. Click Search to scan for all available wireless networks within range.
Step 2. To join a network, either click an entry in the table to select a wireless network and then click

Connect or double-click an entry.

Step 3. If the WEP field displays Enable for the selected wireless network, the following screen

displays.

Figure 3-4 Station Mode: Site Survey Warning

Step 4. Click OK to display the Security screen and refer to Section 3.5 to set up WEP keys. Otherwise

click Cancel and connect to another wireless network without WEP encryption.

3-6 Wireless Station Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Step 5. To verify that you have successfully connected to the selected network, check the network

information in the Link Info screen.

3.5 The Security Screen

Click the Security tab to display the Security screen as shown next.

Figure 3-5 Station Mode: Security

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 3-5 Station Mode: Security

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Encryption

Select either 64 Bits or 128 Bits to activate WEP encryption and then fill in the related
fields.

Select Disable to deactivate the WEP encryption.

Wireless Station Mode Configuration 3-7

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 3-5 Station Mode: Security

LABEL DESCRIPTION

WEP Key Entry

The WEP keys are used to encrypt data before transmitting. The values for the keys must be set up exactly
the same on the APs or other peer wireless computers as they are on the ZyAIR.

Create with
PassPhrase

PassPhrase

Manual Entry Select this option if you want to manually enter the WEP keys.

Key Type

Key 1 … 4 Enter the WEP keys in the fields provided.

Select this option if you want the ZyAIR to automatically generate a WEP key based
on the passphrase specified in the PassPhrase field.

When you select Create with PassPhrase, enter the passphrase. As you enter the
passphrase, the ZyAIR automatically generates four different WEP keys and displays
them in the key fields below.

Refer to Section 2.2.1 for more information.

Select either the HEX or ASCII WEP key type.

If you select 64 Bits in the Encryption 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 Encryption 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.

You must configure all four WEP keys the first time you use the

ZyAIR.

ASCII WEP keys are case sensitive.

Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption.

Restore Default

Undo Changes

Click Restore Default to reset all fields back to factory default values.

Click Undo Changes to start configuring the fields again.

3-8 Wireless Station Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 3-5 Station Mode: Security

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Apply Changes

OK

Cancel

Help

Click Apply Changes to save the changes back to ZyAIR.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

3.6 The Advanced Screen

To set the advanced features on the ZyAIR, click the Advanced tab.

Figure 3-6 Station Mode: Advanced

The following table describes the labels in this screen

Wireless Station Mode Configuration 3-9

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 3-6 Station Mode: Advanced

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Transmit Threshold Control

Fragmentation

Threshold

RTS/CTS Threshold Data with its frame size larger than this value will perform the RTS/CTS handshake.

Security

Authentication Type

Preamble Type

Restore Default

Undo Changes

Apply Changes

OK

Cancel

Help

The threshold (number of bytes) for the fragmentation boundary for directed
messages. It is the maximum data fragment size that can be sent.

Move the slider to set the fragmentation threshold.

Setting this attribute to be larger than the maximum MSDU (MAC service data unit)
size turns off the RTS/CTS handshake. Setting this attribute to zero turns on the
RTS/CTS handshake.

Select an authentication method. Choices are Auto, Shared and Open.

Refer to Section 2.5 for more information.

Select a preamble type. Choices are Long Preamble, Short Preamble and Auto.

The default setting is Auto.

Refer to Section 2.6 for more information.

Click Restore Default to reset all fields back to factory default values.

Click Undo Changes to start configuring the fields again.

Click Apply Changes to save the changes back to ZyAIR.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

3-10 Wireless Station Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 4

Access Point Mode Configuration

This chapter shows you how to configure your ZyAIR in access point mode.

4.1 Introduction

To set your ZyAIR as an Access Point (AP), refer to Section 1.5.1.

In access point mode, your ZyAIR functions as an access point. This allows you to set up your wireless
networks without using a dedicated AP device. Up to 16 wireless stations can associate to the ZyAIR.

4.1.1 Additional Setup Requirements

To bridge your wired and wireless network using the ZyAIR, the following requirements must be met:

1. The ZyAIR must be installed on a computer connected to the wired network.

2. Either configure network sharing (refer to the appendix for an example) or bridge the two interfaces
(wireless and wired) on the computer.

3. Set the wireless station’s IP address to be in the same subnet as the computer in which the ZyAIR is
installed. Refer to the Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address appendix.

4.2 The Link Info Screen

Click Link Info to display the screen as shown.

Access Point Mode Configuration 4-1

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Figure 4-1 Access Point Mode: Link Info

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 4-1 Access Point Mode: Link Info

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Access Point

Station

Device This field displays the model name of your ZyAIR. Select from the drop-down list menu if

Current Channel This field displays the radio channel the ZyAIR is currently using.

Select Access Point to set the ZyAIR to operate in access point mode. Refer to
Section1.5 for more information.

Select Station to set the ZyAIR to operate in wireless station mode. Refer to Section1.5
for more information.

you have more than one wireless LAN adapter in your computer.

4-2 Access Point Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 4-1 Access Point Mode: Link Info

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Current Transfer
Rate

Current Service
Set Identifier

NIC MAC
Address

Tx/Rx Frame

Transmitted This field displays the number of data frames transmitted.

Received This field displays the number of data frames received.

Link Quality This is applicable when the ZyAIR is in wireless station mode.

Link Strength This is applicable when the ZyAIR is in wireless station mode.

Percent/dBm This is applicable when the ZyAIR is in wireless station mode.

OK

Cancel

Help

This field displays the current transmission rate of the ZyAIR in megabits per second.

This field displays the name that identifies your ZyAIR in the wireless LAN network.

This field displays the MAC address of the ZyAIR.

The status bar and the percentage number show the quality of the signal.

The status bar and the percentage number or a number in dBm (decibel relative units
compared to milliwatts) show the strength of the signal.

Click this button to display either percentages in the Link Quality and Link Strength
fields or a number of dBm in the Link Strength field.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display on-line help window.

4.3 The Configuration Screen

Click Configuration to display the screen as shown.

Access Point Mode Configuration 4-3

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Figure 4-2 Access Point Mode: Configuration

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 4-2 Access Point Mode: Configuration

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Configuration

Current Service

Set Identifier

(SSID)

Hide ESSID Select this check box to hide the ESSID in the outgoing beacon frame so a station

The SSID identifies the Service Set to which a wireless station is associated. Wireless
stations associating to the access point (the ZyAIR) must have the same SSID. Enter a
descriptive name (up to 32 printable 7-bit ASCII characters) for the wireless LAN.

cannot obtain the ESSID through passive scanning using a site survey tool.

4-4 Access Point Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 4-2 Access Point Mode: Configuration

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Basic Rate Select the rate(s) at which the ZyAIR can transmit data in the wireless LAN network.

Make sure the wireless stations in the same wireless network are set to use the rate(s)
for data transmission.

Current Channel Set the operating frequency/channel depending on your particular region.

Tx Power Set this field if you need to conserve power consumption (especially for notebook

computers). This control changes the strength of the ZyAIR’s antenna gain or
transmission power. Antenna gain, measured in dBm (decibel relative units compared to
milliwatts), is the increase in coverage. Higher antenna gain improves the range of the
signal for better communications.

Select Level 0 (Maximum Power) to set the ZyAIR’s antenna to transmit at 17-dBm.

Select Level 1 to set the ZyAIR’s antenna to transmit at 15-dBm.

Select Level 2 to set the ZyAIR’s antenna to transmit at 13-dBm.

Select Level 3 (Minimum Power) to set the ZyAIR’s antenna to transmit at 11-dBm.
This allows for the least power consumption.

Advanced

Authentication

Type

Fragmentation

Threshold

RTS/CTS

Threshold

Restore Default

Undo Changes

Apply Changes

OK

Cancel

Help

Select this checkbox to select an authentication method. Choices are Auto, Shared and
Open.

Refer to Section 2.5 for more information.

The threshold (number of bytes) for the fragmentation boundary for directed messages.
It is the maximum data fragment size that can be sent. Refer to Section 2.3 for more
information.

Data with its frame size larger than this value will perform the RTS/CTS handshake.
Setting this attribute to be larger than the maximum MSDU (MAC service data unit) size
turns off the RTS/CTS handshake. Refer to Section 2.4 for more information.

Setting this attribute to zero turns on the RTS/CTS handshake.

Click Restore Default to reset all fields back to factory default values.

Click Undo Changes to start configuring the fields again.

Click Apply Changes to save the changes back to the ZyAIR.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

Access Point Mode Configuration 4-5

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

4.4 The Link Status Screen

View the wireless stations that are currently associated to the ZyAIR in the Link Status screen.

If the ZyAIR cannot communicate to a wireless station for up to ten minutes, the

MAC address of that wireless station is automatically deleted from the Link Status

screen.

Figure 4-3 Access Point Mode: Link Status

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 4-3 Access Point Mode: Link Status

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Station MAC
Address

This field displays the MAC addresses of up to 16 wireless stations that are connected to
the ZyAIR.

4-6 Access Point Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 4-3 Access Point Mode: Link Status

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Refresh

OK

Cancel

Help

Click Refresh to update this screen.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

4.5 The Security Screen

To set up wireless LAN security, click Security to display the screen as shown.

Figure 4-4 Access Point Mode: Security

Refer to Table 3-5 for field descriptions.

Access Point Mode Configuration 4-7

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

4.6 The MAC Filter Screen

The MAC Filter screen allows you to configure the ZyAIR to give exclusive access to (Accept) devices or
exclude devices from (Reject) connecting to the ZyAIR. Every Ethernet device has a unique MAC (Media
Access Control) address. 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 4-5 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

4-8 Access Point Mode Configuration

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 4-4 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Filter Type 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 ZyAIR, MAC addresses not listed will be allowed to
access the router.

Select Accept to permit access to the ZyAIR, MAC addresses not listed will be denied
access to the router.

Filter MAC
Address

00 .. 15 Specify the MAC address(es) of the wireless station(s) that is allowed or denied

Restore Default

Undo Changes

Apply Changes

OK

Cancel

Help

association to the ZyAIR.

Enter six pairs of hexadecimal digits in the range of “A-F”, “a-f” and “0-9” (for example,
00A0C5000002).

Once you click Apply Changes to save the values, this field displays the MAC address
with spaces separating the six pairs of hexadecimal digits (for example 00 A0 C5 00 00

02). If you enter an invalid MAC address, it will not be displayed.

Click Restore Default to reset all fields back to factory default values.

Click Undo Changes to start configuring the fields again.

Click Apply Changes to save the changes back to the ZyAIR.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

Access Point Mode Configuration 4-9

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 5

Maintenance

This chapter describes how to uninstall or upgrade the ZyAIR Utility.

5.1 The About Screen

The About screen displays related version numbers of the ZyAIR.

Figure 5-1 About

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

Maintenance 5-1

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 5-1 About

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Driver Version This field displays the version number of the ZyAIR driver.

Utility Version This field displays the version number of the ZyAIR Utility.

Firmware
Version

OK

Cancel

Help

This field displays the version of the firmware on which the driver and the utility are based.

Click OK to save all changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Cancel to discard changes and close the ZyAIR Utility.

Click Help to display the on-line help window.

5.2 Removing the ZyAIR Utility

Follow the steps below to remove (or uninstall) the ZyAIR Utility from your computer.

Step 1. Click Start, Programs, ZyAIR Utility, Uninstall ZyAIR Package.
Step 2. When prompted, click OK to remove the driver and the utility software.

Figure 5-2 Confirm File Deletion

Step 3. Restart your computer when prompted.

5.3 Upgrading the ZyAIR Utility

Before you uninstall the ZyAIR Utility, take note of the current network

configuration.

To perform the upgrade, follow the steps below.
Step 1. Download the latest version of the utility from the ZyXEL web site and save the file on your

computer.

Step 2. Follow the steps in the Section 5.2 to remove the current ZyAIR Utility from your computer.
Step 3. Restart your computer when prompted.
Step 4. After restarting, refer to the procedure in the Quick Installation Guide to install the new utility.

5-2 Maintenance

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Step 5. Check the version numbers in the About screen to make sure the new utility is installed

properly.

Maintenance 5-3

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Chapter 6

Troubleshooting

This chapter covers potential problems and the possible remedies. After each problem

description, some instructions are provided to help you to diagnose and to solve the problem.

6.1 Problems Starting the ZyAIR Utility Program

Table 6-1 Troubleshooting Starting ZyAIR Utility Program

Cannot start the ZyAIR
Wireless LAN Utility

The ZyAIR Wireless
LAN Utility displays only
three tabs.

Cannot change to
Access Point mode

Make sure the ZyAIR is properly inserted and the LED(s) is on. Refer to the
Quick Installation Guide for the LED descriptions.

Use the Device Manager to check for possible hardware conflicts.

Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Hardware and Device
Manager. Verify the status of the ZyAIR under Network Adapter. (Steps may
vary depending on the version of Windows).

Install the ZyAIR in another computer.

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

When the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility displays only three tabs, you are using
the Windows XP wireless configuration tool at the same time. Refer to the
Section 1.3 to disable the Windows XP wireless configuration tool.

If you use the Windows XP configuration tool and the ZyAIR Utility to configure
the ZyAIR at the same time, the ZyAIR automatically operates in wireless
station mode. You need to disable the Windows XP configuration tool to
change between the modes using the ZyAIR Utility (refer to the Section 1.3 for
more information).

Troubleshooting 6-1

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

6.2 Problem Connecting to an Access Point

Table 6-2 Troubleshooting Access Point Connection Problem

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

When using the Windows
XP configuration tool, cannot
scan for or connect to any
access points.

The ZyAIR might still be operating in access point mode. This results
when you set the ZyAIR to operate in access point mode using the ZyAIR
Utility, close the ZyAIR Utility and then use the Windows XP configuration
tool.

Before you use the Windows XP configuration tool, make sure you set the
ZyAIR to operate in station mode before you close and exit the ZyAIR
Utility.

6.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers

Table 6-3 Troubleshooting Communication Problems

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

In wireless station mode, the
computer with the ZyAIR
installed cannot
communicate with the other
computer(s).

A. Infrastructure

B. Ad-Hoc (IBSS)

Make sure that the AP and the associated computers are turned on and
working properly.

Make sure the ZyAIR computer and the associated AP use the same
SSID.

Change the AP and the associated wireless clients to use another radio
channel if interference is high.

Make sure that the computer and the AP share the same security option
and key. Verify the settings in the Security screen.

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

Make sure the ZyAIR computer and the peer computer(s) are using the
same SS ID and channel.

Make sure that the computer and the peer computer(s) share the same
security option and key.

Change the wireless clients to use another radio channel if interference is
high.

6-2 Troubleshooting

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Table 6-3 Troubleshooting Communication Problems

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

In access point mode, the
wireless station(s) cannot
associate to the ZyAIR.

Verify that the computer with the ZyAIR installed is turned on.

Make sure the wireless station(s) uses the same SSID as the ZyAIR.

Make sure the wireless station(s) uses the same security option and/or
WEP keys.

Verify that the wireless station(s) is not blocked in the MAC Filter screen.

6.4 Problem with the Link Status

Table 6-4 Troubleshooting Link Quality

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

The link quality and/or signal
strength is poor all the time.

Search and connect to another AP with a better link quality using the Site
Survey screen.

Move your computer closer to the AP or the peer computer(s) within the
transmission range.

There may be too much radio interference (for example microwave or
another AP using the same channel) around your wireless network.
Relocate or reduce the radio interference.

Troubleshooting 6-3

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Appendix A

Setting up Your Computer’s IP Address

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

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

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

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

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

Windows 95/98/Me

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

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

If you need the adapter:

In the Network window, click Add.

a.

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address A

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Select Adapter and then click Add.

b.

Select the manufacturer and model of your network adapter and then click OK.

c.

If you need TCP/IP:

In the Network window, click Add.

a.

Select Protocol and then click Add.

b.

Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers.

c.

Select TCP/IP from the list of network protocols and then click OK.

d.

If you need Client for Microsoft Networks:

Click Add.

a.

Select Client and then click Add.

b.

Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers.

c.

Select Client for Microsoft Networks from the list of network clients and then click OK.

d.

e. Restart your computer so the changes you made take effect.

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

B Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Click the IP Address tab.

1.

-If your IP address is dynamic, select Obtain an
IP address automatically.

-If you have a static IP address, select Specify
an IP address and type your information into
the IP Address and Subnet Mask fields.

Click the DNS Configuration tab.

2.

-If you do not know your DNS information, select
Disable DNS.

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

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address C

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Click the Gateway tab.

3.

-If you do not know your gateway’s IP address,
remove previously installed gateways.

-If you have a gateway IP address, type it in the
New gateway field and click Add.

Click OK to save and close the TCP/IP Properties window.

4.

Click OK to close the Network window. Insert the Windows CD if prompted.

5.

6. Restart your computer when prompted.

Verifying Your Computer’s IP Address

Click Start and then Run.

1.

In the Run window, type "winipcfg" and then click OK to open the IP Configuration window.

2.

3. Select your network adapter. You should see your computer's IP address, subnet mask and default
gateway.

Windows 2000/NT/XP

D Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

For Windows XP, click start, Control Panel. In

1.

Windows 2000/NT, click Start, Settings, Control
Panel.

For Windows XP, click Network

2.

Connections. For Windows 2000/NT, click
Network and Dial-up Connections.

Right-click Local Area Connection and

3.

then click Properties.

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address E

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (under the

4.

General tab in Win XP) and click Properties.

The Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties

5.

window opens (the General tab in Windows XP).

-If you have a dynamic IP address click Obtain
an IP address automatically.

-If you have a static IP address click Use the

following IP Address and fill in the IP address,
Subnet mask, and Default gateway fields.

Click Advanced.

F Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

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

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

-In the IP Settings tab, in IP addresses, click
Add.

-In TCP/IP Address, type an IP address in IP
address and a subnet mask in Subnet mask,
and then click Add.

-Repeat the above two steps for each IP address
you want to add.

-Configure additional default gateways in the IP

Settings tab by clicking Add in Default
gateways.

-In TCP/IP Gateway Address, type the IP
address of the default gateway in Gateway. To
manually configure a default metric (the number
of transmission hops), clear the Automatic
metric check box and type a metric in Metric.

-Click Add.

-Repeat the previous three steps for each default gateway you want to add.

-Click OK when finished.

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address G

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

In the Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties

7.

window (the General tab in Windows XP):

-Click Obtain DNS server address
automatically if you do not know your DNS
server IP address(es).

-If you know your DNS server IP address(es),
click Use the following DNS server addresses,
and type them in the Preferred DNS server and
Alternate DNS server fields.

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

Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window.

8.

Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties window.

9.

10. Restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Your Computer’s IP Address

Click Start, All Programs, Accessories and then Command Prompt.

1.

In the Command Prompt window, type "ipconfig" and then press [ENTER]. You can also open

2.

Network Connections, right-click a network connection, click Status and then click the Support tab.

Macintosh OS 8/9

H Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Click the Apple menu, Control Panel and double-click

1.
TCP/IP to open the TCP/IP Control Panel.

Select Ethernet from the

2.
Connect via list.

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

3.

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address I

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

4. For statically assigned settings, do the following:

-From the Configure box, select Manually.

-Type your IP address in the IP Address box.

-Type your subnet mask in the Subnet mask box.

-Type the IP address of your ZyAIR in the Router address box.

Close the TCP/IP Control Panel.

5.

Click Save if prompted, to save changes to your configuration.

6.

7. Restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Your Computer’s IP Address

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

Macintosh OS X

Click the Apple menu, and click System Preferences

1.

to open the System Preferences window.

2.

Click Network in the icon bar.

- Select Automatic from the Location list.

- Select Built-in Ethernet from the Show list.

- Click the TCP/IP tab.

J Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

3.

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

4. For statically assigned settings, do the following:

-From the Configure box, select Manually.

-Type your IP address in the IP Address box.

-Type your subnet mask in the Subnet mask box.

-Type the IP address of your ZyAIR in the Router address box.

Click Apply Now and close the window.

5.

6. Restart your computer (if prompted).

Verifying Your Computer’s IP Address

Check your TCP/IP properties in the Network window.

Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address K

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Appendix B

Access Point Mode Setup Example

This example uses the network sharing feature in Windows 2000 to bridge the wired and wireless network
when you set the ZyAIR in access point (AP) mode.

Refer to Section 4.1.1 for setup methods and requirements.

Steps may vary depending on your Windows version. You may need to install additional software in
Windows 98/Me.

Configuring the Computer on Which You Install the ZyAIR
Step 1. Refer to Section 1.5.1 to set the ZyAIR to operate in AP mode.

Step 2. Click Start, Settings, Network and Dial-up Connections (or click Start, Settings, Control

Panel and double-click Network and Dial-up Connections).

Diagram 1 Windows 2000: Start

Step 3. Right-click on the icon for your wired Ethernet adapter and click Properties.

Access Point Mode Setup Example M

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Diagram 2 Windows 2000: Network and Dial-up Connections

Step 4. A Properties screen displays. Click the Sharing tab and select Enable Internet Connection

Sharing for this connection. Click OK.

Diagram 3 Windows 2000: Network Properties

Step 5. A notice screen displays. Click Yes.

N Access Point Mode Setup Example

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Diagram 4 Windows 2000: Local Network

Configuring the Wireless Station Computer

Refer to the Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address appendix to set up the wireless station computer(s) IP
address.

Access Point Mode Setup Example O

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Index

A

About ..............................................................5-1

About the ZyAIR Utility ................................. 5-1

Access point mode ..........................................1-5

Access Point Mode..........................................4-1

Additional setup requirements ....................4-1

Configuration ..............................................4-4

Link Info .....................................................4-2

Link Status ..................................................4-6

MAC Filter.................................................. 4-8

Power saving mode .....................................4-5

Security .......................................................4-7

Setup example...............................................M

Accessing the ZyAIR Utility...........................1-4

Advanced ........................................................3-9

Antenna gain ...................................................4-5

Authentication Mode.......................................2-6

Auto ............................................................2-7

Open............................................................2-7

Shared .........................................................2-7

Authentication Type......................................3-10

Auto authentication mode ...............................2-7

Automatic WEP key generation......................2-5

C

Communication Problem

Ad-hoc(IBSS) .............................................6-2

Infrastructure...............................................6-2

Computer’s IP Address ..................................... A

Configuration .......................................... 3-2, 4-3

Connecting to a Network ................................3-6

Copyright ...........................................................ii

Disclaimer...................................................... ii

Trademarks ....................................................ii

Create with Passphrase....................................3-8

CTS (Clear to Send .........................................2-6

Customer Support ............................................vii

D

Data encryption ...............................................2-5

E

ESS..................................................................2-3

Extended Service Set...............................See ESS

F

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Interference Statement....................................v

Model Specific ...............................................v

Filter MAC address.........................................4-9

Fragmentation Threshold ...................... 2-5, 3-10

G

Graphics Icons Key.........................................xiv

H

Hidden node ....................................................2-5

I

IBSS ................................................................2-2

Independent Basic Service Set .............. See IBSS

Information for Canadian Users........................ iv

Caution.......................................................... iv

Note...............................................................iv

L

Link Info ................................................. 3-1, 4-1

Link Status ......................................................4-6

Index Q

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

M

MAC (Media Access Control)........................ 4-8

MAC Filter .....................................................4-8

MAC filter type............................................... 4-9

Manual Entry ..................................................3-8

N

Network Type................................................. 2-2

Ad-Hoc(IBSS) ............................................ 2-2

O

Online Registration........................................... iii

Open authentication mode .............................. 2-7

Operating Mode......................See Network Type

P

passphrase....................................................... 2-5

Passphrase....................................................... 3-8

Preamble Mode............................................... 2-7

Preamble Type.............................................. 3-10

Preface ............................................................xiii

problem description ........................................6-1

Proprietary transmission rates..................2-2, 3-4

R

Related Documentation................................... xiii

Roaming.......................................................... 2-4

Example...................................................... 2-4

RTS (Request To Send) .................................. 2-6

RTS/CTS handshake....................................... 2-6

RTS/CTS Threshold ..............................2-5, 3-10

S

Security....................................................3-7, 4-7

Service Set ......................................................4-4

Service Set Identity............................... See SSID

Shared authentication mode............................ 2-7

Site Survey......................................................3-5

SSID................................................................2-1

Station Mode

Advanced ....................................................3-9

Configuration .............................................. 3-3

Power saving mode.....................................3-4

Security ....................................................... 3-7

Site Survey..................................................3-5

Site Survey Warning...................................3-6

Syntax Conventions ........................................xiii

T

Transfer Rate...................................................3-4

Transmission Speed ........................................3-4

Transmission Speeds.......................................2-1

Troubleshooting

Communication problem with other computers

................................................................6-2

Troubleshooting .............................................. 6-1

Checking Hardware Conflict ......................6-1

Communication problems...........................6-2

Problem with link status..............................6-3

Radio interference....................................... 6-3

Starting ZyAIR Utility ................................6-1

U

Using the ZyAIR Utility .................................2-1

W

Warranty ...........................................................iii

Note...............................................................iii

WEP................................................................2-5

WEP Data Encryption with.............................2-5

WEP Key .................................................2-5, 3-8

Type ............................................................3-8

Windows XP Requirement .............................1-1

Wired Equivalent Privacy..................... See WEP

Wireless LAN Parameters

Channel ....................................................... 2-1

R Index

ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility

Network Type .............................................2-2

SSID............................................................ 2-1

Transmission Rate.......................................2-1

Wireless LAN Security ................................... 2-5

Data Encryption with WEP.........................2-5

Wireless Network Basics ................................1-1

Wireless station mode ..................................... 1-5

Wireless Station Mode ....................................3-1

Z

ZyAIR Modes .................................................1-5

Access point ................................................4-1

Station .........................................................3-1

Switch between modes................................1-5

ZyAIR Utility

Before you upgrade.....................................5-2

Link Info .....................................................3-1

Removing....................................................5-2

Upgrading....................................................5-2

ZyAIR Utility Maintenance ............................5-1

Index S