ZyXEL NWA570N User Manual

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NWA570N

Wireless N Access Point/Bridge

User’s Guide

Version 1.00 10/2007 Edition 1

DEFAULT LOGIN

IP Address http://192.168.1.2

Password 1234

www.zyxel.com

About This User's Guide

Intended Audience

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

Document Conventions

Warnings and Notes

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

1 Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your device.

" Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may

need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.

Syntax Conventions

• The NWA570N may be referred to as the “ZyXEL Device”, the “device”, the “system” or the “product” in this User’s Guide.

• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in bold font.

• A key stroke is denoted by square brackets and uppercase text, for example, [ENTER] means the “enter” or “return” key on your keyboard.

• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters and then press the [ENTER] key. “Select” or “choose” means for you to use one of the predefined choices.

• A right angle bracket ( > ) within a screen name denotes a mouse click. For example, Maintenance > Log > Log Setting means you first click Maintenance in the navigation panel, then the Log sub menu and finally the Log Setting tab to get to that screen.

• Units of measurement may denote the “metric” value or the “scientific” value. For example, “k” for kilo may denote “1000” or “1024”, “M” for mega may denote “1000000” or “1048576” and so on.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Document Conventions

Icons Used in Figures

Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons. The ZyXEL Device icon is not an exact representation of your device.

ZyXEL Device Computer Notebook computer

Server DSLAM Firewall

Telephone Switch Router

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Safety Warnings

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

• Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.

• Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids.

• Do NOT store things on the device.

• Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.

• Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device.

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

• Make sure to connect the cables to the correct ports.

• Place connecting cables carefully so that no one will step on them or stumble over them.

• Always disconnect all cables from this device before servicing or disassembling.

• Use ONLY an appropriate power adaptor or cord for your device. Connect it to the right supply voltage (for example, 110V AC in North America or 230V AC in Europe).

• Do NOT allow anything to rest on the power adaptor or cord and do NOT place the product where anyone can walk on the power adaptor or cord.

• Do NOT use the device if the power adaptor or cord is damaged as it might cause electrocution.

• If the power adaptor or cord is damaged, remove it from the device and the power source.

• Do NOT attempt to repair the power adaptor or cord. Contact your local vendor to order a new one.

• Do not use the device outside, and make sure all the connections are indoors. There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.

• Do NOT obstruct the device ventilation slots, as insufficient airflow may harm your device.

• Antenna Warning! This device meets ETSI and FCC certification requirements when using the included antenna(s). Only use the included antenna(s).

• If you wall mount your device, make sure that no electrical lines, gas or water pipes will be damaged.

This product is recyclable. Dispose of it properly.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Safety Warnings

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Safety Warnings

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Contents Overview

Introduction and Wizards ......................................................................................................21

Introducing the ZyXEL Device ...................................................................................................23

................................................................................................................................................... 30

Introducing the Web Configurator .............................................................................................. 31

Wizard ....................................................................................................................................... 35

Advanced ................................................................................................................................43

Status Screen ............................................................................................................................ 45

System Screen .......................................................................................................................... 51

Wireless Screens ....................................................................................................................... 55

Management Screens ............................................................................................................... 83

Troubleshooting and Product Specifications .....................................................................89

Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................... 91

Product Specifications and Wall-Mounting Instructions ............................................................. 95

Appendices and Index ......................................................................................................... 101

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Contents Overview

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Table of Contents

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

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

Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................6

Contents Overview ...................................................................................................................9

Table of Contents....................................................................................................................11

List of Figures .........................................................................................................................15

List of Tables...........................................................................................................................19

Part I: Introduction and Wizards........................................................... 21

Chapter 1

Introducing the ZyXEL Device...............................................................................................23

1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 23

1.2 Applications for the ZyXEL Device ...................................................................................... 23

1.2.1 Access Point for Internet Access ............................................................................... 23

1.2.2 Corporate Network Access Application ...................................................................... 24

1.2.3 Wireless Client Application ......................................................................................... 24

1.2.4 Bridge / Repeater ....................................................................................................... 25

1.2.5 Access Point and Repeater ........................................................................................ 27

1.3 Ways to Manage the ZyXEL Device .................................................................................... 27

1.4 Good Habits for Managing the ZyXEL Device ..................................................................... 27

1.5 LEDs .................................................................................................................................... 28

1.6 Management Computer Setup ............................................................................................ 29

1.6.1 Wired Connection ....................................................................................................... 29

1.6.2 Wireless Connection .................................................................................................. 29

1.7 Restarting the ZyXEL Device ............................................................................................... 30

1.8 Resetting the ZyXEL Device ................................................................................................ 30

1.8.1 Methods of Restoring Factory-Defaults ...................................................................... 30

..................................................................................................................................................30

Chapter 2

Introducing the Web Configurator ........................................................................................31

2.1 Web Configurator Overview ................................................................................................. 31

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Table of Contents

2.2 Accessing the Web Configurator ......................................................................................... 31

Chapter 3

Wizard ......................................................................................................................................35

3.1 Using the Wizard ................................................................................................................. 35

3.1.1 Wizard: Basic Settings ............................................................................................... 35

3.1.2 Wizard: Wireless Settings .......................................................................................... 36

3.1.3 Wizard: Security Settings ........................................................................................... 37

3.1.4 Wizard: Confirm Your Settings ................................................................................... 40

3.1.5 Auto-Configuration ..................................................................................................... 41

Part II: Advanced.................................................................................... 43

Chapter 4

Status Screen.......................................................................................................................... 45

4.1 Status Screen ...................................................................................................................... 45

4.1.1 Status Screen Icons ................................................................................................... 46

4.1.2 Status Screen Details ................................................................................................. 46

4.1.3 Navigation Panel ........................................................................................................ 47

4.2 System Status ...................................................................................................................... 48

4.2.1 Statistics ..................................................................................................................... 48

4.2.2 Association List .......................................................................................................... 49

Chapter 5

System Screen ........................................................................................................................51

5.1 TCP/IP Parameters ............................................................................................................. 51

5.1.1 IP Address Assignment .............................................................................................. 51

5.1.2 IP Address and Subnet Mask ..................................................................................... 51

5.2 System Settings ................................................................................................................... 52

Chapter 6

Wireless Screens ....................................................................................................................55

6.1 Wireless Network Overview ................................................................................................. 55

6.2 Wireless Security Overview .................................................................................................56

6.2.1 SSID ........................................................................................................................... 56

6.2.2 MAC Address Filter .................................................................................................... 56

6.2.3 User Authentication .................................................................................................... 56

6.2.4 Encryption .................................................................................................................. 57

6.3 Additional Wireless Terms ................................................................................................... 58

6.4 Configuring Wireless ........................................................................................................... 58

6.4.1 Access Point Mode .................................................................................................... 58

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Table of Contents

6.4.2 Wireless Client Mode ................................................................................................. 62

6.4.3 Bridge Mode ............................................................................................................... 64

6.4.4 AP+Repeater Mode ................................................................................................... 68

6.5 Configuring Wireless Security ............................................................................................. 72

6.5.1 Wireless Security: Disable ......................................................................................... 72

6.5.2 Wireless Security: WEP ............................................................................................. 73

6.5.3 Wireless Security: IEEE 802.1x ................................................................................. 74

6.5.4 Wireless Security: WPA(2) ......................................................................................... 76

6.5.5 Wireless Security: WPA(2)-PSK ................................................................................. 78

6.6 MAC Filter ............................................................................................................................ 78

6.7 WPS Settings ...................................................................................................................... 81

Chapter 7

Management Screens .............................................................................................................83

7.1 Maintenance Overview ........................................................................................................ 83

7.2 Password ............................................................................................................................. 83

7.3 Logs ..................................................................................................................................... 84

7.4 Configuration File ................................................................................................................ 85

7.4.1 Backup Configuration ................................................................................................. 85

7.4.2 Restore Configuration ................................................................................................ 86

7.4.3 Back to Factory Defaults ............................................................................................ 87

7.5 F/W Upload Screen ............................................................................................................. 87

Part III: Troubleshooting and Product Specifications ........................ 89

Chapter 8

Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................91

8.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs .......................................................................... 91

8.2 NWA570N Access and Login .............................................................................................. 92

8.3 Internet Access .................................................................................................................... 94

Chapter 9

Product Specifications and Wall-Mounting Instructions ....................................................95

9.1 Standards Supported ........................................................................................................... 97

Part IV: Appendices and Index ........................................................... 101

Appendix A Setting up Your Computer’s IP Address.............................................................103

Appendix B Pop-up Windows, JavaScripts and Java Permissions ....................................... 119

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Table of Contents

Appendix C Wireless LANs ...................................................................................................125

Appendix D Customer Support..............................................................................................139

Appendix E Legal Information ...............................................................................................145

Index.......................................................................................................................................149

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 1 Internet Access Application ...................................................................................................... 24

Figure 2 Corporate Network Application ................................................................................................. 24

Figure 3 Wireless Client Application ....................................................................................................... 25

Figure 4 Bridge Application .................................................................................................................... 26

Figure 5 Bridge Repeater Application ..................................................................................................... 26

Figure 6 AP+Repeater Application ......................................................................................................... 27

Figure 7 LEDs ......................................................................................................................................... 28

Figure 8 Wired Connection ..................................................................................................................... 29

Figure 9 Wireless Connection ................................................................................................................ 29

Figure 10 Web Configurator Address ..................................................................................................... 32

Figure 11 Login Screen .......................................................................................................................... 32

Figure 12 Language Screen ................................................................................................................... 32

Figure 13 Select Wizard or Advanced Setup Screen ............................................................................. 33

Figure 14 Wizard: Basic Settings ........................................................................................................... 36

Figure 15 Wizard: Wireless Settings ...................................................................................................... 37

Figure 16 Setup Wizard 3: Disable ......................................................................................................... 38

Figure 17 Wizard 3: WEP ....................................................................................................................... 39

Figure 18 Wizard 3: WPA(2)-PSK .......................................................................................................... 40

Figure 19 Wizard: Confirm Your Settings ............................................................................................... 41

Figure 20 Wizard Configuration .............................................................................................................. 41

Figure 21 Status Screen ......................................................................................................................... 45

Figure 22 Status Screen Details ............................................................................................................. 46

Figure 23 Status: View Statistics ............................................................................................................. 48

Figure 24 Status: View Association List .................................................................................................. 49

Figure 25 Status: View Association List: Wireless Client Mode .............................................................. 50

Figure 26 System Settings ..................................................................................................................... 52

Figure 27 Example of a Wireless Network ............................................................................................. 55

Figure 28 Wireless Settings: AP ............................................................................................................. 59

Figure 29 Wireless Settings: Wireless Client .......................................................................................... 62

Figure 30 Bridging Example ................................................................................................................... 64

Figure 31 Bridge Loop: Two Bridges Connected to Hub ........................................................................ 65

Figure 32 Bridge Loop: Bridge Connected to Wired LAN ....................................................................... 65

Figure 33 Wireless Settings: Bridge ....................................................................................................... 66

Figure 34 Wireless Settings: AP+Repeater ............................................................................................ 69

Figure 35 Wireless Security: Disable ...................................................................................................... 72

Figure 36 Wireless Security: WEP ......................................................................................................... 73

Figure 37 Wireless Security: IEEE 802.1x .............................................................................................. 75

Figure 38 Wireless Security: WPA(2) ..................................................................................................... 77

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 39 Wireless Security: WPA(2)-PSK ............................................................................................. 78

Figure 40 MAC Filter .............................................................................................................................. 80

Figure 41 Management: Password ......................................................................................................... 83

Figure 42 Management: Logs ................................................................................................................. 84

Figure 43 Management: Configuration File ............................................................................................ 85

Figure 44 Configuration Upload Successful ........................................................................................... 86

Figure 45 Network Temporarily Disconnected ........................................................................................ 86

Figure 46 Configuration Upload Error ..................................................................................................... 87

Figure 47 Reset Warning Message ........................................................................................................ 87

Figure 48 Management: F/W Upload ..................................................................................................... 87

Figure 49 Firmware Upgrading Screen .................................................................................................. 88

Figure 50 Network Temporarily Disconnected ........................................................................................ 88

Figure 51 Firmware Upload Error ........................................................................................................... 88

Figure 52 Wall-mounting Example .......................................................................................................... 99

Figure 53 WIndows 95/98/Me: Network: Configuration ........................................................................ 104

Figure 54 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: IP Address ............................................................ 105

Figure 55 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: DNS Configuration ................................................ 106

Figure 56 Windows XP: Start Menu ...................................................................................................... 107

Figure 57 Windows XP: Control Panel ................................................................................................. 107

Figure 58 Windows XP: Control Panel: Network Connections: Properties ........................................... 108

Figure 59 Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties ................................................................. 108

Figure 60 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties ............................................................ 109

Figure 61 Windows XP: Advanced TCP/IP Properties ..........................................................................110

Figure 62 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties .............................................................111

Figure 63 Macintosh OS 8/9: Apple Menu .............................................................................................112

Figure 64 Macintosh OS 8/9: TCP/IP ....................................................................................................112

Figure 65 Macintosh OS X: Apple Menu ...............................................................................................113

Figure 66 Macintosh OS X: Network .....................................................................................................114

Figure 67 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: Devices .............................................................115

Figure 68 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Ethernet Device: General .....................................................................115

Figure 69 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: DNS ...................................................................116

Figure 70 Red Hat 9.0: KDE: Network Configuration: Activate ...........................................................116

Figure 71 Red Hat 9.0: Dynamic IP Address Setting in ifconfig-eth0 ..................................................117

Figure 72 Red Hat 9.0: Static IP Address Setting in ifconfig-eth0 ......................................................117

Figure 73 Red Hat 9.0: DNS Settings in resolv.conf ...........................................................................117

Figure 74 Red Hat 9.0: Restart Ethernet Card ....................................................................................117

Figure 75 Red Hat 9.0: Checking TCP/IP Properties ..........................................................................118

Figure 76 Pop-up Blocker ......................................................................................................................119

Figure 77 Internet Options: Privacy ...................................................................................................... 120

Figure 78 Internet Options: Privacy ...................................................................................................... 121

Figure 79 Pop-up Blocker Settings ....................................................................................................... 121

Figure 80 Internet Options: Security ..................................................................................................... 122

Figure 81 Security Settings - Java Scripting ......................................................................................... 123

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 82 Security Settings - Java ........................................................................................................ 123

Figure 83 Java (Sun) ............................................................................................................................ 124

Figure 84 Peer-to-Peer Communication in an Ad-hoc Network ........................................................... 125

Figure 85 Basic Service Set ................................................................................................................. 126

Figure 86 Infrastructure WLAN ............................................................................................................. 127

Figure 87 RTS/CTS .............................................................................................................................. 128

Figure 88 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ......................................................................... 135

Figure 89 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication ................................................................................................. 136

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

List of Figures

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

List of Tables

Table 1 Front Panel LED Description ..................................................................................................... 28

Table 2 Factory Defaults ......................................................................................................................... 30

Table 3 Global Icon Key .......................................................................................................................... 46

Table 4 Status ......................................................................................................................................... 46

Table 5 Screens Summary ..................................................................................................................... 47

Table 6 Status: View Statistics ................................................................................................................ 48

Table 7 Status: View Association List ..................................................................................................... 49

Table 8 Status: View Association List: Wireless Client Mode ................................................................. 50

Table 9 Private IP Address Ranges ........................................................................................................ 51

Table 10 System Settings ....................................................................................................................... 52

Table 11 Types of Encryption for Each Type of Authentication ............................................................... 57

Table 12 Additional Wireless Terms ........................................................................................................ 58

Table 13 Wireless Settings: AP .............................................................................................................. 59

Table 14 Wireless Settings: Wireless Client ........................................................................................... 63

Table 15 Wireless Settings: Bridge ......................................................................................................... 66

Table 16 Wireless Settings: AP + Repeater ............................................................................................ 69

Table 17 Wireless Security: Disable ....................................................................................................... 73

Table 18 Wireless Security: WEP ........................................................................................................... 73

Table 19 Wireless Security: IEEE 802.1x ............................................................................................... 75

Table 20 Wireless Security: WPA(2) ....................................................................................................... 77

Table 21 Wireless Security: WPA-PSK ................................................................................................... 78

Table 22 MAC Filter ................................................................................................................................ 80

Table 23 WPS Settings ........................................................................................................................... 81

Table 24 WPS Settings ........................................................................................................................... 81

Table 25 Management: Password .......................................................................................................... 83

Table 26 Management: Logs .................................................................................................................. 84

Table 27 Management: Configuration File: Restore Configuration ......................................................... 86

Table 28 Management: F/W Upload ....................................................................................................... 88

Table 29 Hardware Specifications .......................................................................................................... 95

Table 30 Firmware Features ................................................................................................................... 96

Table 31 Standards Supported ............................................................................................................... 97

Table 32 Power Adaptor Specifications .................................................................................................. 98

Table 33 IEEE 802.11g ......................................................................................................................... 129

Table 34 Wireless Security Levels ........................................................................................................ 130

Table 35 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types ............................................................................. 133

Table 36 Wireless Security Relational Matrix ....................................................................................... 136

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

List of Tables

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

PART I

Introduction and

Wizards

Introducing the ZyXEL Device (23)

Introducing the Web Configurator (31)

Wizard (35)

CHAPTER 1

Introducing the ZyXEL Device

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the ZyXEL Device. It also introduces the ways you can manage the ZyXEL Device.

1.1 Overview

The ZyXEL Device is a 4-in-1 Access Point with IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 wireless technology. Access Point (AP), repeater, bridge and wireless client functions allow you to use the ZyXEL Device in various network deployments.

The ZyXEL Device Access Point (AP) allows wireless stations to communicate and/or access a wired network. It can work as a bridge and repeater to extend your wireless network. You can also use it as a wireless client to access a wired network through another AP. The ZyXEL Device uses IEEE 802.1x, WEP data encryption, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2 and MAC address filtering to give mobile users highly secured wireless connectivity. IEEE

802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 compliant wireless devices can associate with the ZyXEL Device.

The ZyXEL Device is also Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) enabled, allowing you to quickly add other WPS enabled devices to your wireless network at the touch of a button or the entry of a PIN.

1.2 Applications for the ZyXEL Device

Here are some application examples of how you can use your ZyXEL Device.

1.2.1 Access Point for Internet Access

The ZyXEL Device is an ideal access solution for wireless Internet connection. A typical Internet access application for your ZyXEL Device is shown as follows.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the ZyXEL Device

Figure 1 Internet Access Application

1.2.2 Corporate Network Access Application

In situations where users need to access corporate network resources and the Internet, the ZyXEL Device is an ideal solution for wireless stations to connect to the corporate network without expensive network cabling. Stations A, B and C can access the wired network through the ZyXEL Devices.

The following figure depicts a typical application of the ZyXEL Device in an enterprise environment. The three computers with wireless adapters are allowed to access the network resource through the ZyXEL Device after account validation by the network authentication server.

Figure 2 Corporate Network Application

1.2.3 Wireless Client Application

The ZyXEL Device can function as a wireless client to connect to a network via an Access Point (AP). The AP provides access to the wired network and the Internet.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Figure 3 Wireless Client Application

Chapter 1 Introducing the ZyXEL Device

1.2.4 Bridge / Repeater

The ZyXEL Device can act as a wireless network bridge and establish wireless links with other APs. The ZyXEL Devices in the following example are using bridge mode with a star configuration. A, B, C and D are connected to independent wired networks and have bridge connections at the same time (B, C and D can communicate with A).

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the ZyXEL Device

Figure 4 Bridge Application

A ZyXEL Device in bridge mode without an Ethernet connection can function as a repeater. It transmits traffic from one AP to another AP without using a wired connection. C in the following graphic repeats wireless traffic between A and B.

Figure 5 Bridge Repeater Application

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

1.2.5 Access Point and Repeater

Set the ZyXEL Device to AP+Repeater mode to have it simultaneously provide access for wireless clients and use the repeater function. This allows you to extend the coverage of your wireless network without installing Ethernet cable to connect the ZyXEL Device. In the following figure, B is in AP+Repeater mode. B functions as an AP for wireless clients C and D. B also repeats traffic between the wireless clients and AP A which is connected to the wired network. You could also set AP A to AP+Repeater mode so that wireless clients could connect to A as well.

Figure 6 AP+Repeater Application

Chapter 1 Introducing the ZyXEL Device

1.3 Ways to Manage the ZyXEL Device

Use any of the following methods to manage the ZyXEL Device.

• Web Configurator. This is recommended for everyday management of the ZyXEL Device using a (supported) web browser.

• Command Line Interface. Line commands are mostly used for troubleshooting by service engineers.

• FTP. Use File Transfer Protocol for firmware upgrades and configuration backup/restore.

1.4 Good Habits for Managing the ZyXEL Device

Do the following things regularly to make the ZyXEL Device more secure and to manage the ZyXEL Device more effectively.

• Change the password. Use a password that’s not easy to guess and that consists of different types of characters, such as numbers and letters.

• Write down the password and put it in a safe place.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the ZyXEL Device

• Back up the configuration (and make sure you know how to restore it). Restoring an earlier working configuration may be useful if the device becomes unstable or even crashes. If you forget your password, you will have to reset the ZyXEL Device to its factory default settings. If you backed up an earlier configuration file, you would not have to totally re-configure the ZyXEL Device. You could simply restore your last configuration.

1.5 LEDs

Figure 7 LEDs

The following table describes the LEDs on the ZyXEL Device.

Table 1 Front Panel LED Description

LED COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION

POWER Green Blinking The ZyXEL Device is not ready or booting.

On The ZyXEL Device has booted successfully and is receiving

power.

Off The ZyXEL Device is not receiving power.

ETHERNET Green Blinking The ZyXEL Device is sending/receiving data.

On The ZyXEL Device has a successful 10 Mbps Ethernet

connection.

Amber Blinking The ZyXEL Device is sending/receiving data.

On The ZyXEL Device has a successful 100 Mbps Ethernet

connection.

Off The ZyXEL Device does not have an Ethernet connection.

WLAN Green Blinking The ZyXEL Device is sending or receiving data through the

wireless LAN.

On The ZyXEL Device is ready, but is not sending/receiving data.

WPS Green On The ZyXEL Device has a WPS connection with another WPS-

Blinking The ZyXEL Device is setting up a WPS connection with another

Off The ZyXEL Device has no WPS connection or has failed to set

enabled device.

WPS-enabled device.

up a WPS connection with another WPS-enabled device.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

1.6 Management Computer Setup

You can connect a computer to the ZyXEL Device for management purposes either using an Ethernet connection (recommended for a first time management session) or wirelessly.

1.6.1 Wired Connection

You must prepare your computer/computer network to connect to the ZyXEL Device if you are using a wired connection. Your computer's IP address and subnet mask must be on the same subnet as the ZyXEL Device. This can be done by setting up your computer's IP address. See the appendix for details on how to set up your IP address.

The following figure shows an example of accessing your ZyXEL Device via a wired connection with an Ethernet cable.

Figure 8 Wired Connection

Chapter 1 Introducing the ZyXEL Device

192.168.1.3

1.6.2 Wireless Connection

Ensure that the wireless stations have a compatible wireless card/adapter with the same wireless settings as the ZyXEL Device. The following figure shows how you can access your ZyXEL Device wirelessly.

Figure 9 Wireless Connection

SSID: ZyXEL NWA570N

Channel: 6 Encryption: Disable

Default IP Address:

192.168.1.2

" The wireless stations and the ZyXEL Device must use the same SSID, channel

and wireless security settings for wireless communication.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 1

" If you do not enable any wireless security on your ZyXEL Device, your network

traffic is visible to any wireless networking device that is within range.

1.7 Restarting the ZyXEL Device

Press and immediately release the RESET button to restart the ZyXEL Device.

" Holding the RESET button in for five seconds or longer resets the device to the

factory-default settings.

1.8 Resetting the ZyXEL Device

If you forget the ZyXEL Device's IP address or your password, to access the ZyXEL Device, you will need to reload the factory-default using the RESET button. Resetting the ZyXEL Device replaces the current configuration file with the factory-default configuration file. This means that you will lose all configurations that you had previously. The following parameters will be reset to the default values.

Table 2 Factory Defaults

PARA METE R DEFAULT VALUE

IP Address 192.168.1.2

Password 1234

Wireless Security Disabled

SSID ZyXEL NWA570N

1.8.1 Methods of Restoring Factory-Defaults

You can erase the current configuration and restore factory defaults in two ways:

1 Use the RESET button on the ZyXEL Device to upload the default configuration file

(hold this button in for at least five seconds).

2 Use the web configurator. Click System > Management > Configuration File. From

here you can restore the ZyXEL Device to its factory default settings.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

CHAPTER 2

Introducing the Web

Configurator

This chapter describes how to configure the ZyXEL Device using the Wizard.

2.1 Web Configurator Overview

The web configurator is an HTML-based management interface that allows easy ZyXEL Device setup and management via Internet browser. Use Internet Explorer 6.0 and later or Netscape Navigator 7.0 and later versions. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 by 768 pixels.

In order to use the web configurator you need to allow:

• Web browser pop-up windows from your device. Web pop-up blocking is enabled by default in Windows XP SP (Service Pack) 2.

• JavaScripts (enabled by default).

• Java permissions (enabled by default).

See the Troubleshooting chapter for details on how to make sure these functions are allowed in Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

2.2 Accessing the Web Configurator

Follow the steps below to access the web configurator, select a language, change your login password and choose a configuration method from the status screen.

1 Make sure your ZyXEL Device hardware is properly connected (refer to the Quick Start

Guide).

2 Prepare your computer/computer network to connect to the ZyXEL Device (refer to the

appendix on setting up your IP address).

3 Launch your web browser. 4 Type the IP address of the ZyXEL Device (192.168.1.2 is the default) in the URL bar.

Press Enter.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 2 Introducing the Web Configurator

Figure 10 Web Configurator Address

5 Type "1234" (default) as the password and click Login.

Figure 11 Login Screen

Default password is 1234.

6 Select your language and click Apply.

Figure 12 Language Screen

7 The following screen displays. Select Go Wizard Setup and click Apply to use the

wizard setup screens for initial configuration (see Chapter 3 on page 35). Select Go Advanced Setup and click Apply to go directly to the advanced screens (see Chapter 1

on page 45).

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 2 Introducing the Web Configurator

Figure 13 Select Wizard or Advanced Setup Screen

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Chapter 2 Introducing the Web Configurator

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

CHAPTER 3

Wizard

This chapter shows you how to configure the ZyXEL Device’s basic features using the wizard.

3.1 Using the Wizard

The wizard consist of a series of screens to help you configure your ZyXEL Device for wireless stations to access your wired LAN.

Use the following buttons to navigate the Wizard:

Back Click Back to return to the previous screen.

Next Click Next to continue to the next screen.

No configuration changes will be saved to the ZyXEL Device until you click Finish.

3.1.1 Wizard: Basic Settings

First, log into the ZyXEL Device as shown in Section 2.2 on page 31.

Click Wizard Setup to display the first wizard screen shown next. Refer to the System Screens chapter for more background information.

1 Enter a descriptive name to identify the device in the Ethernet network. 2 Select Obtain IP Address Automatically if you want to put the device behind a router

that assigns an IP address. If you select this by mistake, use the RESET button to restore the factory default IP address.

3 Select Use fixed IP Address to give the device a static IP address. The IP address you

configure here is used for management of the device (accessing the web configurator).

4 Enter a Subnet Mask appropriate to your network and the Gateway IP Address of the

neighboring device, if you know it. If you do not, leave the Gateway IP Address field as 0.0.0.0.

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Chapter 3 Wizard

Figure 14 Wizard: Basic Settings

Do not select this unless you have a router that can assign the ZyXEL Device an IP address.

3.1.2 Wizard: Wireless Settings

Use this wizard screen to set up the wireless LAN. See the chapter on the wireless screens for background information.

1 The SSID is a unique name to identify the device in a wireless network. Enter up to 32

printable characters. Spaces are allowed. If you change this field on the device, make sure all wireless stations use the same SSID in order to access the network.

2 A wireless device uses a channel to communicate in a wireless network. Select a channel

that is not already in use by a neighboring wireless device.

" The wireless stations and this device must use the same SSID, channel and

wireless security settings for wireless communication.

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Figure 15 Wizard: Wireless Settings

Chapter 3 Wizard

3.1.3 Wizard: Security Settings

Use this screen to configure security for your wireless LAN. The screen varies depending on what you select in the Encryption Method field. Select Disable to have no wireless security configured, select WEP, or select WPA-PSK if your wireless clients support WPA-PSK. Select WPA2-PSK if your wireless clients support WPA2-PSK Go to Wireless > Security if you want WPA2, WPA or 802.1x. See Chapter 6 on page 55 for background information.

3.1.3.1 Disable

Select Disable to have no wireless LAN security configured. If you do not enable any wireless security on your device, your network is accessible to any wireless networking device that is within range.

" With no wireless security a neighbor can access and see traffic in your

network.

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Chapter 3 Wizard

Figure 16 Setup Wizard 3: Disable

3.1.3.2 WEP

1 WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encrypts data frames before transmitting over the

wireless network. Select 64-bit, 128-bit or 152-bit from the WEP Encryption dropdown list box and then follow the on-screen instructions to set up the WEP keys.

2 Choose an encryption level from the drop-down list. The higher the WEP encryption, the

higher the security but the slower the throughput.

3 You can generate or manually enter a WEP key.

• If you selected 64-bit or 128-bit WEP, you can enter a Passphrase (up to 32 printable characters) and click Generate. The device automatically generates WEP keys. One key displays in the Key 1 field. Go to Wireless > Security if you want to see the other WEP keys.

• Enter a manual key in the Key 1 field.

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Figure 17 Wizard 3: WEP

Chapter 3 Wizard

Use Passphrase to automatically generate keys or manually enter a key in the Key 1 field.

3.1.3.3 WPA(2)-PSK

Only select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK if your wireless clients support it.

Type a pre-shared key from 8 to 63 ASCII characters (including spaces and symbols). This field is case-sensitive.

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Chapter 3 Wizard

Figure 18 Wizard 3: WPA(2)-PSK

3.1.4 Wizard: Confirm Your Settings

This read-only screen shows the status of the current settings. Use the summary table to check whether what you have configured is correct. Click Finish to complete the wizard configuration and save your settings.

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Figure 19 Wizard: Confirm Your Settings

Chapter 3 Wizard

3.1.5 Auto-Configuration

The Wizard automatically configures the ZyXEL Device.

Figure 20 Wizard Configuration

For more detailed background information, see the rest of this User's Guide.

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Chapter 3 Wizard

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

PART II

Advanced

Status Screen (45)

System Screen (51)

Wireless Screens (55)

Management Screens (83)

CHAPTER 4

Status Screen

This chapter describes the Status screen.

4.1 Status Screen

The Status screen display a snapshot of your device’s settings. You can also view network statistics and a list of wireless stations currently associated with your device. Note that these labels are READ-ONLY and are meant to be used for diagnostic purposes.

You can reach this by clicking on Advanced after logging in, or by clicking on the Status tab (A) from any screen.

Figure 21 Status Screen

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Chapter 4 Status Screen

4.1.1 Status Screen Icons

The following table describes the global web configurator icons (in the upper right corner of most screens).

Table 3 Global Icon Key

ICON DESCRIPTION

Click the Wizard icon to open the setup wizard.

Click the About icon to view copyright information.

Click the Logout icon at any time to exit the web configurator. Make sure you save any changes before you log out.

4.1.2 Status Screen Details

The status screen provides details on your ZyXEL Device, wireless settings, IP settings, as well as statistics and associated device details.

Figure 22 Status Screen Details

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 4 Status

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Refresh Interval Use the drop-down list box to select how often you want the device to renew the

information on this screen.

Refresh Now Click this button to have the device renew the information on this screen.

Device Information

Device Name This is the same as the device name you entered in the first wizard screen if you

Operation Mode

MAC Address This field displays the MAC address of the device.

entered one there. It is for identification purposes.

This field shows whether the device is functioning as an access point, a wireless client, a bridge or an access point and repeater.

The MAC (Media Access Control) or Ethernet address on a LAN (Local Area Network) is unique to your computer. A network interface card such as an Ethernet adapter has a hardwired address that is assigned at the factory. This address follows an industry standard that ensures no other adapter has a similar address.

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Chapter 4 Status Screen

Table 4 Status

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Firmware Ver si on

IP Settings

IP Address This is the Ethernet port IP address.

Subnet Mask This is the Ethernet port subnet mask.

Gateway IP Address

Wireless Settings

SSID This is the descriptive name used to identify the device in a wireless network.

Channel This field displays the radio channel the device is currently using.

Encryption Method

MAC Filter This field shows whether MAC filter is enabled or not. With MAC filtering, you can

View Statistics Click View Statistics to see performance statistics such as number of packets

View Association List

This is the firmware version and the date the firmware was created.

This is the IP address of a gateway. Leave this field as 0.0.0.0 if you do not know it.

This field shows the type of data encryption that is enabled on the wireless network:

WEP (WEP or 802.1x) TKIP (WPA or WPA-PSK) AES (WPA2 or WPA2-PSK) TKIP + AES (WPA & WPA2 or WPA-PSK & WPA2-PSK)

or Disable (no security)

allow or deny access to the device based on the MAC addresses of the wireless stations.

sent and number of packets received.

Click View Association List to show the wireless stations that are currently associated to the device.

4.1.3 Navigation Panel

After you enter the password, use the links on the navigation panel to go to the various screens.

The following table describes the sub-menus.

Table 5 Screens Summary

LINK TAB FUNCTION

Status This screen shows the ZyXEL Device’s general device, system and

System Use this screen to configure the device name and IP address assignment

Wireless Wireless

Settings

Security Use this screen to configure the wireless LAN’s security settings.

MAC Filter Use the MAC filter screen to configure the ZyXEL Device to block or allow

WPS settings This shows the status of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) on your device.

interface status information. Use this screen to access the wizard, and summary statistics tables.

settings.

Use this screen to configure the wireless LAN.

only certain devices to associate with the ZyXEL Device.

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Chapter 4 Status Screen

Table 5 Screens Summary

LINK TAB FUNCTION

Manage ment

Password Use this screen to configure the administrator password.

Logs Use this screen to view logs and alert messages.

Configuration Use this screen to backup and restore the configuration or reset the

F/W Upload Use this screen to upload firmware to your ZyXEL Device.

4.2 System Status

4.2.1 Statistics

Click View Statistics in the Status screen. This screen displays read-only information including port status and packet specific statistics. Also provided are "system up time" and "poll interval(s)". The Poll Interval(s) field is configurable.

Figure 23 Status: View Statistics

factory defaults to your ZyXEL Device.

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 6 Status: View Statistics

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Ethernet

Packets This row displays the numbers of packets received and transmitted by the

Ethernet port.

Bytes This row displays the numbers of bytes received and transmitted by the Ethernet

Wireless

Unicast Packets

port.

This row displays the numbers of unicast packets received and transmitted by the wireless adapter.

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Table 6 Status: View Statistics

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Broadcast Packets

Multicast Packets

Total Packets This row displays the numbers of all types of packets received and transmitted by

Total Bytes This row displays the numbers of bytes received and transmitted by the wireless

System Up Time This is the total time the device has been on.

Poll Interval(s) Enter the time interval for refreshing statistics.

Set Interval Click this button to apply the new poll interval you entered above.

Stop Click this button to stop refreshing statistics.

This row displays the numbers of broadcast packets received and transmitted by the wireless adapter.

This row displays the numbers of multicast packets received and transmitted by the wireless adapter.

the wireless adapter.

adapter.

4.2.2 Association List

Click Status and then the View Association List button to display the Association List screen. When the device is not in wireless client mode, this screen displays which wireless stations are currently associated to the device in the Association List screen.

Chapter 4 Status Screen

Figure 24 Status: View Association List

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 7 Status: View Association List

LABEL DESCRIPTION

# This is the index number of an associated wireless station.

MAC Address This field displays the MAC address of an associated wireless station.

IP Address This field displays the IP address of an associated wireless station.

Signal Strength This field displays the signal strength of each associated wireless station.

Status This field displays Associated for associated wireless stations.

Rescan Click Rescan to check for associated wireless stations.

When the device is in wireless client mode, this screen displays details of the access point to which the ZyXEL Device is associated.

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Chapter 4 Status Screen

Figure 25 Status: View Association List: Wireless Client Mode

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 8 Status: View Association List: Wireless Client Mode

LABEL DESCRIPTION

# This is the index number of an associated access point.

MAC Address This field displays the MAC address of the associated access point.

IP Address This field displays the IP address of the associated access point.

Signal Strength This field displays the signal strength of the associated access point.

Status This field displays Associated for an associated access point.

Rescan Click Rescan to check for associated wireless stations.

" See the rest of this User's Guide for configuration details and background

information on all features using the web configurator.

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CHAPTER 5

System Screen

This chapter provides information on the System screen.

5.1 TCP/IP Parameters

5.1.1 IP Address Assignment

Every computer on the Internet must have a unique IP address. If your networks are isolated from the Internet, for instance, only between your two branch offices, you can assign any IP addresses to the hosts without problems. However, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has reserved the following three blocks of IP addresses specifically for private networks.

Table 9 Private IP Address Ranges

10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255

172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255

192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

You can obtain your IP address from the IANA, from an ISP or have it assigned by a private network. If you belong to a small organization and your Internet access is through an ISP, the ISP can provide you with the Internet addresses for your local networks. On the other hand, if you are part of a much larger organization, you should consult your network administrator for the appropriate IP addresses.

" Regardless of your particular situation, do not create an arbitrary IP address;

always follow the guidelines above. For more information on address assignment, please refer to RFC 1597, Address Allocation for Private Internets and RFC 1466, Guidelines for Management of IP Address Space.

5.1.2 IP Address and Subnet Mask

Similar to the way houses on a street share a common street name, computers on a LAN share one common network number.

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Chapter 5 System Screen

Where you obtain your network number depends on your particular situation. If the ISP or your network administrator assigns you a block of registered IP addresses, follow their instructions in selecting the IP addresses and the subnet mask.

If the ISP did not explicitly give you an IP network number, then most likely you have a single user account and the ISP will assign you a dynamic IP address when the connection is established. The Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA) reserved this block of addresses specifically for private use; please do not use any other number unless you are told otherwise. Let's say you select 192.168.1.0 as the network number; which covers 254 individual addresses, from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 (zero and 255 are reserved). In other words, the first three numbers specify the network number while the last number identifies an individual computer on that network.

Once you have decided on the network number, pick an IP address that is easy to remember, for instance, 192.168.1.2, for your device, but make sure that no other device on your network is using that IP address.

The subnet mask specifies the network number portion of an IP address. Your device will compute the subnet mask automatically based on the IP address that you entered. You don't need to change the subnet mask computed by the device unless you are instructed to do otherwise.

5.2 System Settings

Click System to open the System Settings screen.

Figure 26 System Settings

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 10 System Settings

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Device Name This name can be up to 30 printable characters long. Spaces are allowed.

IP Address Assignment

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Chapter 5 System Screen

Table 10 System Settings

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Obtain IP Address Automatically

Use fixed IP address

IP Address Enter the IP address of your device in dotted decimal notation.

Subnet Mask Enter the subnet mask.

Gateway IP Address

Apply Click Apply to save your changes back to the device.

Reset Click Reset to reload the previous configuration for this screen.

Select this option to have your device use a dynamically assigned IP address from a router each time.

Select this option to have your device use a static IP address. When you select this option, fill in the fields below.

Type the IP address of the gateway. The gateway is a router or switch on the same network segment as the device. The gateway helps forward packets to their destinations. Leave this field as 0.0.0.0 if you do not know it.

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Chapter 5 System Screen

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CHAPTER 6

Wireless Screens

This chapter discusses how to configure the wireless network settings in your NWA570N. See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless networks.

6.1 Wireless Network Overview

The following figure provides an example of a wireless network.

Figure 27 Example of a Wireless Network

The wireless network is the part in the blue circle. In this wireless network, devices A and B use the access point (AP) to interact with the other devices (such as the printer) or with the Internet. Your NWA570N is the AP.

Every wireless network must follow these basic guidelines.

• Every device in the same wireless network must use the same SSID. The SSID is the name of the wireless network. It stands for Service Set IDentity.

• If two wireless networks overlap, they should use a different channel.

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Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

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

• Every device in the same wireless network must use security compatible with the AP. Security stops unauthorized devices from using the wireless network. It can also protect

the information that is sent in the wireless network.

6.2 Wireless Security Overview

The following sections introduce different types of wireless security you can set up in the wireless network.

6.2.1 SSID

Normally, the NWA570N acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID in the area. You can hide the SSID instead, in which case the NWA570N does not broadcast the SSID. In addition, you should change the default SSID to something that is difficult to guess.

This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for unauthorized wireless devices to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized wireless devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network.

6.2.2 MAC Address Filter

Every device that can use a wireless network has a unique identification number, called a MAC address. example, 00A0C5000002 or 00:A0:C5:00:00:02. To get the MAC address for each device in the wireless network, see the device’s User’s Guide or other documentation.

You can use the MAC address filter to tell the NWA570N which devices are allowed or not allowed to use the wireless network. If a device is allowed to use the wireless network, it still has to have the correct information (SSID, channel, and security). If a device is not allowed to use the wireless network, it does not matter if it has the correct information.

This type of security does not protect the information that is sent in the wireless network. Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized wireless devices to get the MAC address of an authorized device. Then, they can use that MAC address to use the wireless network.

A MAC address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters2; for

6.2.3 User Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying whether a wireless device is allowed to use the wireless network. You can make every user log in to the wireless network before they can use it. However, every device in the wireless network has to support IEEE 802.1x to do this.

For wireless networks, you can store the user names and passwords for each user in a RADIUS server. This is a server used in businesses more than in homes. If you do not have a RADIUS server, you cannot set up user names and passwords for your users.

1. Some wireless devices, such as scanners, can detect wireless networks but cannot use wireless networks.

These kinds of wireless devices might not have MAC addresses.

2. Hexadecimal characters are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

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Unauthorized wireless devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network, even if they cannot use the wireless network. Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized wireless users to get a valid user name and password. Then, they can use that user name and password to use the wireless network.

6.2.4 Encryption

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

The types of encryption you can choose depend on the type of authentication. (See Section

6.2.3 on page 56 for information about this.)

Tabl e 11 Types of Encryption for Each Type of Authentication

Weakest No Security WPA

Strongest WPA2-PSK WPA2

Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

NO AUTHENTICATION RADIUS SERVER

Static WEP

WPA-PSK

For example, if the wireless network has a RADIUS server, you can choose WPA or WPA2. If users do not log in to the wireless network, you can choose no encryption, Static WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK.

Usually, you should set up the strongest encryption that every device in the wireless network supports. For example, suppose you have a wireless network with the NWA570N and you do not have a RADIUS server. Therefore, there is no authentication. Suppose the wireless network has two devices. Device A only supports WEP, and device B supports WEP and WPA. Therefore, you should set up Static WEP in the wireless network.

" It is recommended that wireless networks use WPA-PSK, WPA, or stronger

encryption. The other types of encryption are better than none at all, but it is still possible for unauthorized wireless devices to figure out the original information pretty quickly.

When you select WPA2 or WPA2-PSK in your NWA570N, you can also select an option (WPA compatible) to support WPA as well. In this case, if some of the devices support WPA and some support WPA2, you should set up WPA2-PSK or WPA2 (depending on the type of wireless network login) and select the WPA compatible option in the NWA570N.

Many types of encryption use a key to protect the information in the wireless network. The longer the key, the stronger the encryption. Every device in the wireless network must have the same key.

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Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

6.3 Additional Wireless Terms

The following table describes wireless network terms and acronyms used in the NWA570N’s Web Configurator.

Table 12 Additional Wireless Terms

TERM DESCRIPTION

Intra-BSS Traffic This describes direct communication (not through the NWA570N) between

RTS/CTS Threshold In a wireless network which covers a large area, wireless devices are

Preamble A preamble affects the timing in your wireless network. There are two

Authentication The process of verifying whether a wireless device is allowed to use the

Max. Frame Burst Enable this to improve the performance of both pure IEEE 802.11g and mixed

Fragmentation Threshold

Roaming If you have two or more NWA570Ns (or other wireless access points) on your

two wireless devices within a wireless network. You might disable this kind of communication to enhance security within your wireless network.

sometimes not aware of each other’s presence. This may cause them to send information to the AP at the same time and result in information colliding and not getting through.

By setting this value lower than the default value, the wireless devices must sometimes get permission to send information to the NWA570N. The lower the value, the more often the devices must get permission.

If this value is greater than the fragmentation threshold value (see below), then wireless devices never have to get permission to send information to the NWA570N.

preamble modes: long and short. If a device uses a different preamble mode than the NWA570N does, it cannot communicate with the NWA570N.

wireless network.

IEEE 802.11b/g networks. Maximum Frame Burst sets the maximum time that the NWA570N transmits IEEE 802.11g wireless traffic only.

A small fragmentation threshold is recommended for busy networks, while a larger threshold provides faster performance if the network is not very busy.

wireless network, you can enable this option so that wireless devices can change locations without having to log in again. This is useful for devices, such as notebooks, that move around a lot.

6.4 Configuring Wireless

Click Wireless to display the Wireless Settings screen.The screen varies depending upon the operation mode you select.

6.4.1 Access Point Mode

Select Access Point in the Operation Mode field to display the screen as shown next. This mode has the device act as an access point (AP) through which wireless stations can communicate and/or access a wired network.

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Figure 28 Wireless Settings: AP

Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 13 Wireless Settings: AP

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Basic Settings

Operation Mode

SSID Wireless stations associating to the access point (AP) must have the same SSID.

Select the operating mode from the drop-down list. The options are Access Point, Wireless Client, Bridge and AP+Repeater.

Enter a descriptive name (up to 32 printable characters) for the wireless LAN. Spaces are allowed.

Note: If you are configuring the device from a computer connected

to the wireless LAN and you change the device's SSID, channel or security settings, you will lose your wireless connection when you press Apply to confirm. You must then change the wireless settings of your computer to match the device's new settings.

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

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

Channel The range of radio frequencies used by IEEE 802.11b/g wireless devices is called

a channel. Select a wireless channel if interference from other nearby devices is a problem.

The NWA570N and wireless devices in your network must use the same channel.

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Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

Table 13 Wireless Settings: AP (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Wireless Mode

HT protect Select HT protect if you have devices on your wireless network that support IEEE

Advanced Settings

Beacon Interval

Intra-BSS Traffic

DTIM Interval Set the interval for wireless clients in sleep mode to wake up and check for

Number of Wireless Stations Allowed to Associate:

Radio Enable Turn on the wireless adapter to allow wireless communications between the

A-MPDU aggregation

A-MSDU aggregation

RIFS Select Yes to enable RIFS (Reduced Interframe Spacing) and to increase data

Select 802.11b/g to allow IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g compliant WLAN devices to associate with the device.

Select 802.11n/g to allow IEEE 802.11n and IEEE 802.11g compliant WLAN devices to associate with the device.

802.1b/g standards but not the IEEE 802.1n draft 2.0 standard. If all devices on your wireless network support IEEE 802.1n draft 2.0, deselect HT

protect for higher data transmission rates.

A beacon transmits important information to stations on the wireless network. Set the number of milliseconds that should pass between the sending out of beacons.

Selecting a low number increases the frequency of beacons. This increases network overhead, but improves wireless device association and roaming. However, it also reduces power saving as wireless stations in sleep mode must awaken more often.

Selecting a high number reduces the frequency of beacons, reducing network overhead, increasing data transmission rates and increasing power savings. However, association of wireless devices and roaming becomes more difficult.

A Basic Service Set (BSS) exists when all communications between wireless clients or between a wireless client and a wired network client go through one access point (AP). Intra-BSS traffic is traffic between wireless stations in the same BSS.

Enable Intra-BSS Traffic to allow wireless stations connected to the device to communicate with each other.

Disable Intra-BSS Traffic to only allow wireless stations to communicate with the wired network, not with each other. This option is more secure.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

multicast or broadcast traffic. The AP includes a Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) in the beacon to

notify wireless clients in sleep mode that there is a multicast or broadcast packet awaiting delivery. The DTIM interval is a multiple of the beacon interval. For example, if the beacon interval is 100 milliseconds and the DTIM interval is 2, the AP includes a DTIM with every second beacon (or every 200 milliseconds).

Use this field to set a maximum number of wireless stations that may connect to the device.

Enter the number (from 1 to 32) of wireless stations allowed.

device and other IEEE 802.11b/g and IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 compliant wireless devices. Turn off the wireless adapter to stop wireless communications between the device and other IEEE 802.11b/g and IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 compliant wireless devices.

Select Yes to enable the grouping of several A-MSDU (Aggregate MAC Service Data Units) into one large A-MPDU (Aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit). When combined with A-MSDU aggregation this function allows faster data transfer rates.

Select Yes to enable the grouping of small groups of data (MAC Service Data Units, or MSDU) into one large unit of MSDUs called an Aggregate MSDU (AMSDU).

transfer rates.

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Table 13 Wireless Settings: AP (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Short GI Select Yes or No to enable or disable GI (Guard Interval). The GI refers to the

interval given between data transmission from users in order to reduce interference. Reducing the GI increases data transfer rates but also increases interference. Increasing the GI reduces data transfer rates but also reduces interference.

Output Power Management

Data Rate Management

Channel Mode Select whether the NWA570N uses a wireless channel bandwidth of 20 or 40

Extension channel protection mode

Preamble Type

Set the output power of the device in this field. The options are Full, 50%, 25%, 12% and Min. Full is recommended. If there is a high density of APs within an area, decrease the output power of the device to reduce interference with other APs.

Use this field to select a maximum data rate for the wireless connection(s). The options are Auto, 1 ~ 54M, or MCS0-7.2[15] ~ MCS15-144.4[300].

Select Auto to let the NWA570N decide the most suitable data transfer rate. If you are not certain of what setting to choose, choose Auto.

Alternatively select a maximum data transfer rate from 1 to 54 Mbps. Please note that this is a total rate to be shared by all of the device’s wireless connections.

The NWA570N also lets you configure the maximum data transfer rate based on the IEEE802.1n draft 2.0 modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The MCS lists data transfer speeds given a set of factors affecting network data transfer rates. Such factors include GI and bandwidth. The “MCS0” in the MCS0-7.2[15] option refers to the first set of network conditions and so on. So MCS0-7.2[15] is appropriate for network conditions which provides data transfer rates of 7.2 Mbps and 15 Mbps at bandwidths of 20 Mhz and 40 Mhz respectively. For more information on the MCS see the IEEE802.1n draft 2.0 specifications.

MHz. A standard 20 MHz channel offers transfer speeds of up to 150Mbps whereas a 40MHz channel uses two standard channels and offers speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Because not all devices support 40 MHz channels, select 20/40MHZ to allow the NWA570N to adjust the channel bandwidth automatically.

If you have only IEEE wireless 802.1n draft 2.0 compatible devices on your network, select None.

If you have devices that are not compatible with IEEE wireless 802.1n draft 2.0 and you have selected a Channel Mode of 40 Mhz, select CTS to self. CTS to

self and RTS-CTS are both kinds of protection mechanisms, similar to HT protect. Both decrease data transfer speeds but CTS to self is more efficient.

Preamble is used to signal that data is coming to the receiver. Short preamble increases performance as less time sending preamble means

more time for sending data. All IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapters support long preamble, but not all support short preamble.

Select Long preamble if you are unsure what preamble mode the wireless adapters support, and to provide more reliable communications in busy wireless networks.

Select Dynamic to have the device automatically use short preamble when all wireless clients support it, otherwise the device uses long preamble.

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Note: The device and the wireless stations MUST use the same

preamble mode in order to communicate.

Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

Table 13 Wireless Settings: AP (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

RTS/CTS Threshold

Fragmentation Enter a value between 256 and 65534. It is the maximum data fragment size that

Apply Click Apply to save your changes back to the device.

Reset Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.

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

Enter a value between 0 and 65535. Data with a frame size larger than this value will perform the RTS/CTS handshake.

If the RTS/CTS value is greater than the Fragmentation value, then the RTS/CTS handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they reach RTS/CTS size.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

can be sent. 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.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

6.4.2 Wireless Client Mode

Select Wireless Client in the Operation Mode field to display the screen as shown next. This mode has the device act as wireless client to connect to a wireless network.

" WPA, WPA2 and IEEE 802.1x wireless security are not available when you

use Wireless Client, Bridge or AP+Repeater mode.

Figure 29 Wireless Settings: Wireless Client

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The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 14 Wireless Settings: Wireless Client

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Basic Settings

Operation Mode

SSID Wireless stations associating to the access point (AP) must have the same SSID.

Select the operating mode from the drop-down list. The options are Access Point, Wireless Client, Bridge and AP+Repeater.

Enter a descriptive name (up to 32 printable characters) for the wireless LAN. Spaces are allowed.

Note: If you are configuring the device from a computer connected

to the wireless LAN and you change the device's SSID, channel or security settings, you will lose your wireless connection when you click Apply to save your settings. You must then change the wireless settings of your computer to match the device's new settings.

Advanced Settings

Manual MAC Cloning

Radio Enable Turn on the wireless adapter to allow wireless communications between the

Preamble Type

Every Ethernet-capable device is issued with a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address at the factory. This address is used to identify the device across a network. Your NWA570N is capable of “cloning”, or emulating, the MAC addresses of one or more other devices.

Select the check box and enter the MAC address you want to clone.

device and other IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g compliant wireless devices. Turn off the wireless adapter to stop wireless communications between the device and other IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g compliant wireless devices.

Preamble is used to signal that data is coming to the receiver. Short preamble increases performance as less time sending preamble means

more time for sending data. All IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapters support long preamble, but not all support short preamble.

Select Long preamble if you are unsure what preamble mode the wireless adapters support, and to provide more reliable communications in busy wireless networks.

Select Dynamic to have the device automatically use short preamble when all wireless clients support it, otherwise the device uses long preamble.

RTS/CTS Threshold

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Note: The device and the wireless stations MUST use the same

preamble mode in order to communicate.

Enter a value between 0 and 65535. Data with a frame size larger than this value will perform the RTS/CTS handshake.

If the RTS/CTS value is greater than the Fragmentation value, then the RTS/CTS handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they reach RTS/CTS size.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

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Table 14 Wireless Settings: Wireless Client (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Fragmentation Enter a value between 256 and 65534. It is the maximum data fragment size that

Apply Click Apply to save your changes back to the device.

Reset Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.

6.4.3 Bridge Mode

The device can act as a wireless network bridge and establish wireless links with other APs. You need to know the MAC address of the peer device, which also must be in bridge mode.

When two devices connect in Bridge mode, they form a WDS (Wireless Distribution System) allowing the computers in one LAN to connect to the computers in another LAN. See the following example.

can be sent. 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.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

" WPA, WPA2 and IEEE 802.1x wireless security are not available when you

use Wireless Client, Bridge or AP+Repeater mode.

" You can use only WEP or WPA2-PSK keys to encrypt traffic between APs.

Figure 30 Bridging Example

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Be careful to avoid bridge loops when you enable bridging in the NWA570N. Bridge loops cause broadcast traffic to circle the network endlessly, resulting in possible throughput degradation and disruption of communications. The following examples show two network topologies that can lead to this problem:

If two or more NWA570Ns (in bridge mode) are connected to the same hub as shown next.

Figure 31 Bridge Loop: Two Bridges Connected to Hub

If your NWA570N (in bridge mode) is connected to a wired LAN while communicating with another wireless bridge that is also connected to the same wired LAN as shown next.

Figure 32 Bridge Loop: Bridge Connected to Wired LAN

To prevent bridge loops, ensure that your NWA570N is not set to bridge mode while connected to both wired and wireless segments of the same LAN.

Select Bridge as the Operation Mode to have the device act as a wireless bridge only.

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Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

Figure 33 Wireless Settings: Bridge

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 15 Wireless Settings: Bridge

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Basic Settings

Operation Mode

Select the operating mode from the drop-down list. The options are Access Point, Wireless Client, Bridge and AP+Repeater.

Note: If you are configuring the device from a computer connected

to the wireless LAN and you change the device to use bridge mode, you will lose your wireless connection when you click Apply to save your settings. You must then connect to the device through the wired network.

Channel The range of radio frequencies used by IEEE 802.11b/g wireless devices is called

a channel. Select a wireless channel if interference from other nearby devices is a problem.

The NWA570N and wireless devices in your network must use the same channel.

Wireless Mode

Select 802.11b/g to allow IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g compliant WLAN devices to associate with the device.

Select 802.11n/g to allow IEEE 802.11n and IEEE 802.11g compliant WLAN devices to associate with the device.

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Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

Table 15 Wireless Settings: Bridge (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

HT protect Select HT protect if you have devices on your wireless network that support IEEE

802.1b/g standards but not the IEEE 802.1n draft 2.0 standard. If all devices on your wireless network support IEEE 802.1n draft 2.0, deselect HT

protect for higher data transmission rates.

WDS Settings

Local MAC Address

Remote MAC Address 1~4

Advanced Settings

Radio Enable Turn on the wireless adapter to allow wireless communications between the

A-MPDU aggregation

A-MDSU aggregation

RIFS Select Yes to enable RIFS (Reduced Interframe Spacing) and to increase data

Short GI Select Yes or No to enable or disable GI (Guard Interval). The GI refers to the

Output Power Management

Data Rate Management

This is the MAC address of the device.

Type the MAC address of the peer device(s) (the other access point(s) in your network) in a valid MAC address format, that is, six hexadecimal character pairs, for example, 12:34:56:78:9a:bc.

Select Yes to enable the grouping of small groups of data (MAC Service Data Units, or MSDU) into one large unit of MSDUs called an Aggregate MSDU (AMSDU).

transfer rates.

Set the output power of the device in this field. If there is a high density of APs within an area, decrease the output power of the device to reduce interference with other APs.

The options are Full, 50%, 25%, 12% and Min.

Use this field to select a maximum data rate for the wireless connection(s). The options are Auto, 1 ~ 54M, or MCS0-7.2[15] ~ MCS15-144.4[300].

Select Auto to let the NWA570N decide the most suitable data transfer rate. If you are not certain of what setting to choose, choose Auto.

Alternatively select a data transfer rate from 1 to 54 Mbps. Please note that this is a total rate to be shared by all of the device’s wireless connections.

7.2[15] option refers to the first set of network conditions and so on. So MCS0-

7.2[15] is appropriate for network conditions which provides data transfer rates of

7.2 Mbps and 15 Mbps at bandwidths of 20 Mhz and 40 Mhz respectively.

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Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

Table 15 Wireless Settings: Bridge (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Preamble Type

Channel Mode Select whether the NWA570N uses a wireless channel bandwidth of 20 or 40

Extension channel protection mode

RTS/CTS Threshold

Fragmentation Enter a value between 256 and 65534. It is the maximum data fragment size that

Apply Click Apply to save your changes back to the device.

Reset Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.

Preamble is used to signal that data is coming to the receiver. Short preamble increases performance as less time sending preamble means

more time for sending data. All IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapters support long preamble, but not all support short preamble.

Select Long preamble if you are unsure what preamble mode the wireless adapters support, and to provide more reliable communications in busy wireless networks.

Select Dynamic to have the device automatically use short preamble when all wireless clients support it, otherwise the device uses long preamble.

Note: The device and the wireless stations MUST use the same

preamble mode in order to communicate.

MHz. A standard 20MHz channel offers transfer speeds of up to 150Mbps whereas a 40MHz channel uses two standard channels and offers speeds of up to 300Mbps. However, not all devices support 40MHz channels. Select 20/49 MHz to allow the NWA570N to adjust the channel bandwidth depending on network conditions.

If you have only IEEE wireless 802.1n draft 2.0 compatible devices on your network, select None.

If you have devices that are not compatible with IEEE wireless 802.1n draft 2.0 and you have selected a Channel Mode of 40 Mhz, select CTS to self. CTS to

self and RTS-CTS are both kinds of protection mechanisms, similar to HT protect. Both decrease data transfer speeds but CTS to self is more efficient.

RTS/CTS is designed to prevent collisions due to hidden nodes. You should only

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

Enter a value between 0 and 65535. Data with a frame size larger than this value will perform the RTS/CTS handshake.

If the RTS/CTS value is greater than the Fragmentation value, then the RTS/CTS handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they reach RTS/CTS size.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

can be sent. 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.

See Appendix C on page 125 for more information.

6.4.4 AP+Repeater Mode

Select AP+Repeater as the Operation Mode to have the device act as an access point and a wireless bridge.

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Figure 34 Wireless Settings: AP+Repeater

Chapter 6 Wireless Screens

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 16 Wireless Settings: AP + Repeater

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Basic Settings

Operation Mode

ZyXEL NWA570N User’s Guide

Select the operating mode from the drop-down list. The options are Access Point,

Wireless Client, Bridge and AP+Repeater.

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Table 16 Wireless Settings: AP + Repeater (continued)