ZyXEL ZyAIR G-110 User Guide

ZyAIR G-110

802.11g Wireless CardBus Card

User's Guide

Version 1.10

May 2004

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Copyright

Copyright ©2004 by ZyXEL Communications Corporation

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

Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer

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

Trademarks

Trademarks mentioned in this publication are used for identification purposes only and may be properties
of their respective owners.

ii Copyright

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

ZyXEL Limited Warranty

ZyXEL warrants to the original end user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in materials
or workmanship for a period of up to two (2) years from the date of purchase. During the warranty period
and upon proof of purchase, should the product have indications of failure due to faulty workmanship
and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products or components
without charge for either parts or labor and to whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product
or components to proper operating condition. Any replacement will consist of a new or re-manufactured
functionally equivalent product of equal value, and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL. This warranty
shall not apply if the product is modified, misused, tampered with, damaged by an act of God, or subjected
to abnormal working conditions.

NOTE

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

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

Online Registration

Register online at www.zyxel.com

for free future product updates and information.

ZyXEL Limited Warranty iii

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Information for Canadian Users

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

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

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

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

Caution

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

Note

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

iv Information for Canadian Users

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Federal Communications Commission

(FCC) Interference Statement

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

• This device may not cause harmful interference.

• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operations.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications.

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

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

2. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Notice 1

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

Caution

1. The equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment, under 47 CFR 2.1093 paragraph (d) (2).

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

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

Certifications

1. Go to www.zyxel.com

2. Select your product from the drop-down list box on the
ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page.

3. Select the certification you wish to view from this page.

FCC Statement v

.

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Customer Support

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

 Product model and serial number.

 Warranty Information.

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

LOCATION

WORLDWIDE

AMERICA

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE1 WEB SITE METHOD

SALES E-MAIL FAX1 FTP SITE

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

ZyXEL Communications

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail]

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

[e-mail]

[e-mail] [phone] SPAIN

[e-mail]

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

[e-mail]

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

[e-mail]

[phone] ftp.europe.zyxel.com

[phone]

[phone] ftp.us.zyxel.com

[phone]

[phone] FRANCE [e-mail]

[phone]

[phone]

[phone]

[phone]

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

www.us.zyxel.com NORTH

www.zyxel.fr ZyXEL France

www.zyxel.es

REGULAR MAIL

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

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

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

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

Alejandro Villegas 33
1º, 28043 Madrid
Spain

ZyXEL Communications A/S
Columbusvej 5
2860 Soeborg
Denmark

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

1

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

Customer Support vii

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE1 WEB SITE METHOD

LOCATION

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

SALES E-MAIL FAX1 FTP SITE

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

[e-mail]

[phone]

REGULAR MAIL

ZyXEL Communications A/S
Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg
Sweden

Malminkaari 10
00700 Helsinki
Finland

viii Information for Canadian Users

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.1 About Wireless LAN Network.......................................................................................................2-1

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

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

2.1.3 Transfer Rate........................................................................................................................2-1

2.2 Wireless Network Application......................................................................................................2-1

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

2.2.2 Infrastructure........................................................................................................................2-2

2.3 Roaming .......................................................................................................................................2-3

2.4 Viewing Current Configuration ...................................................................................................2-4

2.4.1 Common Screen Command Buttons....................................................................................2-6

2.5 Configuring the ZyAIR Wireless Parameters...............................................................................2-6

2.6 Network Configuration Profile Setting.........................................................................................2-9

2.6.1 Saving the Current Setting to a Profile.................................................................................2-9

2.6.2 Using a Pre-configured Profile.............................................................................................2-9

2.6.3 Deleting a Profile ...............................................................................................................2-10

2.7 The Site Survey Screen...............................................................................................................2-10

2.7.1 Connecting to a Network....................................................................................................2-11

2.8 About Wireless LAN Security .....................................................................................................2-11

2.8.1 Data Encryption with WEP................................................................................................2-12

Table of Contents ix

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

2.8.2 Authentication Mode .........................................................................................................2-13

2.8.3 IEEE 802.1x.......................................................................................................................2-13

2.8.4 WPA ..................................................................................................................................2-13

2.8.5 WPA-PSK Application Example.......................................................................................2-14

2.8.6 WPA with RADIUS Application Example........................................................................ 2-15

2.9 Configuring Wireless Security on the ZyAIR .............................................................................2-16

2.9.1 WEP Encryption ................................................................................................................2-17

2.9.2 WPA-PSK..........................................................................................................................2-19

2.9.3 WPA ..................................................................................................................................2-20

2.9.4 IEEE802.1x........................................................................................................................ 2-22

2.10 The About Screen ....................................................................................................................... 2-24

Chapter 3 Maintenance.............................................................................................................................3-1

3.1 Uninstalling the ZyAIR Utility .....................................................................................................3-1

3.2 Upgrading the ZyAIR Utility........................................................................................................3-1

Chapter 4 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................4-1

4.1 Problems Starting the ZyAIR Utility Program.............................................................................4-1

4.2 Problems Communicating With Other Computers.......................................................................4-1

4.3 Problem with the Link Status .......................................................................................................4-2

Appendix A Types of EAP Authentication................................................................................................ A

Appendix B Product Specifications............................................................................................................ C

Index ..............................................................................................................................................................F

x Table of Contents

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

List of Figures

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

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

Figure 1-3 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................................1-2

Figure 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection.............................................................................1-3

Figure 1-5 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties............................................................1-4

Figure 1-6 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon...............................................................................................1-4

Figure 2-1 Ad-hoc Network Example..........................................................................................................2-2

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

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

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

Figure 2-5 ZyAIR Utility: Link Info............................................................................................................2-5

Figure 2-6 ZyAIR Utility: Profile: Configuration........................................................................................2-7

Figure 2-7 Odyssey Client ...........................................................................................................................2-8

Figure 2-8 ZyAIR Utility: Profile ................................................................................................................2-9

Figure 2-9 Site Survey ...............................................................................................................................2-10

Figure 2-10 Wireless LAN Security Levels ...............................................................................................2-12

Figure 2-11 WPA - PSK Authentication.....................................................................................................2-15

Figure 2-12 WPA with RADIUS Application Example .............................................................................2-16

Figure 2-13 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: None........................................................................2-17

Figure 2-14 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: WEP ........................................................................2-18

Figure 2-15 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: WPA-PSK ...............................................................2-20

Figure 2-16 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: WPA ........................................................................2-21

Figure 2-17 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: 802.1x......................................................................2-23

Figure 2-18 ZyAIR Utility: About .............................................................................................................2-25

List of Figures xi

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

List of Tables

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

Table 2-1 ZyAIR Utility: Link Info .............................................................................................................2-5

Table 2-2 Common Screen Command Buttons............................................................................................2-6

Table 2-3 ZyAIR Utility: Profile: Configuration .........................................................................................2-7

Table 2-4 Site Survey................................................................................................................................. 2-10

Table 2-5 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: WEP ...........................................................................2-18

Table 2-6 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: WPA-PSK................................................................... 2-20

Table 2-7 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: WPA ...........................................................................2-21

Table 2-8 ZyAIR Utility: Security Configuration: 802.1x.........................................................................2-23

Table 2-9 ZyAIR Utility: About................................................................................................................. 2-25

Table 4-1 Troubleshooting Starting ZyAIR Utility Program .......................................................................4-1

Table 4-2 Troubleshooting Communication Problems ................................................................................4-1

Table 4-3 Troubleshooting Link Status........................................................................................................ 4-2

xii List of Tables

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Preface

Congratulations on the purchase of your new ZyAIR G-110 802.11g Wireless CardBus Card!

About This User's Guide

This guide provides information about the ZyAIR G-110 Wireless LAN Utility that you use to configure
your ZyAIR G-110. Familiarize yourself with the Syntax Conventions listed below for better and faster
understanding.

Syntax Conventions

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

you to use one of the predefined choices.

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

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

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

in Bold Arial font.

• The ZyXEL ZyAIR G-110 802.11g Wireless CardBus Card is referred to as the ZyAIR in this

guide.

• The ZyAIR G-110 Wireless LAN Utility may be referred to as the ZyAIR Utility in this guide.

Related Documentation

 Support Disk

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

 Quick Installation Guide

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

 ZyXEL Glossary and Web Site

Please refer to www.zyxel.com
documentation.

User Guide Feedback

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

for an online glossary of networking terms and additional support

Preface xiii

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Graphics Icons Key

Wireless Access Point

Server

Telephone

Computer

Modem

Switch

Notebook computer

Wireless Signal

Router

xiv List of Tables

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Chapter 1

Getting Started

This chapter prepares you to using the ZyAIR Utility.

1.1 About Your ZyAIR

The ZyAIR is an IEEE 802.11g compliant wireless LAN PC card that fits into any 32-bit CardBus slot.
With the ZyAIR, you can enjoy the wireless mobility within the coverage area. The IEEE 802.11g
technology provides greater range and offers transmission rate at up to 54 Mbps.

The following lists the main features of your ZyAIR.

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

• Automatic rate selection.

• Data transmission rates up to 54 Mbps.

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

• Supports IEEE802.1x and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

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

• A built-in antenna and one external antenna connector (refer to the Quick Installation Guide).

• Power and Link LEDs.

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

1.2 ZyAIR Hardware and Utility Installation

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

1.3 Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool

Windows XP includes a configuration tool for wireless LAN devices.

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

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

There are two methods to disable the configuration tool in Windows XP after you install the ZyAIR Utility.

From ZyAIR Utility

Right-click on the ZyAIR Utility system tray icon and click Turn off zero configuration.

Getting Started 1-1

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

Figure 1-1 Windows XP: System Tray Icon

From the Wireless Network Connection Status Screen

Step 1. Double-click on the network icon for the wireless connection in the system tray. If the icon is

not present, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise skip to Step 5.

Figure 1-2 Windows XP: System Tray Icon

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

Panel and double-click on Network Connections.

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

next.

Figure 1-3 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Status

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

1-2 Getting Started

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

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

Figure 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection

Getting Started 1-3

ZyAIR G-110 User’s Guide

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

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

Figure 1-5 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties

1.4 Accessing the ZyAIR Utility

After you installed the ZyAIR Utility, an icon for the ZyAIR Utility appears in the system tray.

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

Figure 1-6 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon

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

1-4 Getting Started