ZyXEL Communications G-120 User Manual

ZyXEL G-120

802.11g Wireless CardBus Card

User’s Guide

Version 1.00

Edition 1

6/2006

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Copyright

Copyright © 2006 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
patent rights of others. ZyXEL further reserves the right to make changes in any products
described herein without notice. This publication is subject to change without notice.

Trademarks

ZyNOS (ZyXEL Network Operating System) is a registered trademark of ZyXEL
Communications, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned in this publication are used for
identification purposes only and may be properties of their respective owners.

Copyright 3

ZyXEL G-120 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:

Certifications

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.

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

Caution

1 The 802.11g Wireless LAN Adapter has been tested to the FCC exposure requirements

(Specific Absorption Rate).

2 The equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an

uncontrolled environment, under 47 CFR 2.1093 paragraph (d)(2).

3 This Transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other

antenna or transmitter.

4 Certifications

Viewing Certifications

1 Go to http://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.

注意 !

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

依據 低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法

第十二條 經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機，非經許可，公司、商號或使用

者均不得擅自變更頻率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。

第十四條 低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信；經發現

有干擾現象時，應立即停用，並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。

前項合法通信，指依電信規定作業之無線電信。低功率射頻電機須忍
受合法通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。

Certifications 5

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

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 or higher value, and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL.
This warranty shall not apply if the product has been modified, misused, tampered with,
damaged by an act of God, or subjected to abnormal working conditions.

Note

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

ZyXEL Limited Warranty

To obtain the services of this warranty, contact ZyXEL's Service Center for your Return
Material Authorization number (RMA). 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 your product online to receive e-mail notices of firmware upgrades and information
at www.zyxel.com for global products, or at www.us.zyxel.com for North American products.

6 ZyXEL Limited Warranty

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Customer Support

Please have the following information ready when you contact customer support.

• Product model and serial number.

• Warranty Information.

• Date that you received your device.

• Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it.

METHOD

LOCATION

CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS
(WORLDWIDE)

CZECH REPUBLIC

DENMARK

FINLAND

FRANCE

GERMANY

HUNGARY

KAZAKHSTAN

NORTH AMERICA

NORWAY

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE

SALES E-MAIL FAX FTP SITE

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

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

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.cz ZyXEL Communications

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.dk ZyXEL Communications A/S

[e-mail] [phone]

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

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.fr ZyXEL France

[phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.de ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH.

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.hu ZyXEL Hungary

[e-mail] [phone]

http://zyxel.kz/support [phone] www.zyxel.kz ZyXEL Kazakhstan

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] 1-800-255-4101

[phone]

[e-mail] [phone] ftp.us.zyxel.com

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.no ZyXEL Communications A/S

[e-mail] [phone]

A

WEB SITE

www.europe.zyxel.com

ftp.europe.zyxel.com

www.us.zyxel.com ZyXEL Communications Inc.

REGULAR MAIL

ZyXEL Communications Corp.
6 Innovation Road II

Science Park
Hsinchu 300
Ta iw a n

Czech s.r.o.
Modranská 621
143 01 Praha 4 - Modrany
Ceská Republika

Columbusvej
2860 Soeborg
Denmark

Malminkaari 10
00700 Helsinki
Finland

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

Adenauerstr. 20/A2 D-52146
Wuerselen
Germany

48, Zoldlomb Str.
H-1025, Budapest
Hungary

43, Dostyk ave.,Office 414
Dostyk Business Centre
050010, Almaty
Republic of Kazakhstan

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

Nils Hansens vei 13
0667 Oslo
Norway

Customer Support 7

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

METHOD

LOCATION

POLAND

RUSSIA

SPAIN

SWEDEN

UKRAINE

UNITED KINGDOM

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

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE

SALES E-MAIL FAX FTP SITE

[e-mail] [phone] www.pl.zyxel.com ZyXEL Communications

[phone]

http://zyxel.ru/support [phone] www.zyxel.ru ZyXEL Russia

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.es ZyXEL Communications

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.zyxel.se ZyXEL Communications A/S

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone] www.ua.zyxel.com ZyXEL Ukraine

[e-mail] [phone]

[e-mail] [phone]

08707 555779 (UK only)

[e-mail] [phone] ftp.zyxel.co.uk

A

WEB SITE

REGULAR MAIL

ul. Okrzei 1A
03-715 Warszawa
Poland

Ostrovityanova 37a Str.
Moscow, 117279
Russia

Arte, 21 5ª planta
28033 Madrid
Spain

Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg
Sweden

13, Pimonenko Str.
Kiev, 04050
Ukraine

www.zyxel.co.uk ZyXEL Communications UK

Ltd.,11 The Courtyard,
Eastern Road, Bracknell,
Berkshire, RG12 2XB,
United Kingdom (UK)

8 Customer Support

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Table of Contents

Copyright ..................................................................................................................3

Certifications ............................................................................................................4

ZyXEL Limited Warranty.......................................................................................... 6

Customer Support.................................................................................................... 7

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... 9

List of Figures ........................................................................................................ 13

List of Tables .......................................................................................................... 15

Preface ....................................................................................................................17

Chapter 1

Getting Started ....................................................................................................... 19

1.1 About Your G-120 .............................................................................................19

1.2 Application Overview .........................................................................................19

1.2.0.1 Infrastructure ...................................................................................19

1.2.0.2 Ad-Hoc ............................................................................................20

1.3 G-120 Hardware and Utility Installation ..............................................................21

1.3.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon ....................................................................................21

1.4 Configuration Methods ......................................................................................21

1.4.1 Enabling WZC ...........................................................................................21

1.4.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility .....................................................................22

Chapter 2

Tutorial .................................................................................................................... 23

2.1 Connecting to a Wireless LAN ..........................................................................23

2.2 Creating and Using a Profile ..............................................................................25

Chapter 3

Wireless LAN Network........................................................................................... 29

3.1 Wireless LAN Overview ....................................................................................29

3.2 Wireless LAN Security ......................................................................................30

3.2.1 User Authentication and Encryption .........................................................30

3.2.1.1 WEP ................................................................................................30

3.2.1.2 IEEE 802.1x ....................................................................................31

3.2.1.3 WPA and WPA2 ..............................................................................32

Table of Contents 9

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

3.3 Introduction to OTIST .....................................................................................32

3.3.1 Enabling OTIST ........................................................................................32

3.3.2 Starting OTIST .........................................................................................34

3.3.3 Notes on OTIST ........................................................................................35

Chapter 4

ZyXEL Utility Configuration .................................................................................. 37

4.1 The Link Info Screen ..........................................................................................37

4.1.1 Trend Chart ...............................................................................................38

4.2 The Site Survey Screen .....................................................................................39

4.2.1 Security Settings .......................................................................................41

4.2.2 Confirm New Settings ...............................................................................45

4.3 The Profile Screen .............................................................................................46

4.3.1 Adding a New Profile ................................................................................48

4.4 The Adapter Screen ...........................................................................................52

3.3.1.1 AP ...................................................................................................33

3.3.1.2 Wireless Client ................................................................................34

4.2.1.1 WEP Encryption ..............................................................................41

4.2.1.2 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK .....................................................................42

4.2.1.3 WPA-RADIUS/WPA2-RADIUS ........................................................43

4.2.1.4 RADIUS ...........................................................................................44

Chapter 5

Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 55

5.1 The About Screen .............................................................................................55

5.2 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility ............................................................................55

5.3 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility ..............................................................................56

Chapter 6

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 59

6.1 Problems Starting the ZyXEL Utility ...................................................................59

6.2 Problem with the Link Quality .............................................................................59

6.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers .............................................60

Appendix A

Product Specifications .......................................................................................... 61

Appendix B

Management with Wireless Zero Configuration.................................................. 63

Appendix C

Wireless Security ................................................................................................... 75

Appendix D

Setting up Your Computer’s IP Address.............................................................. 81

10 Table of Contents

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Index........................................................................................................................ 93

Table of Contents 11

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

12 Table of Contents

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 1 Application: Infrastructure ....................................................................... 20

Figure 2 Application: Ad-Hoc ................................................................................ 20

Figure 3 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon .............................................................. 21

Figure 4 Enable WZC ............................................................................................. 22

Figure 5 Infrastructure Network .............................................................................. 23

Figure 6 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey ........................................................................ 24

Figure 7 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings .............................................................. 24

Figure 8 ZyXEL Utility: Confirm New Settings ....................................................... 25

Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info ............................................................................ 25

Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: Profile .............................................................................. 26

Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Add New Profile ............................................................... 26

Figure 12 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Security ................................................................ 27

Figure 13 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Encryption ............................................................ 27

Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Confirm New Settings .......................................... 27

Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Activate ................................................................ 28

Figure 16 Example of a Wireless Network ............................................................. 29

Figure 17 Link Info ................................................................................................ 37

Figure 18 Station Mode: Link Info: Trend Chart .................................................... 39

Figure 19 Site Survey ............................................................................................ 40

Figure 20 Security Setting: WEP .......................................................................... 41

Figure 21 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................ 43

Figure 22 Security Setting: WPA-RADIUS/WPA2-RADIUS ................................... 43

Figure 23 Security Setting: RADIUS ..................................................................... 45

Figure 24 Confirm New Settings ........................................................................... 46

Figure 25 Profile ................................................................................................... 47

Figure 26 Profile: Add a New Profile ..................................................................... 48

Figure 27 Profile: Select a Channel ...................................................................... 50

Figure 28 Profile: Security Settings ....................................................................... 51

Figure 29 Profile: Security Settings ....................................................................... 51

Figure 30 Profile: Confirm New Settings ............................................................... 52

Figure 31 Profile: Activate the Profile .................................................................... 52

Figure 32 Adapter ................................................................................................. 53

Figure 33 About ..................................................................................................... 55

Figure 34 Uninstall: Confirm ................................................................................. 56

Figure 35 Uninstall: Finish ..................................................................................... 56

Figure 36 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available .................................................. 63

Figure 37 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ..................................................... 64

Figure 38 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 64

List of Figures 13

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Figure 39 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 65

Figure 40 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 65

Figure 41 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 66

Figure 42 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK .. 67

Figure 43 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security ............ 67

Figure 44 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ..................... 68

Figure 45 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ................. 69

Figure 46 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ................................................ 70

Figure 47 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ...................... 71

Figure 48 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .................. 73

Figure 49 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .................. 73

Figure 50 WPA-PSK Authentication ....................................................................... 79

Figure 51 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ........................................... 80

Figure 52 WIndows 95/98/Me: Network: Configuration .......................................... 82

Figure 53 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: IP Address .............................. 83

Figure 54 Windows 95/98/Me: TCP/IP Properties: DNS Configuration ................. 84

Figure 55 Windows XP: Start Menu ....................................................................... 85

Figure 56 Windows XP: Control Panel ................................................................... 85

Figure 57 Windows XP: Control Panel: Network Connections: Properties ............ 86

Figure 58 Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties ................................... 86

Figure 59 Windows XP: Advanced TCP/IP Settings .............................................. 87

Figure 60 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties .............................. 88

Figure 61 Macintosh OS 8/9: Apple Menu ............................................................. 89

Figure 62 Macintosh OS 8/9: TCP/IP ..................................................................... 89

Figure 63 Macintosh OS X: Apple Menu ................................................................ 90

Figure 64 Macintosh OS X: Network ...................................................................... 91

14 List of Figures

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

List of Tables

Table 1 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon ............................................................... 21

Table 2 Link Info .................................................................................................... 37

Table 3 Station Mode: Link Info: Trend Chart ........................................................ 39

Table 4 Site Survey ............................................................................................... 40

Table 5 Security Setting: WEP .............................................................................. 41

Table 6 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................... 43

Table 7 Security Setting: WPA-RADIUS/WPA2-RADIUS ...................................... 44

Table 8 Security Setting: RADIUS ......................................................................... 45

Table 9 Confirm New Settings ............................................................................... 46

Table 10 Profile ..................................................................................................... 47

Table 11 Profile: Add a New Profile ....................................................................... 48

Table 12 Profile: Select a Channel ........................................................................ 50

Table 13 Adapter ................................................................................................... 53

Table 14 About ...................................................................................................... 55

Table 15 Troubleshooting Starting ZyXEL Utility ................................................... 59

Table 16 Troubleshooting Link Quality .................................................................. 59

Table 17 Troubleshooting Communication Problem .............................................. 60

Table 18 Product Specifications ............................................................................ 61

Table 19 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ...................................................... 64

Table 20 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 66

Table 21 Windows XP: Wireless Networks ........................................................... 67

Table 22 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ...................... 68

Table 23 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication .................. 69

Table 24 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ................................................ 71

Table 25 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ....................... 72

Table 26 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types .............................................. 77

Table 27 Wireless Security Relational Matrix ........................................................ 80

List of Tables 15

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

16 List of Tables

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Preface

Congratulations on your purchase of the ZyXEL G-120 802.11g Wireless CardBus Card.

Your G-120 is easy to install and configure.

About This User's Guide

This manual is designed to guide you through the configuration of your G-120 for its various
applications.

Related Documentation

• Supporting Disk

Refer to the included CD for support documents.

• Quick Start Guide

The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. It contains
hardware installation/connection information.

• ZyXEL Glossary and Web Site

Please refer to www.zyxel.com for an online glossary of networking terms and additional
support documentation.

User Guide Feedback

Help us help you. E-mail all User 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.

Syntax Conventions

• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters. “Select” or “Choose” means for
you to use one predefined choice.

• Mouse action sequences are denoted using a comma. For example, “In Windows, click
Start, Settings and then Control Panel” means first click the Start button, then point
your mouse pointer to Settings and then click Control Panel.

• “e.g.,” is a shorthand for “for instance”, and “i.e.,” means “that is” or “in other words”.

• The ZyXEL G-120 802.11g Wireless CardBus Card may be referred to as the G-120 in
this user’s guide.

Preface 17

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Graphics Icons Key

Wireless Access Point Computer Notebook Computer

Server Modem or Router Wireless Signal

Internet Cloud

18 Preface

This chapter introduces the G-120 and prepares you to use the ZyXEL utility.

1.1 About Your G-120

The G-120 is an IEEE 802.11b/g compliant wireless LAN adapter. The ZyXEL utility is a tool
that helps you configure your G-120. See the appendix for detailed product specifications.

1.2 Application Overview

This section describes some network applications for the G-120. You can either set the
network type to Infrastructure and connect to an AP or use Ad-Hoc mode and connect to a
peer computer (another wireless device in Ad-Hoc mode).

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 1

Getting Started

1.2.0.1 Infrastructure

To connect to a network via an access point (AP), set the G-120 network type to
Infrastructure. Through the AP, you can access the Internet or the wired network behind the
AP.

Chapter 1 Getting Started 19

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Figure 1 Application: Infrastructure

1.2.0.2 Ad-Hoc

To set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use Ad-Hoc.

Ad-Hoc does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients

communicate directly to each other.

Figure 2 Application: Ad-Hoc

20 Chapter 1 Getting Started

1.3 G-120 Hardware and Utility Installation

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

1.3.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon

After you install and start the ZyXEL utility, an icon for the ZyXEL utility appears in the
system tray.

Note: The ZyXEL utility system tray icon displays only when the G-120 is installed

properly.

When you use the ZyXEL utility, it automatically disables WZC.

Figure 3 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

The color of the ZyXEL utility system tray icon indicates the status of the G-120. Refer to the
following table for details.

Table 1 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

COLOR DESCRIPTION

Red The G-120 is not connected to a wireless network or is searching for an available

wireless network.

Green The G-120 is connected to a wireless network.

1.4 Configuration Methods

To configure your G-120, use one of the following applications:

• Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) (the Windows XP wireless configuration tool)

• ZyXEL Utility

1.4.1 Enabling WZC

Note: When you use the ZyXEL utility, it automatically disables WZC.

If you want to use WZC to configure the G-120, you need to disable the ZyXEL utility by
right-clicking the utility icon ( ) in the system tray and selecting Use Windows to configure
my wireless network settings.

Chapter 1 Getting Started 21

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Figure 4 Enable WZC

Refer to the appendices for information on how to use WZC to manage the G-120.

To re-activate the ZyXEL utility, double-click the ( ) icon on your desktop or click Start,
(All) Programs, ZyXEL G-120 Utility, ZyXEL G-120 Utility GUI.

1.4.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility

Double-click on the ZyXEL wireless LAN utility icon in the system tray to open the ZyXEL
utility. The ZyXEL utility screens are similar in all Microsoft Windows versions. Screens for
Windows XP are shown in this User’s Guide.

Note: Click the icon (located in the top right corner) to display the online help

window.

22 Chapter 1 Getting Started

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 2

Tutorial

The following sections show you how to join a wireless network using the ZyXEL utility, as in
the following diagrams. The wireless client is labeled C and the access point is labeled AP.

Figure 5 Infrastructure Network

There are three ways to connect the wireless client to a network.

• Configure nothing and leave the wireless client to automatically scan for and connect to
any available network that has no wireless security configured.

• Manually connect to a network (see Section 2.1 on page 23).

• Configure a profile to have the wireless client automatically connect to a specific network
or peer computer (see Section 2.2 on page 25).

2.1 Connecting to a Wireless LAN

This example illustrates how to manually connect your wireless client to an access point (AP)
which is configured for WPA-PSK security and connected to the Internet. Before you connect
to the access point, you must know its Service Set IDentity (SSID) and WPA-PSK pre-shared
key. In this example, the SSID is “SSID_Example3” and the pre-shared key is
“ThisismyWPA-PSKpre-sharedkey” in the AP.

After you install the ZyXEL utility and then insert the wireless client, follow the steps below
to connect to a network using the Site Survey screen.

1 Open the ZyXEL utility and click the Site Survey tab to open the screen as shown next.

Chapter 2 Tutorial 23

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Figure 6 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey

2 The wireless client automatically searches for available wireless networks. Click Scan if

you want to search again. If no entry displays in the Available Network List, that means
there is no wireless network available within range. Make sure the AP or peer computer is
turned on, or move the wireless client closer to the AP or peer computer. See Table 4 on

page 40 for detailed field descriptions.

3 To connect to an AP or peer computer, either click an entry in the list and then click

Connect or double-click an entry (with a SSID of SSID_Examples3 in this example).

4 When you try to connect to an AP with security configured, a window will pop up

prompting you to specify the security settings. Enter the pre-shared key and leave the
encryption type at the default setting.

Use the Next button to move on to the next screen. You can use the Back button at any
time to return to the previous screen, or the Exit button to return to the Site Survey
screen.

Figure 7 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings

5 The Confirm New Settings window appears. Check your settings and click Save to

continue.

24 Chapter 2 Tutorial

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Figure 8 ZyXEL Utility: Confirm New Settings

6 The ZyXEL utility returns to the Link Info screen while it connects to the wireless

network using your settings. When the wireless link is established, the ZyXEL utility icon
in the system tray turns green and the Link Info screen displays details of the active
connection. Check the network information in the Link Info screen to verify that you
have successfully connected to the selected network. If the wireless client is not
connected to a network, the fields in this screen remain blank. See Table 2 on page 37 for
detailed field descriptions.

Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info

7 Open your Internet browser and enter http://www.zyxel.com or the URL of any other web

site in the address bar. If you are able to access the web site, your wireless connection is
successfully configured. If you cannot access the web site, check the Troubleshooting
section of this User's Guide or contact your network administrator if necessary.

2.2 Creating and Using a Profile

A profile lets you automatically connect to the same wireless network every time you use the
ZyXEL utility. You can also configure different profiles for different networks, for example if
you connect a notebook computer to wireless networks at home and at work.

Chapter 2 Tutorial 25

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

This example illustrates how to set up a profile and connect the wireless client to an access
point configured for WPA-PSK security. In this example, the SSID is “SSID_Example3” and
the pre-shared key is “ThisismyWPA-PSKpre-sharedkey” in the AP. You have chosen the
profile name “PN_Example3”.

1 Open the ZyXEL utility and click the Profile tab to open the screen as shown. Click Add

to configure a new profile.

Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: Profile

2 The Add New Profile screen appears. The wireless client automatically searches for

available wireless networks, which are displayed in the Scan Info box. You can also
configure your profile for a wireless network that is not in the list.

Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Add New Profile

3 Give the profile a descriptive name (of up to 32 printable ASCII characters). Select

Infrastructure and either manually enter or select the AP's SSID in the Scan Info table
and click Select.

4 Choose the same encryption method as the AP to which you want to connect (In this

example, WPA-PSK).

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ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

Figure 12 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Security

5 This screen varies depending on the encryption method you selected in the previous

screen. In this example, enter the pre-shared key and leave the encryption type at the
default setting.

Figure 13 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Encryption

6 Verify the profile settings in the ready-only screen. Click Save to save and go to the next

screen.

Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Confirm New Settings

7 Click Activate Now to use the new profile immediately. Otherwise, click the Activate

Later button to go back to the Profile List screen.

If you clicked Activate Later you can select the profile from the list in the Profile screen
and click Connect to activate it.

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ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

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

Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Activate

8 When you activate the new profile, the ZyXEL utility goes to the Link Info screen while

it connects to the AP using your settings. When the wireless link is established, the
ZyXEL utility icon in the system tray turns green and the Link Info screen displays
details of the active connection.

9 Make sure the selected AP in the active profile is connected to the Internet. Open your

Internet browser, enter http://www.zyxel.com or the URL of any other web site in the
address bar and press ENTER. If you are able to access the web site, your new profile is
successfully configured.

10If you cannot access the Internet, go back to the Profile screen. Select the profile you are

using and click Edit. Check the details you entered previously. Also, refer to the
Troubleshooting section of this User's Guide or contact your network administrator if
necessary.

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Wireless LAN Network

This chapter provides background information on wireless LAN network.

3.1 Wireless LAN Overview

The following figure provides an example of a wireless network with an AP. See Figure 2 on

page 20 for an Ad Hoc network example.

Figure 16 Example of a Wireless Network

ZyXEL G-120 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 3

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

Every wireless network must follow these basic guidelines.

• Every device in the same wireless network must use the same SSID.

The SSID is the name of the wireless network. It stands for Service Set IDentity.

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

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

Chapter 3 Wireless LAN Network 29