ZyXEL Communications G-160 User Manual

ZyAIR G-160

802.11g Wireless Cardbus Card

User's Guide

Version 2.0

June 2004

ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

Copyright

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.

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-160 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 one (1) year 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

.for free future product updates and information.

ZyXEL Limited Warranty iii

ZyAIR G-160 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.

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ZyAIR G-160 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.

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

Caution

1. To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, a separation distance of at least 20 cm must be maintained between the antenna of this device and all persons.

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

Certifications

Refer to the product page at www.zyxel.com

FCC Statement v

ZyAIR G-160 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

support@zyxel.com.tw +886-3-578-3942 www.zyxel.com

ZyXEL Communications

sales@zyxel.com.tw

support@zyxel.com +1-800-255-4101

sales@zyxel.com

support@zyxel.de +49-2405-6909-0 www.zyxel.de GERMANY

sales@zyxel.de

support@zyxel.es +34 902 195 420 SPAIN

sales@zyxel.es

support@zyxel.dk +45 39 55 07 00 www.zyxel.dk DENMARK

sales@zyxel.dk

support@zyxel.no +47 22 80 61 80 www.zyxel.no NORWAY

sales@zyxel.no

+886-3-578-2439 ftp.europe.zyxel.com

+1-714-632-0882

+1-714-632-0858 ftp.us.zyxel.com

+49-2405-6909-99

+33 (0)4 72 52 97 97 FRANCE info@zyxel.fr

+33 (0)4 72 52 19 20

+34 913 005 345

+45 39 55 07 07

+47 22 80 61 81

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

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

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ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONE1 WEB SITE METHOD

LOCATION

FINLAND support@zyxel.fi +358-9-4780-8411 www.zyxel.fi ZyXEL Communications Oy

SALES E-MAIL FAX1 FTP SITE

support@zyxel.se +46 31 744 7700 www.zyxel.se SWEDEN

sales@zyxel.se

+46 31 744 7701

REGULAR MAIL

ZyXEL Communications A/S Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg Sweden

Malminkaari 10 00700 Helsinki Finland

viii Information for Canadian Users

ZyAIR G-160 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

1.3.1 The Connect to Wireless Network Screen............................................................................1-2

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

1.5 Common Screen Command Buttons.............................................................................................1-5

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

2.1.4 Wireless Network Application .............................................................................................2-1

2.1.5 Roaming ...............................................................................................................................2-3

2.1.6 Profile...................................................................................................................................2-4

2.1.7 Threshold Controls...............................................................................................................2-4

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

2.1.9 Data Encryption with WEP ..................................................................................................2-6

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

2.1.11 Preamble Type .....................................................................................................................2-7

2.1.12 IEEE 802.1x .........................................................................................................................2-7

2.1.13 WPA.....................................................................................................................................2-7

2.1.14 WPA-PSK Application Example .........................................................................................2-8

2.1.15 WPA with RADIUS Application Example..........................................................................2-9

2.2 The Main Screen ........................................................................................................................2-10

2.2.1 Connecting to a Network....................................................................................................2-12

2.2.2 The New Connection screen...............................................................................................2-13

2.2.3 The Advanced Screen.........................................................................................................2-15

2.3 The Advanced Screen .................................................................................................................2-17

2.4 The Privacy Screen ....................................................................................................................2-19

2.4.1 WEP Configuration............................................................................................................2-20

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2.4.2 802.1x Configuration ......................................................................................................... 2-23

2.4.3 WPA-PSK Configuration...................................................................................................2-24

2.5 The Statistics Screen ..................................................................................................................2-25

2.6 The About Screen ....................................................................................................................... 2-27

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

3.1 Removing 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 Product Specifications.............................................................................................................. i

Appendix B Types of EAP Authentication ................................................................................................iii

Index .............................................................................................................................................................. v

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ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

List of Figures

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 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 RTS Threshold............................................................................................................................2-5

Figure 2-6 Wireless LAN Security Levels ...................................................................................................2-6

Figure 2-7 WPA - PSK Authentication.........................................................................................................2-9

Figure 2-8 WPA with RADIUS Application Example ...............................................................................2-10

Figure 2-9 Main .........................................................................................................................................2-11

Figure 2-10 Main: New Connection...........................................................................................................2-13

Figure 2-11 Main: Advanced......................................................................................................................2-16

Figure 2-12 Advanced................................................................................................................................2-17

Figure 2-13 Privacy....................................................................................................................................2-19

Figure 2-14 WEP Configuration ................................................................................................................2-21

Figure 2-15 802.1X Configuration.............................................................................................................2-23

Figure 2-16 PSK Configuration .................................................................................................................2-25

Figure 2-17 Statistics .................................................................................................................................2-26

Figure 2-18 About ......................................................................................................................................2-28

Figure 3-1 Confirm Uninstallation...............................................................................................................3-1

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ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

List of Tables

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

Table 1-2 Common Screen Command Buttons............................................................................................1-5

Table 2-1 Main........................................................................................................................................... 2-11

Table 2-2 Main: New Connection.............................................................................................................. 2-13

Table 2-3 Main: Advanced......................................................................................................................... 2-16

Table 2-4 Advanced................................................................................................................................... 2-18

Table 2-5 Privacy....................................................................................................................................... 2-20

Table 2-6 WEP Configuration....................................................................................................................2-22

Table 2-7 802.1X Configuration................................................................................................................ 2-24

Table 2-8 PSK Configuration.....................................................................................................................2-25

Table 2-9 Statistics..................................................................................................................................... 2-26

Table 2-10 About .......................................................................................................................................2-28

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

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

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

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ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

Preface

Congratulations on the purchase of your new ZyAIR G-160 802.11g Wireless Cardbus Card!

About This User's Guide

This guide provides information about the ZyAIR G-160 Wireless LAN Utility that you use to configure your ZyAIR.

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-160 802.11g Wireless Cardbus Card is referred to as the ZyAIR in this

guide.

• The ZyAIR G-160 Wireless LAN Utility may be referred to as the ZyAIR Utility in this guide.

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 adapter. With the ZyAIR, you can enjoy the wireless mobility within the coverage area.

The following lists the main features of your ZyAIR.

• Your ZyAIR can communicate with other IEEE 802.11b/g compliant wireless devices.

• Automatic rate selection.

• Data transmission rates up to 54 Mbps.

• Offers 64-bit, 128-bit and 256-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

• 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 (also known as Zero Configuration) 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:

• in the ZyAIR Utility Main screen (refer to the instruction in Table 2-1)

• in the Connect to Wireless Network screen (refer to Section 1.3.1).

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ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

1.3.1 The Connect to Wireless Network Screen

Follow the steps below to disable the configuration tool in Windows XP in the Connect to Wireless Network 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 1-1 Windows XP: System Tray Icon

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

Panel and double-click on Network Connections.

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

next.

Figure 1-2 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Status

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

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ZyAIR G-160 User’s Guide

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

Figure 1-3 Windows XP: Connect to Wireless Network

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ZyAIR G-160 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 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties

1.4 Accessing the ZyAIR Utility

After you installed the ZyAIR Utility and reboot your computer, the ZyAIR Utility automatically starts and an icon for the ZyAIR Utility appears in the system tray.

Figure 1-5 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon

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

1-4 Getting Started

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