ZyXEL Communications NWA1100-N User Manual
NWA1100-N
802.11b/g/n PoE Access Point
Default Login Details
IP Address http://192.168.1.2
Password 1234
Firmware Version 1.00
Edition 1, 3/2011
www.zyxel.com
www.zyxel.com
Copyright © 2011
ZyXEL Communications Corporation
About This User's Guide
About This User's Guide
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWA using the web configurator.
Tips for Reading User’s Guides On-Screen
When reading a ZyXEL User’s Guide On-Screen, keep the following in mind:
• If you don’t already have the latest version of Adobe Reader, you can download it from http://
www.adobe.com.
• Use the PDF’s bookmarks to quickly navigate to the areas that interest you. Adobe Reader’s
bookmarks pane opens by default in all ZyXEL User’s Guide PDFs.
• If you know the page number or know vaguely which page-range you want to view, you can
enter a number in the toolbar in Reader, then press [ENTER] to jump directly to that page.
• Type [CTRL]+[F] to open the Adobe Reader search utility and enter a word or phrase. This can
help you quickly pinpoint the information you require. You can also enter text directly into the
toolbar in Reader.
• To quickly move around within a page, press the [SPACE] bar. This turns your cursor into a
“hand” with which you can grab the page and move it around freely on your screen.
• Embedded hyperlinks are actually cross-references to related text. Click them to jump to the
corresponding section of the User’s Guide PDF.
Related Documentation
•Quick Start Guide
The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get your NWA up and running right away. It
contains information on setting up your network and configuring for Internet access.
•Support Disc
Refer to the included CD for support documents.
Documentation Feedback
Send your comments, questions or suggestions to: techwriters@zyxel.com.tw
Thank you!
The Technical Writing Team, ZyXEL Communications Corp.,
6 Innovation Road II, Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, 30099, Taiwan.
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
3
About This User's Guide
Need More Help?
More help is available at www.zyxel.com.
• Download Library
Search for the latest product updates and documentation from this link. Read the Tech Doc
Overview to find out how to efficiently use the documentation in order to better understand how
to use your product.
•Knowledge Base
If you have a specific question about your product, the answer may be here. This is a collection
of answers to previously asked questions about ZyXEL products.
•Forum
This contains discussions on ZyXEL products. Learn from others who use ZyXEL products and
share your experiences as well.
Customer Support
Should problems arise that cannot be solved by the methods listed above, you should contact your
vendor. If you cannot contact your vendor, then contact a ZyXEL office for the region in which you
bought the device.
See http://www.zyxel.com/web/contact_us.php for contact information. Please have the following
information ready when you contact an office.
• Product model and serial number.
• Warrant y Information.
• Date that you received your device.
• Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it.
4
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Document Conventions
Document Conventions
Warnings and Notes
These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User’s Guide.
Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your NWA.
Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may
need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Syntax Conventions
• The NWA1100-N may be referred to as the “NWA”, the “device”, or the “ZyXEL Device” in this
User’s Guide.
• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in bold font.
• A key stroke is denoted by square brackets and uppercase text, for example, [ENTER] means the
“enter” or “return” key on your keyboard.
• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters and then press the [ENTER] key. “Select”
or “choose” means for you to use one of the predefined choices.
• A right angle bracket ( > ) within a screen name denotes a mouse click. For example,
Maintenance > Log > Log Setting means you first click Maintenance in the navigation panel,
then the Log sub menu and finally the Log Setting tab to get to that screen.
• Units of measurement may denote the “metric” value or the “scientific” value. For example, “k”
for kilo may denote “1000” or “1024”, “M” for mega may denote “1000000” or “1048576” and so
on.
• “e.g.,” is a shorthand for “for instance”, and “i.e.,” means “that is” or “in other words”.
Icons Used in Figures
Figures in this User’s Guide use the following generic icons. The NWA icon is not an exact
representation of your NWA.
Graphics in this book may differ slightly from the product due to differences in operating systems,
operating system versions, or if you installed updated firmware/software for your device. Every
effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate.
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
5
Document Conventions
Ta ble 1 Common Icons
NWA Computer Notebook
Server Printer Firewall
Switch Router Internet Cloud
6
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Safety Warnings
Safety Warnings
• Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.
• Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids .
• Do NOT store things on the device.
• Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a remote risk of electric shock
from lightning.
• Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device.
• Do NOT open the device or unit. Opening or removing covers can expose you to dangerous high voltage
points or other risks. ONLY qualified service personnel should serv ice or disassemble this device. Please
contact your vendor for further information.
• Make sure to connect the cables to the correct ports.
• Place connecting cables carefully so that no one will step on them or stumble over them.
• Always disconnect all cables from this device before servicing or disassembling.
• Use ONLY an appropriate power adaptor or cord for your device. Connect it to the right supply voltage (for
example, 110V AC in North America or 230V AC in Europe).
• Do NOT remove the plug and connect it to a power outlet by itself; always attach the plug to the power
adaptor first before connecting it to a power outlet.
• Do NOT allow anything to rest on the power adaptor or cord and do NOT place the pro duct where an yone can
walk on the power adaptor or cord.
• Do NOT use the devi ce if the power adaptor or cord is damaged as it might cause electrocution.
• If the power adaptor or cord is damaged, remove it from the device and the power source.
• Do NOT attempt to repair the power adaptor or cord. Contact your local vendor to order a new one.
• Do no t use the device outside, and make sure all the connections are indoors. There i s a remote risk of
electric shock from lightning.
• Do NOT obstruct the devi ce ventilation slots, as insufficient airflow may harm your device.
• Antenna Warning! This device meets ETSI and FCC certification requirements when using the inc luded
antenna(s). Only use the included antenna(s).
• If you wall mount your device, make sure that no electrical lines, gas or water pipes will be damaged.
• The PoE (Power over Ethernet) devices that supply or receive power and their connected Ethernet cables
must all be completely indoors.
• This product is for indoor use only (utilisation intérieure exclusivement).
Your product is marked with this symbol, which is known as the WEEE mark. WEEE stands for Waste
Electronics and Electrical Equipment. It means that used electrical and electronic products should not be
mixed with general waste. Used electrical and electronic equipment should be treated separately.
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
7
Safety Warnings
8
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Contents Overview
Contents Overview
User’s Guide ........................................................................................................ ...................17
Introducing the NWA .................................................................................................................. 19
Introducing the Web Configurator .............................................................................................. 29
Status Screens .......................................................................................................................... 33
Tutorial ...................................................... ............................................. .................................... 37
Technical Reference ..............................................................................................................53
System Screens .............................. ............................................. ... ... ... .... ... ... .......................... 55
Wireless Settings Screen ................................ ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 60
SSID Screen .............................................................................................................................. 79
Wireless Security Screen ............................ .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 85
RADIUS Screen ......................................................................................................................... 99
MAC Filter Screen ...................................................................................................................102
IP Screen ............................... ... ... .... ... ... ... ............................................. .... ... ... ... .... ... ..............105
Remote Management ..............................................................................................................109
Certificate Screen .....................................................................................................................119
Log Screens ............................................................................................................................ 123
Maintenance ............................................................................................................................ 129
Troubleshooting ..................................................... .................................................................. 137
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
9
Contents Overview
10
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
About This User's Guide..........................................................................................................3
Document Conventions............................................................................................................5
Safety Warnings ........................................................................................................................7
Contents Overview ...................................................................................................................9
Table of Contents....................................................................................................................11
Part I: User’s Guide................................................................................ 17
Chapter 1
Introducing the NWA ..............................................................................................................19
1.1 Introducing the NWA ............................................................................................................ 19
1.2 Applications for the NWA ........... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ................................................................. 19
1.2.1 Access Point ....................................... ... ............................................. .... ... ... ... ... .... ... 20
1.2.2 Bridge / Repeater .......................................................................................................20
1.2.2.1 Bridge / Repeater Mode Example .................................................. 21
1.2.3 AP + Bridge ......................... ... ... ... .... ... ... ............................................. .... ... ... ... ... ....... 22
1.2.4 Wireless Client ....................... ... ... .... ... ... ............................................. .... ... ... ... ... .... ... 23
1.2.5 MBSSID ................................. ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ....................... 24
1.3 Ways to Manage the NWA ................................................................... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .......25
1.4 Configuring Your NWA’s Security Features ......................................................................... 25
1.4.1 Control Access to Your Device ............................................................ ....................... 25
1.4.2 Wireless Security ...................................... .... ... ... ... ....................................................25
1.5 Good Habits for Managing the NWA ................................................................................... 26
1.6 Hardware Connections ........................................................................................................26
1.7 LEDs ......................... .... ............................................. ... ... .... ................................................ 27
Chapter 2
Introducing the Web Configurator ........................................................................................29
2.1 Accessing the Web Configurator ......................................................................................... 29
2.2 Resetting the NWA .......................................... ... .... ............................................. ... ... ... ....... 30
2.2.1 Methods of Restoring Factory-Defaults ............................... .................... ................... 30
2.3 Navigating the Web Configurator ............................................... .......................................... 30
Chapter 3
Status Screens........................................................................................................................33
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
11
Table of Contents
3.1 The Status Screen ............................................................................................................... 33
3.1.1 System Statistics Screen .................................................. ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ............. 35
Chapter 4
Tutorial.....................................................................................................................................37
4.1 How to Configure the Wireless LAN ............................. ... ............................................. .... ... 37
4.1.1 Choosing the Wireless Mode ..................................................................................... 37
4.1.2 Wireless LAN Configuration Overview ....................................................................... 37
4.1.3 Further Reading ......................................................................................................... 38
4.2 How to Configure Multiple Wireless Networks ..................................................................... 39
4.2.1 Configure the SSID Profiles ....................................................................................... 40
4.2.1.1 MBSSID ........ ... ... .... ... ............................................. ... .....................41
4.2.2 Configure the Standard Network ................................................................................42
4.2.3 Configure the VoIP Network ....................................................................................... 43
4.2.4 Configure the Guest Network ..................................................................................... 45
4.2.5 Testing the Wireless Networks ................................................................................... 46
4.3 NWA Setup in AP and Wireless Client Modes .....................................................................47
4.3.1 Scenario ....... ... .... ... ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ... .... ... ... .......................... 47
4.3.2 Configuring the NWA in Access Point Mode .............................................................. 47
4.3.3 Configuring the NWA in Wireless Client Mode .................................................... ....... 50
4.3.4 MAC Filter Setup .............................. ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ............................................. .... ... 51
4.3.5 Testing the Connection and Troubleshooting ................... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .......... 52
Part II: Technical Reference.................................................................. 53
Chapter 5
System Screens......................................................................................................................55
5.1 Overview ............. ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 55
5.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ........................................................................................ 55
5.3 What You Need To Know ....... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ................................................................. 55
5.4 General Screen ............................... ... ... .... ... ....................................................................... 57
5.4.1 Password Screen ... ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ... .... ... ............................. 57
5.5 Time Screen ....................................................................................................................... 58
5.6 Technical Reference .................................. ... ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ... ....... 59
5.6.1 Pre-defined NTP Time Servers List ............................................................................ 59
Chapter 6
Wireless Settings Screen.......................................................................................................60
6.1 Overview ............. ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 60
6.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ........................................................................................ 60
6.3 What You Need To Know ....... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ................................................................. 61
12
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Table of Contents
6.4 Wireless Settings Screen .......................... ... ... ... .... ............................................................. 62
6.4.1 Access Point Mode ....................................... ... ............................................. ... ... .... ... 63
6.4.2 Bridge / Repeater Mode ............................................................................................. 65
6.4.3 AP + Bridge Mode ............................ ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... .......................................... 69
6.4.4 Wireless Client Mode ....................... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 70
6.4.5 MBSSID Mode ................................. ... ... ............................................. .... ... ... ............. 73
6.5 Technical Reference .................................. ... ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ... ....... 75
6.5.1 WMM QoS ........................ ... ... ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ...................75
6.5.2 Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) ................................................................................... 76
6.5.2.1 Rapid STP .... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ........................................................76
6.5.2.2 STP Terminology ............................. .... ... ... ... .... ... ...........................76
6.5.2.3 How STP Works .............................................................................77
6.5.2.4 STP Port States ...... ... ... ... ............................................. .... ..............77
6.5.3 Additional Wireless Terms .......................................................................................... 77
Chapter 7
SSID Screen.............................................................................................................................79
7.1 Overview ............. ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 79
7.1.1 What Yo u Can Do in this Chapter .............................................................................. 79
7.1.2 What You Need To Know .............................................. ............................................. 79
7.2 The SSID Screen ................................................................................................................. 80
7.2.1 Configuring SSID ...................................... .... ... ... ... .... ... ............................................. 81
7.3 Technical Reference .................................. ... ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ... ....... 82
7.3.1 WMM QoS ........................ ... ... ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ...................82
7.3.1.1 WMM QoS Priorities ..................................... .... ... ... ... ... ..................83
7.3.2 Type Of Service (ToS) ................................................................................................ 83
7.3.2.1 ToS (Type of Service) and WMM QoS ............................................83
Chapter 8
Wireless Security Screen.......................................................................................................85
8.1 Overview ............. ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 85
8.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ........................................................................................ 85
8.3 What You Need To Know ....... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ................................................................. 86
8.4 The Security Screen ............................................................................................................ 87
8.4.1 Security: WEP . .... ... ... ... .... ... ............................................. ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ...................89
8.4.2 Security: 802.1x Only ................................................................................................. 90
8.4.2.1 Access Point .............. ... ... ... .... ... ... ............................................. .... . 90
8.4.2.2 Wireless Client ........................................ ........................................ 91
8.4.3 Security: 802.1x Static 64-bit, 802.1x Static 128-bit, 802.1x Static 152-bit ................ 92
8.4.4 Security: WPA . .... ... ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ................................93
8.4.4.1 Access Point .............. ... ... ... .... ... ... ............................................. .... . 93
8.4.4.2 Wireless Client ........................................ ........................................ 94
8.4.5 Security: WPA2 or WPA2-MIX .................................................................................... 95
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
13
Table of Contents
8.4.5.1 Access Point .............. ... ... ... .... ... ... ............................................. .... . 95
8.4.5.2 Wireless Client ........................................ ........................................ 96
8.4.6 Security: WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA2-PSK-MIX .................................................... 97
8.5 Technical Reference .................................. ... ... ... .............................................. ... ... ... ... ....... 98
Chapter 9
RADIUS Screen.......................................................................................................................99
9.1 Overview ............. ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... .... ................................................ 99
9.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ........................................................................................ 99
9.3 What You Need to Know ..... ... .... ... ... ....................................................................................99
9.4 The RADIUS Screen ............................. .... ... ............................................. ... .... ... ... ... ... .... . 100
Chapter 10
MAC Filter Screen.................................................................................................................102
10.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 102
10.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................... .... ... ... ... ................................................. . 102
10.3 What You Need To Know ................................................................................................. 102
10.4 MAC Filter Screen ........................................................................................................... 103
Chapter 11
IP Screen................................................................................................................................105
11.1 Overview ..........................................................................................................................105
11.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter .................................................................................... 105
11.3 What You Need to Know .................................................................................................. 105
11.4 IP Screen ......................................................................................................................... 106
11.5 Technical Reference ........................................................................................................ 107
11.5.1 WAN IP Address Assignment ................................................................................. 107
11.5.2 Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) ................................................................................107
11.5.2.1 Rapid STP ................................................................................... 107
11.5.2.2 STP Terminology .........................................................................107
11.5.2.3 How STP Works .......................................................................... 108
11.5.2.4 STP Port States .......................................................................... 108
Chapter 12
Remote Management............................................................................................................109
12.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 109
12.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................... .... ... ... ... ................................................. . 109
12.3 What You Need To Know ..................................................................................................110
12.4 The Telnet Screen ............................................................................................................112
12.5 The FTP Screen ...................................................................... ... ... .... ...............................112
12.6 The WWW Screen ............................................................................................................113
12.7 The SNMP Screen ............................................................................................................115
12.8 Technical Reference .........................................................................................................116
14
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Table of Contents
12.8.1 MIB ..........................................................................................................................116
12.8.2 Supported MIBs ......................................................................................................116
12.8.3 SNMP Traps ............................................................................................................117
Chapter 13
Certificate Screen ................................................................................................................. 119
13.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................119
13.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ...............................119
13.3 What You Need To Know ..................................................................................................119
13.4 Certificate Screen ............................................................................................................ 120
13.5 Technical Reference ........................................................................................................ 120
13.5.1 Private-Public Certificates ........................... ........................................................... 120
13.5.2 Certification Authorities .......................................................................................... 121
13.5.3 Checking the Fingerprint of a Certificate on Yo ur Computer .................................. 121
Chapter 14
Log Screens ..........................................................................................................................123
14.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 123
14.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................... .... ... ... ... ................................................. . 123
14.3 What You Need To Know ................................................................................................. 124
14.4 View Log Screen ................................................... ........................................................... 124
14.5 Log Settings Screen ........................................................................................................125
Chapter 15
Maintenance..........................................................................................................................129
15.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 129
15.2 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................... .... ... ... ... ................................................. . 129
15.3 What You Need To Know ................................................................................................. 129
15.4 Association List Screen ...................................................................................................129
15.5 Channel Usage Screen ................................................................................................... 130
15.6 F/W Upload Screen .........................................................................................................131
15.7 Configuration File Screen ................................................................................................133
15.7.1 Backup Configuration ........................ ....................................... .............................. 133
15.7.2 Restore Configuration ............................................................................................ 133
15.7.3 Back to Factory Defaults ...... ... ... .... ............................................. ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .....135
15.8 Restart Screen .................................................................................................................135
Chapter 16
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................137
16.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs ........................................... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .....137
16.2 NWA Access and Login ................................................................................................... 138
16.3 Internet Access ................................................................................................................ 139
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
15
Table of Contents
Appendix A Product Specifications......................................................................................141
Table 51 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Specifications142
Appendix B Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address ..........................................................143
Appendix C Pop-up Windows, JavaScript and Java Permissions.......................................171
Appendix D IP Addresses and Subnetting...........................................................................183
Appendix E Wireless LANs..................................................................................................191
Appendix F Text File Based Auto Configuration ..................................................................205
Appendix G Open Software Announcements......................................................................207
Appendix H Legal Information..............................................................................................237
Index.......................................................................................................................................243
16
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
PART I
User’s Guide
17
18
This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the NWA. It also discusses the ways
you can manage your NWA.
1.1 Introducing the NWA
Your NWA extends the range of your existing wired network without additional wiring, providing
easy network access to mobile users.
The NWA controls network access with MAC address filtering and RADIUS server authentication. It
also provides a high level of network traffic security, supporting IEEE 802.1x, Wi-Fi Protected
Access (WPA), WPA2 and WEP data encryption. Its Quality of Service (QoS) features allow you to
prioritize time-sensitive or highly important applications such as VoIP.
CHAPTER 1
Introducing the NWA
Your NWA is easy to install, configure and use. The embedded Web-based configurator enables
simple, straightforward management and maintenance.
See the Quick Start Guide for instructions on how to make hardware connections.
1.2 Applications for the NWA
The NWA can be configured to use the following WLAN operating modes:
1 Access Point
2 Bridge/Repeater
3 AP + Bridge
4 Wireless Client
5 MBSSID
Applications for each operating mode are shown below.
NWA1100-N User’s Guide 19
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
1.2.1 Access Point
The NWA is an ideal access solution for wireless Internet connection. A typical Internet access
application for your NWA is shown as follows. Stations A, B and C can access the wired network
through the NWAs.
Figure 1 Access Point Application
1.2.2 Bridge / Repeater
The NWA can act as a wireless network bridge and establish wireless links with other APs. In the
figure below, the two NWAs (A and B) are connected to independent wired networks and have a
bridge connection (A can communicate with B) at the same time. A NWA in repeater mode (C in
Figure 3) has no Ethernet connection. When the NWA is in bridge mode, you should enable
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to prevent bridge loops.
When the NWA is in Bridge / Repeater mode, security between APs (the Wireless Distribution
System or WDS) is independent of the security between the wireless stations and the AP. If you do
not enable WDS security , traffic between APs is not encrypted. When WDS security is enabled, both
APs must use the same pre-shared key. See Section 6.4.2 on page 65 for more details.
Once the security settings of peer sides match one another, the connection between devices is
made.
20
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
At the time of writing, WDS security is compatible with other ZyXEL NWA-series access points only.
Refer to your other access point’s documentation for details.
Figure 2 Bridge Application
Figure 3 Repeater Application
1.2.2.1 Bridge / Repeater Mode Example
In the example below, when both NWAs are in Bridge mode, they form a WDS (Wireless
Distribution System) allowing the computers in LAN 1 to connect to the computers in LAN 2.
Figure 4 Bridging Example
Be careful to avoid bridge loops when you enable bridging in the NWA. Bridge loops cause
broadcast traffic to circle the network endlessly, resulting in possible throughput degradation and
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
21
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
disruption of communications. The following examples show two network topologies that can lead
to this problem:
• If two or more NWAs (in bridge mode) are connected to the same hub.
Figure 5 Bridge Loop: Two Bridges Connected to Hub
• If your NWA (in Bridge mode) is connected to a wired LAN while communicating with another
wireless bridge that is also connected to the same wired LAN.
Figure 6 Bridge Loop: Bridge Connected to Wired LAN
To prevent bridge loops, ensure that you enable STP in the Wireless screen or your NWA is not set
to bridge mode while connected to both wired and wireless segments of the same LAN.
1.2.3 AP + Bridge
In AP+Bridge mode, the NWA supports both AP and bridge connection at the same time.
In the figure below, A and B use X as an AP to access the wired network, while X and Y
communicate in bridge mode.
Using AP + Bridge mode, your NW A can extend the range of the WLAN. In the figure below , A and
B act as AP + Bridge devices that forward traffic between associated wireless workstations and the
wired LAN.
22
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
When the NWA is in AP+Bridge mode, security between APs (the Wireless Distribution System or
WDS) is independent of the security between the wireless stations and the AP. If you do not enable
WDS security, traffic between APs is not encrypted. When WDS security is enabled, both APs must
use the same pre-shared key. See Section 6.4.3 on page 69 for more details.
Unless specified, the term “security settings” refers to the traffic between the wireless stations and
the NWA.
Figure 7 AP + Bridge Application
1.2.4 Wireless Client
The NWA can be used as a wireless client to communicate with an existing network. In the figure
below, the printer can receive requests from the wired computer clients A and B via the NWA in
Wireless Client mode.
Figure 8 Wireless Client Application
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
23
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
1.2.5 MBSSID
A Basic Service Set (BSS) is the set of devices forming a single wireless network (usually an access
point and one or more wireless clients). The Service Set IDentifier (SSID) is the name of a BSS. In
Multiple BSS (MBSSID) mode, the NWA provides multiple virtual APs, each forming its own BS S and
using its own individual SSID profile.
You can configure up to eight SSID profiles, and have up to four active at any one time.
You can assign different wireless and security settings to each SSID profile. This allows you to
compartmentalize groups of users, set varying access privileges, and prioritize network traffic to
and from certain BSSs.
To the wireless clients in the network, each SSID appears to be a different access point. As in any
wireless network, clients can associate only with the SSIDs for which they have the correct security
settings.
For example, you might want to set up a wireless network in your office where Internet telephony
(VoIP) users have priority. You also want a regular wireless network for standard users, as well as a
‘guest’ wireless network for visitors. In the following figure, VoIP_SSID users have QoS priority,
SSID01 is the wireless network for standard users, and Guest_SSID is the wireless network for
guest users. In this example, the guest user is forbidden access to the wired Land Area Network
(LAN) behind the AP and can access only the Internet.
Figure 9 Multiple BSSs
24
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
1.3 Ways to Manage the NWA
Use any of the following methods to manage the NWA.
• Web Configurator. This is recommended for everyday management of the NWA using a
(supported) web browser.
• Command Line Interface. Line commands are mostly used for troubleshooting by service
engineers.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for firmware upgrades.
• SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). The device can be monitored by an SNMP
manager.
1.4 Configuring Yo ur NWA’s Security Features
Your NWA comes with a variety of security features. This section summarizes these features and
provides links to sections in the User’s Guide to configure security settings on your NWA. Follow the
suggestions below to improve security on your NWA and network.
1.4.1 Control Access to Your Device
Ensure only people with permission can access your NWA.
• Control physical access by locating devices in secure areas, such as locked rooms. Most NWAs
have a reset button. If an unauthorized person has access to the reset button, they can then
reset the device’s password to its default password, log in and reconfigure its settings.
• Change any default passwords on the NWA, such as the password used for accessing the NWA’s
web configurator (if it has a web configurator). Use a password with a combination of letters and
numbers and change your password regularly. Write down the password and put it in a safe
place.
• Avoid setting a long timeout period before the NW A’ s web configurator automatically times out. A
short timeout reduces the risk of unauthorized person accessing the web configurator while it is
left idle.
•See Chapter 5 on page 55 for instructions on changing your password and setting the timeout
period.
• Configure remote management to control who can manage your NWA. See Chapter 12 on page
109 for more information. If you enable remote management, ensure you have enabled remote
management only on the IP addresses, services or interfaces you intended and that other remote
management settings are disabled.
1.4.2 Wireless Security
Wireless devices are especially vulnerable to attack. If your NWA has a wireless function, take the
following measures to improve wireless security.
• Enable wireless security on your NWA. Choose the most secure encryption method that all
devices on your network support. See Section 8.4 on page 87 for directions on configuring
encryption. If you have a RADIUS server, enable IEEE 802.1x or WPA(2) user identification on
your network so users must log in. This method is more common in business environments.
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
25
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
• Hide your wireless network name (SSID). The SSID can be regularly broadcast and unauthorized
users may use this information to access your network. See Section 6.4 on page 62 for directions
on using the web configurator to hide the SSID.
• Enable the MAC filter to allow only trusted users to access your wireless network or deny
unwanted users access based on their MAC address. See Section 10.4 on page 103 for directions
on configuring the MAC filter.
1.5 Good Habits for Managing the NWA
Do the following things regularly to make the NWA more secure and to manage it more effectively.
1.6 Hardware Connections
See your Quick Start Guide for information on making hardware connections.
26
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
1.7 LEDs
Figure 10 LEDs
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
Ta ble 2 LEDs
LABEL LED COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION
1 SYS Green On The NWA is receiving power and ready for use.
Red Flashing There is system error and the NWA cannot boot up.
Off The NWA is not receiving power.
2 WLAN Green On The wireless adaptor WLAN is active.
Blinking The wireless adaptor WLAN is active, and transmitting
Off The wireless adaptor WLAN is not active.
3 ETHERNET Green On The NWA has a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection.
Blinking The NWA has a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection and
Yellow On The NWA has a 1000 Mbps Ethernet connection.
Blinking The NWA has a 1000 Mbps Ethernet connection and is
Off The NWA does not have an Ethernet connection.
or receiving data.
is sending or receiving data.
sending/receiving data.
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
27
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
28
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
CHAPTER 2
Introducing the Web Configurator
This chapter describes how to access the NWA’s web configurator and provides an overview of its
screens.
2.1 Accessing the Web Configurator
1 Make sure your hardware is properly connected and prepare your computer or computer network to
connect to the NWA (refer to the Quick Start Guide).
2 Launch your web browser.
3 Type "192.168.1.2" as the URL (default). The login screen appears.
Figure 11 The Login Screen
4 Type “admin” as the (default) username and “1234” as the (default) password. Click Login.
5 You should see a screen asking you to change your password (highly recommended) as shown
next. Type a new password (and retype it to confirm) then click Apply . Alternatively, click Ignore.
Note: If you do not change the password, the following screen appears every time you
login.
Figure 12 Change Password Screen
NWA1100-N User’s Guide 29
Chapter 2 Introducing the Web Configurator
You should now see the Status screen. See Chapter 2 on page 29 for details about the Status
screen.
Note: The management session automatically times out when the time period set in the
Administrator Inactivity Timer field expires (default five minutes). Simply log back
into the NWA if this happens.
2.2 Resetting the NWA
If you forget your password or cannot access the web configurator, you will need to use the RESET
button at the rear panel of the NWA. This replaces the current configuration file with the factorydefault configuration file. This means that you will lose all the settings you previously configured.
The password will be reset to “1234”.
Figure 13 The RESET Button
2.2.1 Methods of Restoring Factory-Defaults
You can erase the current configuration and restore factory defaults in two ways:
Use the RESET button to upload the default configuration file. Hold this button in for about 10
seconds (the lights will begin to blink). Use this method for cases when the password or IP address
of the NWA is not known.
Use the web configurator to restore defaults (refer to Section 15.7 on page 133).
2.3 Navigating the Web Configurator
The following summarizes how to navigate the web configurator from the Status screen.
30
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
Loading...