ZyXEL Communications Prestige 202 User Manual

ZyXEL M-202

XtremeMIMO 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter

User’s Guide

Version 1.0

1/2006

ZyXEL M-202 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 M-202 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 The equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an

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

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

antenna or transmitter.

4 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement

Certifications

1 Go to www.zyxel.com.

2 Select your product from the drop-down list box on the

ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page.

3 Select the certification you wish to view from this

page.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

注意 !

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。

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement 5

ZyXEL M-202 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 M-202 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 M-202 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.Emilli Plater 53
00-113 Warszawa
Poland

Ostrovityanova 37a Str.
Moscow, 117279
Russia

Alejandro Villegas 33
1º, 28043 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 M-202 User’s Guide

Table of Contents

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

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement ............... 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 ZyXEL M-202 .................................................................................19

1.1.1 Application Overview ................................................................................19

1.1.1.1 Infrastructure ...................................................................................19

1.1.1.2 Ad-Hoc ............................................................................................20

1.2 ZyXEL M-202 Hardware and Utility Installation ..................................................20

1.3 Configuration Methods ......................................................................................21

1.4 Windows XP Users Only ....................................................................................21

1.5 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ..............................................................................21

1.6 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary ..........................................................................22

1.7 Connecting to a Wireless LAN ...........................................................................22

1.7.1 Site Survey ...............................................................................................23

1.7.2 Access Point Function ..............................................................................24

Chapter 2

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

2.1 Wireless LAN Overview ....................................................................................29

2.1.1 SSID .........................................................................................................29

2.1.2 Channel ....................................................................................................29

2.1.3 Transmission Rate (Tx Rate) ....................................................................29

2.2 Wireless LAN Security Overview ......................................................................29

2.2.1 Data Encryption with WEP ........................................................................30

2.2.2 IEEE 802.1x ..............................................................................................30

Table of Contents 9

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

2.2.3 WPA(2) .....................................................................................................31

2.2.4 WPA(2)-PSK Application Example ...........................................................31

2.2.5 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ..............................................32

2.3 Encryption Type .................................................................................................33

2.4 Preamble Type ...................................................................................................33

Chapter 3

ZyXEL Utility Configuration .................................................................................. 35

3.1 The Link Info Screen .........................................................................................35

3.1.1 Trend Chart ..............................................................................................36

3.2 The Site Survey Screen ....................................................................................37

3.2.1 Connecting to a WLAN Network ..............................................................38

3.2.2 Security Settings .......................................................................................38

3.2.3 Confirm Save Screen ................................................................................42

3.3 The Profile Screen .............................................................................................43

3.3.1 Adding a New Profile ................................................................................45

3.4 The Adapter Screen ...........................................................................................48

2.2.2.1 EAP Authentication .........................................................................30

2.2.3.1 Encryption ......................................................................................31

2.2.3.2 User Authentication ........................................................................31

3.2.2.1 WEP Encryption ..............................................................................38

3.2.2.2 WPA/WPA2 .....................................................................................39

3.2.2.3 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK .....................................................................40

3.2.2.4 802.1x .............................................................................................41

Chapter 4

Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 51

4.1 The About Screen .............................................................................................51

4.2 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility ............................................................................51

4.3 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility ..............................................................................52

Chapter 5

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 53

5.1 Problems Starting the ZyXEL Utility Program ....................................................53

5.2 Problem with the Link Status ..............................................................................53

5.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers .............................................54

Appendix A

Product Specifications .......................................................................................... 55

Appendix B

Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool..................................... 57

Appendix C

10 Table of Contents

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

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

Appendix D

Types of EAP Authentication................................................................................ 75

Index........................................................................................................................ 79

Table of Contents 11

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

12 Table of Contents

ZyXEL M-202 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 Menu Summary ....................................................................................... 22

Figure 5 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey ....................................................................... 23

Figure 6 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings .............................................................. 23

Figure 7 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info ............................................................................ 24

Figure 8 ZyXEL AP-Mode Utility: Link Info ............................................................ 24

Figure 9 ZyXEL AP-Mode Utility: Configuration .................................................... 25

Figure 10 ZyXEL AP-Mode Utility: MAC Filter ...................................................... 26

Figure 11 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication ................................................................... 32

Figure 12 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ........................................... 32

Figure 13 Link Info ................................................................................................ 35

Figure 14 Link Info: Trend Chart ........................................................................... 36

Figure 15 Site Survey ............................................................................................ 37

Figure 16 Security Settings: WEP ........................................................................ 38

Figure 17 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 ............................................................... 40

Figure 18 Security Settings: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK .............................................. 41

Figure 19 Security Settings: 802.1x ...................................................................... 41

Figure 20 Confirm Save Screen ............................................................................ 42

Figure 21 Profile Screen ....................................................................................... 44

Figure 22 Profile: Add New Profile ........................................................................ 45

Figure 23 Profile: Wireless Setting: Select a Channel .......................................... 46

Figure 24 Profile: Security Setting: Encryption Type ............................................. 47

Figure 25 Profile: Security Setting ......................................................................... 47

Figure 26 Profile: Confirm New Settings ............................................................... 48

Figure 27 Profile: Activate the Profile .................................................................... 48

Figure 28 Adapter Screen ..................................................................................... 48

Figure 29 About ..................................................................................................... 51

Figure 30 Uninstall: Finish ..................................................................................... 52

Figure 31 Windows XP: System Tray Icon ............................................................. 57

Figure 32 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 58

Figure 33 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 58

Figure 34 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 59

Figure 35 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 59

Figure 36 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 60

Figure 37 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 60

Figure 38 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 61

List of Figures 13

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 39 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 61

Figure 40 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available .................................................. 63

Figure 41 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ..................................................... 64

Figure 42 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 64

Figure 43 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 65

Figure 44 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 65

Figure 45 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 66

Figure 46 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK .. 67

Figure 47 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security ............. 67

Figure 48 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ..................... 67

Figure 49 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ................. 69

Figure 50 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ................................................ 70

Figure 51 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ...................... 71

Figure 52 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .................. 73

Figure 53 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .................. 74

14 List of Figures

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

List of Tables

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

Table 2 ZyXEL Utility: Menu Screen Summary ..................................................... 22

Table 3 ZyXEL AP Mode Utility: Status Screen Summary .................................... 25

Table 4 ZyXEL AP Mode Utility: Wireless & Security Settings .............................. 26

Table 5 ZyXEL AP Mode Utility: MAC Filter Menu ................................................ 27

Table 6 Link Info .................................................................................................... 35

Table 7 Link Info: Trend Chart ............................................................................... 36

Table 8 Site Survey ............................................................................................... 37

Table 9 Security Settings: WEP ............................................................................ 39

Table 10 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 ................................................................ 40

Table 11 Security Settings: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ............................................... 41

Table 12 Security Settings: 802.1x ........................................................................ 42

Table 13 Confirm Save Screen ............................................................................. 43

Table 14 Profile Screen ......................................................................................... 44

Table 15 Profile: Add New Profile .......................................................................... 45

Table 16 Profile: Wireless Setting: Select a Channel ............................................ 46

Table 17 Adapter ................................................................................................... 49

Table 18 About ...................................................................................................... 51

Table 19 Troubleshooting Starting ZyXEL Utility Program .................................... 53

Table 20 Troubleshooting Link Quality .................................................................. 53

Table 21 Troubleshooting Communication Problem .............................................. 54

Table 22 Product Specifications ............................................................................ 55

Table 23 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ...................................................... 64

Table 24 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 66

Table 25 Windows XP: Wireless Networks ............................................................. 67

Table 26 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ...................... 68

Table 27 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ................... 69

Table 28 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ................................................ 71

Table 29 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ....................... 72

Table 30 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types .............................................. 76

Table 31 Wireless Security Relational Matrix ........................................................ 78

List of Tables 15

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

16 List of Tables

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Preface

Congratulations on your purchase of the ZyXEL M-202 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter.

Your ZyXEL M-202 is easy to install and configure.

About This User's Guide

This manual is designed to guide you through the configuration of your ZyXEL M-202 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. They
contain 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 M-202 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter may be referred to as the ZyXEL
M-202 in this user’s guide.

Preface 17

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Graphics Icons Key

Wireless Access Point Computer Notebook Computer

Server Modem Wireless Signal

Telephone Switch Router

Internet Cloud

18 Preface

This chapter introduces the ZyXEL M-202 and prepares you to use the ZyXEL Utility.

1.1 About Your ZyXEL M-202

The ZyXEL M-202 is an IEEE 802.11g compliant wireless LAN USB adapter.

The following lists the main features of your ZyXEL M-202. See the product specifications in
the appendix for detailed features.

• MIMO Smart Antenna technology for enhanced range, coverage, and speeds

• Automatic rate selection.

• Security: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), IEEE 802.1x, WPA-PSK, WPA (Wi-Fi
Protected Access), WPA2-PSK and WPA2

Note: WPA2 and WPA2-PSK are only available in Windows XP and Windows 2000.

• A built-in antenna

• Driver and utility support for Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 1

Getting Started

1.1.1 Application Overview

This section describes some network applications for the ZyXEL M-202.

1.1.1.1 Infrastructure

To connect to a network via an Access Point (AP), set the ZyXEL M-202 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 M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 1 Application: Infrastructure

1.1.1.2 Ad-Hoc

In case you prefer to set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use the
Ad-Hoc mode.

Ad-hoc mode does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients
communicate directly to each other.

Figure 2 Application: Ad-Hoc

1.2 ZyXEL M-202 Hardware and Utility Installation

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

20 Chapter 1 Getting Started

1.3 Configuration Methods

To configure your ZyXEL M-202, use one of the following applications:

• Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) (recommended for Windows XP)

• ZyXEL Utility (This guide shows you how to configure the ZyXEL M-202 using the
ZyXEL Utility)

• Odyssey Client Manager (not supplied)

Refer to the Odyssey Client Manager documentation for more information.

Note: Do NOT use WZC or the Odyssey Client Manager and the ZyXEL Utility at the

same time.

1.4 Windows XP Users Only

You must disable WZC if you want to use the ZyXEL utility. Refer to the appendices on how
to deactivate WZC or how to use WZC to manage the ZyXEL M-202.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Note: When you use the ZyXEL Utility, it automatically disables the Windows XP

wireless configuration tool.

1.5 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility

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

Note: When the ZyXEL Utility system tray icon displays, the ZyXEL M-202 is installed

properly.

When you use the ZyXEL Utility, it automatically disables the Windows XP
wireless configuration tool.

Figure 3 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

The color of the ZyXEL Utility system tray icon indicates the status of the ZyXEL M-202.
Refer to the following table for details.

Table 1 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon

COLOR DESCRIPTION

Red The ZyXEL M-202 is operating in wireless station mode but is not connected to a wireless

Green The ZyXEL M-202 is operating in wireless station mode and connected to a wireless

Chapter 1 Getting Started 21

network.

network.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

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 2000 are shown.

1.6 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary

This sections describes the ZyXEL Utility screens.

Figure 4 Menu Summary

The following table describes the menus.

Table 2 ZyXEL Utility: Menu Screen Summary

TAB DESCRIPTION

Link Info Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate

Site Survey Use this screen to

Profile Use this screen to add, delete, edit or activate a profile with a set of wireless and

Adapter Use this screen to configure transfer rates and enable power saving modes.

statistics.

• scan for a wireless network

• configure wireless security (if activated on the selected network).

• connect to a wireless network.

security settings.

1.7 Connecting to a Wireless LAN

The following sections show you how to associate with a network using the ZyXEL Utility.
You can either manually connect to a network or configure a profile to have the ZyXEL M-202
automatically connect to a specific network. Otherwise, configure nothing and leave the
ZyXEL M-202 to automatically scan for and connect to any other available network without
security.

See the next chapters for detailed field descriptions.

22 Chapter 1 Getting Started

1.7.1 Site Survey

After you install the ZyXEL Utility and then insert the ZyXEL M-202, follow the steps below
to connect to a network using the Site Survey screen.

1 Make sure a wireless network is available and within range.

2 Open the ZyXEL Utility and click the Site Survey tab to open the screen as shown next.

3 Click Scan to search for available wireless networks.

Figure 5 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

4 To join a network, either click an SSID in the table and then click Connect or double-

click an SSID.

5 If the wireless security is activated for the selected wireless network, the Security

Settings screen displays. This screen varies according to the network’s encryption

method. Configure the same security settings as the associated network.

Note: If the selected network is unavailable or security settings are not correct, the

ZyXEL M-202 will be disconnected.

Figure 6 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings

Chapter 1 Getting Started 23

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

6 Verify that you have successfully connected to the selected network and check the

network information in the Link Info screen. If the ZyXEL M-202 is not connected to a
network, the fields in this screen are blank.

Figure 7 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info

1.7.2 Access Point Function

Your ZyXEL M-202 is equipped with Access Point functionality using AP Mode. Please
follow the steps below to configure your M-202 in AP Mode.

Figure 8 ZyXEL M-202 AP-Mode Utility

24 Chapter 1 Getting Started

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

1 Click on the box next to the AP Mode to enable Access Point functionality on the M-202.

The following table describes the menus.

Table 3 ZyXEL AP Mode Utility: Status Screen Summary

TAB & LABELS DESCRIPTION

Link Info Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate

statistics.

Configuration Use this screen to access and set your security and wireless settings.

MAC Filter Use this screen to display and configure your MAC filtering for the M-202.

SSID Displays the current SSID assigned to the M-202 in AP Mode

Current Channel Displays the current channel assigned to the M-202 in AP Mode

Transmission Rate Displays the current transmission rates for the M-202 in AP Mode

Security Displays the security settings currently placed on the M-202 in AP Mode

MAC Displays the current MAC address for teh M-202 in AP Mode

Output Power Shows the current Output Power settings for the M-202 in AP Mode

To alter configurations within your M-202 during Access Point mode, do so within the
Configuration Tab menu.

Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: AP Mode Configuration

Chapter 1 Getting Started 25

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the menus.

Table 4 ZyXEL AP Mode Utility: Wireless & Security Settings

MENUS DESCRIPTION

SSID Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate

Configuration Use this screen to access and set your security and wireless settings.

MAC Filter Use this screen to display and configure your MAC filtering for the M-202.

SSID Displays the current SSID assigned to the M-202 in AP Mode

Current Channel Displays the current channel assigned to the M-202 in AP Mode

Transmission Rate Displays the current transmission rates for the M-202 in AP Mode

Security Displays the security settings currently placed on the M-202 in AP Mode

MAC Displays the current MAC address for teh M-202 in AP Mode

Output Power Shows the current Output Power settings for the M-202 in AP Mode

To alter MAC Address configurations within your M-202 during Access Point mode, do so
within the MAC Filter Tab menu.

statistics.

Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: AP Mode MAC Address Filtering

26 Chapter 1 Getting Started

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the menus.

Table 5 ZyXEL AP Mode Utility: Mac Filter Menu

MENUS DESCRIPTION

Link Info Use this screen to see your current connection status, configuration and data rate

statistics.

Configuration Use this screen to access and set your security and wireless settings.

MAC Filter Use this screen to display and configure your MAC filtering for the M-202.

Filter Type Use this pull down menu to select which type of MAC Address filtering you wish to

employ

Filter MAC
Address

Use this text area to manually type in MAC addresses you wish to filter

Chapter 1 Getting Started 27

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

28 Chapter 1 Getting Started

Wireless LAN Network

This chapter provides background information on wireless LAN network.

2.1 Wireless LAN Overview

This section describes the wireless LAN network terms and applications.

2.1.1 SSID

The SSID (Service Set Identity) is a unique name shared among all wireless devices in a
wireless network. Wireless devices must have the same SSID to communicate with each other.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 2

2.1.2 Channel

A radio frequency used by a wireless device is called a channel.

2.1.3 Transmission Rate (Tx Rate)

The ZyXEL M-202 provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options
include Fully Auto, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 11 Mbp s, 12 Mbps, 18
Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps and 54 Mbps. In most networking scenarios, the factory
default Fully Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your ZyXEL M-202
to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops
below a certain level, the ZyXEL M-202 automatically switches to a lower transmission (data)
rate. Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the
communication quality improves again, the ZyXEL M-202 gradually increases the
transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available transmission rate. You can
select any of the above options. If you wish to balance speed versus reliability, select 54 Mbps
in a networking environment where you are certain that all wireless devices can communicate
at the highest transmission (data) rate. 1 Mbps or 2 Mbps are used often in networking
environments where the range of the wireless connection is more important than speed.

Note: With USB1.0/1.1, the ZyXEL M-202 can only transmit at up to 11Mbps.

Actual speeds attained also depend on the distance from the AP, noise, etc.

2.2 Wireless LAN Security Overview

Wireless LAN security is vital to your network to protect wireless communications.

Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Network 29

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Configure the wireless LAN security using the Profile Security Setting screen. If you do not
enable any wireless security on your ZyXEL M-202, the ZyXEL M-202’s wireless
communications are accessible to any wireless networking device that is in the coverage area.

2.2.1 Data Encryption with WEP

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption scrambles all data packets transmitted between
the ZyXEL M-202 and the AP or other wireless stations to keep network communications
private. Both the wireless stations and the access points must use the same WEP key for data
encryption and decryption.

There are two ways to create WEP keys in your ZyXEL M-202.

• Automatic WEP key generation based on a “password phrase” called a passphrase. The
passphrase is case sensitive. You must use the same passphrase for all WLAN adapters
with this feature in the same WLAN.

For WLAN adapters without the passphrase feature, you can still take advantage of this
feature by writing down the four automatically generated WEP keys from the Security
Setting screen of the ZyXEL Utility and entering them manually as the WEP keys in the
other WLAN adapter(s).

• Enter the WEP keys manually.

Your ZyXEL M-202 allows you to configure up to four 64-bit, 128-bit or 256-bit WEP
keys and only one key is used as the default key at any one time.

2.2.2 IEEE 802.1x

The IEEE 802.1x standard outlines enhanced security methods for both the authentication of
wireless stations and encryption key management. Authentication can be done using an
external RADIUS server.

2.2.2.1 EAP Authentication

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol that runs on top of the
IEEE 802.1x transport mechanism in order to support multiple types of user authentication. By
using EAP to interact with an EAP-compatible RADIUS server, an access point helps a
wireless station and a RADIUS server perform authentication.

The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server and an intermediary AP(s)
that supports IEEE 802.1x. The ZyXEL M-202 supports EAP-TLS and EAP-PEAP. Refer to

Appendix D on page 75 for descriptions.

For EAP-TLS authentication type, you must first have a wired connection to the network and
obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA). A certificate (also called digital IDs)
can be used to authenticate users and a CA issues certificates and guarantees the identity of
each certificate owner.

30 Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Network

2.2.3 WPA(2)

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i standard. WPA2 (IEEE

802.11i) is a wireless security standard that defines stronger encryption, authentication and
key management than WPA.

Key differences between WPA(2) and WEP are improved data encryption and user
authentication.

If both an AP and the wireless clients support WPA2 and you have an external RADIUS
server, use WPA2 for stronger data encryption. If you don't have an external RADIUS server,
you should use WPA2-PSK (WPA2-Pre-Shared Key) that only requires a single (identical)
password entered into each access point, wireless gateway and wireless client. As long as the
passwords match, a wireless client will be granted access to a WLAN.

If the AP or the wireless clients do not support WPA2, just use WPA or WPA-PSK depending
on whether you have an external RADIUS server or not.

Select WEP only when the AP and/or wireless clients do not support WPA or WPA2. WEP is
less secure than WPA or WPA2.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

2.2.3.1 Encryption

Both WPA and WPA2 improve data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
(TKIP), Message Integrity Check (MIC) and IEEE 802.1x. In addition to TKIP, WPA2 also
uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in the Counter mode with Cipher block chaining
Message authentication code Protocol (CCMP) to offer stronger encryption.

The encryption mechanisms used for WPA(2) and WPA(2)-PSK are the same. The only
difference between the two is that WPA(2)-PSK uses a simple common password, instead of
user-specific credentials. The common-password approach makes WPA(2)-PSK susceptible to
brute-force password-guessing attacks but it’s still an improvement over WEP as it employs an
easier-to-use, consistent, single, alphanumeric password.

2.2.3.2 User Authentication

WPA or WPA2 applies IEEE 802.1x and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to
authenticate wireless clients using an external RADIUS database.

2.2.4 WPA(2)-PSK Application Example

A WPA(2)s-PSK application looks as follows.

1 First enter identical passwords into the AP and all wireless clients. The Pre-Shared Key

(PSK) must consist of between 8 and 63 ASCII characters (including spaces and
symbols).

2 The AP checks each client's password and (only) allows it to join the network if it

matches its password.

Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Network 31

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

3 The AP derives and distributes keys to the wireless clients.

4 The AP and wireless clients use the TKIP or AES encryption process to encrypt data

exchanged between them.

Figure 11 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication

2.2.5 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example

You need the IP address of the RADIUS server, its port number (default is 1812), and the
RADIUS shared secret. A WPA(2)-RADIUS application example with an external RADIUS
server looks as follows. "A" is the RADIUS server. "DS" is the distribution system.

1 The AP passes the wireless client's authentication request to the RADIUS server.

2 The RADIUS server then checks the user's identification against its database and grants

or denies network access accordingly.

3 The RADIUS server distributes a Pairwise Master Key (PMK) key to the AP that then

sets up a key hierarchy and management system, using the pair-wise key to dynamically
generate unique data encryption keys to encrypt every data packet that is wirelessly
communicated between the AP and the wireless clients.

Figure 12 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example

32 Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Network

2.3 Encryption Type

The IEEE 802.11b/g standard describes a simple encryption method between the wireless
stations and AP. Two encryption types are defined: an Open system mode and a Shared key
mode.

• Open system mode is implemented for ease-of-use and when security is not an issue.
The wireless station and the AP do not share a secret key. Thus the wireless stations can
associate with any AP and listen to any data transmitted plaintext.

• Shared key mode involves a shared secret key to authenticate the wireless station to the
AP. This requires you to enable the wireless LAN security and use same settings on both
the wireless station and the AP.

2.4 Preamble Type

Preamble is used to signal that data is coming to the receiver.

Short preamble increases performance as less time sending preamble means more time for
sending data. All IEEE 802.11b/g compliant wireless adapters support long preamble, but not
all support short preamble.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

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

Select Long and Short to have the ZyXEL M-202 automatically use short preamble when
access point/wireless stations support it, otherwise the ZyXEL M-202 uses long preamble.

Note: The ZyXEL M-202 and the access point/wireless stations MUST use the same

preamble mode in order to communicate.

Chapter 2 33

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

34 Chapter 2

ZyXEL Utility Configuration

This chapter shows you how to configure your ZyXEL M-202 in wireless station mode.

3.1 The Link Info Screen

When the ZyXEL Utility starts, the Link Info screen displays, showing the current
configuration and connection status of your ZyXEL M-202.

Figure 13 Link Info

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 3

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 6 Link Info

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Wireless Network
Status

Profile Name This is the name of the profile you are currently using.

Network Name
(SSID)

AP MAC Address This field displays the MAC address of the wireless device to which the ZyXEL M-

Network Type This field displays the network type (Infrastructure(BSS) or Ad Hoc) of the

Transmission Rate This field displays the current transmission rate of the ZyXEL M-202 in megabits

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 35

The SSID identifies the Service Set to which a wireless station is associated. This
field displays the name of the wireless device to which the ZyXEL M-202 is
associated.

202 is associated.

wireless network.

per second (Mbps).

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Table 6 Link Info (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security This field displays whether data encryption is activated (WEP (WEP or 802.1x),

Channel This field displays the radio channel the ZyXEL M-202 is currently using.

Stat istics

Transmit Rate This field displays the current data transmission rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

Receive Rate This field displays the current data receiving rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

Authentication This field displays the authentication method of the ZyXEL M-202.

Network Mode This field displays the network standard (B or G) of the wireless device.

Total Transmit This field displays the total number of data frames transmitted.

Total Receive This field displays the total number of data frames received.

Link Quality This field displays the quality of the signal of the ZyXEL M-202.

Trend Chart Click this button to display the real-time statistics of the data rate in kilobits per

Signal Strength The status bar shows the strength of the signal.

Link Quality The status bar shows the quality of the signal.

TKIP (WPA/WPA-PSK), AES (WPA2/WPA2-PSK)) or inactive (DISABLE).

second (Kbps).

3.1.1 Trend Chart

Click Trend Chart in the Link Info screen to display a screen as shown below. Use this
screen to view real-time data traffic statistics.

Figure 14 Link Info: Trend Chart

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 7 Link Info: Trend Chart

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Transmit This field displays the current data transmission rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

Receive This field displays the current data receiving rate in kilobits per second (Kbps).

36 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

3.2 The Site Survey Screen

Use the Site Survey screen to scan for and connect to a wireless network automatically.

Figure 15 Site Survey

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 8 Site Survey

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Available Network
List

,

,

or

SSID This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each wireless device.

Channel This field displays the channel number used by each wireless device.

Signal This field displays the signal strength of each wireless device.

Scan Click Scan to search for available wireless devices within transmission range.

Connect Click Connect to associate to the selected wireless device.

Site Information Click an entry in the Available Network List table to display the information of the

Network Type This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) of the wireless

Channel This field displays the channel number used by each wireless device.

Security This field shows whether data encryption is activated (WEP (WEP or 802.1x),

Click a column heading to sort the entries.

denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode and the wireless
security is activated.

denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode but the wireless
security is deactivated.

denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode and the wireless
security is activated.

denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode but the wireless
security is deactivated.

selected wireless device.

device.

WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK) or inactive (DISABLE).

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 37

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Table 8 Site Survey (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

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

Surveyed at This field displays the time when the wireless device is scanned.

3.2.1 Connecting to a WLAN Network

Follow the steps below to connect to a WLAN network using the Site Survey screen.

1 Click Scan to search for all available wireless networks within range.

2 To join a network, click an entry in the table to select a wireless network and then click

Connect.

3 If the WEP encryption is activated for the selected wireless network, the Security Setting

screen displays. You must set the related fields in the Security Setting screen to the same
security settings as the associated wireless device. Refer to Section 3.2.2 on page 38 for
more information.

Otherwise click the Back or Exit button and connect to another wireless network without
data encryption.

4 Verify that you have successfully connected to the selected network and check the

network information in the Link Info screen.

3.2.2 Security Settings

When you configure the ZyXEL M-202 to connect to a network with wireless security
activated and the security settings are disabled on the ZyXEL M-202, the screen varies
according to the encryption method used by the selected network.

3.2.2.1 WEP Encryption

Figure 16 Security Settings: WEP

38 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 9 Security Settings: WEP

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security Setting

WEP Select 64 Bits, 128 Bits or 256 Bits to activate WEP encryption and then fill in the

related fields.
Select Disable to deactivate WEP encryption.

Encryption Type Select an encryption type. Choices are Open and Shared. Refer to Section 2.3 on

page 33 for more information.

Pass Phrase When you select the radio button, enter a passphrase of up to 63 case-sensitive

Transmit Key Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption. The key displays in the field

Key x (where x is a
number between 1
and 4)

printable characters. As you enter the passphrase, the ZyXEL M-202 automatically
generates four different WEP keys and displays it in the key field below. Refer to
Section 2.2.1 on page 30 for more information.

below.

Select this option if you want to manually enter the WEP keys. Enter the WEP key
in the field provided.

If you select 64 Bits in the WEP field.

Enter either 10 hexadecimal digits in the range of “A-F”, “a-f” and “0-9” (for
example, 11AA22BB33) for HEX key type.

or
Enter 5 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from “a-z”, “A-Z” and “0-9”

(for example, MyKey) for ASCII key type.

If you select 128 Bits in the WEP field,

Enter either 26 hexadecimal digits in the range of “A-F”, “a-f” and “0-9” (for
example, 00112233445566778899AABBCC) for HEX key type

or
Enter 13 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from “a-z”, “A-Z” and “0-9”

(for example, MyKey12345678) for ASCII key type.

If you select 256 Bits in the WEP field,

Enter either 64 hexadecimal digits in the range of "A-F", "a-f" and "0-9" (for
example,
00001111222 23333444455556666777788889999AAAABBBBCCCCDDDDEE
EEFFFF) for HEX key type

or
Enter 32 ASCII characters (case sensitive) ranging from "a-z", "A-Z" and "0-9"

(for example, MyKey123456789011234567890123456) for ASCII key type.

Note: The values for the WEP keys must be set up exactly the

same on all wireless devices in the same wireless LAN.

ASCII WEP keys are case sensitive.

Back Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to other network.

Next Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Confirm Save screen.

Refer to Section 3.2.3 on page 42.

Exit Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

3.2.2.2 WPA/WPA2

Note: WPA2 and WPA2-PSK are only available in Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 39

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 17 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 10 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Authentication
Type

Login Name Enter a user name.

Password This field is not available when you select TLS in the Authentication Type field.

Certificate This field is only available when you select TLS in the Authentication Type field.

Select an authentication method from the drop down list. Options are TLS, TTLS
and PEAP.

This is the user name that you or an administrator set up on a WPA/WPA2 server.

Enter the password associated with the user name above.

Select a certificate from the drop-down list box.

Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and

Server CA Select the server certificate or select <Trust Any> as default.

tPEAP Inner EAP This field is only available when you select PEAP in the Authentication Type field.

The PEAP protocol is MS CHAP v2.

Back Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to other network.

Next Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Confirm Save screen.

Exit Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

Refer to Section 3.2.3 on page 42.

3.2.2.3 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA).
Consult your network administrator for more information.

Note: WPA2 and WPA2-PSK are only available in Windows XP and Windows 2000.

40 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 18 Security Settings: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 11 Security Settings: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security Setting

Encryption Type The encryption mechanisms used for WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK are

the same. The only difference between the two is that WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK uses
a simple common password, instead of user-specific credentials.

The encryption types for WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK are TKIP and AES
respectively. Refer to Section 2.2.3 on page 31 for more information.

Pass Phrase Type a passphrase from 8 to 63 case-sensitive ASCII characters (including spaces

Back Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to other network.

Next Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Confirm Save screen.

Exit Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

and symbols).

Refer to Section 3.2.3 on page 42.

3.2.2.4 802.1x

Figure 19 Security Settings: 802.1x

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 41

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 12 Security Settings: 802.1x

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Authentication
Type

Login Name Enter a user name.

Password This field is not available when you select TLS in the Authentication Type field.

Certificate This field is only available when you select TLS in the Authentication Type field.

Select an authentication method from the drop down list. Options are TLS, TTLS
and PEAP.

This is the user name that you or an administrator set up on a RADIUS server.

Enter the password associated with the user name above.

Select a certificate from the drop-down list box.

Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and

obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA).
Consult your network administrator for more information.

Server CA Select the server certificate or select <Trust Any> as default.

PEAP Inner EAP This field is only available when you select PEAP in the Authentication Type field.

The PEAP protocol is MS CHAP v2.

Back Click Back to go to the Site Survey screen to select and connect to other network.

Next Click Next to confirm your selections and advance to the Confirm Save screen.

Exit Click Exit to return to the Site Survey screen without saving.

Refer to Section 3.2.3 on page 42.

3.2.3 Confirm Save Screen

Use the Confirm Save screen to confirm and save the security settings.

Figure 20 Confirm Save Screen

42 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 13 Confirm Save Screen

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security Setting

Network Name This field displays the SSID previously entered.

Network Type This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) of the wireless

device.

Channel This field displays the channel number used by the profile.

Security This field shows whether data encryption is activated (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK,

WPA2-PSK or 802.1x) or inactive (DISABLE).

Back Click Back to return to the Encryption/Authentication screen

Save Click Save to save the changes back to the ZyXEL M-202 and display the Link Info

screen. Otherwise, click Back to go back to the Encryption Type screen or click Exit
to discard changes and go back to the Site Survey screen.

Exit Click Exit to discard changes and return to the Site Survey screen.

3.3 The Profile Screen

A profile is a set of wireless parameters that you need to connect to a wireless network. With a
profile activated, each time you start the ZyXEL M-202, it automatically scans for the specific
SSID and joins that network with the pre-defined wireless security settings. If the specified
network is not available, the ZyXEL M-202 will be disconnected.

If you do not configure and activate a profile, each time you start the ZyXEL M-202, the
ZyXEL M-202 uses the default profile to connect to any available network with security
disabled.

The default profile is a profile that allows you to connect to any SSID without security.

Click the Profile tab in the ZyXEL Utility program to display the Profile screen as shown
next.

The profile function allows you to save the wireless network settings in this screen, or use one
of the pre-configured network profiles.

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 43

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 21 Profile Screen

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 14 Profile Screen

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Profile List Click a column heading to sort the entries.

,

,

or

Profile Name This is the name of the pre-configured profile.

SSID This is the SSID of the wireless network to which the selected profile associate.

Connect To use a previously saved network profile, select a pre-configured profile name in

Add To add a new profile into the table, click Add.

Delete To delete an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile in the table

Edit To edit an existing wireless network configuration, select a profile in the table and

Profile Info The following fields display detail information of the selected profile in the Profile

Network Type This field displays the network type (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) of the profile.

SSID This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of the profile.

Channel This field displays the channel number used by the profile.

denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode and the wireless
security is activated.

denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode but the wireless
security is deactivated.

denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode and the wireless
security is activated.

denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode but the wireless
security is deactivated.

the table and click Connect.

and click Delete.

click Edit.

List table.

44 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

Table 14 Profile Screen (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Security This field shows whether data encryption is activated (WEP (WEP or 802.1x),

WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK) or inactive (DISABLE).

Transfer Rate This field displays the transfer speed of the selected profile in megabits per second

(Mbps).

3.3.1 Adding a New Profile

Follow the steps below to add a new profile.

1 Click Add in the Profile screen. An Add New Profile screen displays as shown next.

Click Next to continue.

Figure 22 Profile: Add New Profile

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 15 Profile: Add New Profile

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Add New Profile

Profile Name Enter a descriptive name in this field.

SSID Select an available wireless device in the Scan Info table and click Select, or enter

Network Type Select the Infrastructure radio button to associate to an AP. Select the Ad-Hoc

Next Click Next to go to the next screen.

Exit Click Exit to go back to the previous screen without saving.

Scan Info This table displays the information of the available wireless networks within the

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 45

the SSID of the wireless device to which you want to associate in this field
manually. Otherwise, enter Any to have the ZyXEL M-202 associate to or roam
between any infrastructure wireless networks.

radio button to associate to a peer computer.

transmission range.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Table 15 Profile: Add New Profile (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

,

,

or

SSID This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each wireless device.

Scan Click Scan to search for available wireless devices within transmission range.

Select Select an available wireless device in the table and click Select to add it to this

denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode and the wireless
security is activated.

denotes that the wireless device is in infrastructure mode but the wireless
security is deactivated.

denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode and the wireless
security is activated.

denotes that the wireless device is in Ad-Hoc mode but the wireless security
is deactivated.

profile.
Whenever you activate this profile, the ZyXEL M-202 associates to the selected

wireless network only.

2 If you select the Infrastructure network type in the previous screen, skip to step 3. If you

select the Ad-Hoc network type in the previous screen, a screen displays as follows.
Select a channel number and click Next to continue.

Figure 23 Profile: Wireless Setting: Select a Channel

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 16 Profile: Wireless Setting: Select a Channel

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Wireless Setting

Channel Select a channel number from the drop-down list box. To associate to an ad-hoc

Back Click Back to return to the Add New Profile screen.

Next Click Next to confirm your selection and advance to the Encryption Type screen.

Exit Click Exit to discard changes and return to the Add New Profile screen.

46 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

network, you must use the same channel as the peer computer.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

3 If you select Infrastructure network type in the first screen, select WEP, WPA, WPA2,

WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK or 802.1x from the drop-down list box to enable data

encryption. If you select Ad-Hoc network type in the first screen, you can only use WEP
encryption method. Otherwise, select DISABLE to allow the ZyXEL M-202 to
communicate with the access points or other peer wireless computers without any data
encryption and skip to step 5.

Figure 24 Profile: Security Setting: Encryption Type

4 The screen varies depending on the encryption method you select in the previous screen.

The settings must be exactly the same on the APs or other peer wireless computers as
they are on the ZyXEL M-202. Refer to Section 3.2.2 on page 38 for detailed information
on wireless security configuration.

Figure 25 Profile: Security Setting

5 This read-only screen shows a summary of the new profile settings. Verify that the

settings are correct. Click Save to save and go to the next screen. Click Back to return to
the previous screen. Otherwise, click Exit to go back to the Profile screen without saving.

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 47

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 26 Profile: Confirm New Settings

6 To use this network profile, click the Activate Now button. Otherwise, click the Activate

Later button.

Note: Once you activate a profile, the ZyXEL Utility will use that profile the next time it

is started.

Figure 27 Profile: Activate the Profile

3.4 The Adapter Screen

To set the advanced features on the ZyXEL M-202, click the Adapter tab.

Figure 28 Adapter Screen

48 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 17 Adapter

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Adapter Setting

Transfer Rate Select a transfer speed from the drop-down list box. Choose from Fully Auto

(default), 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24
Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps and 54 Mbps.

Preamble Type Select a preamble type. Choices are Auto, Long and Short.The default

setting is Auto.

Refer to Section 2.4 on page 33 for more information.

Power Saving
Mode

Save Click Save to save the changes back to the ZyXEL M-202 and return to the Link

Select FPS or MPS to save power (especially for notebook computers).

This forces the ZyXEL M-202 to go to sleep mode when it is not transmitting data.

When you select CAM, the ZyXEL M-202 will never go to sleep mode.

Info screen.

Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration 49

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

50 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility Configuration

This chapter describes how to uninstall or upgrade the ZyXEL Utility.

4.1 The About Screen

The About screen displays related version numbers of the ZyXEL M-202. To display the
screen as shown below, click the about ( ) button.

Figure 29 About

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 4

Maintenance

The following table describes the read-only fields in this screen.

Table 18 About

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Driver Version This field displays the version number of the ZyXEL M-202 driver.

Utility Version This field displays the version number of the ZyXEL Utility.

4.2 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility

Follow the steps below to remove (or uninstall) the ZyXEL Utility from your computer.

1 Click Start, Programs, ZyXEL M-202 Client Utility, Uninstall ZyXEL M-202 Client

Utility.

2 Click Finish to complete uninstalling the software and restart the computer when

prompted.

Chapter 4 Maintenance 51

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 30 Uninstall: Finish

4.3 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility

Note: Before you uninstall the ZyXEL Utility, take note of the current network

configuration.

To perform the upgrade, follow the steps below.

1 Download the latest version of the utility from the ZyXEL web site and save the file on

your computer.

2 Follow the steps in Section 4.2 on page 51 to remove the current ZyXEL Utility from

your computer.

3 Restart your computer when prompted.

4 Disconnect the ZyXEL M-202 from your computer.

5 Double-click on the setup program for the new utility to start the ZyXEL Utility

installation.

6 Insert the ZyXEL M-202 and check the version numbers in the About screen to make

sure the new utility is installed properly

52 Chapter 4 Maintenance

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

CHAPTER 5

Troubleshooting

This chapter covers potential problems and the possible remedies. After each problem
description, some instructions are provided to help you to diagnose and to solve the problem.

5.1 Problems Starting the ZyXEL Utility Program

Table 19 Troubleshooting Starting ZyXEL Utility Program

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

Cannot start the
ZyXEL Wireless
LAN Utility

The ZyXEL Utility
icon does not
display.

Make sure the ZyXEL M-202 is properly inserted and the LED is on.
Use the Device Manager to check for possible hardware conflicts. Click Start,

Settings, Control Panel, System, Hardware and Device Manager. Verify the
status of the ZyXEL M-202 under Network Adapter. (Steps may vary depending
on the version of Windows).

Install the ZyXEL M-202 in another computer.
If the error persists, you may have a hardware problem. In this case, you should

contact your local vendor.

If you install the Funk Odyssey Client software on the computer, uninstall (remove)
both the Funk Odyssey Client software and ZyXEL utility, and then install the
ZyXEL utility again after restarting the computer.

5.2 Problem with the Link Status

Table 20 Troubleshooting Link Quality

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

The link quality
and/or signal
strength is poor all
the time.

Search and connect to another AP with a better link quality using the Site Survey
screen.

Move your computer closer to the AP or the peer computer(s) within the
transmission range.

There may be too much radio interference (for example microwave or another AP
using the same channel) around your wireless network. Relocate or reduce the
radio interference.

Chapter 5 Troubleshooting 53

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

5.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers

Table 21 Troubleshooting Communication Problem

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

In wireless station
mode, the
computer with the
ZyXEL M-202
installed cannot
communicate with
the other
computer(s).

In Infrastructure Mode

• Make sure that the AP and the associated computers are turned on and
working properly.

• Make sure the ZyXEL M-202 computer and the associated AP use the same
SSID.

• Change the AP and the associated wireless clients to use another radio
channel if interference is high.

• Make sure that the computer and the AP share the same security option and
key. Verify the settings in the Profile Security Setting screen.

In Ad-Hoc (IBSS) Mode

• Verify that the peer computer(s) is turned on.

• Make sure the ZyXEL M-202 computer and the peer computer(s) are using the
same SSID and channel.

• Make sure that the computer and the peer computer(s) share the same
security settings.

• Change the wireless clients to use another radio channel if interference is high.

54 Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Table 22 Product Specifications

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

Product Name ZyXEL M-202 XtremeMIMO 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter

Interface USB 2.0 bus-powered

Standards IEEE 802.11b

IEEE 802.11g

Network Architectures Infrastructure

Ad-Hoc

Security 64/128/256-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 Encryption

Operating Temperature

Storage Temperature

Operating Humidity

Storage Humidity

Power Consumption

Voltage

Weight

Dimension

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS

Media Access Protocol IEEE 802.11

Frequency USA (FCC) & Canada 11 Channels: 2.4GHz~2.462GHz

Data Rate 11g: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM): 54, 48,

Modulation 11g: OFDM (64QAM, 16QAM, QPSK, BPSK)

Output Power 11g: 16dBm @ 54Mbps, 16dBm @ 48Mbps, 17dBm @ 36Mbps,

RX Sensitivity 11g (OFDM): -74dBm @ 54Mbps, -75dBm @ 48Mbps, -78dBm @

SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS

Device Drivers Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP

Roaming IEEE 802.11b/g compliant

36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps
11b: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps

11b: PBCC, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), (CCK,
DQPSK, DBPSK)

18dBm @ 24~6Mbps
11b: 18dBm @ 11Mbps

36Mbps, -80dBm @ 24Mbps, -84dBm @ 18Mbps, -86dBm @
12Mbps, -88dBm @ 9Mbps, -89dBm @ 6Mbps (typical)

11b (CCK): 11 Mbps: < -84 dBm (typical)

Appendix A Product Specifications 55

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Table 22 Product Specifications (continued)

WPA Wireled Protected Access, WPA2

WEP 64/128/256-bit WEP encryption

56 Appendix A Product Specifications

APPENDIX B

Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN

Configuration Tool

Windows XP includes a configuration tool (also known as Wireless Zero Configuration
(WZC)) for wireless devices.

Follow the steps below to disable the configuration tool in Windows XP after you install the
ZyXEL Utility. The screen varies depending on the version of Windows XP service pack.

Via the Wireless Network System Tray Icon

If the network icon for wireless connections is not present in the system tray, see the next
section.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

1 Double-click the network icon for wireless connections in the system tray.

Figure 31 Windows XP: System Tray Icon

2 Windows XP SP1: When a Wireless Network Connection window displays, click

Advanced….

Appendix B Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool 57

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 32 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection

Windows XP SP2: When a Wireless Network Connection window displays, click
Change advanced settings under Related Tasks and then the Wireless Networks tab.

Figure 33 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection

3 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.

58 Appendix B Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 34 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

Figure 35 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties

Appendix B Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool 59

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Via the Control Panel

1 If the icon for the wireless network connection is not in the system tray, click Start,

Control Panel and double-click Network Connections.

2 Double-click on the icon for wireless network connection to display a status window as

shown below.

3 Click Properties and click the Wireless Networks tab.

Figure 36 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status

Figure 37 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status

60 Appendix B Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

4 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 38 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

Figure 39 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties

Appendix B Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool 61

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

62 Appendix B Disable Windows XP Wireless LAN Configuration Tool

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

APPENDIX C

Management with Wireless Zero

Configuration

This appendix shows you how to manage your ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter using the
Windows XP wireless zero configuration tool.

Be sure you have the Windows XP service pack 2 installed on your computer. Otherwise, you
should at least have the Windows XP service pack 1 already on your computer and download
the support patch for WPA from the Microsoft web site.

Windows XP SP2 screen shots are shown unless otherwise specified. Click the help icon ( )
in most screens, move the cursor to the item that you want the information about and click to
view the help.

Activating Wireless Zero Configuration

Make sure the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is
selected in the Wireless Network Connection Properties screen. Refer to Appendix B on

page 57.

If you see the following screen, refer to article 871122 on the Microsoft web site for
information on starting WZC.

Figure 40 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available

Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration 63

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Connecting to a Wireless Network

1 Double-click the network icon for wireless connections in the system tray to open the

Wireless Network Connection Status screen.

Figure 41 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon

The type of the wireless network icon in Windows XP SP2 indicates the status of the ZyXEL
wireless LAN adapter. Refer to the following table for details.

Table 23 Wi ndows XP SP2: System Tray Icon

ICON DESCRIPTION

The ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter is connected to a wireless network.

The ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter is in the process of connecting to a wireless network.

The connection to a wireless network is limited because the network did not assign a
network address to the computer.

The ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter is not connected to a wireless network.

2 Windows XP SP2: In the Wireless Network Connection Status screen, click View

Wireless Networks to open the Wireless Network Connection screen.

Figure 42 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status

64 Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Windows XP SP1: In the Wireless Network Connection Status screen, click Properties
and the Wireless Networks tab to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties
screen.

Figure 43 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status

3 Windows XP SP2: Click Refresh network list to reload and search for available wireless

devices within transmission range. Select a wireless network in the list and click Connect
to join the selected wireless network.

Figure 44 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection

Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration 65

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the icons in the wireless network list.

Table 24 Windows XP SP2: Wirele ss Network Connection

ICON DESCRIPTION

This denotes that wireless security is activated for the wireless network.

This denotes that this wireless network is your preferred network. Ordering your preferred
networks is important because the ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter tries to associate to the
preferred network first in the order that you specify. Refer to the section on ordering the
preferred networks for detailed information.

This denotes the signal strength of the wireless network.
Move your cursor to the icon to see details on the signal strength.

Windows XP SP1: Click Refresh to reload and search for available wireless devices
within transmission range. Select a wireless network in the Available networks list, click
Configure and set the related fields to the same security settings as the associated AP to
add the selected network into the Preferred networks table. Click OK to join the selected
wireless network. Refer to the section on security settings (discussed later) for more
information.

Figure 45 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties

4 4.Windows XP SP2: If the wireless security is activated for the selected wireless network,

the Wireless Network Connection screen displays. You must set the related fields in the
Wireless Network Connection screen to the same security settings as the associated AP

and click Connect. Refer to the section about security settings for more information.
Otherwise click Cancel and connect to another wireless network without data encryption.

66 Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

If there is no security activated for the selected wireless network, a warning screen
appears. Click Connect Anyway if wireless security is not your concern.

Figure 47 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK

Figure 48 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security

5 Verify that you have successfully connected to the selected network and check the

connection status in the wireless network list or the connection icon in the Preferred
networks or Available networks list.

The following table describes the connection icons.

Table 25 Windows XP: Wireless Networks

ICON DESCRIPTION

This denotes the wireless network is an available wireless network.

This denotes the ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter is associated to the wireless network.

This denotes the wireless network is not available.

Security Settings

When you configure the ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter to connect to a secure network but the
security settings are not yet enabled on the ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter, you will see
different screens according to the authentication and encryption methods used by the selected
network.

Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration 67

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Association

Select a network in the Preferred networks list and click Properties to view or configure
security.

Figure 46 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 26 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Network name
(SSID)

Network
Authentication

Data Encryption This field automatically shows the encryption type (TKIP, WEP or Disable) used by

Network Key Enter the pre-shared key or WEP key.

Confirm network
key

Key index
(advanced)

The key is
provided for me
automatically

This field displays the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of each wireless network.

This field automatically shows the authentication method (Share, Open, WPA or
WPA-PSK) used by the selected network.

the selected network.

The values for the keys must be set up exactly the same on all wireless devices in
the same wireless LAN.

Enter the key again for confirmation.

Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption.
This field is available only when the network use WEP encryption method and the

The key is provided for me automatically check box is not selected.

If this check box is selected, the wireless AP assigns the ZyXEL wireless LAN
adapter a key.

68 Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Table 26 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

This is a
computer-to­computer (ad hoc)
network; wireless
access points are
not used

OK Click OK to save your changes.

Cancel Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Authentication

Click the Authentication tab in the Wireless (network) properties screen to display the
screen shown next. The fields on this screen are grayed out when the network is in Ad-Hoc
mode or data encryption is disabled.

Figure 49 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication

If this check box is selected, you are connecting to another computer directly.

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 27 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Enable IEEE

802.1x
authentication for
this network

EAP Type Select the type of EAP authentication. Options are Protected EAP (PEAP) and

Properties Click this button to open the properties screen and configure certificates. The

Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration 69

This field displays whether the IEEE 802.1x authentication is active.
If the network authentication is set to Open in the previous screen, you can choose

to disable or enable this feature.

Smart Card or other Certificate.

screen varies depending on what you select in the EAP type field.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Table 27 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication (continued)

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Authenticate as
computer when
computer
information is
available

Authenticate as
guest when user
or computer
information is
unavailable

OK Click OK to save your changes.

Cancel Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Select this check box to have the computer send its information to the network for
authentication when a user is not logged on.

Select this check box to have the computer access to the network as a guest when
a user is not logged on or computer information is not available.

Authentication Properties

Select an EAP authentication type in the Wireless (network) properties: Authentication
screen and click the Properties button to display the following screen.

Protected EAP Properties

Figure 50 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties

70 Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 28 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties

LABEL DESCRIPTION

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Validate server
certificate

Connect to these
servers

Trusted Root
Certification
Authorities:

Select the check box to verify the certificate of the authentication server.

Select the check box and specify a domain in the field below to have your
computer connect to a server which resides only within this domain.

Select a trusted certification authority from the list below.

Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and

obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA).
Consult your network administrator for more information.

Do not prompt
user to authorize
new server or
trusted
certification
authorities.

Select
Authentication
Method:

Enable Fast
Reconnect

OK Click OK to save your changes.

Cancel Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Select this check box to verify a new authentication server or trusted CA without
prompting.

This field is available only if you installed the Windows XP server pack 2.

Select an authentication method from the drop-down list box and click Configure
to do settings.

Select the check box to automatically reconnect to the network (without re­authentication) if the wireless connection goes down.

Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

Figure 51 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration 71

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

The following table describes the labels in this screen.

Table 29 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties

LABEL DESCRIPTION

Use my smart card Select this check box to use the smart card for authentication.

Use a certificate
on this computer

Validate server
certificate

Connect to these
servers

Trusted Root
Certification
Authorities:

View Certificate Click this button if you want to verify the selected certificate.

Use a different
user name for the
connection:

OK Click OK to save your changes.

Cancel Click Cancel to leave this screen without saving any changes you may have made.

Select this check box to use a certificate on your computer for authentication.

Select the check box to check the certificate of the authentication server.

Select the check box and specify a domain in the field below to have your
computer connect to a server which resides only within this domain.

Select a trusted certification authority from the list below.

Note: You must first have a wired connection to a network and

obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA).
Consult your network administrator for more information.

Select the check box to use a different user name when the user name in the smart
card or certificate is not the same as the user name in the domain that you are
logged on to.

Ordering the Preferred Networks

Follow the steps below to manage your preferred networks.

72 Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

1 Windows XP SP2: Click Change the order of preferred networks in the Wireless

Network Connection screen. The screen displays as shown.

Figure 52 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks

Windows XP SP1: In the Wireless Network Connection Status screen, click Properties
and the Wireless Networks tab to open the screen as shown.

Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration 73

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Figure 53 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks

2 Whenever the ZyXEL wireless LAN adapter tries to connect to a new network, the new

network is added in the Preferred networks table automatically. Select a network and
click Move up or Move down to change it's order, click Remove to delete it or click
Properties to view the security, authentication or connection information of the selected
network. Click Add to add a preferred network into the list manually.

74 Appendix C Management with Wireless Zero Configuration

APPENDIX D

Types of EAP Authentication

This appendix discusses some popular authentication types: EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP­TTLS, PEAP and LEAP.

The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server or the AP. Consult your
network administrator for more information. Your wireless LAN device may not support all
authentication types.

EAP-MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5)

MD5 authentication is the simplest one-way authentication method. The authentication server
sends a challenge to the wireless station. The wireless station ‘proves’ that it knows the
password by encrypting the password with the challenge and sends back the information.
Password is not sent in plain text.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

However, MD5 authentication has some weaknesses. Since the authentication server needs to
get the plaintext passwords, the passwords must be stored. Thus someone other than the
authentication server may access the password file. In addition, it is possible to impersonate an
authentication server as MD5 authentication method does not perform mutual authentication.
Finally, MD5 authentication method does not support data encryption with dynamic session
key. You must configure WEP encryption keys for data encryption.

EAP-TLS (Transport Layer Security)

With EAP-TLS, digital certifications are needed by both the server and the wireless stations
for mutual authentication. The server presents a certificate to the client. After validating the
identity of the server, the client sends a different certificate to the server. The exchange of
certificates is done in the open before a secured tunnel is created. This makes user identity
vulnerable to passive attacks. A digital certificate is an electronic ID card that authenticates the
sender’s identity. However, to implement EAP-TLS, you need a Certificate Authority (CA) to
handle certificates, which imposes a management overhead.

EAP-TTLS (Tunneled Transport Layer Service)

EAP-TTLS is an extension of the EAP-TLS authentication that uses certificates for only the
server-side authentications to establish a secure connection. Client authentication is then done
by sending username and password through the secure connection, thus client identity is
protected. For client authentication, EAP-TTLS supports EAP methods and legacy
authentication methods such as PAP, CHAP, MS-CHAP and MS-CHAP v2.

Appendix D Types of EAP Authentication 75

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

PEAP (Protected EAP)

Like EAP-TTLS, server-side certificate authentication is used to establish a secure connection,
then use simple username and password methods through the secured connection to
authenticate the clients, thus hiding client identity. However, PEAP only supports EAP
methods, such as EAP-MD5, EAP-MSCHAPv2 and EAP-GTC (EAP-Generic Token Card),
for client authentication. EAP-GTC is implemented only by Cisco.

LEAP

LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol) is a Cisco implementation of IEEE

802.1x.

Dynamic WEP Key Exchange

The AP maps a unique key that is generated with the RADIUS server. This key expires when
the wireless connection times out, disconnects or reauthentication times out. A new WEP key
is generated each time reauthentication is performed.

If this feature is enabled, it is not necessary to configure a default encryption key in the
Wireless screen. You may still configure and store keys here, but they will not be used while
Dynamic WEP is enabled.

Note: EAP-MD5 cannot be used with Dynamic WEP Key Exchange

For added security, certificate-based authentications (EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS and PEAP) use
dynamic keys for data encryption. They are often deployed in corporate environments, but for
public deployment, a simple user name and password pair is more practical. The following
table is a comparison of the features of authentication types.

Table 30 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types

EAP-MD5 EAP-TLS EAP-TTLS PEAP LEAP

Mutual Authentication No Yes Ye s Yes Yes

Certificate – Client No Yes Optional Optional No

Certificate – Server No Yes Yes Yes No

Dynamic Key Exchange No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Credential Integrity None Strong Strong Strong Moderate

Deployment Difficulty Easy Hard Moderate Moderate Moderate

Client Identity Protection No No Ye s Yes No

76 Appendix D Types of EAP Authentication

WPA(2)

User Authentication

WPA or WPA2 applies IEEE 802.1x and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to
authenticate wireless stations using an external RADIUS database.

Encryption

Both WPA and WPA2 improve data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
(TKIP), Message Integrity Check (MIC) and IEEE 802.1x. In addition to TKIP, WPA2 also
uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in the Counter mode with Cipher block chaining
Message authentication code Protocol (CCMP) to offer stronger encryption.

TKIP uses 128-bit keys that are dynamically generated and distributed by the authentication
server. It includes a per-packet key mixing function, a Message Integrity Check (MIC) named
Michael, an extended initialization vector (IV) with sequencing rules, and a re-keying
mechanism.

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

TKIP regularly changes and rotates the encryption keys so that the same encryption key is
never used twice.

The RADIUS server distributes a Pairwise Master Key (PMK) key to the AP that then sets up
a key hierarchy and management system, using the PMK to dynamically generate unique data
encryption keys to encrypt every data packet that is wirelessly communicated between the AP
and the wireless stations. This all happens in the background automatically.

WPA2 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a block cipher that uses a 256-bit
mathematical algorithm called Rijndael.

The Message Integrity Check (MIC) is designed to prevent an attacker from capturing data
packets, altering them and resending them. The MIC provides a strong mathematical function
in which the receiver and the transmitter each compute and then compare the MIC. If they do
not match, it is assumed that the data has been tampered with and the packet is dropped.

By generating unique data encryption keys for every data packet and by creating an integrity
checking mechanism (MIC), TKIP makes it much more difficult to decrypt data on a Wi-Fi
network than WEP, making it difficult for an intruder to break into the network.

The encryption mechanisms used for WPA(2) and WPA(2)-PSK are the same. The only
difference between the two is that WPA(2)-PSK uses a simple common password, instead of
user-specific credentials. The common-password approach makes WPA(2)-PSK susceptible to
brute-force password-guessing attacks but it’s still an improvement over WEP as it employs an
easier-to-use, consistent, single, alphanumeric password.

Appendix D Types of EAP Authentication 77

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Security Parameters Summary

Refer to this table to see what other security parameters you should configure for each
Authentication Method/ key management protocol type. MAC address filters are not
dependent on how you configure these security features.

Table 31 Wireless Security Relational Matrix

AUTHENTICATION
METHOD/ KEY
MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

Open None No Disable

Open WEP No Enable with Dynamic WEP Key

Shared WEP No Enable with Dynamic WEP Key

WPA TKIP No Enable

WPA-PSK TKIP Ye s Enable

WPA2 AES No Enable

WPA2-PSK AES Yes Enable

ENCRYPTION
METHOD

ENTER
MANUAL KEY

Yes Enable without Dynamic WEP Key

Yes Disable

Yes Enable without Dynamic WEP Key

Yes Disable

IEEE 802.1X

Enable without Dynamic WEP Key

78 Appendix D Types of EAP Authentication

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

Index

Numerics

802.1x 41

A

About 51
about your ZyXEL M-202 19
Access Point Mode 24
activating a profile 48
Adapter 48
Ad-Hoc 20,46
Advanced Encryption Standard 77
AES 77
antenna 19
antenna power output 55
authentication 39, 69
authentication method

open system 29
shared key 31

D

data encryption 37
Denmark, Contact Information 7
driver version 51
Dynamic WEP Key Exchange 76

E

EAP 28, 75
Encryption 27, 77
Extensible Authentication Protocol 28

F

FCC 4
Finland, Contact Information 7
France, Contact Information 7

C

Certificate Authority 69
channel 29
configuration method

important note 21
Odyssey Client Manager 21
Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) 21

ZyXEL Utility 21
connecting to a WLAN 38
Copyright 3
creating a new profile 45
current configuration 35
current connection status 35
Customer Support 7

Index 79

G

Germany, Contact Information 7
getting started 19
graphics icons key 18

H

hardware connections 21

I

initialization vector (IV) 77
installation

utility 19

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

L

link information 35

M

Message Integrity Check 27
Message Integrity Check (MIC) 77
MIC 27

N

network type 35
North America Contact Information 7
Norway, Contact Information 7

O

Odyssey Client Manager 21
open system authentication 29

P

Pairwise Master Key (PMK) 77
passphrase 26, 39
password phrase 26
Power Saving Mode 49
preamble 49
product specifications 55
profile 35, 44

activation 48

add new 44, 45

delete 44

edit 44

information 44

Q

Quick Start Guide 17, 21

R

radio interference 53
real-time data traffic statistics 36
Regular Mail 7
Related Documentation 17

S

save power 49
Scan Info 46
security 26, 55

data encryption 26
Security Parameters 78
Service 6
Setup Key 30
shared key authentication 29
signal strength 37
site survey 37

connecting to a WLAN network 38

scan 37

security settings 38
sleep mode 49
Spain, Contact Information 8
SSID 35, 37
SSID (Service Set Identity) 25
statistics 36
support CD 17
Support E-mail 7
Sweden, Contact Information 8
syntax conventions 17

T

Telephone 7
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol 27
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) 77
TKIP 27
transmission rate 36, 45, 49
transmission rate (Tx Rate) 25
transmit key 39
Trend Chart 36
troubleshooting 53

link status 53

network communication 54

starting ZyXEL Utility 53

80 Index

ZyXEL M-202 User’s Guide

U

uninstalling ZyXEL Utility 51
upgrading ZyXEL Utility 52

important step 52

User Authentication 28, 77

V

voltage 55

W

Web Site 7
WEP 26, 38, 39

manual setup 26, 39

passphrase 26, 39
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) 26
Wi-Fi Protected Access 27
Windows XP 21
wireless LAN

authentication 29

channel 25

introduction 25

security 26

SSID 25

transmission rate 25
Wireless LAN (WLAN) 25
wireless standard 55
wireless station mode

configuration 35
WLAN

Security parameters 78
Worldwide Contact Information 7
WPA 27, 39
WPA2 27, 39
WPA2-Pre-Shared Key 27
WPA2-PSK 27, 40
WPA-PSK 27, 40
WZC (Wireless Zero Configuration) 21

accessing 21
help 22
opening 22
system tray icon 21
upgrade 52
version 51

Z

ZyXEL Limited Warranty

Note 6
ZyXEL Utility 21

Index 81