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.
ii Copyright
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Interference Statement
This 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.
Caution
1. To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, a separation distance of at least 20 cm
must be maintained between the antenna of this device and all persons.
2. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.
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.
Certifications
1. Go to www.zyxel.com
2. Select your product from the drop-down list box on the
ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page.
3. Select the certification you wish to view from this page.
FCC Statement iii
.
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
ZyXEL Limited Warranty
ZyXEL warrants to the original end user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in materials
or workmanship for a period of up to two years from the date of purchase. During the warranty period, and
upon proof of purchase, should the product have indications of failure due to faulty workmanship and/or
materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products or components without
charge for either parts or labor, and to whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product or
components to proper operating condition. Any replacement will consist of a new or re-manufactured
functionally equivalent product of equal value, and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL. This warranty
shall not apply if the product is modified, misused, tampered with, damaged by an act of God, or subjected
to abnormal working conditions.
Note
Repair or replacement, as provided under this warranty, is the exclusive remedy of the purchaser. This
warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ZyXEL shall in no event be held liable for indirect
or consequential damages of any kind of character to the purchaser.
To obtain the services of this warranty, contact ZyXEL's Service Center for your Return Material
Authorization 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.
Safety Warnings
1. To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telephone wire.
2. Do not use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.
3. Avoid using this product during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from
lightening.
iv ZyXEL Warranty
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point 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.
Customer Support........................................................................................................................................... v
List of Figures.................................................................................................................................................xi
List of Tables..................................................................................................................................................xv
OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................... I
Chapter 1 Getting to Know Your ZyAIR...................................................................................................1-1
1.1Introducing the ZyAIR Wireless Access Point ..........................................................................1-1
SYSTEM, WIRELESS AND IP ....................................................................................................................II
Chapter 4 System Screens ...........................................................................................................................4-1
Chapter 7 IP Screen .....................................................................................................................................7-1
11.1.1Procedure To Configure Menu 1......................................................................................11-1
Chapter 12 LAN Setup ..............................................................................................................................12-1
Figure 9-1 System Status ............................................................................................................................... 9-1
Figure 9-2 System Status: Show Statistics ..................................................................................................... 9-2
Figure 9-3 Association List............................................................................................................................ 9-4
Table 4-3 Time Setting................................................................................................................................... 4-4
Table 6-4 Local User Database .................................................................................................................... 6-13
Table 7-1 IP Setup.......................................................................................................................................... 7-2
Table 9-1 System Status................................................................................................................................. 9-1
Table 9-2 System Status: Show Statistics....................................................................................................... 9-2
Table 9-3 Association List.............................................................................................................................. 9-4
Table 17-2 General Commands for Third Party FTP Clients........................................................................17-3
Table 17-3 General Commands for Third Party TFTP Clients .....................................................................17-5
Table 18-1 Menu 24.10 System Maintenance : Time and Date Setting........................................................18-3
xvi List of Tables
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Preface
Congratulations on your purchase from the ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point.
An access point (AP) acts as a bridge between the wireless and wired networks, extending your existing
wired network without any additional wiring.
This User’s Guide is designed to guide you through the configuration of your ZyAIR using the web
configurator or the SMT.
Use the web configurator, System Management Terminal (SMT) or command
interpreter interface to configure your ZyAIR. Not all features can be configured
through all interfaces.
The web configurator parts of this guide contain background information on features configurable by the web
configurator and the SMT. The SMT parts of this guide contain background information solely on features
not configurable by the web configurator.
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.
Related Documentation
Supporting Disk
Refer to the included CD for support documents.
Quick Installation Guide
Our Quick Installation Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. It contains
information on the configuration of key features and hardware connections and installation.
ZyXEL Web Site
The ZyXEL download library at www.zyxel.com
also refer to www.zyxel.com
for an online glossary of networking terms.
contains additional support documentation. Please
Syntax Conventions
• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters (and press the carriage return). “Select” or
“Choose” means for you to use one predefined choices.
• Enter, or carriage return, key; [ESC] means the escape key and [SPACE BAR] means the space bar.
[UP] and [DOWN] are the up and down arrow keys.
Preface xvii
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
• Mouse action sequences are denoted using a comma. For example, “click the Apple icon, Control
Panels and then Modem” means first click the Apple icon, then point your mouse pointer to Control
Panels and then click Modem.
• For brevity’s sake, we will use “e.g.,” as a shorthand for “for instance”, and “i.e.,” for “that is” or “in
other words” throughout this manual.
• The ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point may be referred to simply as the ZyAIR in the user’s guide.
User Guide Feedback
Help us help you. E-mail all User Guide-related comments, questions or suggestions for improvement to
techwriters@zyxel.com.tw 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.
xviii Preface
Overview
PPaarrtt II::
OVERVIEW
This part introduces the main features and applications of ZyAIR and shows how to access the web configurator and
use the Wizard to setup the ZyAIR.
I
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Chapter 1
Getting to Know Your ZyAIR
This chapter introduces the main features and applications of the ZyAIR.
1.1 Introducing the ZyAIR Wireless Access Point
The ZyAIR extends the range of your existing wired network without any additional wiring efforts. The
ZyAIR provides easy network access to mobile users. The ZyAIR offers highly secured wireless connectivity
to your wired network with IEEE 802.1x, Wi-Fi Protected Access, WEP data encryption and MAC address
filtering.
The ZyAIR is easy to install and configure. The embedded web-based configurator and SNMP network
management enables remote configuration and management of your ZyAIR.
1.2 ZyAIR Features
The following sections describe the features of the ZyAIR.
This auto-negotiating feature allows the ZyAIR to detect the speed of incoming transmissions and adjust
appropriately without manual intervention. It allows data transfer of either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps in either
half-duplex or full-duplex mode depending on your Ethernet network.
The LAN interface automatically adjusts to either a crossover or straight-through Ethernet cable.
Reset Button
The ZyAIR reset button is built into the top panel. Use this button to restore the factory default password to
1234; IP address to 192.168.1.2, subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.
Brute-Force Password Guessing Protection
The ZyAIR has a special protection mechanism to discourage brute-force password guessing attacks on the
ZyAIR's management interfaces. You can specify a wait-time that must expire before entering a fourth
password after three incorrect passwords have been entered. Please see the appendix for details about this
feature.
Getting to Know Your ZyAIR 1-1
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
802.11b Wireless LAN Standard
ZyAIR products containing the letter “B” in the model name, such as ZyAIR B-1000, ZyAIR B-500, comply
with the 802.11b wireless standard.
The 802.11b data rate and corresponding modulation techniques are as follows. The modulation technique
defines how bits are encoded onto radio waves.
802.11b
Data Rate (Mbps) Modulation
1 DBPSK (Differential Binary Phase Shift Keyed)
2
5.5 / 11 CCK (Complementary Code Keying)
DQPSK (Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
)
The ZyAIR may be prone to RF (Radio Frequency) interference from other 2.4 GHz
devices such as microwave ovens, wireless phones, Bluetooth enabled devices,
and other wireless LANs.
Output Power Management
Output Power Management is the ability to set the level of output power.
There may be interference or difficulty with channel assignment when there is a high density of APs within a
coverage area. In this case you can lower the output power of each access point, thus enabling you to place
access points closer together.
Limit the number of Client Connections
You may set a maximum number of wireless stations that may connect to the ZyAIR. This may be necessary
if for example, there is interference or difficulty with channel assignment due to a high density of APs within
a coverage area.
SSL Passthrough
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) uses a public key to encrypt data that's transmitted over an SSL connection.
Both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer support SSL, and many Web sites use the protocol to obtain
confidential user information, such as credit card numbers. By convention, URLs that require an SSL
connection start with “https” instead of “http”. The ZyAIR allows SSL connections to take place through the
ZyAIR.
Wireless LAN MAC Address Filtering
Your ZyAIR checks the MAC address of the wireless station against a list of allowed or denied MAC
addresses.
1-2 Getting to Know Your ZyAIR
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
WEP Encryption
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encrypts data frames before transmitting over the wireless network to help
keep network communications private.
Wi-Fi Protected Access
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i security specification draft. Key differences
between WPA and WEP are user authentication and improved data encryption.
IEEE 802.1x Network Security
The ZyAIR supports the IEEE 802.1x standard to enhance user authentication. Use the built-in user profile
database to authenticate up to 32 users using MD5 encryption. Use an EAP-compatible RADIUS (RFC2138,
2139 - Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) server to authenticate a limitless number of users using
EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol). EAP is an authentication protocol that supports multiple types of
authentication.
SNMP
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol used for exchanging management information
between network devices. SNMP is a member of the TCP/IP protocol suite. Your ZyAIR supports SNMP
agent functionality, which allows a manger station to manage and monitor the ZyAIR through the network.
The ZyAIR supports SNMP version one (SNMPv1) and version two c (SNMPv2c).
Full Network Management
The embedded web configurator is an all-platform web-based utility that allows you to easily access the
ZyAIR’s management settings. Most functions of the ZyAIR are also software configurable via the SMT
(System Management Terminal) interface. The SMT is a menu-driven interface that you can access from a
terminal emulator over a telnet connection.
Logging and Tracing
♦ Built-in message logging and packet tracing.
♦ Unix syslog facility support.
Embedded FTP and TFTP Servers
The ZyAIR’s embedded FTP and TFTP servers enable fast firmware upgrades as well as configuration file
backups and restoration.
Wireless Association List
With the wireless association list, you can see the list of the wireless stations that are currently using the
ZyAIR to access your wired network.
Getting to Know Your ZyAIR 1-3
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Wireless LAN Channel Usage
The Wireless Channel Usage screen displays whether the radio channels are used by other wireless devices
within the transmission range of the ZyAIR. This allows you to select the channel with minimum interference
for your ZyAIR.
1.3 Applications for the ZyAIR
Here are some application examples of what you can do with your ZyAIR.
1.3.1 Internet Access Application
The ZyAIR is an ideal access solution for wireless Internet connection. A typical Internet access application
for your ZyAIR is shown as follows.
Figure 1-1 Internet Access Application
1.3.2 Corporation Network Application
In situations where users are always on the move in the coverage area but still need access to corporate
network access, the ZyAIR is an ideal solution for wireless stations to connect to the corporate network
without expensive network cabling.
The following figure depicts a typical application of the ZyAIR in an enterprise environment. The three
computers with wireless adapters are allowed to access the network resource through the ZyAIR after
account validation by the network authentication server.
1-4 Getting to Know Your ZyAIR
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 1-2 Corporation Network Application
Getting to Know Your ZyAIR 1-5
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Chapter 2
Introducing the Web Configurator
This chapter describes how to access the ZyAIR web configurator and provides an overview of its
screens. The default IP address of the ZyAIR is 192.168.1.2.
2.1 Accessing the ZyAIR Web Configurator
Step 1. Make sure your ZyAIR hardware is properly connected (refer to the Quick Installation Guide).
Step 2. Prepare your computer/computer network to connect to the ZyAIR (refer to the appendix).
Step 3. Launch your web browser.
Step 4. Type "192.168.1.2" (default) as the URL.
Step 5. Type "1234" (default) as the password and click Login. In some versions, the default password
appears automatically - if this is the case, click Login.
Step 6. You should see a screen asking you to change your password (highly recommended) as shown
next. Type a new password (and retype it to confirm) and click Apply or click Ignore to allow
access without password change.
Figure 2-1 Change Password Screen
Step 7. You should now see the MAIN MENU screen.
Introducing the Web Configurator 2-1
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
The management session automatically times out when the time period set in the
Administrator Inactivity Timer field expires (default five minutes). Simply log back into
the ZyAIR if this happens to you.
2.2 Resetting the ZyAIR
If you forget your password or cannot access the ZyAIR, you will need to reload the factory-default
configuration file or use the RESET button on the top panel of the ZyAIR. Uploading this configuration file
replaces the current configuration file with the factory-default configuration file. This means that you will
lose all configurations that you had previously. The password will be reset to “1234”, also.
2.2.1 Method of Restoring Factory-Defaults
You can erase the current configuration and restore factory defaults in three ways:
1. Use the RESET button on the top panel of the ZyAIR to upload the default configuration file (hold this
button in for about 10 seconds or until the Link LED turns red). Use this method for cases when the
password or IP address of the ZyAIR is not known.
2. Use the web configurator to restore defaults (refer to the chapter on maintenance).
3. Transfer the configuration file to your ZyAIR using FTP. See later in the part on SMT configuration for
more information.
2-2 Introducing the Web Configurator
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
and Default) and
estart
2.3 Navigating the ZyAIR Web Configurator
The following summarizes how to navigate the web configurator.
Follow the instructions below or click the icon (located in the top right corner
of most screens) to view online help.
Click WIZARD SETUP for initial
configuration including general setup,
Wireless LAN setup and IP address
assignment.
Click LOGOUT at
any time to exit the
web configurator.
Click the links under ADVANCED to configure advanced features
such as SYSTEM (General Setup, Password), WIRELESS
(Wireless, MAC Filter, Roaming, Local User Database and
RADIUS), IP and Logs (View reports and Log Settings).
Click to view the
web configurator in
the language of your
choice.
Click MAINTENANCE to view information about your ZyAIR or upgrade
configuration/firmware files. Maintenance includes Status (Statistics), Association List, Channel Usage, F/W (firmware) Upload, Configuration (Backup, Restore
R
.
Introducing the Web Configurator 2-3
Figure 2-2 Navigating the ZyAIR Web Configurator
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Chapter 3
Wizard Setup
This chapter provides information on the Wizard Setup screens in the web configurator.
3.1 Wizard Setup Overview
The web configurator’s setup wizard helps you configure your ZyAIR for wireless stations to access your
wired LAN.
3.1.1 Channel
A channel is the radio frequency(ies) used by IEEE 802.11b wireless devices. Channels available depend on
your geographical area. You may have a choice of channels (for your region) so you should use a different
channel than an adjacent AP (access point) to reduce interference. Interference occurs when radio signals
from different access points overlap causing interference and degrading performance.
Adjacent channels partially overlap however. To avoid interference due to overlap, your AP should be on a
channel at least five channels away from a channel that an adjacent AP is using. For example, if your region
has 11 channels and an adjacent AP is using channel 1, then you need to select a channel between 6 or 11.
The ZyAIR’s “Scan” function is especially designed to automatically scan for a channel with the least
interference.
3.1.2 ESS ID
An Extended Service Set (ESS) is a group of access points connected to a wired LAN on the same subnet. An
ESS ID uniquely identifies each set. All access points and their associated wireless stations in the same set
must have the same ESSID.
3.1.3 WEP Encryption
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encrypts data frames before transmitting over the wireless network. WEP
encryption scrambles the data transmitted between the wireless stations and the access points to keep network
communications private. It encrypts unicast and multicast communications in a network. Both the wireless
stations and the access points must use the same WEP key for data encryption and decryption.
.
Wizard Setup 3-1
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
3.2 Wizard Setup: General Setup
General Setup contains administrative and system-related information.
Figure 3-1 Wizard 1 : General Setup
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 3-1 Wizard 1 : General Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
System Name It is recommended you type your computer's "Computer name".
In Windows 95/98 click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network. Click the Identification
tab, note the entry for the Computer Name field and enter it as the System Name.
In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, Control Panel and then double-click System.
Click the Network Identification tab and then the Properties button. Note the entry for
the Computer name field and enter it as the System Name.
In Windows XP, click Start, My Computer, View system information and then click the
Computer Name tab. Note the entry in the Full computer name field and enter it as the
ZyAIR System Name.
This name can be up to 30 alphanumeric characters long. Spaces are not allowed, but
dashes "-" and underscores "_" are accepted.
3-2 Wizard Setup
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 3-1 Wizard 1 : General Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Domain Name This is not a required field. Leave this field blank or enter the domain name here if you know
it.
Next
Click Next to proceed to the next screen.
3.3 Wizard Setup: Wireless LAN
Use the second wizard screen to set up the wireless LAN.
Figure 3-2 Wizard 2 : Wireless LAN Setup
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 3-2 Wizard 2 : Wireless LAN Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Wireless LAN Setup
ESSID Enter a descriptive name (up to 32 printable 7-bit ASCII characters) for the wireless
LAN.
If you change this field on the ZyAIR, make sure all wireless stations use the same
ESSID in order to access the network.
Wizard Setup 3-3
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 3-2 Wizard 2 : Wireless LAN Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Choose Channel
ID
Scan Click this button to have the ZyAIR automatically scan for and select a channel with
Security
Back
Next
To manually set the ZyAIR to use a channel, select a channel from the drop-down list
box. Open the Channel Usage screen to make sure the channel is not already used
by another AP or independent peer-to-peer wireless network.
To have the ZyAIR automatically select a channel, click Scan instead.
the least interference.
The level of Security can be selected as none, basic or extended. Choose No
security to have no wireless LAN security configured and proceed to the ISP Parameters for Internet Access screen.
Choose Basic security if you want to configure WEP Encryption parameters.
Choose Extend security to configure a Pre-Shared Key.
The third screen varies depending on which security level you select.
Click Back to return to the previous screen.
Click Next to continue.
The wireless stations and ZyAIR must use the same ESSID, channel ID and WEP
encryption key or pre-shared key (if wireless security is enabled) for wireless
communication.
3.4 Wizard Setup: Screen 3
Basic Security
If you choose Basic, you can setup WEP Encryption parameters.
3-4 Wizard Setup
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 3-3 Wizard 2 : Wireless LAN Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Wireless LAN Setup
WEP Encryption
ASCII Select this option in order to enter ASCII characters as the WEP keys.
Hex Select this option to enter hexadecimal characters as the WEP keys.
Key 1 to Key 4 The WEP keys are used to encrypt data. Both the ZyAIR and the wireless stations
Back
Next
Select 64-bit WEP or 128-bit WEP to allow data encryption.
The preceding 0x is entered automatically.
must use the same WEP key for data transmission.
If you chose 64-bit WEP, then enter any 5 ASCII characters or 10 hexadecimal
characters ("0-9", "A-F").
If you chose 128-bit WEP, then enter 13 ASCII characters or 26 hexadecimal
characters ("0-9", "A-F").
You must configure all four keys, but only one key can be used at any one time. The
default key is key 1.
Click Back to return to the previous screen.
Click Next to continue.
Wizard Setup 3-5
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Extend Security
If you choose Extend security in the Wireless LAN Setup screen, you can set up a Pre-Shared Key.
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 3-4 Wizard 2 : Wireless LAN Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Wireless LAN Setup
Pre-Shared Key Type from 8 to 31 case-sensitive ASCII characters or from 16 to 62 hexadecimal ("0-
9", "A-F") characters. You must precede a hexadecimal key with a "0x” (zero x), which
is not counted as part of the 16 to 62-character range for the key.
Back
Next
Click Back to return to the previous screen.
Click Next to continue.
Refer to the chapter on wireless LAN for more information.
3.5 Wizard Setup: IP Address
The third wizard screen allows you to configure IP address assignment.
3.5.1 IP Address Assignment
Every computer on the Internet must have a unique IP address. If your networks are isolated from the
Internet, for instance, only between your two branch offices, you can assign any IP addresses to the hosts
without problems. However, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has reserved the following
three blocks of IP addresses specifically for private networks.
3-6 Wizard Setup
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 3-5 Private IP Address Ranges
10.0.0.0 -10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0 -172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0 -192.168.255.255
You can obtain your IP address from the IANA, from an ISP or have it assigned by a private network. If you
belong to a small organization and your Internet access is through an ISP, the ISP can provide you with the
Internet addresses for your local networks. On the other hand, if you are part of a much larger organization,
you should consult your network administrator for the appropriate IP addresses.
Regardless of your particular situation, do not create an arbitrary IP address;
always follow the guidelines above. For more information on address assignment,
please refer to RFC 1597, Address Allocation for Private Internets and RFC 1466,
Guidelines for Management of IP Address Space.
3.5.2 IP Address and Subnet Mask
Similar to the way houses on a street share a common street name, so too do computers on a LAN share one
common network number.
Where you obtain your network number depends on your particular situation. If the ISP or your network
administrator assigns you a block of registered IP addresses, follow their instructions in selecting the IP
addresses and the subnet mask.
If the ISP did not explicitly give you an IP network number, then most likely you have a single user account
and the ISP will assign you a dynamic IP address when the connection is established. The Internet Assigned
Number Authority (IANA) reserved this block of addresses specifically for private use; please do not use any
other number unless you are told otherwise. Let's say you select 192.168.1.0 as the network number; which
covers 254 individual addresses, from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 (zero and 255 are reserved). In other
words, the first three numbers specify the network number while the last number identifies an individual
computer on that network.
Once you have decided on the network number, pick an IP address that is easy to remember, for instance,
192.168.1.2, for your ZyAIR, but make sure that no other device on your network is using that IP address.
The subnet mask specifies the network number portion of an IP address. Your ZyAIR will compute the
subnet mask automatically based on the IP address that you entered. You don't need to change the subnet
mask computed by the ZyAIR unless you are instructed to do otherwise.
Wizard Setup 3-7
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 3-3 Wizard 3 : IP Address Assignment
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 3-6 Wizard 3 : IP Address Assignment
LABEL DESCRIPTION
IP Address Assignment
Get automatically From
DHCP
Select this option if your ZyAIR is using a dynamically assigned IP address from
a DHCP server each time.
You must know the IP address assigned to the ZyAIR (by
the DHCP server) to access the ZyAIR again.
Use fixed IP address Select this option if your ZyAIR is using a static IP address. When you select
this option, fill in the fields below.
IP Address Enter the IP address of your ZyAIR in dotted decimal notation.
If you change the ZyAIR's IP address, you must use the
new IP address if you want to access the web
configurator again.
IP Subnet Mask Enter the subnet mask.
3-8 Wizard Setup
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 3-6 Wizard 3 : IP Address Assignment
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Gateway IP Address Enter the IP address of a gateway. The gateway is an immediate neighbor of
your ZyAIR that will forward the packet to the destination. On the LAN, the
gateway must be a router on the same segment as your ZyAIR; over the WAN,
the gateway must be the IP address of one of the remote node.
Back
Finish
Click Back to return to the previous screen.
Click Finish to proceed to complete the Wizard setup.
3.6 Basic Setup Complete
When you click Finish in the Wizard 3 IP Address Assignment screen, a warning window display as
shown. Click OK to close the window and log in to the web configurator again using the new IP address if
you change the default IP address (192.168.1.2).
You have successfully set up the ZyAIR. A screen displays prompting you to close the web browser.
Click Yes. Otherwise, click No and the congratulations screen shows next.
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Well done! You have successfully set up your ZyAIR to operate on your network and access the Internet.
3-10 Wizard Setup
System, Wireless and IP
Part II:
SYSTEM, WIRELESS AND IP
This part covers the information and web configurator screens of System, Wireless and IP.
II
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
This chapter provides information on the System screens.
4.1 System Overview
This section provides information on general system setup.
4.2 Configuring General Setup
Click SYSTEM to open the General screen.
Chapter 4
System Screens
Figure 4-1 System General Setup
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
System Screens 4-1
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 4-1 System General Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
System Name Type a descriptive name to identify the ZyAIR in the Ethernet network.
This name can be up to 30 alphanumeric characters long. Spaces are not allowed, but
dashes "-" and underscores "_" are accepted.
Domain Name This is not a required field. Leave this field blank or enter the domain name here if you
know it.
Administrator
Inactivity Timer
System DNS Servers
First DNS Server
Second DNS
Server
Third DNS
Server
Apply
Reset
Type how many minutes a management session (either via the web configurator or
SMT) can be left idle before the session times out.
The default is 5 minutes. After it times out you have to log in with your password again.
Very long idle timeouts may have security risks.
A value of "0" means a management session never times out, no matter how long it
has been left idle (not recommended).
Select From DHCP if your DHCP server dynamically assigns DNS server information
(and the ZyAIR's Ethernet IP address). The field to the right displays the (read-only)
DNS server IP address that the DHCP assigns.
Select User-Defined if you have the IP address of a DNS server. Enter the DNS
server's IP address in the field to the right. If you chose User-Defined, but leave the IP
address set to 0.0.0.0, User-Defined changes to None after you click Apply. If you set
a second choice to User-Defined, and enter the same IP address, the second User-Defined changes to None after you click Apply.
Select None if you do not want to configure DNS servers. If you do not configure a
DNS server, you must know the IP address of a machine in order to access it.
The default setting is None.
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to reload the previous configuration for this screen.
4.3 Configuring Password
To change your ZyAIR’s password (recommended), click SYSTEM and then the Password tab. The screen
appears as shown. This screen allows you to change the ZyAIR’s password.
If you forget your password (or the ZyAIR IP address), you will need to reset the ZyAIR. See the section on
resetting the ZyAIR for details.
4-2 System Screens
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 4-2 Password
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 4-2 Password
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Old Password Type in your existing system password (1234 is the default password).
New Password Type your new system password (up to 31 characters). Note that as you type a
password, the screen displays an asterisk (*) for each character you type.
Retype to Confirm Retype your new system password for confirmation.
Apply
Reset
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to reload the previous configuration for this screen.
4.4 Configuring Time Setting
To change your ZyAIR’s time and date, click SYSTEM and then the Time Setting tab. The screen appears
as shown. Use this screen to configure the ZyAIR’s time based on your local time zone.
System Screens 4-3
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Figure 4-3 Time Setting
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 4-3 Time Setting
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Time Protocol Select the time service protocol that your time server sends when you turn on the
ZyAIR. Not all time servers support all protocols, so you may have to check with
your ISP/network administrator or use trial and error to find a protocol that works.
The main difference between them is the format.
Daytime (RFC 867) format is day/month/year/time zone of the server.
Time (RFC 868) format displays a 4-byte integer giving the total number of seconds
since 1970/1/1 at 0:0:0.
The default, NTP (RFC 1305), is similar to Time (RFC 868).
Select None to enter the time and date manually.
4-4 System Screens
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 4-3 Time Setting
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Time Server
Address
Current Time
(hh:mm:ss)
New Time
(hh:mm:ss)
Current Date
(yyyy/mm/dd)
New Date
(yyyy/mm/dd)
Time Zone Choose the time zone of your location. This will set the time difference between your
Daylight Savings Select this option if you use daylight savings time. Daylight saving is a period from
Start Date (mm-dd) Enter the month and day that your daylight-savings time starts on if you selected
End Date (mm-dd) Enter the month and day that your daylight-savings time ends on if you selected
Apply
Reset
Enter the IP address or the URL of your time server. Check with your ISP/network
administrator if you are unsure of this information.
This field displays the time of your ZyAIR.
Each time you reload this page, the ZyAIR synchronizes the time with the time
server.
This field displays the last updated time from the time server.
When you select None in the Time Protocol field, enter the new time in this field
and then click Apply.
This field displays the date of your ZyAIR.
Each time you reload this page, the ZyAIR synchronizes the time with the time
server.
This field displays the last updated date from the time server.
When you select None in the Time Protocol field, enter the new date in this field
and then click Apply.
time zone and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
late spring to early fall when many countries set their clocks ahead of normal local
time by one hour to give more daytime light in the evening.
Daylight Savings.
Daylight Savings.
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to reload the previous configuration for this screen.
System Screens 4-5
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Chapter 5
Wireless Configuration and Roaming
This chapter discusses how to configure Wireless and Roaming screens on the ZyAIR.
5.1 Wireless LAN Overview
This section introduces the wireless LAN (WLAN) and some basic scenarios.
5.1.1 IBSS
An Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS), also called an Ad-hoc network, is the simplest WLAN
configuration. An IBSS is defined as two or more computers with wireless adapters within range of each
other that from an independent (wireless) network without the need of an access point (AP).
Figure 5-1 IBSS (Ad-hoc) Wireless LAN
5.1.2 BSS
A Basic Service Set (BSS) exists when all communications between wireless stations or between a wireless
station and a wired network client go through one access point (AP).
Intra-BSS traffic is traffic between wireless stations in the BSS. When Intra-BSS is enabled, wireless station
A and B can access the wired network and communicate with each other. When Intra-BSS is disabled,
wireless station A and B can still access the wired network but cannot communicate with each other.
Wireless Configuration and Roaming 5-1
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Figure 5-2 Basic Service set
5.1.3 ESS
An Extended Service Set (ESS) consists of a series of overlapping BSSs, each containing an access point,
with each access point connected together by a wired network. This wired connection between APs is called
a Distribution System (DS). An ESSID (ESS IDentification) uniquely identifies each ESS. All access points
and their associated wireless stations within the same ESS must have the same ESSID in order to
communicate.
5-2 Wireless Configuration and Roaming
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Figure 5-3 Extended Service Set
5.2 Wireless LAN Basics
Refer also to the chapter on wizard setup for more background information on Wireless LAN features, such
as channels.
5.2.1 RTS/CTS
A hidden node occurs when two stations are within range of the same access point, but are not within range
of each other. The following figure illustrates a hidden node. Both stations (STA) are within range of the
access point (AP) or wireless gateway, but out-of-range of each other, so they cannot “hear” each other, that
is they do not know if the channel is currently being used. Therefore, they are considered hidden from each
other.
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Figure 5-4 RTS/CTS
When station A sends data to the AP, it might not know that the station B is already using the channel. If
these two stations send data at the same time, collisions may occur when both sets of data arrive at the AP at
the same time, resulting in a loss of messages for both stations.
RTS/CTS is designed to prevent collisions due to hidden nodes. An RTS/CTS defines the biggest size data
frame you can send before an RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake is invoked.
When a data frame exceeds the RTS/CTS value you set (between 0 to 2432 bytes), the station that wants to
transmit this frame must first send an RTS (Request To Send) message to the AP for permission to send it.
The AP then responds with a CTS (Clear to Send) message to all other stations within its range to notify
them to defer their transmission. It also reserves and confirms with the requesting station the time frame for
the requested transmission.
Stations can send frames smaller than the specified RTS/CTS directly to the AP without the RTS (Request
To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake.
You should only configure RTS/CTS if the possibility of hidden nodes exists on your network and the “cost”
of resending large frames is more than the extra network overhead involved in the RTS (Request To
Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake.
If the RTS/CTS value is greater than the Fragmentation Threshold value (see next), then the RTS (Request
To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they
reach RTS/CTS size.
Enabling the RTS Threshold causes redundant network overhead that could
negatively affect the throughput performance instead of providing a remedy.
5.2.2 Fragmentation Threshold
A Fragmentation Threshold is the maximum data fragment size (between 256 and 2432 bytes) that can be
sent in the wireless network before the ZyAIR will fragment the packet into smaller data frames.
A large Fragmentation Threshold is recommended for networks not prone to interference while you should
set a smaller threshold for busy networks or networks that are prone to interference.
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If the Fragmentation Threshold value is smaller than the RTS/CTS value (see previously) you set then the
RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented
before they reach RTS/CTS size.
5.3 Preamble Type
A preamble is used to synchronize the transmission timing in your wireless network. There are two preamble
modes: long and short.
Short preamble takes less time to process and minimizes overhead, so it should be used in a good wireless
network environment when all wireless clients support it.
Select Long if you have a ‘noisy’ network or are unsure of what preamble mode your wireless clients support
as all IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapters must support long preamble. However, not all wireless
adapters support short preamble. Use long preamble if you are unsure what preamble mode the wireless
adapters support, to ensure interpretability between the ZyAIR and the wireless stations and to provide more
reliable communication in ‘noisy’ networks.
Select Dynamic to have the ZyAIR automatically use short preamble when all wireless clients support it,
otherwise the ZyAIR uses long preamble.
The ZyAIR and the wireless stations MUST use the same preamble mode in order
to communicate.
5.4 Configuring Wireless
Click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED to display the Wireless screen.
Wireless Configuration and Roaming 5-5
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 5-5 Wireless
The following table describes the general wireless LAN labels in this screen.
Table 5-1 Wireless
LABEL DESCRIPTION
ESSID (Extended Service Set IDentity) The ESSID identifies the Service Set with which a
wireless station is associated. Wireless stations associating to the access point (AP)
must have the same ESSID. Enter a descriptive name (up to 32 printable 7-bit ASCII
characters) for the wireless LAN.
If you are configuring the ZyAIR from a computer connected to
the wireless LAN and you change the ZyAIR’s ESSID or WEP
settings, you will lose your wireless connection when you
press Apply to confirm. You must then change the wireless
settings of your computer to match the ZyAIR’s new settings.
5-6 Wireless Configuration and Roaming
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Table 5-1 Wireless
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Hide ESSID Select this check box to hide the ESSID in the outgoing beacon frame so a station
cannot obtain the ESSID through passive scanning using a site survey tool.
Choose
Channel ID
Scan Click this button to have the ZyAIR automatically scan for and select a channel with the
RTS/CTS
Threshold
Fragmentation
Threshold
Security Refer to the chapter about Wireless security for detailed information.
Enable IntraBSS Traffic
Number of
Wireless
Stations Allowed
Output Power Set the output power of the ZyAIR in this field. If there is a high density of APs within
Preamble
Apply
Reset
Set the operating frequency/channel depending on your particular region.
To manually set the ZyAIR to use a channel, select a channel from the drop-down list
box. Click MAINTENANCE and then the Channel Usage tab to open the Channel Usage screen to make sure the channel is not already used by another AP or
independent peer-to-peer wireless network.
To have the ZyAIR automatically select a channel, click Scan instead.
Refer to the chapter on wizard setup for more information about channels.
least interference.
Enter a value between 0 and 2432. The default is 2432.
Enter a value between 256 and 2432. The default is 2432. It is the maximum data
fragment size that can be sent.
Intra-BSS traffic is traffic between wireless stations in the same BSS. Select this check
box to enable Intra-BSS traffic.
Use this field to set a maximum number of wireless stations that may connect to the
ZyAIR
Enter the number (from 1 to 32) of wireless stations allowed.
an area, decrease the output power of the ZyAIR to reduce interference with other
APs.
The options are 17dBm (50mW), 14dBm (25mW) or 11dBm (12.6mW).
Select a preamble type from the drop-down list menu. Choices are Long and
Dynamic.
See the section on preamble for more information.
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
See the chapter on wireless security for information on the other labels in this screen.
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5.5 Configuring Roaming
A wireless station is a device with an IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapters. An access point (AP) acts
as a bridge between the wireless and wired networks. An AP creates its own wireless coverage area. A
wireless station can associate with a particular access point only if it is within the access point’s coverage
area.
In a network environment with multiple access points, wireless stations are able to switch from one access
point to another as they move between the coverage areas. This is roaming. As the wireless station moves
from place to place, it is responsible for choosing the most appropriate access point depending on the signal
strength, network utilization or other factors.
The roaming feature on the access points allows the access points to relay information about the wireless
stations to each other. When a wireless station moves from a coverage area to another, it scans and uses the
channel of a new access point, which then informs the access points on the LAN about the change. The new
information is then propagated to the other access points on the LAN. An example is shown in Figure 5-6.
With roaming, a wireless LAN mobile user enjoys a continuous connection to the wired network through an
access point while moving around the wireless LAN.
Enable roaming to exchange the latest bridge information of all wireless stations between APs when a
wireless station moves between coverage areas. Wireless stations can still associate with other APs even if
you disable roaming. Enabling roaming ensures correct traffic forwarding (bridge tables are updated) and
maximum AP efficiency. The AP deletes records of wireless stations that associate with other APs (NonZyXEL APs may not be able to perform this). 802.1x authentication information is not exchanged (at the
time of writing).
5-8 Wireless Configuration and Roaming
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 5-6 Roaming Example
The steps below describe the roaming process.
Step 1. As wireless station Y moves from the coverage area of access point AP 1 to that of access point
AP 2, it scans and uses the signal of access point AP 2.
Step 2. Access point AP 2 acknowledges the presence of wireless station Y and relays this information
to access point AP 1 through the wired LAN.
Step 3. Access point AP 1 updates the new position of wireless station.
Step 4. Wireless station Y sends a request to access point AP 2 for reauthentication.
5.5.1 Requirements for Roaming
The following requirements must be met in order for wireless stations to roam between the coverage areas.
1. All the access points must be on the same subnet and configured with the same ESSID.
2. If IEEE 802.1x user authentication is enabled and to be done locally on the access point, the new
access point must have the user profile for the wireless station.
3. The adjacent access points should use different radio channels when their coverage areas overlap.
4. All access points must use the same port number to relay roaming information.
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5. The access points must be connected to the Ethernet and be able to get IP addresses from a DHCP
server if using dynamic IP address assignment.
To enable roaming on your ZyAIR, click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED and then the Roaming
tab. The screen appears as shown.
Figure 5-7 Roaming
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 5-2 Roaming
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Active
Select Yes from the drop-down list box to enable roaming on the ZyAIR if you have two or
more ZyAIRs on the same subnet.
All APs on the same subnet and the wireless stations must have the
same ESSID to allow roaming.
Port Enter the port number to communicate roaming information between access points. The
port number must be the same on all access points. The default is 16290. Make sure this
port is not used by other services.
Apply
Reset
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
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Chapter 6
Wireless Security
This chapter describes how to use the MAC Filter, 802.1x, Local User Database and RADIUS to
configure wireless security on your ZyAIR.
6.1 Wireless Security Overview
Wireless security is vital to your network to protect wireless communication between wireless stations,
access points and the wired network.
The figure below shows the possible wireless security levels on your ZyAIR. EAP (Extensible
Authentication Protocol) is used for authentication and utilizes dynamic WEP key exchange. It requires
interaction with a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server either on the WAN or your
LAN to provide authentication service for wireless stations.
Figure 6-1 ZyAIR Wireless Security Levels
If you do not enable any wireless security on your ZyAIR, your network is accessible to any wireless
networking device that is within range.
Select No Security to allow wireless stations to communicate with the access points without any data
encryption. The screen varies according to what you select in the Security field.
Wireless Security 6-1
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Figure 6-2 Wireless
The following table describes the wireless LAN security label in this screen.
Table 6-1 Wireless
LABEL DESCRIPTION
SecurityChoose from one of the security features listed in the drop-down box.
• No Security
• Static WEP
• WPA-PSK
• WPA
• 802.1x + Dynamic WEP
• 802.1x + Static WEP
• 802.1x + No WEP
6-2 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
6.2 Security Parameters Summary
Refer to this table to see what other security parameters you should configure for each Authentication
Method/ key management protocol type. You enter manual keys by first selecting 64-bit WEP or 128-bit WEP from the WEP Encryption field and then typing the keys (in ASCII or hexadecimal format) in the key
text boxes. MAC address filters are not dependent on how you configure these security features.
Table 6-2 Wireless Security Relational Matrix
AUTHENTICATION
METHOD/ KEY
MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
Open None No Disable
Open WEP
Shared WEP
WPA WEP No Enable
WPA TKIP No Enable
WPA-PSK WEP Yes Enable
WPA-PSK TKIP Yes Enable
ENCRYPTION
METHOD
ENTER
MANUAL KEY
No Enable with Dynamic WEP Key
Yes Enable without Dynamic WEP Key
Yes Disable
No Enable with Dynamic WEP Key
Yes Enable without Dynamic WEP Key
Yes Disable
IEEE 802.1X
6.3 WEP Overview
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) as specified in the IEEE 802.11 standard provides methods for both data
encryption and wireless station authentication.
6.3.1 Data Encryption
WEP provides a mechanism for encrypting data using encryption keys. Both the AP and the wireless stations
must use the same WEP key to encrypt and decrypt data. Your ZyAIR allows you to configure up to four 64bit or 128-bit WEP keys, but only one key can be enabled at any one time.
Wireless Security 6-3
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6.3.2 Authentication
Three different methods can be used to authenticate wireless stations to the network: Open System, Shared
Key, and Auto. The following figure illustrates the steps involved.
Figure 6-3 WEP Authentication Steps
Open system authentication involves an unencrypted two-message procedure. A wireless station sends an
open system authentication request to the AP, which will then automatically accept and connect the wireless
station to the network. In effect, open system is not authentication at all as any station can gain access to the
network.
Shared key authentication involves a four-message procedure. A wireless station sends a shared key
authentication request to the AP, which will then reply with a challenge text message. The wireless station
must then use the AP’s default WEP key to encrypt the challenge text and return it to the AP, which attempts
to decrypt the message using the AP’s default WEP key. If the decrypted message matches the challenge text,
the wireless station is authenticated. This requires you to enable the WEP encryption and specify a WEP key
on both the wireless station and the AP.
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When your ZyAIR's authentication method is set to open system, it will only accept open system
authentication requests. The same is true for shared key authentication. However, when it is set to auto
authentication, the ZyAIR will accept either type of authentication request and the ZyAIR will fall back to
use open authentication if the shared key does not match.
6.4 Configuring WEP Encryption
In order to configure and enable WEP encryption, click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED to display
the Wireless screen. Select Static WEP from the Security list.
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Figure 6-4 Wireless: Static WEP
The following table describes the wireless LAN security labels in this screen.
6-6 Wireless Security
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Table 6-3 Wireless: Static WEP
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Security
WEP
Encryption
Authentication
Method
ASCII Select this option to enter ASCII characters as the WEP keys.
Hex Select this option to enter hexadecimal characters as the WEP keys.
Key 1 to
Key 4
Apply
Reset
Select Static WEP from the drop-down list.
Select 64-bit WEP or 128-bit WEP to enable data encryption.
Select Auto, Open System or Shared Key from the drop-down list box.
If WEP encryption is activated, the default setting is Auto.
The preceding “0x” is entered automatically.
The WEP keys are used to encrypt data. Both the ZyAIR and the wireless stations must
use the same WEP key for data transmission.
If you chose 64-bit WEP, then enter any 5 ASCII characters or 10 hexadecimal
characters ("0-9", "A-F").
If you chose 128-bit WEP, then enter 13 ASCII characters or 26 hexadecimal characters
("0-9", "A-F").
You must configure all four keys, but only one key can be used at any one time. The
default key is key 1.
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
6.5 Introduction to WPA
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i security specification draft. Key differences
between WPA and WEP are user authentication and improved data encryption.
6.5.1 User Authentication
WPA applies IEEE 802.1x and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to authenticate wireless clients
using an external RADIUS database. You can’t use the ZyAIR’s Local User Database for WPA
authentication purposes since the Local User Database uses EAP-MD5 which cannot be used to generate
keys. See later in this chapter and the appendices for more information on IEEE 802.1x, RADIUS and EAP.
Therefore, if you don’t have an external RADIUS server you should use WPA-PSK (WPA -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 client will be granted access to a WLAN.
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6.5.2 Encryption
WPA improves data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Message Integrity Check
(MIC) and IEEE 802.1x.
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (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.
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 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. This all
happens in the background automatically.
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 decode 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 and WPA-PSK are the same. The only difference between the
two is that WPA-PSK uses a simple common password, instead of user-specific credentials. The commonpassword approach makes WPA-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.
6.6 WPA-PSK Application Example
A WPA-PSK application looks as follows.
Step 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).
Step 2. The AP checks each client’s password and (only) allows it to join the network if it matches its
password.
Step 3. The AP derives and distributes keys to the wireless clients.
Step 4. The AP and wireless clients use the TKIP encryption process to encrypt data exchanged between
them.
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Figure 6-5
WPA - PSK Authentication
6.7 Configuring WPA-PSK Authentication
In order to configure and enable WPA-PSK Authentication; click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED
to display the Wireless screen. Select WPA-PSK from the Security list.
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Figure 6-6 Wireless: WPA-PSK
The following table describes the wireless LAN security labels in this screen.
Table 6-4 Wireless: WPA-PSK
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Security
Select WPA-PSK from the drop-down list.
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Table 6-4 Wireless: WPA-PSK
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Pre-Shared Key
ReAuthentication
Timer (in
seconds)
The encryption mechanisms used for WPA and WPA-PSK are the same. The only
difference between the two is that WPA-PSK uses a simple common password,
instead of user-specific credentials.
Type a pre-shared key from 8 to 63 case-sensitive ASCII characters (including spaces
and symbols).
Specify how often wireless stations have to reenter usernames and passwords in order
to stay connected. Enter a time interval between 10 and 9999 seconds. The default
time interval is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).
If wireless station authentication is done using a RADIUS
server, the reauthentication timer on the RADIUS server has
priority.
Idle Timeout The ZyAIR automatically disconnects a wireless station from the wired network after a
period of inactivity. The wireless station needs to enter the username and password
again before access to the wired network is allowed. The default time interval is 3600
seconds (or 1 hour).
WPA Group Key
Update Timer
Apply
Reset
The WPA Group Key Update Timer is the rate at which the AP (if using WPA-PSK
key management) or RADIUS server (if using WPA key management) sends a new
group key out to all clients. The re-keying process is the WPA equivalent of
automatically changing the WEP key for an AP and all stations in a WLAN on a
periodic basis. Setting of the WPA Group Key Update Timer is also supported in
WPA-PSK mode. The ZyAIR default is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
6.8 Wireless Client WPA Supplicants
A wireless client supplicant is the software that runs on an operating system instructing the wireless client
how to use WPA. At the time of writing, the most widely available supplicants are the WPA patch for
Windows XP, Funk Software's Odyssey client, and Meetinghouse Data Communications' AEGIS client.
The Windows XP patch is a free download that adds WPA capability to Windows XP's built-in "Zero
Configuration" wireless client. However, you must run Windows XP to use it.
Wireless Security 6-11
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
6.9 WPA 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 application example with an external RADIUS server looks as follows. “A” is the RADIUS
server. “DS” is the distribution system.
Step 1. The AP passes the wireless client’s authentication request to the RADIUS server.
Step 2. The RADIUS server then checks the user's identification against its database and grants or denies
network access accordingly.
Step 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 6-7 WPA with RADIUS Application Example
6.10 Configuring WPA Authentication
In order to configure and enable WPA Authentication; click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED to
display the Wireless screen. Select WPA from the Security list.
6-12 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 6-8 Wireless: WPA
The following table describes the wireless LAN security labels in this screen.
Table 6-5 Wireless: WPA
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Security
Select WPA from the drop-down list.
Wireless Security 6-13
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-5 Wireless: WPA
LABEL DESCRIPTION
ReAuthentication
Timer (in seconds)
Specify how often wireless stations have to reenter usernames and passwords in
order to stay connected. Enter a time interval between 10 and 9999 seconds. The
default time interval is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).
If wireless station authentication is done using a RADIUS
server, the reauthentication timer on the RADIUS server has
priority.
Idle Timeout The ZyAIR automatically disconnects a wireless station from the wired network after
a period of inactivity. The wireless station needs to enter the username and
password again before access to the wired network is allowed. The default time
interval is 3600 seconds (or 1 hour).
WPA Group Key
Update Timer
The WPA Group Key Update Timer is the rate at which the AP (if using WPA-PSK
key management) or RADIUS server (if using WPA key management) sends a new
group key out to all clients. The re-keying process is the WPA equivalent of
automatically changing the WEP key for an AP and all stations in a WLAN on a
periodic basis. Setting of the WPA Group Key Update Timer is also supported in
WPA-PSK mode. The ZyAIR default is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).
6.11 802.1x Overview
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 the local user database internal to the
ZyAIR (authenticate up to 32 users) or an external RADIUS server for an unlimited number of users.
See also the section on RADIUS in this User’s Guide.
6.12 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 WEP 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.
To use Dynamic WEP, enable and configure the RADIUS server (see section 6.20) and enable Dynamic
WEP Key Exchange in the 802.1x screen. Ensure that the wireless station’s EAP type is configured to one of
the following:
• EAP-TLS
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ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
• EAP-TTLS
• PEAP
EAP-MD5 cannot be used with Dynamic WEP Key Exchange.
6.13 Configuring 802.1x and Dynamic WEP Key Exchange
In order to configure and enable 802.1x and Dynamic WEP Key Exchange; click the WIRELESS link under
ADVANCED to display the Wireless screen. Select 802.1x + Dynamic WEP from the Security list.
Figure 6-9 Wireless: 802.1x and Dynamic WEP
The following table describes the wireless LAN security labels in this screen.
Wireless Security 6-15
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-6 Wireless: 802.1x and Dynamic WEP
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Security
ReAuthentication
Timer (in seconds)
Select 802.1x + Dynamic WEP from the drop-down list.
Specify how often wireless stations have to reenter usernames and passwords in
order to stay connected. Enter a time interval between 10 and 9999 seconds. The
default time interval is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).
If wireless station authentication is done using a RADIUS
server, the reauthentication timer on the RADIUS server has
priority.
Idle Timeout The ZyAIR automatically disconnects a wireless station from the wired network after
a period of inactivity. The wireless station needs to enter the username and
password again before access to the wired network is allowed. The default time
interval is 3600 seconds (or 1 hour).
Dynamic WEP
Key Exchange
Select 64-bit WEP or 128-bit WEP to enable data encryption. Up to 32 stations can
access the ZyAIR when you configure dynamic WEP key exchange.
6.14 Configuring 802.1x and Static WEP Key Exchange
In order to configure and enable 802.1x and Static WEP Key Exchange; click the WIRELESS link under
ADVANCED to display the Wireless screen. Select 802.1x + Static WEP from the Security list.
6-16 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 6-10 Wireless: 802.1x + Static WEP
The following table describes the wireless LAN security labels in this screen.
Wireless Security 6-17
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-7 Wireless: 802.1x + Static WEP
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Security
WEP Encryption
Authentication
Method
ASCII Select this option to enter ASCII characters as the WEP keys.
Hex Select this option to enter hexadecimal characters as the WEP keys.
Key 1 to
Key 4
ReAuthentication
Timer (in
seconds)
Select 802.1x +Static WEP from the drop-down list.
Select 64-bit WEP or 128-bit WEP to enable data encryption.
Select Auto, Open System or Shared Key from the drop-down list box.
If WEP encryption is activated, the default setting is Auto.
The preceding “0x” is entered automatically.
The WEP keys are used to encrypt data. Both the ZyAIR and the wireless stations
must use the same WEP key for data transmission.
If you chose 64-bit WEP, then enter any 5 ASCII characters or 10 hexadecimal
characters ("0-9", "A-F").
If you chose 128-bit WEP, then enter 13 ASCII characters or 26 hexadecimal
characters ("0-9", "A-F").
You must configure all four keys, but only one key can be used at any one time. The
default key is key 1.
Specify how often wireless stations have to reenter usernames and passwords in
order to stay connected. Enter a time interval between 10 and 9999 seconds. The
default time interval is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).
If wireless station authentication is done using a RADIUS
server, the reauthentication timer on the RADIUS server has
priority.
Idle Timeout The ZyAIR automatically disconnects a wireless station from the wired network after a
period of inactivity. The wireless station needs to enter the username and password
again before access to the wired network is allowed. The default time interval is 3600
seconds (or 1 hour).
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ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-7 Wireless: 802.1x + Static WEP
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Authentication
Databases
The authentication database contains wireless station login information. The local user
database is the built-in database on the ZyAIR. The RADIUS is an external server.
Use this drop-down list box to select which database the ZyAIR should use (first) to
authenticate a wireless station.
Before you specify the priority, make sure you have set up the corresponding
database correctly first.
Select Local User Database Only to have the ZyAIR just check the built-in user
database on the ZyAIR for a wireless station's username and password.
Select RADIUS Only to have the ZyAIR just check the user database on the specified
RADIUS server for a wireless station's username and password.
Select Local first, then RADIUS to have the ZyAIR first check the user database on
the ZyAIR for a wireless station's username and password. If the user name is not
found, the ZyAIR then checks the user database on the specified RADIUS server.
Select RADIUS first, then Local to have the ZyAIR first check the user database on
the specified RADIUS server for a wireless station's username and password. If the
ZyAIR cannot reach the RADIUS server, the ZyAIR then checks the local user
database on the ZyAIR. When the user name is not found or password does not match
in the RADIUS server, the ZyAIR will not check the local user database and the
authentication fails.
6.15 Configuring 802.1x
In order to configure and enable 802.1x; click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED to display the
Wireless screen. Select 802.1x + No WEP from the Security list.
Wireless Security 6-19
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 6-11 Wireless: 802.1x + No WEP
The following table describes the wireless LAN security labels in this screen.
Table 6-8 Wireless: 802.1x + No WEP
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Security
Select 802.1x from the drop-down list.
6-20 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-8 Wireless: 802.1x + No WEP
LABEL DESCRIPTION
ReAuthentication
Timer (in
Seconds)
Specify how often wireless stations have to reenter usernames and passwords in
order to stay connected. This field is activated only when you select Authentication Required in the Wireless Port Control field.
Enter a time interval between 10 and 9999 seconds. The default time interval is 1800
seconds (30 minutes).
If wireless station authentication is done using a RADIUS
server, the reauthentication timer on the RADIUS server has
priority.
Idle Timeout (in
Seconds)
Authentication
Databases
The ZyAIR automatically disconnects a wireless station from the wired network after
a period of inactivity. The wireless station needs to enter the username and password
again before access to the wired network is allowed.
This field is activated only when you select Authentication Required in the Wireless Port Control field. The default time interval is 3600 seconds (1 hour).
This field is activated only when you select Authentication Required in the Wireless Port Control field.
The authentication database contains wireless station login information. The local
user database is the built-in database on the ZyAIR. The RADIUS is an external
server. Use this drop-down list box to select which database the ZyAIR should use
(first) to authenticate a wireless station.
Before you specify the priority, make sure you have set up the corresponding
database correctly first.
Select Local User Database Only to have the ZyAIR just check the built-in user
database on the ZyAIR for a wireless station's username and password.
Select RADIUS Only to have the ZyAIR just check the user database on the
specified RADIUS server for a wireless station's username and password.
Select Local first, then RADIUS to have the ZyAIR first check the user database on
the ZyAIR for a wireless station's username and password. If the user name is not
found, the ZyAIR then checks the user database on the specified RADIUS server.
Select RADIUS first, then Local to have the ZyAIR first check the user database on
the specified RADIUS server for a wireless station's username and password. If the
ZyAIR cannot reach the RADIUS server, the ZyAIR then checks the local user
database on the ZyAIR. When the user name is not found or password does not
match in the RADIUS server, the ZyAIR will not check the local user database and
the authentication fails.
Wireless Security 6-21
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Once you enable user authentication, you need to specify an external RADIUS
server or create local user accounts on the ZyAIR for authentication.
6.16 MAC Filter
The MAC filter screen allows you to configure the ZyAIR to give exclusive access to up to 32 devices
(Allow Association) or exclude up to 32 devices from accessing the ZyAIR (Deny Association). Every
Ethernet device has a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address. The MAC address is assigned at the
factory and consists of six pairs of hexadecimal characters, for example, 00:A0:C5:00:00:02. You need to
know the MAC address of the devices to configure this screen.
To change your ZyAIR’s MAC Filter settings, click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED and then the
MAC Filter tab. The screen appears as shown.
6-22 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 6-12 MAC Address Filter
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Wireless Security 6-23
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-9 MAC Address Filter
LABELDESCRIPTION
Active
Filter Action Define the filter action for the list of MAC addresses in the MAC address filter table.
Set This is the index number of the MAC address.
MAC
Address
Apply
Reset
Select Yes from the drop down list box to enable MAC address filtering.
Select Deny Association to block access to the ZyAIR, MAC addresses not listed will be
allowed to access the ZyAIR.
Select Allow Association to permit access to the ZyAIR, MAC addresses not listed will be
denied access to the ZyAIR.
Enter the MAC addresses (in XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX format) of the wireless station that are
allowed or denied access to the ZyAIR in these address fields.
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
6.17 Introduction to RADIUS
RADIUS is based on a client-sever model that supports authentication and accounting, where access point is
the client and the server is the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server handles the following tasks among
others:
• Authentication
Determines the identity of the users.
• Accounting
Keeps track of the client’s network activity.
RADIUS user is a simple package exchange in which your ZyAIR acts as a message relay between the
wireless station and the network RADIUS server.
Types of RADIUS Messages
The following types of RADIUS messages are exchanged between the access point and the RADIUS server
for user authentication:
• Access-Request
Sent by an access point requesting authentication.
• Access-Reject
Sent by a RADIUS server rejecting access.
6-24 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
• Access-Accept
Sent by a RADIUS server allowing access.
• Access-Challenge
Sent by a RADIUS server requesting more information in order to allow access. The access point
sends a proper response from the user and then sends another Access-Request message.
The following types of RADIUS messages are exchanged between the access point and the RADIUS server
for user accounting:
• Accounting-Request
Sent by the access point requesting accounting.
• Accounting-Response
Sent by the RADIUS server to indicate that it has started or stopped accounting.
In order to ensure network security, the access point and the RADIUS server use a shared secret key, which
is a password, they both know. The key is not sent over the network. In addition to the shared key, password
information exchanged is also encrypted to protect the wired network from unauthorized access.
6.17.1 EAP Authentication Overview
EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol that runs on top of the IEEE802.1x
transport mechanism in order to support multiple types of user authentication. By using EAP to interact with
an EAP-compatible RADIUS server, the access point helps a wireless station and a RADIUS server perform
authentication.
The type of authentication you use depends on the RADIUS server or the AP. The ZyAIR supports EAPTLS, EAP-TTLS and DEAP with RADIUS. Refer to the Types of EAP Authentication appendix for
descriptions on the four common types.
Your ZyAIR supports EAP-MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5) with the local user database and RADIUS.
The following figure shows an overview of authentication when you specify a RADIUS server on your
access point.
Figure 6-13 EAP Authentication
Wireless Security 6-25
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
The details below provide a general description of how IEEE 802.1x EAP authentication works. For an
example list of EAP-MD5 authentication steps, see the IEEE 802.1x appendix.
• The wireless station sends a “start” message to the ZyAIR.
• The ZyAIR sends a “request identity” message to the wireless station for identity information.
• The wireless station replies with identity information, including username and password.
• The RADIUS server checks the user information against its user profile database and determines
whether or not to authenticate the wireless station.
6.18 Introduction to Local User Database
By storing user profiles locally on the ZyAIR, your ZyAIR is able to authenticate wireless users without
interacting with a network RADIUS server. However, there is a limit on the number of users you may
authenticate in this way.
6.19 Configuring Local User Database
To change your ZyAIR’s local user database, click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED and then the
Local User Database tab. The screen appears as shown.
6-26 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 6-14 Local User Database
Wireless Security 6-27
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 6-10 Local User Database
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Active Select this check box to activate the user profile.
User Name Enter the username (up to 31 characters) for this user profile.
Password Type a password (up to 31 characters) for this user profile. Note that as you type a
password, the screen displays a (*) for each character you type.
Apply
Reset
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
6.20 Configuring RADIUS
Configure the RADIUS screen if you want to authenticate wireless users using an external server.
To set up your ZyAIR’s RADIUS server settings, click the WIRELESS link under ADVANCED and then
the RADIUS tab. The screen appears as shown.
6-28 Wireless Security
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 6-15 RADIUS
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 6-11 RADIUS
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Authentication Server
Active
Server IP Address Enter the IP address of the external authentication server in dotted decimal
Select Yes from the drop-down list box to enable user authentication through an
external authentication server.
Select No to enable user authentication using the local user profile on the ZyAIR.
notation.
Wireless Security 6-29
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 6-11 RADIUS
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Port Number Enter the port number of the external authentication server. The default port
number is 1812.
You need not change this value unless your network administrator instructs you
to do so with additional information.
Shared Secret Enter a password (up to 31 alphanumeric characters) as the key to be shared
between the external authentication server and the ZyAIR.
The key must be the same on the external authentication server and your ZyAIR.
The key is not sent over the network.
Accounting Server
Active
Server IP Address Enter the IP address of the external accounting server in dotted decimal notation.
Port Number Enter the port number of the external accounting server. The default port number
Shared Secret Enter a password (up to 31 alphanumeric characters) as the key to be shared
Apply
Reset
Select Yes from the drop down list box to enable user accounting through an
external authentication server.
is 1813.
You need not change this value unless your network administrator instructs you
to do so with additional information.
between the external authentication server and the ZyAIR.
The key must be the same on the external authentication server and your ZyAIR.
The key is not sent over the network.
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
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Chapter 7
IP Screen
This chapter discusses how to configure IP on the ZyAIR
7.1 Factory Ethernet Defaults
The Ethernet parameters of the ZyAIR are preset in the factory with the following values:
• IP address of 192.168.1.2
• Subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 (24 bits)
These parameters should work for the majority of installations.
7.2 TCP/IP Parameters
7.2.1 IP Address and Subnet Mask
Refer to the section on IP address and subnet mask in the Wizard Setup chapter for this information.
7.3 Configuring IP
Click IP to display the screen shown next.
Figure 7-1 IP Setup
IP 7-1
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 7-1 IP Setup
LABEL DESCRIPTION
IP Address Assignment
Get automatically from
DHCP
Select this option if your ZyAIR is using a dynamically assigned IP address from
a DHCP server each time.
You must know the IP address assigned to the ZyAIR (by
the DHCP server) to access the ZyAIR again.
Use fixed IP address Select this option if your ZyAIR is using a static IP address. When you select
this option, fill in the fields below.
IP Address Enter the IP address of your ZyAIR in dotted decimal notation.
If you change the ZyAIR's IP address, you must use the
new IP address if you want to access the web
configurator again.
IP Subnet Mask Enter the subnet mask.
Gateway IP Address Enter the IP address of a gateway. The gateway is an immediate neighbor of
your ZyAIR that will forward the packet to the destination. On the LAN, the
gateway must be a router on the same segment as your ZyAIR; over the WAN,
the gateway must be the IP address of one of the remote node.
Apply
Reset
Click Apply to save your changes back to the ZyAIR.
Click Reset to begin configuring this screen afresh.
7-2 IP
Logs
Part III:
LOGS
This part provides information and configuration instructions for the logs.
III
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Chapter 8
Logs Screens
This chapter contains information about configuring general log settings and viewing the ZyAIR’s
logs. Refer to the appendix for example log message explanations.
8.1 Configuring View Log
The web configurator allows you to look at all of the ZyAIR’s logs in one location.
Click LOGS to open the View Log screen. Use the View Log screen to see the logs for the categories that
you selected in the Log Settings screen (see section 8.2). Options include logs about system maintenance,
system errors and access control.
You can view logs and alert messages in this page. Once the log entries are all used, the log will wrap around
and the old logs will be deleted.
Click a column heading to sort the entries. A triangle indicates the direction of the sort order.
Figure 8-1 View Log
Logs Screens 8-1
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Table 8-1 View Log
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Display Select a log category from the drop down list box to display logs within the selected
category. To view all logs, select All Logs.
The number of categories shown in the drop down list box depends on the selection in
the Log Settings page.
Time This field displays the time the log was recorded.
MessageThis field states the reason for the log.
SourceThis field lists the source IP address and the port number of the incoming packet.
Destination This field lists the destination IP address and the port number of the incoming packet.
NoteThis field displays additional information about the log entry.
Email Log Now
Refresh
Clear Log
Click Email Log Now to send the log screen to the e-mail address specified in the Log Settings page.
Click Refresh to renew the log screen.
Click Clear Log to clear all the logs.
8.2 Configuring Log Settings
To change your ZyAIR’s log settings, click LOGS and then the Log Settings tab. The screen appears as
shown.
Use the Log Settings screen to configure to where the ZyAIR is to send the logs; the schedule for when the
ZyAIR is to send the logs and which logs and/or immediate alerts the ZyAIR is to send.
An alert is a type of log that warrants more serious attention. Some categories such as System Errors consist
of both logs and alerts. You may differentiate them by their color in the View Log screen. Alerts are
displayed in red and logs are displayed in black.
8-2 Logs Screens
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Figure 8-2 Log Settings
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Logs Screens 8-3
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 8-2 Log Settings
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Address Info
Mail Server Enter the server name or the IP address of the mail server for the e-mail addresses
specified below. If this field is left blank, logs and alert messages will not be sent via
e-mail.
Mail Subject Type a title that you want to be in the subject line of the log e-mail message that the
ZyAIR sends.
Send log to Logs are sent to the e-mail address specified in this field. If this field is left blank,
logs will not be sent via e-mail.
Send alerts to Enter the e-mail address where the alert messages will be sent. If this field is left
blank, alert messages will not be sent via e-mail.
Syslog LoggingSyslog logging sends a log to an external syslog server used to store logs.
Active
Syslog IP Address Enter the server name or IP address of the syslog server that will log the selected
Log Facility Select a location from the drop down list box. The log facility allows you to log the
Send Log
Log ScheduleThis drop-down menu is used to configure the frequency of log messages being
Day for Sending Log
Time for Sending LogEnter the time of the day in 24-hour format (for example 23:00 equals 11:00 pm) to
Click Active to enable syslog logging.
categories of logs.
messages to different files in the syslog server. Refer to the documentation of your
syslog program for more details.
sent as E-mail:
• Daily
• Weekly
• Hourly
• When Log is Full
• None.
If the Weekly or the Daily option is selected, specify a time of day when the E-mail
should be sent. If the Weekly option is selected, then also specify which day of the
week the E-mail should be sent. If the When Log is Full option is selected, an alert
is sent when the log fills up. If you select None, no log messages are sent.
This field is only available when you select Weekly in the Log Schedule field.
Use the drop down list box to select which day of the week to send the logs.
send the logs.
8-4 Logs Screens
ZyAIR B-500 Wireless Access Point User’s Guide
Table 8-2 Log Settings
LABEL DESCRIPTION
Clear log after sanding
LogSelect the categories of logs that you want to record.
Send Immediate Alert Select the categories of alerts for which you want the ZyAIR to immediately send
Apply
Reset
Select the check box to clear all logs after logs and alert messages are sent via e-
mail
mail.
e-mail alerts.
Click Apply to save your customized settings and exit this screen.
Click Reset to reconfigure all the fields in this screen.
Logs Screens 8-5
Maintenance
Part IV:
MAINTENANCE
This part describes the Maintenance web configurator screens.
IV
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