ZyXEL Communications AC240 User manual

AC240
11ac Wireless LAN Dual Band USB Adapter
Edition 1.0, 4/2013
www.zyxel.com
Copyright © 2013
ZyXELCommunications Corporation

1 Contents
2 Product Information ....................................................................................... 1
2.1 Introduction and safety information..............................................................................1
2.2 Safety Information...............................................................................................................2
2.3 System Requirements.........................................................................................................3
2.4 Package Contents.................................................................................................................4
2.5 Getting familiar with your new wireless network adapter.....................................5
3 Driver Installation and Configuration........................................................... 6
3.1 Network Adapter Installation...........................................................................................6
3.2 Connect to Wireless Access Point...............................................................................10
3.2.1 Using Windows Zero Configuration (Windows XP)............................10
3.2.2 Using Windows Zero Configuration (Windows 7) ..............................13
3.3 Establish secure connection with AP by WPS.........................................................15
4Appendix.......................................................................................................16
4.1 Hardware Specifications.................................................................................................17
4.2 Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................18
4.3 Glossary................................................................................................................................19

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2 Product Information
2.1 Introduction and safety information
Thank you for purchasing the ZyXEL AC240, an extreme high-speed
802.11a/b/g/n/ac dual band wireless network adapter! Following common
wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n), the AC240 is also 802.11ac
compatible with a data transfer rate of 867Mbps, sixteen times faster than
the 802.11g wireless network! 802.11ac also provides wider wireless
coverage, so you don’t have to worry if your computer is far away from
your wireless access point.
With an easy-to-install Super Speed USB 3.0 interface (a very common
expansion port of computers), you can plug the AC240 into any empty
USB 3.0 port of your computer, just that simple!
Other features of the AC240 include:
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
Extremely high data transfer rate (11ac up to 867Mbps (AC900),
11n up to 300Mbps (N900))
Supports WMM wireless QoS feature.
Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 with IEEE 802.1x
functions for a high level of security.
Supports the most popular operating systems: Windows
XP/Vista/7/8
Supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) hardware button for easy
connection.
Supports USB 3.0/2.0 interface. (11ac mode uses USB 3.0)
Portable dongle type design.

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2.2 Safety Information
In order to maintain the safety of users and your properties, please follow
these safety instructions:
1. This USB wireless network adapter is designed for indoor use only.
DO NOT expose this network adapter to direct sun light, rain, or snow.
2. DO NOT put this network adapter at or near hot or humid places (like a
kitchen or bathroom). Also, do not leave this wireless network adapter in
the car during the summer.
3. This network adapter is small enough to put in a child’s mouth and it
could cause or fatal serious injury. If they throw the network adapter, it
will be damaged. PLEASE KEEP THIS NETWORK ADAPTER OUT
THE REACH OF CHILDREN!
4. This network adapter will become hot when being used for long time
(This is normal and is not a malfunction). DO NOT put the network
adapter on paper, cloth, or any other flammable objects after the network
adapter has been used for a long time.
5. There is no user-serviceable part inside this network adapter. If you
find that the network adapter is not working properly, please contact your
dealer of purchase and ask for help. DO NOT disassemble the network
adapter by yourself, as this will void the warranty.
6. If the network adapter falls into water, DO NOT USE ADAPTER
AGAIN BEFORE SENDING IT TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE
FOR INSPECTION.
7. If you smell something strange or even see some smoke coming out
from the network adapter, switch the computer off immediately and call
the dealer of purchase for help.

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2.3 System Requirements
An empty USB 3.0/2.0 port (11ac mode requires USB 3.0 for
maximum performance)
Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 operating system
CD-ROM drive
At least 100MB of available disk space

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2.4 Package Contents
Before you start to use this wireless network adapter, please check if there
are any items missing from the package and contact your dealer of
purchase to claim any missing items:
□AC240 Wireless Network Adapter (1 pcs) ……...…………………1
□Quick Installation Guide (1 pcs)….………….…………………. 2
□Driver/Quick Guide/User Manual CD-ROM (1 pcs) …… 3
□USB Extension Cable …………………………………. Not Shown
3 2 1

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2.5 Getting familiar with your new wireless network adapter
1. USB Connector
2. External Wireless Antenna
3. Power/Activity/WPS LED
4. WPS Button (Press 2 seconds
to activate WPS pairing mode)
LED Name Light Status Description
Power/
Activity/
WPS
Off 1) No wireless network adapter is installed
2) Radio off mode.
On 1) Wireless network adapter is installed
normally
2) Radio on mode.
Blinking 1) Transferring or receiving data.
2) Slow Blinking one time per second means
WPS is activated. The network adapter will
wait for 2 minutes to establish WPS
connection.
3) Fast Blinking 30 seconds, then Solid light
15 seconds, means WPS connection is
established successfully.
1
2
3
4

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3 Driver Installation and Configuration
3.1 NetworkAdapter Installation
Please follow these instructions to install your new USB wireless network
adapter:
1. Insert device driver CDROM into the CD/DVD ROM drive of your
computer. If setup does not run automatically, click on “AC240”.
Once the screen to the right is showing, click on “Setup”
2. The following will appear on the screen. Click “Next” to continue
with installation. (Do not insert AC240 into USB 3.0 port yet)

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3. Once you get through this part of the installation process, you will be
prompted to plug in the AC240. (Please be patient as this may take a
few minutes)
4. Insert the USB wireless network adapter into an empty USB 3.0 port
of your computer. Never use force to insert the adapter; if you feel it is
stuck, flip the adapter over and try again.
The following message should appear when the adapter is inserted.

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5. Follow the given instructions to set up your wireless network and
continue with the installation process. On some computers there may
be up to a 30 second wait between the end of installation and when the
list of available wireless networks becomes available.
6. Choose a network from the given list and connect to it.

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You may be prompted to enter a network key in order to connect to a
wireless access point. Once you are connected to a wireless access
point, the following message should appear.
7. The wireless icon at the bottom of the screen will indicate the strength
of your wireless connection and if it is connected at all.
Click “Finish” to complete device installation.

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3.2 Connect to Wireless Access Point
To use your wireless network, you have to connect to a wireless access
point first using Windows’ built-in Wireless Zero Config utility
3.2.1 Using Windows Zero Configuration (Windows XP)
Windows has a built-in wireless network configuration utility called
‘Windows Zero Configuration’ (WZC). You can also use WZC to
configure your wireless network parameters:
1. Click ‘Start’ button (should be located at the bottom-left corner of
windows desktop), click ‘Control Panel’, and then click ‘Network and
Internet Connections’ in Control Panel.

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2. Double click ‘Network Connections’.
3. Right-click ‘Wireless Network Connection’ (it may have a number as
a suffix; if you have more than one wireless network adapter, please
make sure you right-click the ‘Realtek 8812AU Wireless LAN
802.11ac USB NIC), then select ‘View Available Wireless Networks’.

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4. All wireless access points in proximity will be displayed here. If the
access point you want to use is not displayed here, please try to move
your computer or notebook closer to the access point, or click
‘Refresh network list’ to rescan for access points. Click the access
point you want to use if it is shown, then click ‘Connect’.
5. If the access point is protected by encryption, you have to input its
security key or passphrase here. It must match the encryption setting
of the access point.
If the access point you selected does not use encryption, you will not
be prompted to enter a security key or passphrase.

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6. If you can see ‘Connected’ message, the connection between your
computer and the wireless access point is successfully established.
3.2.2 Using Windows Zero Configuration (Windows 7)
Windows has a built-in wireless network configuration utility called
‘Windows Zero Configuration’ (WZC). You can also use WZC to
configure your wireless network parameters:
1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon ( or )

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in the notification area. (Bottom right corner of your desktop)
2. In the list of available wireless networks, click a network, and then
click Connect.
3. Many networks will require you enter a security key or “password” in
order to complete the connection. This is done to restrict access only
to authorized users and to encrypt your data for privacy reasons.

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If prompted, please input the security key (password).
4. The network icon will change to once a connection has been
successfully established
3.3 Establish secure connection withAPby WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is the latest wireless network technology
that makes wireless network setup as simple as ever. If you have a
WPS-enabled wireless access point/router and you want to establish a
secure connection to it, you no longer have to configure the wireless
access point and setup data encryption by yourself.
This wireless network adapter is compatible with push-button WPS. To
use this function, the wireless access point you wish to connect to must
support the WPS function as well. Now, please follow these instructions
to establish a secure connection between the WPS-enabled wireless
access point and your wireless network adapter.
3.3.1 Push Button
To use the Push-Button WPS configuration, first go to your router or
access point and push the WPS button for 2 seconds. This button is
usually located on the very back of the unit or on the front. In some
cases, you may need to log into the router/access point and enable WPS.

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Most access points or routers will have a dedicated WPS light on the
front of the unit which will begin blinking once WPS has been activated.
You now have 2 minutes in which to activate WPS on the AC240 USB
adapter.
With the AC240 plugged into your computer and installed, push the WPS
button on the side of the adapter for 2 seconds.
The LED on the top of the AC240 will begin blinking rapidly to indicate
it has entered WPS mode.
It may take up to 2 minutes for the WPS configuration process to finish.
When complete, Windows will indicate you are now connected to a
wireless network.
Windows XP
Windows 7

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4Appendix
4.1 Hardware Specifications
Standards: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Interface: USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 Compatible)
Frequency Band: 2.4000~2.4835GHz (subject to local regulations)
5.150~5.825GHz (subject to local regulations)
Data Rate:
11a: 6/9/12/24/36/48/54Mbps;
11b: 1/2/5.5/11Mbps; 11g: 6/9/12/24/36/48/54Mbps
11n (20MHz): MCS0-15, up to 144Mbps
11n (40MHz): MCS0-15, up to 300Mbps
11ac (80MHz): VHTMCS0-9, up to 867Mbps
Securities: WEP 64/128, WPA, WPA2 and IEEE 802.1x
Antenna: 2 internal PIFA antennas (2.4G/5G 2dBi)
Drivers: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8, Linux, MAC OS
LED: Link/Act/WPS
TX Power: 2.4GHz: 11b(11M): 16±1.5 dBm , 11g(54M): 14±1.5 dBm
11n(20MHz, MCS7): 14±1.5 dBm,
11n(40MHz, MCS7): 12±1.5 dBm
5GHz: 11a(54M): 12±1.5 dBm,
11n(20MHz, MCS7): 10±1.5 dBm,
11n(40MHz, MCS7): 10±1.5 dBm
11ac(80MHz, VHTMCS9): 10±1.0 dBm
RX Sensitivity: 2.4GHz: 11b(11M): -79±2 dBm, 11g(54M): -65±2dBm
11n(20MHz, MCS7): -64±2dBm,
11n(40MHz, MCS7): -61±2dBm
5GHz: 11a(54M): -70±2dBm,
11n(20MHz, MCS7): -67±2dBm,
11n(40MHz, MCS7): -64±2dBm,
11ac(80MHz, VHTMCS9): -51±2dBm
Dimension: 87.1 (L) x 27.2 (W) x 17.2 (H) mm
Temperature: 32~104°F (0 ~ 40°C), Humidity: 10-95% (Non-Condensing)