ZyXEL Communications NWD-271N - User manual

www.zyxel.com
www.zyxel.com
NWD-271N
Wireless N USB Adapter
Copyright © 2009
ZyXEL Communications Corporation
Firmware Version 4.0.0.11 for OS X
Edition 2, 03/2009

About This User's Guide
NWD-271N User’s Guide 3
About This User's Guide
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWD-271N using
the ZyXEL Utility. You should have at least a basic knowledge of TCP/IP
networking concepts and topology.
Related Documentation
•QuickStartGuide
The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. It
contains information on setting up your network and configuring for Internet
access.
• Online Help
Embedded web help for descriptions of individual screens and supplementary
information.
• Support Disc
Refer to the included CD for support documents.
• ZyXEL Web Site
Please refer to www.zyxel.com for additional support documentation and
product certifications.
User’s Guide Feedback
Help us help you. Send all User’s Guide-related comments, questions or
suggestions for improvement to the following address, or use e-mail instead.
Thank you!
The Technical Writing Team,
ZyXEL Communications Corp.,
6 Innovation Road II,
Science-Based Industrial Park,
Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
E-mail: [email protected]om.tw

Document Conventions
NWD-271N User’s Guide
4
Document Conventions
Warnings and Notes
These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User’s Guide.
Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your NWD-
271N.
Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may
need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Syntax Conventions
• The NWD-271N may be referred to as the “NWD-271N”, the “device”, the
“system” or the “product” in this User’s Guide.
• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in bold font.
• A key stroke is denoted by square brackets and uppercase text, for example,
[ENTER] means the “enter” or “return” key on your keyboard.
• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters and then press the
[ENTER] key. “Select” or “choose” means for you to use one of the predefined
choices.
• A right angle bracket ( > ) within a screen name denotes a mouse click. For
example, Maintenance > Log > Log Setting means you first click
Maintenance in the navigation panel, then the Log sub menu and finally the
Log Setting tab to get to that screen.
• Units of measurement may denote the “metric” value or the “scientific” value.
For example, “k” for kilo may denote “1000” or “1024”, “M” for mega may
denote “1000000” or “1048576” and so on.
• “e.g.,” is a shorthand for “for instance”, and “i.e.,” means “that is” or “in other
words”.

Document Conventions
NWD-271N User’s Guide 5
Icons Used in Figures
Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons.
Table 1 Common Icons
NWD-271N Wireless AP Computer
Notebook Printer Telephone
Switch Router Internet Cloud
Firewall Modem Wireless Signal
Server

Safety Warnings
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Safety Warnings
For your safety, be sure to read and follow all warning notices and
instructions.
• Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a
swimming pool.
• Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids.
• Do NOT store things on the device.
• Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a
remote risk of electric shock from lightning.
• Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device.
• Ground yourself (by properly using an anti-static wrist strap, for example)
whenever working with the device’s hardware or connections.
• ONLY qualified service personnel should service or disassemble this device.
• Antenna Warning! This device meets ETSI and FCC certification requirements
when using the included antenna(s). Only use the included antenna(s).
This product is recyclable. Dispose of it properly.

Table of Contents
NWD-271N User’s Guide 7
Table of Contents
About This User's Guide..........................................................................................................3
Document Conventions............................................................................................................4
Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................6
Table of Contents......................................................................................................................7
Chapter 1
Getting Started..........................................................................................................................9
1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 9
1.1.1 What You Need to Know .............................................................................................. 9
1.1.2 Before You Begin .........................................................................................................9
1.2 Features .............................................................................................................................. 10
1.3 Hardware Installation ............................................................................................................11
1.4 Software Installation .............................................................................................................11
1.4.1 Minimum System Requirements .................................................................................11
1.4.2 Installing the ZyXEL Utility ......................................................................................... 12
1.5 Device Applications ............................................................................................................. 15
Chapter 2
Wireless LANs.........................................................................................................................17
2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 17
2.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 17
2.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 17
2.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 18
2.2 Wireless LAN Overview ...................................................................................................... 18
2.3 Wireless LAN Security ........................................................................................................ 19
2.3.1 User Authentication and Encryption ........................................................................... 19
Chapter 3
Tutorial.....................................................................................................................................21
3.1 Connecting to a Wireless LAN ............................................................................................. 21
Chapter 4
ZyXEL Utility............................................................................................................................23
4.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 23
4.1.1 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 23
4.1.2 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 23

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4.2 Main Screen ........................................................................................................................ 24
4.3 Settings Screen ................................................................................................................... 26
4.3.1 WEP Key Settings ...................................................................................................... 28
4.3.2 WPA Key Settings ...................................................................................................... 29
Chapter 5
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................31
5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 31
5.2 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs .......................................................................... 31
5.3 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................. 32
5.4 Link Quality .......................................................................................................................... 32
5.5 Problems Communicating with Other Computers ............................................................... 33
Chapter 6
Product Specifications...........................................................................................................35
..................................................................................................................................................37
Appendix A Setting Up Your IP Address ................................................................................39
Appendix B IP Addresses and Subnetting .............................................................................47
Appendix C Wireless LANs....................................................................................................59
Appendix D Legal Information................................................................................................75
Appendix E Customer Support...............................................................................................79
Index.........................................................................................................................................85

NWD-271N User’s Guide 9
CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
1.1 Overview
The ZyXEL NWD-271N brings you a better Internet experience over existing IEEE
802.11 b/g/n networks. With data rates of up to 150 Mbps, you can enjoy a
breathtaking high-speed connection at home or in the office. It is an excellent
solution for daily activities such as file transfers, music downloading, video
streaming and online gaming.
1.1.1 What You Need to Know
The following terms and concepts may help as you read through this section, and
subsequently as you read through the rest of the User’s Guide.
Access Point
An Access Point (AP) is a network device that acts as a bridge between a wired
and a wireless network. Outside of the home or office, APs can most often be
found in coffee shops, bookstores and other businesses that offer wireless
Internet connectivity to their customers.
Infrastructure
An infrastructure network is one that seamlessly combines both wireless and
wired components. One or more APs often serve as the bridge between wireless
and wired LANs.
Ad-Hoc
An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a self-contained group of computers connected
wirelessly and which is independent of any other networks and Access Points.
1.1.2 Before You Begin
Read the Quick Start Guide for information on making hardware connections and
using the ZyXEL utility to connect your NWD-271N to a network.

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1.2 Features
Your NWD-271N is an IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 compliant wireless LAN adapter. It
can also connect to IEEE 802.11b/g wireless networks. It connects to an empty
USB port on your computer.
Figure 1 The NWD-271N
The following table describes the NWD-271N.
The following table describes the operation of the NWD-271N’s LEDs.
Table 2 NWD-271N External View
LABEL DESCRIPTION
ALED
BUSBconnector
C USB connector cap
Table 3 NWD-271N LEDs
LED COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION
Green Slow
Blinking The NWD-271N is turned on, connected to an AP, and is not transmitting or receiving data.
Rapid
Blinking The NWD-271N is turned on, connected to an AP, and is transmitting or receiving data.
Off The NWD-271N is either not connected or the device to
which it is connected is turned off.
AB C

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1.3 Hardware Installation
This sections shows you how to install your NWD-271N.
1Locate an available USB port on the computer.
2Remove the protective cap to expose the USB connector. Insert the NWD-271N
into an available USB port on the computer.
The NWD-271N’s LED (light) turns on if it is properly inserted.
Note: Never bend, twist or force the NWD-271N into the port. If there is not enough
space to attach the NWD-271N, use the included USB cable.
1.4 Software Installation
This section shows you how to install the Mac OS X version of the ZyXEL Utility.
For detailed information on using it, see Chapter 4 on page 23.
1.4.1 Minimum System Requirements
In order to install the ZyXEL Utility for Mac OS X, your computer must meet the
following minimum system requirements:
• 20 MB of free hard drive space
• 128 MB RAM
• Mac OS X 10.3 and higher

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1.4.2 Installing the ZyXEL Utility
To install the ZyXEL Utility:
1Make sure the NWD-271N is disconnected from your computer before you begin
the installation process.
2Open the installation DMG file on the included disc.
3Inside the DMG, locate the installer package and double-click it to run the
installation program. When it opens, follow the on-screen instructions.
4After installing the ZyXEL Utility and device driver, you must restart your
computer.

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5Once your computer restarts, you can find the ZyXEL Utility in your Applications
> Utilities.

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1.4.2.1 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility
While you can drag the ZyXEL Utility from your Applications folder directly to the
Trash and remove it that way, the best and safest course of action is to run the
uninstallation program bundled on the included disc. This ensures that all
components of the application are properly removed, especially the device driver.
To uninstall the ZyXEL Utility:
1Open the installation DMG file on the included disc.
2Inside the DMG, locate the uninstaller script and double-click it to run it in the
Terminal application. After entering your admin password for the operating
system, the script automatically removes all components associated with the
ZyXEL Utility.
3After uninstalling, you should restart your computer.

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1.5 Device Applications
This section describes some network applications for the NWD-271N. You can
either set the network type to Infrastructure and connect to an AP or use Ad-
Hoc mode and connect to a peer computer (another wireless device in Ad-Hoc
mode).
Infrastructure
To connect to a network via an access point (AP), set the NWD-271N network type
to Infrastructure. Through the AP, you can access the Internet or the wired
network behind it.
Figure 2 Application: Infrastructure

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Ad-Hoc
To set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use Ad-Hoc.
Ad-Hoc does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients
communicate directly with each other.
Figure 3 Application: Ad-Hoc

NWD-271N User’s Guide 17
CHAPTER 2
Wireless LANs
2.1 Overview
This section provides background information on wireless Local Area Networks.
2.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section
Connect securely to an AP using many of the strongest and most common
encryption protocols. See Section 2.3 on page 19 for details.
2.1.2 What You Need to Know
The following terms and concepts may help as you read through this section.
Server
When two or more devices are connected digitally to form a network, the one that
distributes data to the other devices is known as the “server”.
Client
When two or more devices are connected digitally to form a network, the one that
contacts and obtains data from a server is known as the “client”. Each client is
designed to work with one or more specific kinds of servers, and each server
requires a specific kind of client. Wireless adapters are clients that connect to a
network server through an AP.
Authentication
Authentication is the process of confirming a client’s or user’s digital identity when
they connect to a network. Turning off authentication means disabling all security
protocols and opening your network to anyone with the means to connect to it.

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Encryption
The process of taking data and encoding it, usually using a mathematical formula,
so that it becomes unreadable unless decrypted with the proper code or password.
2.1.3 Before You Begin
You should have valid login information for an existing network Access Point,
otherwise you may not be able to make a network connection right away.
2.2 Wireless LAN Overview
The following figure provides an example of a wireless network with an AP. See
Figure 3 on page 16 for an Ad Hoc network example.
Figure 4 Example of a Wireless Network
The wireless network is the part in the blue circle. In this wireless network,
devices Aand Bare called wireless clients. The wireless clients use the access
point (AP) to interact with other devices (such as the printer) or with the Internet
Every wireless network must follow these basic guidelines.
• Every device in the same wireless network must use the same SSID.
The SSID is the name of the wireless network. It stands for Service Set
IDentity.

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NWD-271N User’s Guide 19
• If two wireless networks overlap, they should use a different channel.
Like radio stations or television channels, each wireless network uses a specific
channel, or frequency, to send and receive information.
• Every device in the same wireless network must use security compatible with
the AP or peer computer.
Security stops unauthorized devices from using the wireless network. It can also
protect the information that is sent in the wireless network.
2.3 Wireless LAN Security
Wireless LAN security is vital to your network to protect wireless communications.
If you do not enable any wireless security on your NWD-271N, the NWD-271N’s
wireless communications are accessible to any wireless networking device that is
in the coverage area.
See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless security.
2.3.1 User Authentication and Encryption
You can make every user log in to the wireless network before they can use it.
This is called user authentication. However, every wireless client in the wireless
network has to support IEEE 802.1x to do this.
Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the
wireless network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret
code, you cannot understand the message.
2.3.1.1 WEP
2.3.1.1.1 Data Encryption
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption scrambles all data packets transmitted
between the NWD-271N and the AP or other wireless stations to keep network
communications private. Both the wireless stations and the access points must
use the same WEP key for data encryption and decryption.

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2.3.1.2 WPA and WPA2
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i standard. WPA2
(IEEE 802.11i) is a wireless security standard that defines stronger encryption,
authentication and key management than WPA.
Key differences between WPA(2) and WEP are improved data encryption and user
authentication.
Both WPA and WPA2 improve data encryption by using Temporal Key Integrity
Protocol (TKIP), Message Integrity Check (MIC) and IEEE 802.1x. WPA and WPA2
use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in the Counter mode with Cipher block
chaining Message authentication code Protocol (CCMP) to offer stronger
encryption than TKIP.
If both an AP and the wireless clients support WPA2 and you have an external
RADIUS server, use WPA2 for stronger data encryption. If you don't have an
external RADIUS server, you should use WPA2-PSK (WPA2-Pre-Shared Key) that
only requires a single (identical) password entered into each access point, wireless
gateway and wireless client. As long as the passwords match, a wireless client will
be granted access to a WLAN.
If the AP or the wireless clients do not support WPA2, just use WPA or WPA-PSK
depending on whether you have an external RADIUS server or not.
Select WEP only when the AP and/or wireless clients do not support WPA or WPA2.
WEP is less secure than WPA or WPA2.