ZyXEL Communications NWD217N User manual

www.zyxel.com
NWD217N
WLAN 802.11n USB Adapter
User’s Guide
Version 1.0
05/2008
Edition 1

About This User's Guide
NWD271N User’s Guide 3
About This User's Guide
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWD271N using the ZyXEL
utility. You should have at least a basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking concepts and
topology.
Related Documentation
• Quick Start Guide
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.
• Supporting 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]

Document Conventions
NWD271N User’s Guide
4
Document Conventions
Warnings and Notes
These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User’s Guide.
1Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your NWD271N.
"Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may
need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Syntax Conventions
• The NWD271N may be referred to as the “NWD271N”, 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
NWD271N User’s Guide 5
Icons Used in Figures
Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons.
Wireless Access Point Computer Notebook computer
Server Modem Telephone
Internet Wireless Signal

Safety Warnings
NWD271N User’s Guide
6
Safety Warnings
1For 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.

Contents Overview
NWD271N User’s Guide 7
Contents Overview
Introduction and Configuration ............................................................................................19
Getting Started ........................................................................................................................... 21
Tutorial ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Wireless LANs ........................................................................................................................... 37
ZyXEL Utility - Windows ............................................................................................................ 49
Maintenance .............................................................................................................................. 71
Troubleshooting and Specifications ....................................................................................75
Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................... 77
Product Specifications ............................................................................................................... 81
Appendices and Index ...........................................................................................................85

Contents Overview
NWD271N User’s Guide
8

Table of Contents
NWD271N User’s Guide 9
Table of Contents
About This User's Guide..........................................................................................................3
Document Conventions............................................................................................................4
Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................6
Contents Overview ...................................................................................................................7
Table of Contents......................................................................................................................9
List of Figures.........................................................................................................................13
List of Tables...........................................................................................................................17
Part I: Introduction and Configuration................................................. 19
Chapter 1
Getting Started........................................................................................................................21
1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 21
1.1.1 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 21
1.1.2 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 21
1.2 About Your NWD271N .......................................................................................................22
1.2.1 Hardware .................................................................................................................... 22
1.3 Application Overview ........................................................................................................... 23
1.3.1 Infrastructure .............................................................................................................. 23
1.3.2 Ad-Hoc ....................................................................................................................... 23
1.4 Hardware and Utility Installation ..........................................................................................24
1.4.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon .......................................................................................................24
1.5 Configuration Methods ....................................................................................................... 25
1.5.1 Enabling Windows Wireless Configuration ................................................................ 25
1.5.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ...................................................................................... 26
Chapter 2
Tutorial.....................................................................................................................................27
2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 27
2.1.1 What You Can Do in This Tutorial .............................................................................. 27
2.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 27
2.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 27
2.2 Connecting to an AP using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) .................................................. 28

Table of Contents
NWD271N User’s Guide
10
2.2.1 Push Button Configuration (PBC) .............................................................................. 28
2.2.2 PIN Configuration ....................................................................................................... 29
2.3 Connecting to an AP Without Using WPS ........................................................................... 31
2.3.1 Manually Connecting to a Wireless LAN ................................................................... 31
2.3.2 Creating and Using a Profile ...................................................................................... 33
Chapter 3
Wireless LANs.........................................................................................................................37
3.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 37
3.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 37
3.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 37
3.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 38
3.2 Wireless LAN Overview ...................................................................................................... 38
3.3 Wireless LAN Security ........................................................................................................ 39
3.3.1 User Authentication and Encryption ........................................................................... 39
3.4 WiFi Protected Setup ........................................................................................................... 41
3.4.1 Push Button Configuration ......................................................................................... 41
3.4.2 PIN Configuration ....................................................................................................... 41
3.4.3 How WPS Works ........................................................................................................ 43
3.4.4 Limitations of WPS ..................................................................................................... 46
Chapter 4
ZyXEL Utility - Windows.........................................................................................................49
4.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 49
4.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 49
4.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 49
4.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 50
4.2 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary ........................................................................................... 50
4.3 The Link Info Screen ........................................................................................................... 51
4.3.1 Trend Chart ................................................................................................................ 52
4.4 The Site Survey Screen ...................................................................................................... 53
4.4.1 Security Settings .......................................................................................................54
4.4.2 Summary Screen ....................................................................................................... 59
4.5 The Profile Screen ............................................................................................................... 59
4.5.1 Adding a New Profile .................................................................................................. 61
4.6 The Adapter Screen ............................................................................................................ 64
4.6.1 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) .................................................................... 65
4.6.2 WPS: PIN - Use this Device’s PIN ............................................................................. 66
4.6.3 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router .......................................... 67
4.7 Security Settings in Windows Vista ..................................................................................... 67
4.7.1 Using PEAP in Vista ................................................................................................... 68
4.7.2 Using TLS in Vista ..................................................................................................... 69

Table of Contents
NWD271N User’s Guide 11
Chapter 5
Maintenance............................................................................................................................71
5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 71
5.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 71
5.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 71
5.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 71
5.2 The About Screen ............................................................................................................... 71
5.3 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility .............................................................................................. 72
5.4 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................73
Part II: Troubleshooting and Specifications........................................ 75
Chapter 6
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................77
6.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs .......................................................................... 77
6.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................. 78
6.3 Link Quality .......................................................................................................................... 78
6.4 Problems Communicating with Other Computers ............................................................... 78
Chapter 7
Product Specifications...........................................................................................................81
Part III: Appendices and Index.............................................................. 85
Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address.............................................................87
Appendix B Wireless LANs ....................................................................................................99
Appendix C Windows Wireless Management ......................................................................113
Appendix D Legal Information..............................................................................................135
Appendix E Customer Support.............................................................................................139
Index.......................................................................................................................................145

Table of Contents
NWD271N User’s Guide
12

List of Figures
NWD271N User’s Guide 13
List of Figures
Figure 1 The NWD271N ......................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 2 Application: Infrastructure ........................................................................................................ 23
Figure 3 Application: Ad-Hoc ................................................................................................................. 24
Figure 4 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon .............................................................................................. 24
Figure 5 Enable WZC ............................................................................................................................. 25
Figure 6 Infrastructure Network .............................................................................................................. 27
Figure 7 Example WPS Process: PBC Method ...................................................................................... 29
Figure 8 Example WPS Process: PIN Method .......................................................................................30
Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey ........................................................................................................ 31
Figure 10 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings ............................................................................................. 32
Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Summary .......................................................................................................... 32
Figure 12 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info .......................................................................................................... 32
Figure 13 ZyXEL Utility: Profile ............................................................................................................... 33
Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Add New Profile ............................................................................................... 33
Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Security ................................................................................................. 34
Figure 16 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Encryption ............................................................................................. 34
Figure 17 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Summary .............................................................................................. 34
Figure 18 ZyXEL Utility: Profile Activate ................................................................................................. 35
Figure 19 Example of a Wireless Network ............................................................................................. 38
Figure 20 Example WPS Process: PIN Method ..................................................................................... 43
Figure 21 How WPS works ..................................................................................................................... 44
Figure 22 WPS: Example Network Step 1 .............................................................................................. 45
Figure 23 WPS: Example Network Step 2 .............................................................................................. 45
Figure 24 WPS: Example Network Step 3 .............................................................................................. 46
Figure 25 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary ............................................................................................... 50
Figure 26 Link Info ................................................................................................................................. 51
Figure 27 Link Info: Trend Chart ............................................................................................................ 52
Figure 28 Site Survey ............................................................................................................................ 53
Figure 29 Security Setting: WEP .......................................................................................................... 54
Figure 30 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................................................. 55
Figure 31 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 ................................................................................................ 56
Figure 32 Security Setting: 802.1x ........................................................................................................ 57
Figure 33 Summary Screen ................................................................................................................... 59
Figure 34 Profile ................................................................................................................................... 60
Figure 35 Profile: Add a New Profile ..................................................................................................... 61
Figure 36 Profile: Wireless Settings ...................................................................................................... 62
Figure 37 Profile: Wireless Settings ...................................................................................................... 63
Figure 38 Profile: Security Settings ....................................................................................................... 63

List of Figures
NWD271N User’s Guide
14
Figure 39 Profile: Confirm New Settings ............................................................................................... 63
Figure 40 Profile: Activate the Profile .................................................................................................... 64
Figure 41 Adapter .................................................................................................................................. 64
Figure 42 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) ................................................................................ 65
Figure 43 WPS: PIN - Use this Device’s PIN ......................................................................................... 66
Figure 44 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router ...................................................... 67
Figure 45 Vista Security: Additional Information Required ..................................................................... 68
Figure 46 Vista Security: Enter Credentials ............................................................................................ 68
Figure 47 Vista Security: Additional Information Required ..................................................................... 69
Figure 48 Vista Security: Select Certificate ............................................................................................ 69
Figure 49 About ..................................................................................................................................... 72
Figure 50 Uninstall: Confirm ................................................................................................................. 72
Figure 51 Uninstall: Finish ..................................................................................................................... 73
Figure 52 Windows XP: Start Menu ........................................................................................................ 88
Figure 53 Windows XP: Control Panel ................................................................................................... 88
Figure 54 Windows XP: Control Panel > Network Connections > Properties ........................................ 89
Figure 55 Windows XP: Local Area Connection Properties ................................................................... 89
Figure 56 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties .............................................................. 90
Figure 57 Windows XP: Advanced TCP/IP Properties ........................................................................... 91
Figure 58 Windows XP: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties .............................................................. 92
Figure 59 Windows Vista: Start Menu ..................................................................................................... 93
Figure 60 Windows Vista: Control Panel ................................................................................................ 93
Figure 61 Windows Vista: Network And Internet .................................................................................... 93
Figure 62 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center ......................................................................... 94
Figure 63 Windows Vista: Network and Sharing Center ......................................................................... 94
Figure 64 Windows Vista: Local Area Connection Properties ................................................................ 95
Figure 65 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties ....................................... 96
Figure 66 Windows Vista: Advanced TCP/IP Properties ........................................................................ 97
Figure 67 Windows Vista: Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties ....................................... 98
Figure 68 Peer-to-Peer Communication in an Ad-hoc Network ............................................................. 99
Figure 69 Basic Service Set .................................................................................................................100
Figure 70 Infrastructure WLAN ............................................................................................................. 101
Figure 71 RTS/CTS ............................................................................................................................. 102
Figure 72 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ......................................................................... 109
Figure 73 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication ..................................................................................................110
Figure 74 Vista: Start Menu ...................................................................................................................113
Figure 75 Vista: The Connect To Window .............................................................................................114
Figure 76 Vista: Additional Information ..................................................................................................114
Figure 77 Vista: Enter Security Key .......................................................................................................115
Figure 78 Vista: Connecting ..................................................................................................................115
Figure 79 Vista: Successful Connection ................................................................................................116
Figure 80 Vista: Choose a Connection Option ......................................................................................117
Figure 81 Vista: Connect Manually ........................................................................................................117

List of Figures
NWD271N User’s Guide 15
Figure 82 Vista: Successfully Added Network .......................................................................................118
Figure 83 Vista: Set Up An Ad-hoc Network ..........................................................................................119
Figure 84 Vista: Ad-hoc Options ...........................................................................................................119
Figure 85 Vista: Ad-hoc Network Ready .............................................................................................. 120
Figure 86 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................... 121
Figure 87 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................... 121
Figure 88 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ............................................... 122
Figure 89 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Properties ............................................... 122
Figure 90 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available ................................................................................. 123
Figure 91 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ................................................................................... 123
Figure 92 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................... 124
Figure 93 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................... 124
Figure 94 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection ................................................................125
Figure 95 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ............................................... 126
Figure 96 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK ................................ 126
Figure 97 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security .......................................... 127
Figure 98 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association .................................................... 127
Figure 99 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ............................................... 129
Figure 100 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ............................................................................130
Figure 101 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ................................................... 131
Figure 102 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .............................................. 132
Figure 103 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .............................................. 132

List of Figures
NWD271N User’s Guide
16

List of Tables
NWD271N User’s Guide 17
List of Tables
Table 1 NWD271N External View .......................................................................................................... 22
Table 2 NWD271N LEDs ....................................................................................................................... 22
Table 3 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon ................................................................................................ 25
Table 4 ZyXEL Utility Menu Summary ................................................................................................... 50
Table 5 Link Info .................................................................................................................................... 51
Table 6 Link Info: Trend Chart ............................................................................................................... 52
Table 7 Site Survey ................................................................................................................................ 53
Table 8 Security Setting: WEP ............................................................................................................... 54
Table 9 Security Setting: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................................................... 56
Table 10 Security Setting: WPA/WPA2 .................................................................................................. 56
Table 11 Security Settings: IEEE 802.1x ............................................................................................... 58
Table 12 Summary Screen .................................................................................................................... 59
Table 13 Profile ...................................................................................................................................... 60
Table 14 Profile: Add a New Profile ....................................................................................................... 61
Table 15 Profile: Wireless Settings ........................................................................................................ 62
Table 16 Adapter ................................................................................................................................... 64
Table 17 WPS: PIN - Use this Device’s PIN .......................................................................................... 66
Table 18 WPS: PIN - Use the PIN from the AP or Wireless Router ...................................................... 67
Table 19 About ....................................................................................................................................... 72
Table 20 Product Specifications ............................................................................................................. 81
Table 21 IEEE 802.11g ........................................................................................................................ 103
Table 22 Wireless Security Levels ....................................................................................................... 104
Table 23 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types ............................................................................ 107
Table 24 Wireless Security Relational Matrix .......................................................................................110
Table 25 Vista: Connect Manually ........................................................................................................117
Table 26 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ....................................................................................123
Table 27 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection ................................................................. 125
Table 28 Windows XP: Wireless Networks .......................................................................................... 127
Table 29 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ....................................................128
Table 30 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ................................................129
Table 31 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ...............................................................................130
Table 32 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ..................................................... 131

List of Tables
NWD271N User’s Guide
18

19
PART I
Introduction and
Configuration
Getting Started (21)
Tutorial (27)
Wireless LANs (37)
ZyXEL Utility - Windows (49)
Maintenance (71)

20