ZyXEL Communications NWD2205 User manual

www.zyxel.com
www.zyxel.com
NWD2205
Wireless N USB Adapter
Copyright © 2010
ZyXEL Communications Corporation
Version 1.1
Edition 1, 09/2010

About This User's Guide
NWD2205 User’s Guide 3
About This User's Guide
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWD2205 using the
ZyXEL utility.
Tips for Reading User’s Guides On-Screen
When reading a ZyXEL User’s Guide On-Screen, keep the following in mind:
• If you don’t already have the latest version of Adobe Reader, you can download
it from http://www.adobe.com.
• Use the PDF’s bookmarks to quickly navigate to the areas that interest you.
Adobe Reader’s bookmarks pane opens by default in all ZyXEL User’s Guide
PDFs.
• If you know the page number or know vaguely which page-range you want to
view, you can enter a number in the toolbar in Reader, then press [ENTER] to
jump directly to that page.
• Type [CTRL]+[F] to open the Adobe Reader search utility and enter a word or
phrase. This can help you quickly pinpoint the information you require. You can
also enter text directly into the toolbar in Reader.
• To quickly move around within a page, press the [SPACE] bar. This turns your
cursor into a “hand” with which you can grab the page and move it around freely
on your screen.
• Embedded hyperlinks are actually cross-references to related text. Click them to
jump to the corresponding section of the User’s Guide PDF.
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.
Documentation Feedback
Send your comments, questions or suggestions to: [email protected]

About This User's Guide
NWD2205 User’s Guide
4
Thank you!
The Technical Writing Team, ZyXEL Communications Corp.,
6 Innovation Road II, Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, 30099, Taiwan.
Need More Help?
More help is available at www.zyxel.com.
• Download Library
Search for the latest product updates and documentation from this link. Read
the Tech Doc Overview to find out how to efficiently use the documentation in
order to better understand how to use your product.
• Knowledge Base
If you have a specific question about your product, the answer may be here.
This is a collection of answers to previously asked questions about ZyXEL
products.
•Forum
This contains discussions on ZyXEL products. Learn from others who use ZyXEL
products and share your experiences as well.
Customer Support
Should problems arise that cannot be solved by the methods listed above, you
should contact your vendor. If you cannot contact your vendor, then contact a
ZyXEL office for the region in which you bought the device.
See http://www.zyxel.com/web/contact_us.php for contact information. Please
have the following information ready when you contact an office.
• Product model and serial number.
•WarrantyInformation.
• Date that you received your device.
• Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it.

Document Conventions
NWD2205 User’s Guide 5
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
NWD2205.
Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may
need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Syntax Conventions
• The NWD2205 may be referred to as the “NWD2205”, 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
NWD2205 User’s Guide
6
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
NWD2205 User’s Guide 7
Safety Warnings
• 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).
Your product is marked with this symbol, which is known as the WEEE mark.
WEEE stands for Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment. It means that
used electrical and electronic products should not be mixed with general waste.
Used electrical and electronic equipment should be treated separately.

Safety Warnings
NWD2205 User’s Guide
8

Contents Overview
NWD2205 User’s Guide 9
Contents Overview
Introduction and Configuration ............................................................................................15
Getting Started ........................................................................................................................... 17
Tutorial ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Wireless LANs ........................................................................................................................... 37
Station Mode .............................................................................................................................. 49
AP Mode .................................................................................................................................... 75
Maintenance .............................................................................................................................. 85
Troubleshooting and Specifications ....................................................................................89
Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................... 91
Product Specifications ............................................................................................................... 95
Appendices and Index ...........................................................................................................99

Contents Overview
NWD2205 User’s Guide
10

Table of Contents
NWD2205 User’s Guide 11
Table of Contents
About This User's Guide..........................................................................................................3
Document Conventions............................................................................................................5
Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................7
Contents Overview ...................................................................................................................9
Table of Contents....................................................................................................................11
Part I: Introduction and Configuration................................................. 15
Chapter 1
Getting Started........................................................................................................................17
1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 17
1.1.1 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 17
1.1.2 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 18
1.2 About Your NWD2205 .......................................................................................................18
1.2.1 Hardware .................................................................................................................... 18
1.3 Application Overview ........................................................................................................... 19
1.3.1 Infrastructure .............................................................................................................. 19
1.3.2 Ad-Hoc ....................................................................................................................... 20
1.4 Hardware and Utility Installation ..........................................................................................20
1.4.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon .......................................................................................................20
1.5 Configuration Methods ....................................................................................................... 21
1.5.1 Enabling Windows Wireless Configuration ................................................................ 21
1.5.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ...................................................................................... 21
Chapter 2
Tutorial.....................................................................................................................................23
2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 23
2.1.1 What You Can Do in This Tutorial .............................................................................. 23
2.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 23
2.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 24
2.2 Connecting to an AP using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) .................................................. 24
2.2.1 Push Button Configuration (PBC) .............................................................................. 24
2.2.2 PIN Configuration ....................................................................................................... 25
2.3 Connecting to an AP Without Using WPS ........................................................................... 28

Table of Contents
NWD2205 User’s Guide
12
2.3.1 Manually Connecting to a Wireless LAN ................................................................... 28
2.3.2 Creating and Using a Profile ...................................................................................... 30
2.4 Configuring the NWD2205 as an AP ................................................................................... 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 ......................................................................................... 42
3.4.2 PIN Configuration ....................................................................................................... 42
3.4.3 How WPS Works ........................................................................................................ 44
3.4.4 Limitations of WPS ..................................................................................................... 47
Chapter 4
Station Mode............................................................................................................................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 ................................................................................................................ 53
4.4 The Site Survey Screen ..................................................................................................... 54
4.4.1 Security Settings .......................................................................................................55
4.4.2 Summary Screen ....................................................................................................... 61
4.5 The Profile Screen .............................................................................................................. 62
4.5.1 Adding a New Profile .................................................................................................. 63
4.6 The Adapter Screen ........................................................................................................... 68
4.6.1 WPS: PBC (Push Button Configuration) .................................................................... 69
4.6.2 WPS: PIN - Use this Device’s PIN ............................................................................. 69
4.7 Security Settings in Windows Vista .................................................................................... 70
4.7.1 Using PEAP in Vista ................................................................................................... 71
4.7.2 Using TLS in Vista ..................................................................................................... 72
Chapter 5
AP Mode...................................................................................................................................75
5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 75

Table of Contents
NWD2205 User’s Guide 13
5.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 76
5.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 76
5.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 77
5.2 AP Mode Screen Summary ................................................................................................. 77
5.3 The Link Info Screen .......................................................................................................... 78
5.4 The Configuration Screen ................................................................................................... 79
5.4.1 Security Settings .......................................................................................................80
5.5 The MAC Filter Screen ........................................................................................................ 82
Chapter 6
Maintenance............................................................................................................................85
6.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 85
6.1.1 What You Can Do in This Section .............................................................................. 85
6.1.2 What You Need to Know ............................................................................................ 85
6.1.3 Before You Begin ....................................................................................................... 85
6.2 The About Screen ............................................................................................................... 86
6.3 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility .............................................................................................. 86
6.4 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................87
Part II: Troubleshooting and Specifications........................................ 89
Chapter 7
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................91
7.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs .......................................................................... 91
7.2 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................. 92
7.3 Link Quality .......................................................................................................................... 92
7.4 Problems Communicating with Other Computers ............................................................... 93
Chapter 8
Product Specifications...........................................................................................................95
Part III: Appendices and Index.............................................................. 99
Appendix A Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address...........................................................101
Appendix B Wireless LANs ..................................................................................................131
Appendix C Windows Wireless Management ......................................................................147
Appendix D Wireless for Windows 7 ....................................................................................173
Appendix E Legal Information ..............................................................................................179

Table of Contents
NWD2205 User’s Guide
14
Index.......................................................................................................................................185

15
PART I
Introduction and
Configuration
Getting Started (17)
Tutorial (23)
Wireless LANs (37)
Station Mode (49)
AP Mode (75)
Maintenance (85)

16

NWD2205 User’s Guide 17
CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
1.1 Overview
The ZyXEL NWD2205 wireless N USB adapter brings you a better Internet
experience over existing 802.11 networks. With data rates of up to 300 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.
This section includes:
• About Your NWD2205 on page 18
• Application Overview on page 19
• Hardware and Utility Installation on page 20
• Configuration Methods on page 21
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.

Chapter 1 Getting Started
NWD2205 User’s Guide
18
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 NWD2205 to a network.
1.2 About Your NWD2205
Your NWD2205 is an IEEE 802.11n compliant wireless LAN adapter. It can also
connect to IEEE 802.11b/g wireless networks. The NWD2205 is WPS (Wi-Fi
Protected Setup) compliant. WPS allows you to easily connect to another WPS-
enabled device.
The NWD2205 is a USB adapter which connects to an empty USB port on your
computer.
See your NWD2205’s Quick Start Guide for installation instructions, and see the
section on product specifications in this User’s Guide for detailed information.
1.2.1 Hardware
This section describes the NWD2205’s physical appearance.
Figure 1 The NWD2205
The following table describes the NWD2205.
Table 1 NWD2205 External View
LABEL DESCRIPTION
A LED and also a WPS button
BUSBconnector
A
B

Chapter 1 Getting Started
NWD2205 User’s Guide 19
The following table describes the operation of the NWD2205’s LEDs.
1.3 Application Overview
This section describes some network applications for the NWD2205. 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).
1.3.1 Infrastructure
To connect to a network via an access point (AP), set the NWD2205 network type
to Infrastructure (see Chapter 4 on page 62). Through the AP, you can access
the Internet or the wired network behind the AP.
Figure 2 Application: Infrastructure
Table 2 NWD2205 LEDs
LED COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION
Amber Slow
Blinking The NWD2205 is turned on, connected to an AP, and is not transmitting or receiving data.
Rapid
Blinking The NWD2205 is turned on, connected to an AP, and is transmitting or receiving data. It also blinks when the
WPS feature is being used or a WPS connection is being
initiated.
Off The NWD2205 is turned off.

Chapter 1 Getting Started
NWD2205 User’s Guide
20
1.3.2 Ad-Hoc
To set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use Ad-Hoc (see
Chapter 4 on page 62).
Ad-Hoc does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients
communicate directly with each other.
Note: Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is not available in ad-hoc mode.
Figure 3 Application: Ad-Hoc
1.4 Hardware and Utility Installation
Follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide to install the ZyXEL utility and
make hardware connections.
1.4.1 ZyXEL Utility Icon
After you install and start the ZyXEL utility, an icon for the ZyXEL utility appears in
the system tray.
Note: The ZyXEL utility system tray icon displays only when the NWD2205 is installed
properly.
Note: When you use the ZyXEL utility, it automatically disables Wireless Zero
Configuration (WZC) in Windows XP.
Figure 4 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon