ZyXEL Communications WX3401-BO User manual

Default Login Details
User’s Guide
WX3401-B0
Dual-Band Wireless AX5400 Gigabit Extender
Copyright © 2020 Zyxel Communications Corporation
LAN IP Address http://192.168.1.2
Login admin
Password See the device label
Version 5.17 Ed 1, 09/2020

WX3401-B0 User’s Guide
2
IMPORTANT!
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USE.
KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Screenshots and graphics in this book may differ slightly from what you see due to differences in your
product firmware or your computer operating system. Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this manual is accurate.
Related Documentation
•QuickStartGuide
The Quick Start Guide shows how to connect the WX3401-B0.
•MoreInformation
Go to support.zyxel.com to find other information on the WX3401-B0.

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Document Conventions
Warnings and Notes
These are how warnings and notes are shown in this guide.
Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your device.
Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may need to
configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Syntax Conventions
• The device in this user’s guide may be referred to as the “WX3401-B0” in this guide.
• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in bold font.
• A right angle bracket ( > ) within a screen name denotes a mouse click. For example, Network Setting
> Wireless > MAC Authentication means you first click Network Setting in the navigation panel, then
the Wireless sub menu and finally the MAC Authentication tab to get to that screen.
Icons Used in Figures
Figures in this user guide may use the following generic icons. The WX3401-B0 icon is not an exact
representation of your device.
WX3401-B0 Wireless Device Laptop Computer
Switch Firewall Server
Internet User Smartphone

Contents Overview
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Contents Overview
User’s Guide ......................................................................................................................................10
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Hardware ............................................................................................................................................... 19
The Web Configurator ......................................................................................................................... 24
Tutorials .................................................................................................................................................. 31
Technical Reference ........................................................................................................................72
Connection Status ................................................................................................................................ 73
Wireless ................................................................................................................................................... 82
Home Networking ............................................................................................................................... 114
Log ....................................................................................................................................................... 117
Multicast Status .................................................................................................................................. 120
WLAN Station Status ........................................................................................................................... 122
System .................................................................................................................................................. 124
User Account ...................................................................................................................................... 125
Remote Management ....................................................................................................................... 128
Time Settings ........................................................................................................................................ 130
Firmware Upgrade .............................................................................................................................. 133
Backup/Restore .................................................................................................................................. 136
Diagnostic ........................................................................................................................................... 140
Troubleshooting and Appendices .................................................................................................142
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................. 143

Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Document Conventions ......................................................................................................................3
Contents Overview .............................................................................................................................4
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................5
Part I: User’s Guide..........................................................................................10
Chapter 1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................11
1.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 11
1.2 Dual-Band WiFi ................................................................................................................................ 12
1.3 Daisy Chain ..................................................................................................................................... 13
1.4 MPro Mesh ....................................................................................................................................... 14
1.5 Ways to Manage the WX3401-B0 ................................................................................................. 17
1.6 Changing the WX3401-B0 to Different Modes ............................................................................ 17
Chapter 2
Hardware............................................................................................................................................19
2.1 Front Panel and LEDs ...................................................................................................................... 19
2.2 Rear Panel ....................................................................................................................................... 20
2.3 Wall Mounting ................................................................................................................................. 20
2.4 WPS Button ...................................................................................................................................... 22
2.4.1 Using the WPS Button ............................................................................................................ 22
2.5 RESET Button .................................................................................................................................... 23
2.5.1 Using the RESET Button .......................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 3
The Web Configurator........................................................................................................................24
3.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 24
3.1.1 Accessing the Web Configurator ....................................................................................... 24
3.2 Web Configurator Layout .............................................................................................................. 27
3.2.1 Navigation Panel .................................................................................................................. 27
Chapter 4
Tutorials...............................................................................................................................................31
4.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 31
4.2 What You Can Do .......................................................................................................................... 31

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4.3 Setting Up Your WX3401-B0 ............................................................................................................ 31
4.3.1 Scenario 1-Connect to a Zyxel MPro Mesh Router Wirelessly .......................................... 31
4.3.2 Scenario 2-Connect to a Non-MPro Mesh Router with an Ethernet Cable ................... 36
4.4 Use the MPro Mesh App to Manage Your Mesh Network ......................................................... 43
4.4.1 Home Screen ......................................................................................................................... 43
4.4.2 Gateway Detail Screen ........................................................................................................ 44
4.4.3 Add Mesh Screen ................................................................................................................. 47
4.5 Devices Screen ............................................................................................................................... 55
4.5.1 Device Detail Screen ............................................................................................................ 56
4.6 WiFi Settings Screen ........................................................................................................................ 57
4.7 Guest WiFi Settings Screen ............................................................................................................. 60
4.8 Account Screen .............................................................................................................................. 63
4.9 Setting Up a Secure Wireless Network .......................................................................................... 63
4.9.1 Configuring the Wireless Network Settings ......................................................................... 64
4.9.2 Using WPS ............................................................................................................................... 66
4.9.3 Without WPS ........................................................................................................................... 67
4.10 Setting Up Multiple Wireless Groups ........................................................................................... 67
Part II: Technical Reference...........................................................................72
Chapter 5
Connection Status..............................................................................................................................73
5.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 73
5.1.1 Layout Icon ............................................................................................................................ 74
5.1.2 Connectivity .......................................................................................................................... 74
5.1.3 System Info ............................................................................................................................. 75
5.2 WiFi Settings ..................................................................................................................................... 77
5.3 Guest WiFi Settings .......................................................................................................................... 78
5.4 LAN Settings ..................................................................................................................................... 80
Chapter 6
Wireless...............................................................................................................................................82
6.1 Wireless Overview ........................................................................................................................... 82
6.1.1 What You Can Do in this Chapter ....................................................................................... 82
6.1.2 What You Need to Know ..................................................................................................... 82
6.2 Wireless General Settings ............................................................................................................... 83
6.2.1 No Security ............................................................................................................................. 86
6.2.2 More Secure (Recommended) ........................................................................................... 86
6.3 Guest/More AP ............................................................................................................................... 88
6.3.1 Edit Guest/More AP Settings ............................................................................................... 88
6.4 MAC Authentication ...................................................................................................................... 90

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6.4.1 Add/Edit MAC Addresses .................................................................................................... 92
6.5 WPS Settings .................................................................................................................................... 92
6.6 WMM Settings .................................................................................................................................. 94
6.7 Others Settings ................................................................................................................................ 95
6.8 Channel Status Settings ................................................................................................................. 97
6.9 Operating Modes Settings ............................................................................................................. 98
6.10 AP List Screen .............................................................................................................................. 100
6.11 Technical Reference .................................................................................................................. 101
6.11.1 Wireless Network Overview .............................................................................................. 101
6.11.2 Additional Wireless Terms ................................................................................................. 103
6.11.3 Wireless Security Overview ............................................................................................... 103
6.11.4 Signal Problems ................................................................................................................. 105
6.11.5 BSS ....................................................................................................................................... 105
6.11.6 MBSSID ................................................................................................................................ 106
6.11.7 Preamble Type .................................................................................................................. 106
6.11.8 WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) ............................................................................................. 107
Chapter 7
Home Networking............................................................................................................................114
7.1 Home Networking Overview ....................................................................................................... 114
7.1.1 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................................................................................... 114
7.1.2 What You Need To Know ................................................................................................... 114
7.1.3 Before You Begin ................................................................................................................. 114
7.2 Home Networking Screen ........................................................................................................... 115
Chapter 8
Log ....................................................................................................................................................117
8.1 Log Overview ................................................................................................................................ 117
8.1.1 What You Can Do in this Chapter ..................................................................................... 117
8.1.2 What You Need To Know ................................................................................................... 117
8.2 System Log Settings ...................................................................................................................... 118
Chapter 9
Multicast Status ...............................................................................................................................120
9.1 Multicast Status Overview ........................................................................................................... 120
9.2 IGMP Status ................................................................................................................................... 120
9.3 MLD Status ..................................................................................................................................... 120
Chapter 10
WLAN Station Status .........................................................................................................................122
10.1 WLAN Station Status Overview .................................................................................................. 122
Chapter 11
System...............................................................................................................................................124

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11.1 System Overview ........................................................................................................................ 124
11.2 System Settings ............................................................................................................................ 124
Chapter 12
User Account....................................................................................................................................125
12.1 User Account Overview ............................................................................................................. 125
12.2 User Account Settings ................................................................................................................ 125
12.2.1 User Account Add/Edit .................................................................................................... 126
Chapter 13
Remote Management.....................................................................................................................128
13.1 Remote Management Overview ............................................................................................. 128
13.1.1 What You Can Do in this Chapter ................................................................................... 128
13.2 MGMT Services ............................................................................................................................ 128
Chapter 14
Time Settings.....................................................................................................................................130
14.1 Time Settings Overview .............................................................................................................. 130
14.2 Time .............................................................................................................................................. 130
Chapter 15
Firmware Upgrade...........................................................................................................................133
15.1 Firmware Upgrade Overview .................................................................................................... 133
15.2 Firmware Upgrade Settings ....................................................................................................... 133
Chapter 16
Backup/Restore ...............................................................................................................................136
16.1 Backup/Restore Overview ........................................................................................................ 136
16.2 Backup/Restore Settings ............................................................................................................ 136
16.3 Reboot ......................................................................................................................................... 138
Chapter 17
Diagnostic.........................................................................................................................................140
17.1 Diagnostic Overview .................................................................................................................. 140
17.1.1 What You Can Do in this Chapter ................................................................................... 140
17.2 What You Need to Know ........................................................................................................... 140
17.3 Ping & TraceRoute ...................................................................................................................... 141
Part III: Troubleshooting and Appendices..................................................142
Chapter 18
Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................143

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18.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs ............................................................................... 143
18.2 WX3401-B0 Access and Login ................................................................................................... 144
18.3 Internet Access ........................................................................................................................... 145
18.4 Wireless Internet Access ............................................................................................................. 146
18.5 IP Address Setup ......................................................................................................................... 147
18.6 Resetting the WX3401-B0 to Its Factory Defaults ..................................................................... 150
18.7 MPro Mesh App Problems ......................................................................................................... 151
18.8 Daisy Chain Problems ................................................................................................................ 151
Appendix A Customer Support ..................................................................................................... 152
Appendix B IPv6............................................................................................................................... 158
Appendix C Services....................................................................................................................... 166
Appendix D Legal Information ...................................................................................................... 170
Index.................................................................................................................................................177

10
PART I
User’s Guide

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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
1.1 Overview
The WX3401-B0 can function as a Repeater or an Access Point (AP).
Set your WX3401-B0 as an AP if you already have a router in your network and you want to bridge a
wired network (LAN) and another LAN or wireless LAN (WLAN) in the same subnet. If the WX3401-B0 has a
wired uplink connection, it is in AP mode.
Set your WX3401-B0 as a Repeater if you want to connect an existing wireless network through another
Access Point and also provide network connection to wireless clients. In this mode, the WX3401-B0 can
be an access point and a wireless client at the same time. If the WX3401-B0 has a wireless uplink
connection, it is in RP mode.
Figure 1 Device Operation Mode Example: AP Mode
Figure 2 Device Operation Mode Example: Repeater Mode
Note: In Figure 1, the WX3401-B0 that is acting as an AP is bridging a wired network and a
wired LAN in the same subnet.
In Figure 2, the WX3401-B0 that is acting as a Repeater is letting a wireless client connect
to the network wirelessly through a router. This helps you expand wireless coverage
when you have an access point or wireless router already in your network.
The WX3401-B0 can use both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks at the same time. See Section 1.2 on page 12
for more information on dual-band WiFi.

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You can add more WX3401-B0s to your network to form a daisy chain, see Section 1.3 on page 13 for
more information.
Set up a Mesh network with your WX3401-B0 to enjoy band steering, AP steering, auto-configuration and
other advances for your wireless network, see Section 1.4 on page 14 for more information.
Manage the WX3401-B0 and your WiFi network using the MPro Mesh app. You can check your WiFi
network status, change passwords or set up a WiFi access with a QR code, see Chapter 4 on page 31 for
more information.
Figure 3 Home WiFi Network
1.2 Dual-Band WiFi
By default, the wireless LAN (WLAN) is enabled on the WX3401-B0. IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax compliant
clients can wirelessly connect to the WX3401-B0 to access network resources.
The WX3401-B0 is a dual-band extender that can use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks at the same time.
You could use the 2.4 GHz band for regular Internet surfing and downloading while using the 5 GHz
band for time sensitive traffic like high-definition video, music, and gaming.

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Figure 4 Dual-Band Application
The WX3401-B0 can act as an Access Point (AP) for IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless clients, such as
notebook computers, iPads, smartphones, and so on. It allows them to connect to the Internet without
having to rely on Ethernet cables.
Figure 5 Wireless Access Example
1.3 Daisy Chain
You can add more extenders to your network to form a daisy chain. Daisy chain refers to the
connection from the first WX3401-B0 to up to three other WX3401-B0s to extend the WiFi connection from
the router to the client. The WX3401-B0 uplink connection determines the mode: Access Point or
Repeater.
• If the WX3401-B0 has a wired uplink connection, it is in AP mode.
• If the WX3401-B0 has a wireless uplink connection, it is in RP mode.
Here are some possible scenarios for the WX3401-B0’s daisy chain connection:

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Figure 6 Scenario 1: three APs
Figure 7 Scenario 2: two APs and one RP
Figure 8 Scenario 3: one AP and two RPs
Figure 9 Scenario 4: two RPs
Note: Set up your network as in Sencario1-3 if your router does not support Zyxel MPro Mesh.
Scenario 4 in Figure 9 is only for routers that support Zyxel MPro Mesh.
Note: We do not recommend connecting more than three WX3401-B0s in your daisy chain
network. If you already have two WX3401-B0s acting as repeaters, we do not
recommend adding another WX3401-B0 as a repeater.
Note: If one of the WX3401-B0 has a wireless uplink connection, we do not recommend linking
the other WX3401-B0s in your daisy chain network with a wired connection.
1.4 MPro Mesh
Zyxel MPro Mesh supports AP steering and Band steering.
• AP steering allows wireless clients to roam seamlessly between Mesh supported devices in your Mesh
network by using the same SSID and WiFi password. Also, AP steering helps monitor wireless clients and
drop their connections to optimize the WX3401-B0 bandwidth when the clients are idle or have a low
signal. When a wireless client is dropped, it has the opportunity to steer to a Mesh supported device
with a strong signal.

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Figure 10 AP Steering Application
• Band steering allows 2.4GHz/5GHz dual-band wireless clients to move from one band to another. For
example, if the 2.4GHz channel is congested, wireless clients that support 5GHz can move to the 5GHz
band.

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Figure 11 Band Steering Application
You need a router or an AP that can function as a controller in order to set up a Mesh network. A
controller manages and coordinates WiFi activity in a network.
A controller also manages the SSIDs and password on all APs in a network (auto-configuration). For
example, if you change the SSID on a router, all the SSIDs of APs in a network will also change.
Figure 12 Mesh Application
Icon used in Figure 9:
• C- router controller (The DX5301-B in Scenario 1, see Section 4.3.1 on page 31) or AP controller (the first
WX3401-B0 in Scenario 2, see Section 4.3.2 on page 36)
• AP- Access Point

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•RP-Repeater
• C1- Client1
• C2- Client2
• APC- Access Point coverage area
• RPC- Repeater coverage area
Note: Your router must have an Internet connection whether it supports MPro Mesh or not.
Note: If your router supports Zyxel MPro Mesh, it will serve as the router controller in a Mesh
network with the WX3401-B0.
If your router does not support Zyxel MPro Mesh, your WX3401-B0 will automatically
become an AP controller.
1.5 Ways to Manage the WX3401-B0
Use any of the following methods to manage the WX3401-B0.
• Web Configurator. This is the simplest way to manage the WX3401-B0.
• MPro Mesh App. Download the MPro Mesh app from Google Play or Apple Store to manage the
WX3401-B0.
1.6 Changing the WX3401-B0 to Different Modes
To set the WX3401-B0 to AP Mode:
1Connect a modem/router to one of the LAN port of the WX3401-B0 using an Ethernet cable.
Note: You modem/router must have an Internet connection.
2Connect your computer to the other LAN port of the router. Log into the router's Web Configurator to
check the IP address the router assigned to your WX3401-B0.
3Open a web browser such as Internet Explorer and type “http:// (DHCP-assigned IP)” as the web
address in your web browser.
4Log into the Web Configurator.
Note: If your router supports Zyxel MPro Mesh, the router will function as an AP controller.
If your router does not support Zyxel MPro Mesh, the WX3401-B0 will function as an AP
controller.
To set the WX3401-B0 to Repeater Mode:
1Connect a modem/router to the WX3401-B0 wirelessly.

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Note: You modem/router must have an Internet connection.
2Connect your computer to the LAN port of the WX3401-B0.
3Give your computer a fixed IP address in the range between 192.168.1.3 and 192.168.1.254.
4After you have set your computer’s IP address, open a web browser such as Internet Explorer and enter
“http://192.168.1.2” as the web address in your web browser.
5Log into the Web Configurator.

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CHAPTER 2
Hardware
This section describes the front and back panel of the WX3401-B0. Refer to the Quick Start Guides to see
how to make the hardware connections.
2.1 Front Panel and LEDs
This figure shows the front panel of the WX3401-B0. Use the LEDs to determine if the WX3401-B0 is
behaving normally or if there are problems on your network.
See Table 5 on page 36 and Table 6 on page 42 for more information on the LEDs.
Figure 13 The WX3401-B0’s Front Panel

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2.2 Rear Panel
Figure 14 The WX3401-B0’s Rear Panel
2.3 Wall Mounting
You may need screw anchors if mounting on a concrete or brick wall.
Table 1 Panel Ports and Buttons
LABEL DESCRIPTION
LAN1/LAN2 Connect computers or other Ethernet devices to Ethernet ports for Internet access.
WPS Press the WPS button once within eight seconds to enable the AP/Repeater mode.
POWER ON/OFF Connect the power cable and then press the power button to start the device.
RESET Press the button to return the WX3401-B0 to the factory defaults.
Table 2 Wall Mounting Information
Distance between holes 89.00 mm
M4 Screws Two
Screw anchors (optional) Two