ZyXEL Communications MAX-506 - V1.0 User manual

www.zyxel.com
www.zyxel.com
MAX-506
WiMAX MIMO USB Dongle (2.5GHz)
Copyright © 2010
ZyXEL Communications Corporation
Firmware Version 1.0
Edition 2, 4/2010

About This User's Guide
MAX-506 User’s Guide 3
About This User's Guide
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for people who want to configure the MAX-506 using the
WiMAX 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 your MAX-506 up and running
right away. It contains information on setting up your network and configuring
for Internet access.
Note: It is recommended you use the web configurator to configure the MAX-506.
• Support Disc
Refer to the included CD for support documents.

About This User's Guide
MAX-506 User’s Guide
4
Documentation Feedback
Send your comments, questions or suggestions to: [email protected]
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 User Guide, Quick
Start Guide and Command Line Interface Reference Guide 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.

About This User's Guide
MAX-506 User’s Guide 5
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
MAX-506 User’s Guide
6
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 MAX-
506.
Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may
need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Syntax Conventions
• The ZyXEL MAX-506 may be referred to as the “MAX-506”, 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
MAX-506 User’s Guide 7
Icons Used in Figures
Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons. The MAX-506
icon is not an exact representation of your MAX-506.
Table 1 Common Icons
MAX-506 Computer Notebook
Wireless Signal Wireless Base Station Internet Cloud
Router Server Firewall

Safety Warnings
MAX-506 User’s Guide
8
Safety Warnings
For your safety, be sure to read and follow all warning notices and instructions.
• Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming
pool.
• Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids.
• Do NOT store things on the device.
• Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a remote risk
of electric shock from lightning.
• Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device.
• ONLY qualified service personnel should service or disassemble this device.
• Make sure to connect the cables to the correct ports.
• Place connecting cables carefully so that no one will step on them or stumble over them.
• Always disconnect all cables from this device before servicing or disassembling.
• Do not use the device outside, and make sure all the connections are indoors. There is a
remote risk of electric shock from lightning.
• Do NOT obstruct the device ventilation slots, as insufficient airflow may harm your
device.
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.

Table of Contents
MAX-506 User’s Guide 9
Table of Contents
About This User's Guide..........................................................................................................3
Document Conventions............................................................................................................6
Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................8
Table of Contents......................................................................................................................9
Chapter 1
Getting Started........................................................................................................................11
1.1 Overview ...............................................................................................................................11
1.1.1 MAX-506 Application ...................................................................................................11
1.1.2 LEDs .......................................................................................................................... 12
1.2 The ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................................................. 13
Chapter 2
Tutorial.....................................................................................................................................15
2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 15
2.2 Connecting to the Internet ................................................................................................... 15
2.2.1 Get Connected ...........................................................................................................15
2.2.2 Confirm the Connection ............................................................................................. 16
Chapter 3
MAX-506 Utility........................................................................................................................19
3.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 19
3.2 What You Can Do in This Chapter ....................................................................................... 19
3.3 What You Need To Know ..................................................................................................... 19
3.4 Status Screen ..................................................................................................................... 22
3.5 Device Information - System ...............................................................................................24
3.5.1 Upgrading Your Firmware .......................................................................................... 25
3.6 Device Information - Connection ......................................................................................... 26
3.7 Network Settings ................................................................................................................. 28
Chapter 4
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................31
4.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs .......................................................................... 31
4.2 MAX-506 Utility .................................................................................................................... 32
4.3 Internet Access .................................................................................................................... 33

Table of Contents
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10
Chapter 5
Product Specifications...........................................................................................................35
Appendix A Legal Information................................................................................................37
Index.........................................................................................................................................41

MAX-506 User’s Guide 11
CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
1.1 Overview
This chapter introduces the main features and applications of the MAX-506.
The MAX-506 is an IEEE 802.16e compliant WiMAX MIMO 2.5 GHz USB Dongle for
your computer. It uses Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna
technology to deliver high speed wireless Internet.
The included MAX-506 Utility provides easy management of your device.
1.1.1 MAX-506 Application
The MAX-506 connects to a computer (A). This allows the computer to connect
wirelessly to a WiMAX base station (B), which provides very high speed access to
the Internet and all the content it offers).
Figure 1 Mobile Station and Base Station
AB

Chapter 1 Getting Started
MAX-506 User’s Guide
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1.1.2 LEDs
The following figure shows the LEDs (lights) on the MAX-506.
Figure 2 The MAX-506
The following table describes your MAX-506’s LEDs.
Table 2 The MAX-506 LEDs
LED COLOR STATE DESCRIPTION
Link Dark Off The MAX-506 is not receiving power and is not
connected to a network.
Blue On The MAX-506 is on and operational.
Slow Blink The MAX-506 is detecting a link connection or entering a
network .
Fast Blink The MAX-506 is sending and receiving data.
Amber On The MAX-506 was denied entry to the network, or the
network is not responding.
Power / Link
USB Connector

Chapter 1 Getting Started
MAX-506 User’s Guide 13
1.2 The ZyXEL Utility
After you install the ZyXEL utility, you can either Click Start > All Programs >
ZyXEL > MAX-506 > ZyXEL MAX-506 Utility, or double-click the connection
status icon in your Windows system tray to open it.
Figure 3 ZyXEL Utility
The number of Signal bars in both the MAX-506 Utility and the Windows system
tray icon indicates whether the MAX-506 is connected to a wireless network and, if
so, how strong the connection is.
The following table describes the icons in this screen.
Table 3 Main > Icons
ICON DESCRIPTION
Status
Click to display your currenct connection status.
Device Info
Click to view your firmware and software versions, upgrade
firmware, and view detailed connection information.

Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Network Setting
Click to configure your WiMAX account settings.
On/Off
Click to this to connect to or disconnect from your ISP’s WiMAX
network.
Signal
Shows the quality of your WiMAX connection, both in the MAX-
506 Utility and in the Windows system tray icon.
Disconnected - Zero bars
Poor reception - One bar
Good reception - Two bars
Excellent reception - Three bars
Table 3 Main > Icons (continued)
ICON DESCRIPTION

MAX-506 User’s Guide 15
CHAPTER 2
Tutorial
2.1 Overview
The following example shows you how to configure settings to join a wireless
WiMAX network and access the Internet using the ZyXEL utility.
2.2 Connecting to the Internet
There are two parts to this example, as follows:
1Set up your user name, password and authentication settings (in the Network
Settings screen).
2Confirm the connection (in the Status screen).
To access the Internet, you need information from your Internet Service Provider
(ISP) about your account and the network. In this example, your ISP has given
you the following information about your account:
2.2.1 Get Connected
To set up your Internet connection:
1Open the MAX-506 Utility. You can either Click Start > All Programs > ZyXEL >
MAX-506 > ZyXEL MAX-506 Utility, or double-click the connection status icon
in your Windows system tray to open it.
Table 4 Tutorial: Example Account Information
User name [email protected]
Password xyz9876
Anonymous Identity [email protected]

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MAX-506 User’s Guide
16
2In the MAX-506 Utility, click the Network Settings icon and enter your WiMAX
account information as it was given to you by your Internet Service Provider, then
click the Apply button to save them.
2.2.2 Confirm the Connection
1After configuring and saving your Internet settings, you can test your connnection
by clicking the On button in the MAX-506 Utility.
2The Status screen changes to indicate the MAX-506 Utility is scanning for an
available base station.

Chapter 2 Tutorial
MAX-506 User’s Guide 17
3If a base station is available, the MAX-506 Utility initiates authentication to the
network using the settings you configured in the previous section.
4If the authentication server accepts your username and password, then the MAX-
506 USB Dongle connects and the MAX-506 Utility reflects this.
5Open your Internet browser and enter http://www.zyxel.com or the URL of any
other web site in the address bar. If you are able to access the web site, your
wireless connection is successfully configured. If you cannot access the web site,
check the Troubleshooting section of this User's Guide.

Chapter 2 Tutorial
MAX-506 User’s Guide
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MAX-506 User’s Guide 19
CHAPTER 3
MAX-506 Utility
3.1 Overview
This chapter discusses WiMAX and introduces each screen in the ZyXEL utility. See
the Quick Start Guide for hardware and utility installation procedures.
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is the IEEE 802.16
wireless networking standard, which provides high-bandwidth, wide-range
wireless service across wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). ZyXEL is a
member of the WiMAX Forum, the industry group dedicated to promoting and
certifying interoperability of wireless broadband products.
3.2 What You Can Do in This Chapter
•UsetheStatus screen (Section 3.4 on page 22) to view the current status of
your WiMAX connection.
•UsetheDevice Information - System screen (Section 3.5 on page 24) to see
your software and firmware information.
•UsetheDevice Information - Connection screen (Section 3.6 on page 26) to
view information about your WiMAX connection.
•UsetheNetwork Settings screen (Section 3.7 on page 28)
3.3 What You Need To Know
The following terms and concepts may help as you read this chapter.
WiMAX Roaming
In a wireless metropolitan area network (MAN), a wireless-capable computer is
known either as a mobile station (MS) or a subscriber station (SS). Mobile stations
use the IEEE 802.16e standard and are able to maintain connectivity while
switching their connection from one base station to another base station
(handover) while subscriber stations use other standards that do not have this

Chapter 3 MAX-506 Utility
MAX-506 User’s Guide
20
capability (IEEE 802.16-2004, for example). The following figure shows an MS-
equipped notebook computer MS1 moving from base station BS1’s coverage area
and connecting to BS2.
Figure 4 WiMax: Mobile Station
Multiple Mobile Stations
WiMAX technology uses radio signals (around 2 to 10 GHz) to connect subscriber
stations and mobile stations to local base stations. Numerous subscriber stations
and mobile stations connect to the network through a single base station (BS), as
in the following figure.
Figure 5 WiMAX: Multiple Mobile Stations
A base station's coverage area can extend over many hundreds of meters, even
under poor conditions. A base station provides network access to subscriber
stations and mobile stations, and communicates with other base stations.
The radio frequency and bandwidth of the link between the MAX-506 and the base
station are controlled by the base station. The MAX-506 follows the base station’s
configuration.
Authentication
When authenticating a user, the base station uses a third-party RADIUS or
Diameter server known as an AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting)
server to authenticate the mobile or subscriber stations.