ZyXEL Communications G-170S User manual

ZyXEL G-170S
802.11g Wireless CardBus Card
User’s Guide
Version 1.00
Edition 1
3/2006

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Copyright 3
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 by ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any part or as a whole, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, photocopying, manual, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
ZyXEL does not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any products, or
software described herein. Neither does it convey any license under its patent rights nor the
patent rights of others. ZyXEL further reserves the right to make changes in any products
described herein without notice. This publication is subject to change without notice.
Trademarks
ZyNOS (ZyXEL Network Operating System) is a registered trademark of ZyXEL
Communications, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned in this publication are used for
identification purposes only and may be properties of their respective owners.

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
4 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Interference
Statement
The device complies with Part 15 of FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operations.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio/television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
1Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
3Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
4Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Notice 1
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This product has been designed for the WLAN 2.4 GHz network throughout the EC region and
Switzerland, with restrictions in France.
Caution
1The equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment, under 47 CFR 2.1093 paragraph (d)(2).
2This Transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement 5
Certifications
1Go to www.zyxel.com.
2Select your product from the drop-down list box on the
ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page.
3Select the certification you wish to view from this
page.
注意 !
依據 低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法
第十二條 經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機，非經許可，公司、商號或使用
者均不得擅自變更頻率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。
第十四條 低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信；經發現
有干擾現象時，應立即停用，並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。
前項合法通信，指依電信規定作業之無線電信。低功率射頻電機須忍
受合法通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
6ZyXEL Limited Warranty
ZyXEL Limited Warranty
ZyXEL warrants to the original end user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects
in materials or workmanship for a period of up to two (2) years from the date of purchase.
During the warranty period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product have indications
of failure due to faulty workmanship and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or
replace the defective products or components without charge for either parts or labor, and to
whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product or components to proper
operating condition. Any replacement will consist of a new or re-manufactured functionally
equivalent product of equal or higher value, and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL.
This warranty shall not apply if the product has been modified, misused, tampered with,
damaged by an act of God, or subjected to abnormal working conditions.
Note
Repair or replacement, as provided under this warranty, is the exclusive remedy of the
purchaser. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including any
implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ZyXEL shall in
no event be held liable for indirect or consequential damages of any kind to the purchaser.
To obtain the services of this warranty, contact ZyXEL's Service Center for your Return
Material Authorization number (RMA). Products must be returned Postage Prepaid. It is
recommended that the unit be insured when shipped. Any returned products without proof of
purchase or those with an out-dated warranty will be repaired or replaced (at the discretion of
ZyXEL) and the customer will be billed for parts and labor. All repaired or replaced products
will be shipped by ZyXEL to the corresponding return address, Postage Paid. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from country to
country.
Online Registration
Register your product online to receive e-mail notices of firmware upgrades and information
at www.zyxel.com for global products, or at www.us.zyxel.com for North American products.

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Customer Support 7
Customer Support
Please have the following information ready when you contact customer support.
• Product model and serial number.
• Warranty Information.
• Date that you received your device.
• Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it.
METHOD
LOCATION
SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONEAWEB SITE
REGULAR MAIL
SALES E-MAIL FAX FTP SITE
CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS
(WORLDWIDE)
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.com
www.europe.zyxel.com
ZyXEL Communications Corp.
6 Innovation Road II
Science Park
Hsinchu 300
Ta i w a n
[email protected] [phone] ftp.zyxel.com
ftp.europe.zyxel.com
CZECH REPUBLIC
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.cz ZyXEL Communications
Czech s.r.o.
Modranská 621
143 01 Praha 4 - Modrany
Ceská Republika
[email protected] [phone]
DENMARK
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.dk ZyXEL Communications A/S
Columbusvej
2860 Soeborg
Denmark
[email protected] [phone]
FINLAND
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.fi ZyXEL Communications Oy
Malminkaari 10
00700 Helsinki
Finland
[email protected] [phone]
FRANCE
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.fr ZyXEL France
1 rue des Vergers
Bat. 1 / C
69760 Limonest
France
[phone]
GERMANY
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.de ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH.
Adenauerstr. 20/A2 D-52146
Wuerselen
Germany
[email protected] [phone]
HUNGARY
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.hu ZyXEL Hungary
48, Zoldlomb Str.
H-1025, Budapest
Hungary
[email protected] [phone]
KAZAKHSTAN
http://zyxel.kz/support [phone] www.zyxel.kz ZyXEL Kazakhstan
43, Dostyk ave.,Office 414
Dostyk Business Centre
050010, Almaty
Republic of Kazakhstan
[email protected] [phone]
NORTH AMERICA
[email protected] 1-800-255-4101
[phone]
www.us.zyxel.com ZyXEL Communications Inc.
1130 N. Miller St.
Anaheim
CA 92806-2001
U.S.A.
[email protected] [phone] ftp.us.zyxel.com
NORWAY
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.no ZyXEL Communications A/S
Nils Hansens vei 13
0667 Oslo
Norway
[email protected] [phone]

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
8Customer Support
POLAND
[email protected] [phone] www.pl.zyxel.com ZyXEL Communications
ul.Emilli Plater 53
00-113 Warszawa
Poland
[phone]
RUSSIA
http://zyxel.ru/support [phone] www.zyxel.ru ZyXEL Russia
Ostrovityanova 37a Str.
Moscow, 117279
Russia
[email protected] [phone]
SPAIN
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.es ZyXEL Communications
Alejandro Villegas 33
1º, 28043 Madrid
Spain
[email protected] [phone]
SWEDEN
[email protected] [phone] www.zyxel.se ZyXEL Communications A/S
Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg
Sweden
[email protected] [phone]
UKRAINE
[email protected] [phone] www.ua.zyxel.com ZyXEL Ukraine
13, Pimonenko Str.
Kiev, 04050
Ukraine
[email protected] [phone]
UNITED KINGDOM
[email protected] [phone]
08707 555779 (UK only)
www.zyxel.co.uk ZyXEL Communications UK
Ltd.,11 The Courtyard,
Eastern Road, Bracknell,
Berkshire, RG12 2XB,
United Kingdom (UK)
[email protected] [phone] ftp.zyxel.co.uk
A. “+” is the (prefix) number you enter to make an international telephone call.
METHOD
LOCATION
SUPPORT E-MAIL TELEPHONEAWEB SITE
REGULAR MAIL
SALES E-MAIL FAX FTP SITE

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Table of Contents 9
Table of Contents
Copyright .................................................................................................................. 3
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement ............... 4
ZyXEL Limited Warranty.......................................................................................... 6
Customer Support.................................................................................................... 7
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... 9
List of Figures ........................................................................................................ 13
List of Tables .......................................................................................................... 15
Preface .................................................................................................................... 17
Chapter 1
Getting Started ....................................................................................................... 19
1.1 About Your G-170S ..........................................................................................19
1.1.1 Application Overview ................................................................................19
1.1.1.1 Infrastructure ...................................................................................19
1.1.1.2 Ad-Hoc ............................................................................................20
1.2 G-170S Hardware and Utility Installation ...........................................................21
1.3 Configuration Methods ......................................................................................21
1.4 Windows XP Users Only ....................................................................................21
1.5 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility ..............................................................................22
1.6 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary ..........................................................................22
1.7 Connecting to a Wireless LAN ...........................................................................23
1.7.1 Site Survey ...............................................................................................23
Chapter 2
Wireless LAN Network........................................................................................... 27
2.1 Wireless LAN Overview ....................................................................................27
2.1.1 SSID .........................................................................................................27
2.1.2 Channel ....................................................................................................27
2.1.3 Transmission Rate (Tx Rate) ....................................................................27
2.1.4 Super G ....................................................................................................28
2.2 Wireless LAN Security Overview ......................................................................28
2.2.1 Data Encryption with WEP .......................................................................28
2.2.2 IEEE 802.1x ..............................................................................................28
2.2.2.1 EAP Authentication .........................................................................29

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
10 Table of Contents
2.2.3 WPA(2) .....................................................................................................29
2.2.3.1 Encryption ......................................................................................29
2.2.3.2 User Authentication ........................................................................30
2.2.4 WPA(2)-PSK Application Example ...........................................................30
2.2.5 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ..............................................31
2.3 Authentication Type ............................................................................................31
2.4 Preamble Type ...................................................................................................32
Chapter 3
ZyXEL Utility Configuration .................................................................................. 33
3.1 The Link Info Screen .........................................................................................33
3.1.1 Trend Chart ..............................................................................................34
3.2 The Site Survey Screen ....................................................................................35
3.2.1 Connecting to a WLAN Network ..............................................................36
3.2.2 Security Settings .......................................................................................36
3.2.2.1 WEP Encryption ..............................................................................37
3.2.2.2 WPA/WPA2 .....................................................................................38
3.2.2.3 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK .....................................................................39
3.2.2.4 IEEE 802.1x ....................................................................................40
3.2.3 Confirm Save Screen ................................................................................41
3.3 The Profile Screen .............................................................................................42
3.3.1 Adding a New Profile ................................................................................43
3.4 The Adapter Screen ...........................................................................................48
Chapter 4
Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 51
4.1 The About Screen .............................................................................................51
4.2 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility ............................................................................51
4.3 Upgrading the ZyXEL Utility ..............................................................................52
Chapter 5
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 55
5.1 Problems Starting the ZyXEL Utility ...................................................................55
5.2 Problem with the Link Quality .............................................................................55
5.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers .............................................56
Appendix A
Product Specifications .......................................................................................... 57
Appendix B
Management with Wireless Zero Configuration.................................................. 59
Appendix C
Types of EAP Authentication................................................................................ 71

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Table of Contents 11
Index........................................................................................................................ 77

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
12 Table of Contents

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
List of Figures 13
List of Figures
Figure 1 Application: Infrastructure ....................................................................... 20
Figure 2 Application: Ad-Hoc ................................................................................ 20
Figure 3 Enable WZC ............................................................................................. 21
Figure 4 Enable ZyXEL Utility ................................................................................ 21
Figure 5 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon .............................................................. 22
Figure 6 Menu Summary ....................................................................................... 22
Figure 7 ZyXEL Utility: Site Survey ....................................................................... 24
Figure 8 ZyXEL Utility: Security Settings .............................................................. 24
Figure 9 ZyXEL Utility: Link Info ............................................................................ 25
Figure 10 WPA(2)-PSK Authentication .................................................................. 30
Figure 11 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ........................................... 31
Figure 12 Link Info ................................................................................................ 33
Figure 13 Link Info: Trend Chart ........................................................................... 34
Figure 14 Site Survey ............................................................................................ 35
Figure 15 Security Settings: WEP ........................................................................ 37
Figure 16 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 ............................................................... 38
Figure 17 Security Settings: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK .............................................. 39
Figure 18 Security Settings: 802.1x ...................................................................... 40
Figure 19 Confirm Save Screen ............................................................................ 41
Figure 20 Profile Screen ....................................................................................... 42
Figure 21 Profile: Add New Profile ........................................................................ 44
Figure 22 Profile: Wireless Setting: Select a Channel .......................................... 45
Figure 23 Profile: Security Setting: Encryption Type ............................................. 46
Figure 24 Profile: Security Setting ......................................................................... 46
Figure 25 Profile: Wireless Protocol ....................................................................... 47
Figure 26 Profile: Confirm New Settings ............................................................... 47
Figure 27 Profile: Activate the Profile .................................................................... 48
Figure 28 Adapter Screen ..................................................................................... 48
Figure 29 About ..................................................................................................... 51
Figure 30 Uninstall: Confirm ................................................................................. 52
Figure 31 Uninstall: Finish ..................................................................................... 52
Figure 32 Windows XP SP2: WZC Not Available .................................................. 59
Figure 33 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ..................................................... 60
Figure 34 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 60
Figure 35 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Status ....................... 61
Figure 36 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 61
Figure 37 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Network Connection Properties ................ 62
Figure 38 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: WEP or WPA-PSK .. 63

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
14 List of Figures
Figure 39 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection: No Security ............. 63
Figure 40 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ..................... 64
Figure 41 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication ................. 65
Figure 42 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ................................................ 66
Figure 43 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ...................... 67
Figure 44 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .................. 69
Figure 45 Windows XP SP1: Wireless Networks: Preferred Networks .................. 69
Figure 46 WPA-PSK Authentication ....................................................................... 75
Figure 47 WPA(2) with RADIUS Application Example ........................................... 75

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
List of Tables 15
List of Tables
Table 1 ZyXEL Utility: System Tray Icon ............................................................... 22
Table 2 ZyXEL Utility: Menu Screen Summary ..................................................... 23
Table 3 Link Info .................................................................................................... 33
Table 4 Link Info: Trend Chart ............................................................................... 35
Table 5 Site Survey ............................................................................................... 35
Table 6 Security Settings: WEP ............................................................................ 37
Table 7 Security Settings: WPA/WPA2 .................................................................. 39
Table 8 Security Settings: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ................................................. 40
Table 9 Security Settings: 802.1x .......................................................................... 40
Table 10 Confirm Save Screen ............................................................................. 41
Table 11 Profile Screen ......................................................................................... 43
Table 12 Profile: Add New Profile .......................................................................... 44
Table 13 Profile: Wireless Setting: Select a Channel ............................................ 45
Table 14 Adapter ................................................................................................... 48
Table 15 About ...................................................................................................... 51
Table 16 Troubleshooting Starting ZyXEL Utility ................................................... 55
Table 17 Troubleshooting Link Quality .................................................................. 55
Table 18 Troubleshooting Communication Problem .............................................. 56
Table 19 Product Specifications ............................................................................ 57
Table 20 Windows XP SP2: System Tray Icon ...................................................... 60
Table 21 Windows XP SP2: Wireless Network Connection .................................. 62
Table 22 Windows XP: Wireless Networks ........................................................... 63
Table 23 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Association ...................... 64
Table 24 Windows XP: Wireless (network) properties: Authentication .................. 65
Table 25 Windows XP: Protected EAP Properties ................................................ 67
Table 26 Windows XP: Smart Card or other Certificate Properties ....................... 68
Table 27 Comparison of EAP Authentication Types .............................................. 72
Table 28 Wireless Security Relational Matrix ........................................................ 76

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
16 List of Tables

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Preface 17
Preface
Congratulations on your purchase of the ZyXEL G-170S 802.11g Wireless CardBus Card.
Your G-170S is easy to install and configure.
About This User's Guide
This manual is designed to guide you through the configuration of your G-170S for its various
applications.
Related Documentation
• Supporting Disk
Refer to the included CD for support documents.
• Quick Start Guide
The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. They
contain hardware installation/connection information.
• ZyXEL Glossary and Web Site
Please refer to www.zyxel.com for an online glossary of networking terms and additional
support documentation.
User Guide Feedback
Help us help you. E-mail all User Guide-related comments, questions or suggestions for
improvement to [email protected] or send regular mail to The Technical Writing
Team, ZyXEL Communications Corp., 6 Innovation Road II, Science-Based Industrial Park,
Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan. Thank you.
Syntax Conventions
• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters. “Select” or “Choose” means for
you to use one predefined choice.
• Mouse action sequences are denoted using a comma. For example, “In Windows, click
Start, Settings and then Control Panel” means first click the Start button, then point
your mouse pointer to Settings and then click Control Panel.
• “e.g.,” is a shorthand for “for instance”, and “i.e.,” means “that is” or “in other words”.
• The ZyXEL G-170S 802.11g Wireless CardBus Card may be referred to as the G-170S in
this user’s guide.

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
18 Preface
Graphics Icons Key
Wireless Access Point Computer Notebook Computer
Server Modem Wireless Signal
Telephone Switch Router
Internet Cloud

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
Chapter 1 Getting Started 19
CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
This chapter introduces the G-170S and prepares you to use the ZyXEL utility.
1.1 About Your G-170S
The G-170S is an IEEE 802.11b/g compliant wireless LAN adapter.
The following lists the main features of your G-170S. See the product specifications in the
appendix for detailed features.
• Automatic rate selection.
• Security: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), IEEE 802.1x, WPA-PSK, WPA (Wi-Fi
Protected Access), WPA2-PSK and WPA2
Note: WPA2 and WPA2-PSK are only available in Windows XP and Windows 2000.
• A built-in antenna
• Driver and utility support for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows ME, Windows 2000
and Windows XP.
1.1.1 Application Overview
This section describes some network applications for the G-170S.
1.1.1.1 Infrastructure
To connect to a network via an Access Point (AP), set the G-170S network type to
Infrastructure. Through the AP, you can access the Internet or the wired network behind the
AP.

ZyXEL G-170S User’s Guide
20 Chapter 1 Getting Started
Figure 1 Application: Infrastructure
1.1.1.2 Ad-Hoc
In case you prefer to set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use Ad-
Hoc mode.
Ad-hoc mode does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients can
communicate directly to each other.
Figure 2 Application: Ad-Hoc