ZyXEL Communications VMG8324 User manual

Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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Wireless Networking Guide
Getting the best from your wireless
network with the Zyxel VMG8324 and
VMG8924 routers
seethelight.co.uk 02921 678 544/[email protected]

Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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1. Connecting to a wireless network 2
2. Troubleshooting a wireless connection 3
3. Other things to consider when connecting wirelessly 4
4. Changing the wireless router’s channel/ frequency and network name (SSID) 5
5. Changing the Encryption Type and Key (Password) 6
6. Removing wireless networks 7
6.1 Windows XP 7
6.2 Windows Vista 7
6.3 Windows 7 and 8 7
Contents
You will find a sticker attached to the underside of your router. It will contain the following information:
ˉYour SSID: The name of your wireless network associated with your router
ˉYour 5GHz SSID: The name of your 5GHz wireless network associated with your router
(Only applicable with VMG8924 routers)
ˉWPA2 PSK: The password you will need to enter on your PC’s wireless client to gain access to this network
You will find more instructions on how to set up a wireless connection in our Internet User Guide
1. Connecting to a Wireless Network
FYI:
SSID: Or Service Set Identifier, is used to identify wireless networks. By displaying
a list of SSIDs in your range you can select one to connect to.
WPA2: Security protocols used to secure wireless computer networks.

Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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Wireless networking is a great way of accessing the internet. However, due to the nature of wireless
networking and environmental influences - for example interference from other equipment or thickness of
internal walls - we cannot guarantee that wireless will work in every location.
Like radio and television waves, wireless is subject to interference from electrical sources. If you have low
signal strength, or you keep losing connection, it could be because some objects are interfering with your
router and causing ‘noise’. Your wireless signal will be the strongest when it is clear of any obstacles and is in
a clear space. Try these tips to get the best out of your wireless:
2. Troubleshooting a wireless connection
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DSL LAN1 LAN2 LAN3 LAN4 WAN PHONE1 PHONE 2 RESET POWER ON/OFF
Power on and o your PC/laptop
and router to see if this helps.
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Do not place your router in an
enclosed space, such as a cupboard as
this can limit the signal. Your router
needs space and should be in your
line of sight.
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Move your router to a common area,
such as a living room. Make sure your
router isn’t crowded and is in a central
location.
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Ensure your router is in an upright
position and is NOT on the floor
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Do not place your router next to
metallic objects, microwaves, cordless
phones or RF transmission devices
as these send out radio signals which
can interfere with your router,
Thick walls can reduce the range of
your wireless connection. Place the
router away from walls
Bluetooth equipped devices like
mobile phones send out radio signals.
which can interfere with your router.
Try turning these o one at a time to
see if it make a dierence.
Keep your router away from reflec-
tive or shiny surfaces such as fish
tanks, mirrors, windows and filing
cabinets, as the signal can bounce of
these objects.
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WPS
DSL LAN1 LAN2 LAN3 LAN4 WAN PHONE 1 PHONE2 RESET POWER ON/OFF
A wired connection is always going
to be faster than wireless. For faster
speeds, try connecting your PC and
router with an ethernet cable and
leave Wi-Fi for your other devices.
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Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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• Most wireless routers will provide a range of approximately 100 meters. If you live in a larger property and
need greater coverage then you may need to add an additional wireless access point. If you are unsure on
how to do this we recommend you contact a local computer technician to assist.
• Your wireless performance could be slowing down due to interference from other wireless networks
in your area. Your router will automatically look for the channel with the least interference or “noise”,
however from time to time, other devices in your area could overlap onto the channel your router is
broadcasting on and will compete for the airwaves, causing the Wi-Fi to slow down. You can try and
overcome this by changing the channel/frequency that your router will communicate on. We have
provided instructions in section 4. Changing the wireless channel on how to do this.
• Try disabling your firewall software and then try to connect again. If this works then contact your firewall
supplier for more help
• Remove any old wireless networks as your router may be trying to connect to these instead of the new
one. See section 6. Removing wireless networks
• Change the Wireless Network Name (SSID) of the router and then try connecting to this newly named
network. If you are using a router not supplied by seethelight then refer to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
• Check your computer for viruses by running an anti-virus software.
• And remember...wireless Encryption Keys are case sensitive
• Check the lights on your router to make sure there are no faults here. More about your routers’ lights can
be found in the internet user guide, hosted on our website at www.seethelight.co.uk
If none of the above solutions worked, we recommend connecting your PC to the router via an Ethernet
cable and check for online solutions, or getting a computer technician to look at the problem.
3. Other things to consider when connecting wirelessly
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Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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4. Changing the wireless router’s channel/frequency and network name (SSID)
Your wireless performance could be slowing down due to interference from other wireless networks in your
area. From time to time, other devices in your area could overlap onto the channel your router is broad-
casting on and will compete for the airwaves, causing interference, or “noise” which will in turn cause the
Wi-Fi to slow down. You can try and overcome this by changing the channel/frequency that your router
will communicate on.
Your router will automatically look for the channel with the least interference or “noise”. If your laptop/PC
is unable to “see” your Wireless Network Names (SSID), you may need to login to the router and change
the channel manually.
To change the wireless router’s channel/frequency and network name (SSID):
1. Power your router on and o. Your router will then automatically look for the channel with the least
noise.
2. Log in to the router and select “Network settings” and then “Wireless”
3. The Band, channel and SSID can be changed here. The SSID and Channel can be changed separately
for each band 2.4G and 5G:
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Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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There are a number of options you can select:
No security
This is not recommended by seethelight as this will allow anyone with a wireless device to connect to
your router and use your internet connection and possibly access devices and information in your home
network. This option would generally be used for fault finding & turning it to this mode is at your own risk.
WEP
This is an older version of security and although it is secure, it is the weakest of the options. This works
best with older router models.
WPA
This option is more secure than WEP and the password can be letters and numbers.
WPA2
This is the latest security standard and is the recommended security type. The password can be letters
and numbers.
We recommend you regularly change the Encryption key/password to help keep your wireless network
secure.
To change the Encryption Type and Key (password):
1. Log into the router and select “Network Settings” and then choose “Wireless” and then scroll to
the bottom of this screen.
2. Here you will be able to change the encryption type and key (password)
5. Changing the Encryption Type and Key (password)
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Wireless Network Guide; Zyxel VMG8324/VMG8924 routers Last amended: 08/10/2014
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6.1 Windows XP
1. Open network connections and right click Wireless Network Connections, then click properties.
2. Under preferred networks, click the wireless network you want to remove and select “Remove”
6.2 Windows Vista
1. Click “Start”, right click “Network” and then select “Properties”
2. Find the task list for the “Network and Sharing Centre” dialogue box and click “Manage Wireless
Networks”.
3. Select the old connection you wish to remove from the list and select “Remove”
6.3 Windows 7 and 8
1. Open your Control Panel and select “Network and Sharing Centre” and then click on “Manage
Wireless Networks”
2. Select the old connection you wish to remove from the list and select “Remove”
6. Removing Wireless Networks
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