ZyAIR G-220 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter User's Guide Version 1.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Copyright Copyright ©2004 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.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 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.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Information for Canadian Users The Industry Canada label identifies certified equipment. This certification means that the equipment meets certain telecommunications network protective operation and safety requirements. The Industry Canada does not guarantee that the equipment will operate to a user's satisfaction. Before installing this equipment, users should ensure that it is permissible to be connected to the facilities of the local telecommunications company.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement1 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.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Customer Support When contacting your Customer Support Representative, please have the following information ready: Product model and serial number. Warranty Information. Date you received your product. Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it. METHOD SUPPORT E-MAIL SALES E-MAIL TELEPHONE2 FAX 2 WEB SITE REGULAR MAIL FTP SITE LOCATION WORLDWIDE NORTH AMERICA GERMANY FRANCE support@zyxel.com.tw +886-3-578-3942 www.zyxel.com www.europe.zyxel.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide METHOD SUPPORT E-MAIL SALES E-MAIL TELEPHONE2 FAX 2 WEB SITE REGULAR MAIL FTP SITE LOCATION SWEDEN FINLAND viii support@zyxel.se +46 31 744 7700 sales@zyxel.se +46 31 744 7701 support@zyxel.fi +358-9-4780-8411 www.zyxel.se ZyXEL Communications A/S Sjöporten 4, 41764 Göteborg Sweden www.zyxel.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table of Contents Copyright .......................................................................................................................................................ii ZyXEL Limited Warranty ..........................................................................................................................iii Information for Canadian Users.................................................................................................................
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 4.3 The Access Point Setting Screen ..................................................................................................4-3 4.4 The WEP Key Setting… Screen....................................................................................................4-6 4.5 The MAC Address Filter Screen ..................................................................................................4-6 Chapter 5 Maintenance ........................................................
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide List of Figures Figure 1-1 Windows XP: System Tray Icon.................................................................................................1-2 Figure 1-2 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Status ..................................................................1-2 Figure 1-3 Windows XP: Connect to Wireless Network..............................................................................1-3 Figure 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties.........
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide List of Tables Table 1-1 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon ................................................................................................1-5 Table 3-1 Station Mode: ZyAIR G-220 Utility............................................................................................3-2 Table 3-2 Station Mode: More Setting….....................................................................................................3-4 Table 3-3 Station Mode: WEP Key Setting…........
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Preface Congratulations on the purchase of your new ZyAIR! About This User's Guide This manual provides information about the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility. Syntax Conventions • “Type” or “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters. "Select" or "Choose" means for you to use one of the predefined choices. • Mouse action sequences are denoted using a comma.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Graphics Icons Key Wireless Access Point Server Telephone xiv Computer Notebook computer Modem Wireless Signal Switch Router Getting Started
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started This chapter introduces the ZyAIR and prepares you to use the ZyAIR Utility. 1.1 About Your ZyAIR The ZyAIR is an IEEE 802.11g compliant wireless LAN adapter. With the ZyAIR, you can enjoy the wireless mobility within the coverage area. The following lists the main features of your ZyAIR. • • • • • • • 1.2 Your ZyAIR can communicate with other IEEE 802.11b/g/Wi-Fi compliant wireless devices. Automatic rate selection.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Step 1. Double-click the network icon for wireless connections in the system tray. If the icon is not present, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise skip to Step 5. Figure 1-1 Windows XP: System Tray Icon Step 2. If the icon for the wireless network connection is not in the system tray, click Start, Control Panel and double-click Network Connections. Step 3. Double-click on the icon for wireless network connection to display a status window as shown next.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Step 5. When a Wireless Network Connection window displays, click Advanced….
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Step 6. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, make sure the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is not selected. Click OK. Figure 1-4 Windows XP: Wireless Network Connection Properties 1.4 Accessing the ZyAIR Utility After you install and start the ZyAIR Utility, an icon for the ZyAIR Utility appears in the system tray. When the ZyAIR Utility system tray icon displays, the ZyAIR is installed properly.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 1-1 ZyAIR Utility: System Tray Icon COLOR DESCRIPTION Red The ZyAIR is operating in wireless station mode but is not connected to a wireless network. Green Pale Blue The ZyAIR is operating in wireless station mode and connected to a wireless network. The ZyAIR is operating in access point mode. Double click on the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility icon in the system tray to open the ZyAIR Utility. The ZyAIR Utility screens are similar in all Microsoft Windows versions.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Network This chapter provides background information on wireless LAN network. 2.1 Overview This section describes the wireless LAN network terms and applications. 2.1.1 SSID The SSID (Service Set Identity) is a unique name shared among all wireless devices in a wireless network. Wireless devices must have the same SSID to communicate with each other. 2.1.2 Channel A radio frequency used by a wireless device is called a channel. 2.1.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Ad-Hoc (IBSS) Ad-hoc mode does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless stations communicate directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Figure 2-1 IBSS Example Figure 2-2 BSS Example A series of overlapping BSS and a network medium, such as an Ethernet forms an Extended Service Set (ESS) or infrastructure network.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Figure 2-3 Infrastructure Network Example Access Point Mode The following figure depicts a network example in which you set the ZyAIR in access point mode. Figure 2-4 ZyAIR as an Access Point Example In the example, the ZyAIR is installed on computer A and set to operate in access point mode. Computer A shares Internet connection to the wireless LAN, so wireless stations B and C can access the Internet. 2.1.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide The following figure depicts a roaming example. When wireless station B moves to position X, the ZyAIR in wireless station B automatically switches the channel to the one used by access point 2 in order to stay connected to the network. Figure 2-5 Roaming Example 2.2 Wireless LAN Security Wireless LAN security is vital to your network to protect wireless communications. Configure the wireless LAN security using the More Setting… screen.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide A large Fragmentation Threshold is recommended for networks not prone to interference while you should set a smaller threshold for busy networks or networks that are prone to interference. If the Fragmentation Threshold value is smaller than the RTS/CTS Threshold value (see previously) you set then the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake will never occur as data frames will be fragmented before they reach RTS/CTS Threshold size. 2.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide You should only configure RTS/CTS Threshold if the possibility of hidden nodes exists on your network and the “cost” of resending large frames is more than the extra network overhead involved in the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Chapter 3 Wireless Station Mode Configuration This chapter shows you how to configure your ZyAIR in wireless station mode. 3.1 Introduction To set your ZyAIR as a wireless station, refer to Section 1.5.1. 3.2 The ZyAIR Utility Screen When the ZyAIR utility starts, the ZyAIR G-220 Utility screen displays, showing the current configuration of your ZyAIR. Figure 3-1 Station Mode: ZyAIR G-220 Utility The following table describes the labels in this screen.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 3-1 Station Mode: ZyAIR G-220 Utility LABEL DESCRIPTION Mode Select Station from drop-down list box to set the ZyAIR to operate in wireless station mode. Select Access Point from drop-down list box to set the ZyAIR to operate in access point mode. Refer to Section1.5 for more information. Network Adapter This field displays the model name of your ZyAIR. Select from the drop-down list menu if you have more than one wireless LAN adapter in your computer.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 3.2.1 Connecting to a Network Follow the steps below to connect to a network. Step 1. Click Refresh to scan for all available wireless networks within range. Step 2. To join a network, either click an entry in the table to select a wireless network and then click Connect this site or double-click an entry. Step 3. If the WEP field displays On for the selected wireless network, the following screen displays. Figure 3-2 Station Mode: Use Previous WEP Setting Step 4. Step 5. 3.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Figure 3-3 Station Mode: More Setting… The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 3-2 Station Mode: More Setting… LABEL DESCRIPTION General Connection Setting Channel 3-4 Select the channel number from the drop-down list box. To associate to an ad-hoc network, you must use the same channel as the peer computer. The number of channels varies depending on the setting in the Advanced Setting screen.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 3-2 Station Mode: More Setting… LABEL DESCRIPTION Tx Rate Select a transmission speed from the drop-down list box. Choose from Auto (default), 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, and 54 Mbps. SSID Enter the SSID of the wireless network to which you want to associate. To associate to an ad-hoc network, you must enter the same SSID as the peer computer.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 3-2 Station Mode: More Setting… LABEL DESCRIPTION Others Advanced Settings… Information 3.4 Click Advanced Settings… to set the advanced features on the ZyAIR. Click Information to displays related version numbers of the ZyAIR. The WEP Key Setting… Screen Click the WEP Encryption Key Setting button in the More Setting… screen to display the WEP Key Setting… screen as shown next.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 3-3 Station Mode: WEP Key Setting… LABEL DESCRIPTION Key Length Select 64 bit, 128 bit or 256 bit and then fill in the related fields. Default Key ID Select a default WEP key to use for data encryption. Key Format Select either the HEX or ASCII WEP key type. Key Value #1 … 4 Enter the WEP keys in the fields provided. If you select 64 bit in the Key Length field.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 3.5 The Advanced Setting… Screen To set the advanced features on the ZyAIR, click the Advanced Setting… button in the More Setting… screen. Figure 3-5 Station Mode: Advanced Setting… The following table describes the labels in this screen Table 3-4 Station Mode: Advanced Setting… LABEL DESCRIPTION User Interface Language Select a language from the Language drop-down list box.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 3-4 Station Mode: Advanced Setting… LABEL DESCRIPTION World Wide Select this radio button to have the ZyAIR display 14 channels in the Channel field in the More Setting screen. User Select Select this radio button and select a country from the drop down list to have the ZyAIR display the channel numbers for the selected country in the Channel field in the More Setting screen.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Chapter 4 Access Point Mode Configuration This chapter shows you how to configure your ZyAIR in access point mode. 4.1 Introduction To set your ZyAIR as an Access Point (AP), refer to Section 1.5.1. In access point mode, your ZyAIR functions as an access point. This allows you to set up your wireless networks without using a dedicated AP device. Up to 16 wireless stations can associate to the ZyAIR. 4.1.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Figure 4-1 Access Point Mode: ZyAIR G-220 Utility The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 4-1 Access Point Mode: ZyAIR G-220 Utility LABEL DESCRIPTION Mode Select Station from drop-down list box to set the ZyAIR to operate in wireless station mode. Select Access Point from drop-down list box to set the ZyAIR to operate in access point mode. Refer to Section 1.5 for more information. Network Adapter This field displays the model name of your ZyAIR.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 4-1 Access Point Mode: ZyAIR G-220 Utility LABEL DESCRIPTION Current Network Setting Channel This field displays the radio channel the ZyAIR is currently using. SSID This field displays the name of the ZyAIR. WEP This field displays whether WEP data encryption is activated (on) or inactive (off). Tx Power This field displays the current transmission rate of the ZyAIR in megabits per second (Mbps).
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Figure 4-2 Access Point Mode: Access Point Setting The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 4-2 Access Point Mode: Access Point Setting LABEL DESCRIPTION General Connection Setting Channel Set the operating frequency/channel depending on your geographical region. Basic Rate Select the rate(s) at which the ZyAIR can transmit data in the wireless LAN network.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 4-2 Access Point Mode: Access Point Setting LABEL Hide ESSID Tx Power DESCRIPTION Select this check box to hide the ESSID in the outgoing beacon frame so a station cannot obtain the ESSID through passive scanning using a site survey tool. Set this field if you need to conserve power consumption (especially for notebook computers). This control changes the strength of the ZyAIR’s antenna gain or transmission power.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 4.4 The WEP Key Setting… Screen To set up wireless LAN security, click Setting next to the WEP field in the Access Point Setting screen to display the screen as shown. Figure 4-3 Access Point Mode: Security Refer to Table 3-3 for field descriptions. 4.5 The MAC Address Filter Screen The MAC Address Filter screen allows you to configure the ZyAIR to give exclusive access to (Accept) devices or exclude devices from (Reject) connecting to the ZyAIR.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Figure 4-4 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 4-3 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter LABEL Filter Type DESCRIPTION Define the filter action for the list of MAC addresses in the MAC address filter table. Select Disable to deactivate the MAC filter feature. Select Reject to block access to the ZyAIR, MAC addresses not listed will be allowed to access the router.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Table 4-3 Access Point Mode: MAC Filter LABEL 00 .. 15 Apply 4-8 DESCRIPTION Specify the MAC address(es) of the wireless station(s) that is allowed or denied association to the ZyAIR. Enter six pairs of hexadecimal digits in the range of “A-F”, “a-f” and “0-9” (for example, 00A0C5000002). Once you click Apply to save the values, this field displays the MAC address with spaces separating the six pairs of hexadecimal digits (for example 00 A0 C5 00 00 02).
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Chapter 5 Maintenance This chapter describes how to uninstall or upgrade the ZyAIR Utility. 5.1 The Information… Screen The Information… screen displays related version numbers of the ZyAIR. To display the screen as shown next, click the Information button in the More Setting… screen when the ZyAIR is in wireless station mode. Figure 5-1 Information… The following table describes the read-only fields in this screen.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Step 2. When prompted, click OK to remove the driver and the utility software. Figure 5-2 Confirm Uninstall Step 3. 5.3 Restart your computer when prompted. Upgrading the ZyAIR Utility Before you uninstall the ZyAIR Utility, take note of the current network configuration. To perform the upgrade, follow the steps below. Step 1. Download the latest version of the utility from the ZyXEL web site and save the file on your computer. Step 2. Follow the steps in Section 5.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Chapter 6 Troubleshooting This chapter covers potential problems and the possible remedies. After each problem description, some instructions are provided to help you to diagnose and to solve the problem. 6.1 Problems Starting the ZyAIR Utility Program Table 6-1 Troubleshooting Starting ZyAIR Utility Program Cannot start the ZyAIR Wireless LAN Utility Make sure the ZyAIR is properly inserted and the LED(s) is on. Refer to the Quick Installation Guide for the LED descriptions.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 6.3 Problems Communicating With Other Computers Table 6-3 Troubleshooting Communication Problems PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION In wireless station mode, the computer with the ZyAIR installed cannot communicate with the other computer(s). A. B. Infrastructure Ad-Hoc (IBSS) In access point mode, the wireless station(s) cannot associate to the ZyAIR. 6-2 Make sure that the AP and the associated computers are turned on and working properly.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Appendix A Setting up Your Computer’s IP Address All computers must have a 10M or 100M Ethernet adapter card and TCP/IP installed. Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP, Macintosh OS 7 and later operating systems and all versions of UNIX/LINUX include the software components you need to install and use TCP/IP on your computer. Windows 3.1 requires the purchase of a third-party TCP/IP application package.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide b. Select Adapter and then click Add. c. Select the manufacturer and model of your network adapter and then click OK. If you need TCP/IP: a. In the Network window, click Add. b. Select Protocol and then click Add. c. Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers. d. Select TCP/IP from the list of network protocols and then click OK. If you need Client for Microsoft Networks: a. Click Add. b. Select Client and then click Add. c.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 1. Click the IP Address tab. -If your IP address is dynamic, select Obtain an IP address automatically. -If you have a static IP address, select Specify an IP address and type your information into the IP Address and Subnet Mask fields. 2. Click the DNS Configuration tab. -If you do not know your DNS information, select Disable DNS. -If you know your DNS information, select Enable DNS and type the information in the fields below (you may not need to fill them all in).
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 3. Click the Gateway tab. -If you do not know your gateway’s IP address, remove previously installed gateways. -If you have a gateway IP address, type it in the New gateway field and click Add. 4. Click OK to save and close the TCP/IP Properties window. 5. Click OK to close the Network window. Insert the Windows CD if prompted. 6. Restart your computer when prompted. Verifying Your Computer’s IP Address 1. Click Start and then Run. 2.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 1. For Windows XP, click start, Control Panel. In Windows 2000/NT, click Start, Settings, Control Panel. 2. For Windows XP, click Network Connections. For Windows 2000/NT, click Network and Dial-up Connections. Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address 3. Right-click Local Area Connection and then click Properties.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (under the General tab in Win XP) and click Properties. 5. The Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties window opens (the General tab in Windows XP). -If you have a dynamic IP address click Obtain an IP address automatically. -If you have a static IP address click Use the following IP Address and fill in the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway fields. Click Advanced.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 6. -If you do not know your gateway's IP address, remove any previously installed gateways in the IP Settings tab and click OK. Do one or more of the following if you want to configure additional IP addresses: -In the IP Settings tab, in IP addresses, click Add. -In TCP/IP Address, type an IP address in IP address and a subnet mask in Subnet mask, and then click Add. -Repeat the above two steps for each IP address you want to add.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 7. In the Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties window (the General tab in Windows XP): -Click Obtain DNS server address automatically if you do not know your DNS server IP address(es). -If you know your DNS server IP address(es), click Use the following DNS server addresses, and type them in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields. If you have previously configured DNS servers, click Advanced and then the DNS tab to order them. 8.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 1. Click the Apple menu, Control Panel and double-click TCP/IP to open the TCP/IP Control Panel. 2. Select Ethernet from the Connect via list. 3. For dynamically assigned settings, select Using DHCP Server from the Configure: list.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 4. For statically assigned settings, do the following: -From the Configure box, select Manually. -Type your IP address in the IP Address box. -Type your subnet mask in the Subnet mask box. -Type the IP address of your ZyAIR in the Router address box. 5. Close the TCP/IP Control Panel. 6. Click Save if prompted, to save changes to your configuration. 7. Restart your computer (if prompted).
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide 3. For dynamically assigned settings, select Using DHCP from the Configure list. 4. For statically assigned settings, do the following: -From the Configure box, select Manually. -Type your IP address in the IP Address box. -Type your subnet mask in the Subnet mask box. -Type the IP address of your ZyAIR in the Router address box. 5. Click Apply Now and close the window. 6. Restart your computer (if prompted).
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Appendix B Access Point Mode Setup Example This example uses the network sharing feature in Windows 2000 to bridge the wired and wireless network when you set the ZyAIR in access point (AP) mode. Refer to Section 4.1.1 for setup methods and requirements. Steps may vary depending on your Windows version. You may need to install additional software in Windows 98/Me. Configuring the Computer on Which You Install the ZyAIR Step 1. Refer to Section 1.5.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Diagram 2 Windows 2000: Network and Dial-up Connections Step 4. A Properties screen displays. Click the Sharing tab and select Enable Internet Connection Sharing for this connection. Click OK. Diagram 3 Windows 2000: Network Properties Step 5. N A notice screen displays. Click Yes.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Diagram 4 Windows 2000: Local Network Configuring the Wireless Station Computer Refer to the Setting Up Your Computer’s IP Address appendix to set up the wireless station computer(s) IP address.
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Appendix C Index A D About ..............................................................5-1 About the ZyAIR Utility ......................... 5-1, 5-2 Access point mode ..........................................1-5 Access Point Mode..........................................4-1 Additional setup requirements ....................4-1 Configuration ..............................................4-4 Link Info .....................................................4-2 MAC Filter..........
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide MAC filter type............................................... 4-7 T N Transmission Speed ........................................3-5 Transmission Speeds.......................................2-1 Troubleshooting Communication problem with other computers ................................................................6-2 Troubleshooting ..............................................6-1 Checking Hardware Conflict ......................6-1 Communication problems ...................
ZyAIR G-220 User’s Guide Access point ................................................4-1 Station .........................................................3-1 Switch between modes................................1-5 ZyAIR Utility Before you upgrade.....................................5-2 Index Link Info .....................................................3-2 Removing ....................................................5-2 Upgrading....................................................
