ZyXEL Communications NWD2205 User Manual
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ZyXEL Communications NWD2205 User Manual

Wireless n usb adapter
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NWD2205
Wireless N USB Adapter
Version 1.8.1
Edition 1, 09/2010
www.zyxel.com
www.zyxel.com
Copyright © 2010
ZyXEL Communications Corporation

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  • Page 1 NWD2205 Wireless N USB Adapter Version 1.8.1 Edition 1, 09/2010 www.zyxel.com www.zyxel.com Copyright © 2010 ZyXEL Communications Corporation...

  • Page 3: About This User's Guide

    About This User's Guide About This User's Guide Intended Audience This manual is intended for people who want to configure the NWD2205 using the ZyXEL utility. Tips for Reading User’s Guides On-Screen When reading a ZyXEL User’s Guide On-Screen, keep the following in mind: •...
  • Page 4 • 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.

  • Page 5: Document Conventions

    Syntax Conventions • The NWD2205 may be referred to as the “NWD2205”, 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.
  • Page 6 Document Conventions Icons Used in Figures Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons. Wireless Access Point Computer Notebook computer Server Modem Telephone Internet Wireless Signal NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 7: Safety Warnings

    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. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 8 Safety Warnings NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 9: Contents Overview

    Contents Overview Contents Overview Introduction and Configuration .................... 17 Getting Started ........................... 19 Wireless LANs ........................... 27 ZyXEL Utility ..........................39 Troubleshooting and Specifications ..................53 Troubleshooting ......................... 55 Product Specifications ....................... 59 Appendices and Index ......................63 NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 10 Contents Overview NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 11: Table Of Contents

    2.4 WiFi Protected Setup ......................29 2.4.1 Push Button Configuration ..................30 2.4.2 PIN Configuration ....................... 30 2.4.3 How WPS Works ......................32 2.4.4 Limitations of WPS ..................... 35 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility - Mac OS X ......................37 NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 12 3.1.1 What You Can Do in This Chapter ................37 3.1.2 What You Need to Know .................... 37 3.1.3 Before You Begin ....................... 38 3.2 ZyXEL Utility Screen Summary ................... 38 3.3 The Link Status Screen ....................... 39 3.4 The Profile Screen ....................... 40 3.4.1 The Profile Properties Screen ..................

  • Page 13: Chapter 1 Getting Started

    Getting Started 1.1 Overview The ZyXEL NWD2205 wireless N USB adapter brings you a better Internet experience over existing IEEE 802.11 b/g/n networks. With data rates of up to 300 Mbps, you can enjoy a high-speed connection at home or in the office. It is an excellent solution for daily activities such as file transfers, music downloading, video streaming and online gaming.

  • Page 14: Features

    IEEE 802.11b/g wireless networks. The NWD2205 is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) compliant. WPS allows you to easily set up a secure connection with another WPS-enabled device. The NWD2205 is a USB adapter which connects to an empty USB port on your computer. Figure 1 The NWD2205 The following table describes the NWD2205.

  • Page 15: Software Installation

    Chapter 1 Getting Started 1.3 Software Installation This section shows you how to install the Mac OS X version of the ZyXEL Utility. For detailed information on using it, see Chapter 3 on page 1.3.1 Minimum System Requirements In order to install the ZyXEL Utility for Mac OS X, your computer must meet the following minimum system requirements: •...
  • Page 16 Open the folder for your version of Mac OS X on the included disc. For example, if you are using 10.4 then open the MacOS10.4 Driver folder. Double-click the Installer.mpkg to run the installation program. A welcome screen appears. Follow the on-screen instructions. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 17 Macintosh, not a virtual drive) and click Continue. When you see the Authenticate screen, enter the administrative password you use to log in to the Mac computer and click OK. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 18 You then see a screen telling you that you must restart the computer after the installation completes. Click Continue Installation. The driver will automatically install. After installing the ZyXEL utility and device driver, you must restart your computer. Click Restart to reboot your computer and complete the driver installation.

  • Page 19: Uninstalling The Zyxel Utility

    1.3.3 Uninstalling the ZyXEL Utility You need to remove the ZyXEL utility from your computer only when you want to upgrade the ZyXEL utility or the ZyXEL utility cannot work properly. Note: Disconnect the NWD2205 if you are going to uninstall or upgrade the ZyXEL utility.
  • Page 20 Chapter 1 Getting Started Double-click your Macintosh OS’s driver folder on the included disc. Double-click the file Uninstall.command. The command screen displays. Enter the administrative password you use to log in to the Mac computer and press [ENTER]. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 21: Hardware Installation

    Insert the NWD2205 into an available USB port on the computer. The NWD2205’s LED (light) turns on if it is properly inserted. Note: Never bend, twist or force the NWD2205 into the port. If there is not enough space to attach the NWD2205, use the included USB cable.

  • Page 22: Device Applications

    (another wireless device in Ad-Hoc mode). Infrastructure To connect to a network via an access point (AP), set the NWD2205 network type to Infrastructure. Through the AP, you can access the Internet or the wired network behind it.
  • Page 23 To set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use Ad-Hoc. Ad-Hoc does not require an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients communicate directly with each other. Note: Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is not available in ad-hoc mode. Figure 3 Application: Ad-Hoc NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 24 Chapter 1 Getting Started NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 25: Chapter 2 Wireless Lans

    Authentication is the process of confirming a client’s or user’s digital identity when they connect to a network. Turning off authentication means disabling all security protocols and opening your network to anyone with the means to connect to it. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 26: Before You Begin

    (AP) to interact with other devices (such as the printer) or with the Internet Every wireless network must follow these basic guidelines. • Every device in the same wireless network must use the same SSID. The SSID is the name of the wireless network. It stands for Service Set IDentity. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 27: Wireless Lan Security

    Note: You can use only WEP encryption if you set the NWD2205 to Ad-hoc mode. See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless security.
  • Page 28 WEP keys in the other WLAN adapter(s). • Enter the WEP keys manually. Your NWD2205 allows you to configure up to four 64-bit or 128-bit WEP keys. Only one key is used as the default key at any one time.

  • Page 29: Wifi Protected Setup

    WEP is less secure than WPA or WPA2. 2.4 WiFi Protected Setup Your NWD2205 supports WiFi Protected Setup (WPS), which is an easy way to set up a secure wireless network. WPS is an industry standard specification, defined by the WiFi Alliance.

  • Page 30: Push Button Configuration

    WPS in range of each other. However, you need to log into the configuration interfaces of both devices to use the PIN method. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 31 On a computer connected to the wireless client, try to connect to the Internet. If you can connect, WPS was successful. If you cannot connect, check the list of associated wireless clients in the AP’s configuration utility. If you see the wireless client in the list, WPS was successful. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 32: How Wps Works

    Authentication Protocol) tunnel and sends the network name (SSID) and the WPA- PSK or WPA2-PSK pre-shared key to the enrollee. Whether WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK is used depends on the standards supported by the devices. If the registrar is NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 33 WPS, it becomes “configured”. A configured wireless client can still act as enrollee or registrar in subsequent WPS connections, but a configured access point can no longer act as enrollee. It will be the registrar in all NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 34: Example Wps Network Setup

    In this case, AP1 must be the registrar, since it is configured (it already has security information for the network). AP1 supplies the existing security information to Client 2. Figure 8 WPS: Example Network Step 2 REGISTRAR EXISTING CONNECTION CLIENT 1 ENROLLEE CLIENT 2 NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 35: Limitations Of Wps

    For instance, if you have two enrollees and one registrar you must set up the first enrollee (by pressing the WPS button on the registrar and the first enrollee, for example), then check that it successfully enrolled, then set up the second device in the same way. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 36 Check the MAC addresses of your wireless clients (usually printed on a label on the bottom of the device). If there is an unknown MAC address you can remove it or reset the AP. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 37: Zyxel Utility - Mac Os X

    H A P T E R ZyXEL Utility - Mac OS X 3.1 Overview This chapter shows you how to use the ZyXEL utility to configure your NWD2205 using the Macintosh operating system, Mac OS X. 3.1.1 What You Can Do in This Chapter •...

  • Page 38: Before You Begin

    An enhanced security framework designed to improve an existing security protocol, such as WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK. 3.1.3 Before You Begin • Make sure the Mac OS X version of the ZyXEL utility is already installed on your computer. See Section 1.3 on page 15 for more information.

  • Page 39: The Link Status Screen

    Use this screen to find the utility and driver version. 3.3 The Link Status Screen This screen allows you to view the status of the NWD2205’s wireless connection with an AP or peer computer. Figure 11 ZyXEL Utility: Link Status...

  • Page 40: The Profile Screen

    A profile is a set of wireless parameters that you need to connect to a wireless network. With a profile activated, each time you start the NWD2205, it automatically scans for the specific SSID and joins that network with the predefined wireless security settings.
  • Page 41 Remove Click this to delete a selected profile from the list. Duplicate Click this to create a similar profile that copies the selected profile’s wireless parameters. Apply Click this to save your changes back to the NWD2205. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 42: The Profile Properties Screen

    If there are other networks in the area, choose a channel as far away as possible, in order to minimize the risk of interference. In Infrastructure mode, this field is not configurable; the NWD2205 uses whichever channel the AP uses.
  • Page 43 WEP to use Wired Equivalent Privacy security (Shared) for data encryption. • When you select SHARED_KEY in the Network Authentication field, this displays WEP and the NWD2205 uses Wired Equivalent Privacy security for data encryption. • When you select WPA-None, WPA_PSK or WPA2_PSK in the Network Authentication field, select TKIP to use the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol.

  • Page 44: The Available Network Screen

    Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility - Mac OS X 3.5 The Available Network Screen This screen allows you to view available networks and connect to a network. Figure 14 ZyXEL Utility: Available Network The following table describes the labels in this screen.

  • Page 45: The Advanced Setting Screen

    Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility - Mac OS X 3.6 The Advanced Setting Screen This screen allows you to configure advanced network settings on your NWD2205. Figure 15 ZyXEL Utility: Advanced Setting The following table describes the labels in this screen.

  • Page 46: The Wps Screen

    Select the packet size above which the NWD2205 fragments (breaks Threshold up) the packet into smaller pieces. RTS Threshold Select the packet size above which the NWD2205 transmits an RTS (Request To Send) message. Refresh Click this to update this screen.
  • Page 47 Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility - Mac OS X Table 9 ZyXEL Utility: WPS (continued) LABEL DESCRIPTION Security This field indicates the type of authentication and encryption required by the AP. BSSID This field indicates the AP’s MAC address. SCAN Click this button to rescan the local area for WPS-compatible devices.

  • Page 48: The Information Screen

    Chapter 3 ZyXEL Utility - Mac OS X 3.8 The Information Screen This screen shows you the driver, utility version of your NWD2205. Figure 17 ZyXEL Utility: About The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 10 ZyXEL Utility: About...

  • Page 49: Chapter 4 Troubleshooting

    • Problems Communicating with Other Computers 4.2 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs The NWD2205 does not turn on. None of the LEDs turn on. Make sure the NWD2205 is correctly installed. Restart the computer to which the NWD2205 is attached.

  • Page 50: Accessing The Zyxel Utility

    4.3 Accessing the ZyXEL Utility I cannot access the ZyXEL Utility Make sure the NWD2205 is properly inserted and the LEDs are on. Install the NWD2205 on another computer. If the error persists, you may have a hardware problem. In this case, you should contact your vendor.

  • Page 51: Problems Communicating With Other Computers

    • Make sure that the AP and the associated computers are turned on and working properly. • Make sure the NWD2205 computer and the associated AP use the same SSID. • Change the AP and the associated wireless clients to use another radio channel if interference is high.
  • Page 52 Chapter 4 Troubleshooting NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 53: Product Specifications

    H A P T E R Product Specifications Table 11 Product Specifications PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL Product Name NWD2205 Wireless N USB Adapter Interface USB 2.0 Standards IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n Operating Frequency 2.4GHZ Antenna Type PIFA (Planar Inverted F Antenna) Antenna Peak Gain Left: 2.8 dBi...
  • Page 54 2.412GHz~ 2.472GHz 1-13 Operation Channels N. America & Taiwan HT20 2.412GHz~ 2.462GHz 1-11 N. America & Taiwan HT40 2.422GHz~ 2.452GHz 3-9 Euro ETSI HT20 2.412GHz~ 2.472GHz 1-13 Euro ETSI HT40 2.422GHz~ 2.462GHz 3-11 Networking Mode Infrastructure, Ad-Hoc, SoftAP Support NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 55 802.1x (EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP), WPS. Note: EAP-TTLS is not supported in Windows Vista and Windows 7. Wireless QoS Wi-Fi Multi Media (WMM) Wi-Fi Protected Setup Push button configuration (WPS) Use device's PIN Other WMM power-saving support Compatible with Windows Zero Configuration NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 56 Chapter 5 Product Specifications NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 57: Appendix A Wireless Lans

    Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). The following diagram shows an example of notebook computers using wireless adapters to form an ad-hoc wireless LAN. Figure 18 Peer-to-Peer Communication in an Ad-hoc Network NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 58 A and B can access the wired network and communicate with each other. When Intra-BSS is disabled, wireless client A and B can still access the wired network but cannot communicate with each other. Figure 19 Basic Service Set NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 59 Adjacent channels partially overlap however. To avoid interference due to overlap, your AP should be on a channel at least five channels away from a channel that an NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 60 You should only configure RTS/CTS 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. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 61: Fragmentation Threshold

    Use the dynamic setting to automatically use short preamble when all wireless devices on the network support it, otherwise the NWD2205 uses long preamble. Note: The wireless devices MUST use the same preamble mode in order to communicate.

  • Page 62: Wireless Security Overview

    Wireless security is vital to your network to protect wireless communication between wireless clients, access points and the wired network. Wireless security methods available on the NWD2205 are data encryption, wireless client authentication, restricting access by device MAC address and hiding the NWD2205 identity.
  • Page 63 Appendix A Wireless LANs Note: You must enable the same wireless security settings on the NWD2205 and on all wireless clients that you want to associate with it. IEEE 802.1x In June 2001, the IEEE 802.1x standard was designed to extend the features of IEEE 802.11 to support extended authentication as well as providing additional...
  • Page 64 For EAP-TLS authentication type, you must first have a wired connection to the network and obtain the certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA). A certificate (also called digital IDs) can be used to authenticate users and a CA issues certificates and guarantees the identity of each certificate owner. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 65 However, PEAP only supports EAP methods, such as EAP-MD5, EAP-MSCHAPv2 and EAP-GTC (EAP-Generic Token Card), for client authentication. EAP-GTC is implemented only by Cisco. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 66: Wpa And Wpa2

    Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i standard. WPA2 (IEEE 802.11i) is a wireless security standard that defines stronger encryption, authentication and key management than WPA. Key differences between WPA or WPA2 and WEP are improved data encryption and user authentication. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 67 By generating unique data encryption keys for every data packet and by creating an integrity checking mechanism (MIC), with TKIP and AES it is more difficult to decrypt data on a Wi-Fi network than WEP and difficult for an intruder to break into the network. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 68 (default is 1812), and the RADIUS shared secret. A WPA(2) application example with an external RADIUS server looks as follows. "A" is the RADIUS server. "DS" is the distribution system. The AP passes the wireless client's authentication request to the RADIUS server. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 69 The AP checks each wireless client's password and allows it to join the network only if the password matches. The AP and wireless clients generate a common PMK (Pairwise Master Key). The key itself is not sent over the network, but is derived from the PSK and the SSID. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 70 Enable without Dynamic WEP Open Enable with Dynamic WEP Key Enable without Dynamic WEP Disable Shared Enable with Dynamic WEP Key Enable without Dynamic WEP Disable TKIP/AES Enable WPA-PSK TKIP/AES Disable WPA2 TKIP/AES Enable WPA2-PSK TKIP/AES Disable NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 71 Types of Antennas for WLAN There are two types of antennas used for wireless LAN applications. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 72 For omni-directional antennas mounted on a wall or ceiling, point the antenna down. For a single AP application, place omni-directional antennas as close to the center of the coverage area as possible. For directional antennas, point the antenna in the direction of the desired coverage area. NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 73: Appendix B Legal Information

    Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. Disclaimers 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.
  • Page 74 • This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. • IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g operation of this product in the U.S.A. is firmware- limited to channels 1 through 11. NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 75 This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance. 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。 本機限在不干擾合法電臺與不受被干擾保障條件下於室內使用。 減少電磁波影響，請妥適使用。 NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 76: Zyxel Limited Warranty

    Canada. Viewing Certifications Go to http://www.zyxel.com. Select your product on the ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page. Select the certification you wish to view from this page. ZyXEL Limited Warranty ZyXEL warrants to the original end user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in material or workmanship for a specific period (the Warranty Period) from the date of purchase.
  • Page 77 Appendix B Legal Information 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 your vendor. You may also refer to the warranty policy for the region in which you bought the device at http:// www.zyxel.com/web/support_warranty_info.php.
  • Page 78 Appendix B Legal Information NWD2205 User’s Guide...

  • Page 79: Index

    Index Index interference copyright CTS (Clear to Send) about your ZyXEL Device Access Point (AP) Access point (AP) Access Point. See also AP. ACT LED Ad-Hoc digital ID Advanced Encryption Standard dimensions See AES. disclaimer dynamic WEP key exchange antenna...
  • Page 80 Message Integrity Check (MIC) sensitivity 29, 67 Service Set Identity (SSID) SSID 26, 40, 51 syntax conventions network overlap network type temperature Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) 29, 67 trademarks Pairwise Master Key (PMK) 67, 69 passphrase password peer computer NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 81 RADIUS application example WPA2 29, 66 user authentication vs WPA2-PSK wireless client supplicant with RADIUS application example WPA2-Pre-Shared Key 29, 67 WPA2-PSK 29, 67, 68 application example WPA-PSK 29, 67, 68 application example NWD2205 User’s Guide...
  • Page 82 Index NWD2205 User’s Guide...

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