User manual ZYXEL AG-225H

[. . . ] ZyXEL AG-225H User's Guide ZyXEL AG-225H 802. 11a/b/ Wi-Fi Finder & USB Adapter g User's Guide Version 2. 1 September 2005 ZyXEL AG-225H User's Guide Copyright Copyright ©2005 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. 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 patents' rights of others. ZyXEL further reserves the right to make changes in any products described herein without notice. [. . . ] Options include Fully Auto, 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. In most networking scenarios, the factory default Fully Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your ZyXEL AG-225H to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops below a certain level, the ZyXEL AG-225H automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate. However, when the communication quality improves again, the ZyXEL AG-225H gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available transmission rate. 2. 1. 4 Wireless Network Application Wireless LAN works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure. To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using Access Points (APs), set the ZyXEL AG-225H operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). An AP acts as a bridge between the wireless stations and the wired network. In case you do not wish to connect to a wired network, but prefer to set up a small independent wireless workgroup without an AP, use the Ad-hoc (IBSS) (Independent Basic Service Set) mode. WLAN Networking 2-1 ZyXEL AG-225H User's Guide Ad-Hoc (IBSS) Ad-hoc mode does not require an AP or a wired network. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Figure 2-1 IBSS Example To set up an ad-hoc network, configure all wireless stations in ad-hoc network type and use the same SSID and channel. Infrastructure (BSS) When a number of wireless stations are connected using a single AP, you have a Basic Service Set (BSS). 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. All communication is done through the AP, which relays data packets to other wireless stations or devices connected to the wired network. Wireless stations can then access resource, such as the printer, on the wired network. 2-2 WLAN Networking 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. 5 Roaming In an infrastructure network, wireless stations are able to switch from one BSS to another as they move between the coverage areas. During this period, the wireless stations maintain uninterrupted connection to the network. As the wireless station moves from place to place, it is responsible for choosing the most appropriate AP depending on the signal strength, network utilization or other factors. WLAN Networking 2-3 ZyXEL AG-225H User's Guide The following figure depicts a roaming example. When wireless station B moves to position X, the ZyXEL AG-225H 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 communication between wireless stations and the wired network. The figure below shows the possible wireless security levels on your ZyXEL AG-225H. EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is used for authentication and utilizes dynamic WEP key exchange. It requires interaction with a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server either on the WAN or your LAN to provide authentication service for wireless stations. 2-4 WLAN Networking Figure 2-6 Wireless LAN Security Levels Configure the wireless LAN security using the Profile Security Settings screen. If you do not enable any wireless security on your ZyXEL AG-225H, the ZyXEL AG-225H's wireless communications are accessible to any wireless networking device that is in the coverage area. 2. 2. 1 Data Encryption with WEP WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption scrambles all data packets transmitted between the ZyXEL AG-225H and the AP or other wireless stations to keep network communications private. Both the wireless stations and the access points must use the same WEP key for data encryption and decryption. · Automatic WEP key generation based on a "password phrase" called a passphrase. [. . . ] [Authentication] You can choose between Auto Switch, Open, and Shared. Please see section 2. 5 for more information on the different types of authentication. For most installations choosing "Auto Switch" is the best choice. There are three ways of generating a WEP Key: Make key using PassPhrase: a WEP Key is automatically generated as you type in any PassPhrase of your choice. [. . . ]