ZyXEL PLA-450 User Guide - Page 59

Chapter 6 Wireless LAN

PLA450 User’s Guide

59

• Security:

(

) None

(

) WEP (64 bit or 128 bit key) (ASCII or Hex):________________

6.2

Wireless Security Overview

The following sections introduce different types of wireless security you can set up in the

wireless network.

6.2.1

SSID

Normally, the AP acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID in the area. You can

hide the SSID instead, in which case the AP does not broadcast the SSID. In addition, you

should change the default SSID to something that is difficult to guess.

This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for unauthorized devices

to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized devices can still see the information that is sent in

the wireless network.

6.2.2

MAC Address Filter

Every wireless client has a unique identification number, called a MAC address.

1

A MAC

address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters

2

; for example, 00A0C5000002

or 00:A0:C5:00:00:02. To get the MAC address for each wireless client, see the appropriate

User’s Guide or other documentation.

You can use the MAC address filter to tell the AP which wireless clients are allowed or not

allowed to use the wireless network. If a wireless client is allowed to use the wireless network,

it still has to have the correct settings (SSID, channel, and security). If a wireless client is not

allowed to use the wireless network, it does not matter if it has the correct settings.

This type of security does not protect the information that is sent in the wireless network.

Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized devices to get the MAC address of an authorized

wireless client. Then, they can use that MAC address to use the wireless network.

6.2.3

User Authentication

You can make every user log in to the wireless network before they can use it. This is called

user authentication. However, every wireless client in the wireless network has to support the

authentication method to do this.

For wireless networks, there are two typical places to store the user names and passwords for

each user.

•

In the AP: this feature is called a local user database or a local database.

•

In a RADIUS server: this is a server used in businesses more than in homes.

1.

Some wireless devices, such as scanners, can detect wireless networks but cannot use wireless networks.

These kinds of wireless devices might not have MAC addresses.

2.

Hexadecimal characters are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Section	Page
PLA450 Series	1
User’s Guide	1
About This User's Guide	3
Document Conventions	4
Safety Warnings	6
Contents Overview	9
Table of Contents	11
List of Figures	15
List of Tables	19
Introduction	21
Getting to Know Your PLA450	23
1.1 Overview	23
1.1.1 Wireless LAN Application	23
1.1.2 HomePlug AV	23
1.2 Ways to Manage the PLA450	24
1.3 Good Habits for Managing the PLA450	24
1.4 LEDs	25
The WPS Button	27
2.1 Overview	27
2.2 Push Button Configuration	27
The ENCRYPT Button	29
3.1 ENCRYPT Button Overview	29
3.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT	29
3.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks	31
3.4 ENCRYPT Button Behavior	32
Introducing the Web Configurator	35
4.1 Web Configurator Overview	35
4.2 Accessing the Web Configurator	35
4.3 Resetting the PLA450	37
4.3.1 Procedure to Use the Reset Button	37
4.4 Navigating the Web Configurator	37
4.4.1 The Status Screen	37
4.4.2 Navigation Panel	40
4.4.3 Summary: Packet Statistics	41
4.4.4 Summary: Wireless Station Status	42
4.4.5 Summary: My HomePlug Network Status	42
Wireless Tutorial	47
5.1 Example Parameters	47
5.2 Configuring the PLA450	47
5.3 Configuring the Wireless Client	49
5.3.1 Connecting to a Wireless LAN	49
5.3.2 Creating and Using a Profile	52
Network	55
Wireless LAN	57
6.1 Wireless Network Overview	57
6.2 Wireless Security Overview	59
6.2.1 SSID	59
6.2.2 MAC Address Filter	59
6.2.3 User Authentication	59
6.2.4 Encryption	60
6.3 Roaming	61
6.3.1 Requirements for Roaming	62
6.4 Quality of Service	62
6.4.1 WMM QoS	63
6.5 WPS Overview	63
6.5.1 WPS Setup Using a PIN	64
6.5.2 How WPS Works	65
6.5.3 Limitations of WPS	67
6.6 General Wireless LAN Screen	68
6.6.1 No Security	69
6.6.2 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK	70
6.7 MAC Filter	71
6.8 Wireless LAN Advanced Screen	72
6.9 Quality of Service (QoS) Screen	74
6.9.1 Application Priority Configuration	76
6.10 WPS Screen	77
6.11 WPS Station Screen	78
LAN	81
7.1 LAN Overview	81
7.1.1 Factory LAN Defaults	81
7.1.2 IP Address	81
7.1.3 IP Address and Subnet Mask	82
7.2 LAN IP Screen	82
HomePlug AV	85
8.1 Overview	85
8.2 Privacy and Powerline Adapters	86
8.2.1 Setting Up a Private Powerline Network	87
8.2.2 Setting Up Multiple Powerline Networks.	87
8.3 Configuring Your HomePlug AV Devices	88
8.4 HomePlug AV QoS	91
8.4.1 QoS Based on IP or MAC Address	91
8.4.2 Mapping other QoS Priority Settings to HomePlug AV QoS	91
8.4.3 QoS Based on Traffic Type	92
Maintenance and Troubleshooting	95
System	97
9.1 System General Screen	97
9.2 Time Setting Screen	98
Logs	101
10.1 View Log	101
10.2 Log Settings	102
Tools	105
11.1 Firmware Upload Screen	105
11.2 Configuration Screen	107
11.2.1 Backup Configuration	107
11.2.2 Restore Configuration	107
11.2.3 Back to Factory Defaults	108
11.3 Restart Screen	109
Configuration Mode	111
Language	113
13.1 Selecting Language	113
Troubleshooting	115
14.1 Power, Hardware Connections, and LEDs	115
14.2 PLA450 Access and Login	116
14.3 Internet Access	117
14.4 Resetting the PLA450 to Its Factory Defaults	118
14.5 Wireless Troubleshooting	119
14.6 HomePlug AV Troubleshooting	119
14.7 ENCRYPT Button Problems	120
14.8 Advanced Features	121
Product Specifications and Wall- Mounting Instructions	123
Appendices and Index	127
Pop-up Windows, JavaScripts and Java Permissions	129
IP Addresses and Subnetting	135
Setting up Your Computer’s IP Address	143
15.0.1 Verifying Settings	158
Wireless LANs	159
Common Services	173
Legal Information	177
Customer Support	181

ZyXEL PLA-450 User Guide - Page 59

Wireless Security Overview, 6.2.1 SSID, 6.2.2 MAC Address Filter, 6.2.3 User Authentication

Page 59 highlights