Before we can setup the WAP3205v3 for use, please do the following:

1. Unpack the device
2. Connect the power supply (power cord) to the ZyXEL WAP3205v3
3. Connect the power supply (power cord) to an electrical outlet
4. Press the power button on the ZyXEL device to turn ON
5. Connect a computer to the port labeled LAN1 on the WAP3205v3, attempting to configure the device wirelessly is not recommended (high number of wireless disconnections during setup process)
6. Manually set an IP address on your computer of 192.168.1.5 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
• Windows Vista to Windows 10
• On Windows OS open the RUN box by pressing the START menu key and the letter R keys on the keyboard simultaneously
• Type: ncpa.cpl and click OK
• Right-click the "Local Area Connection" and select properties
• Edit the "Internet Protocol Version 4" properties
• Fill in the information and click OK to save
• macOS 10.5 to macOS 10.12
• On macOS open "System Preferences"
• Click on the Network feature
• Select the Ethernet adapter/connection
• Set the "Configure IPv4" dropdown to Manual
• Fill in the information and click Apply to save
7. Set your computer IP address settings back to default settings (DHCP) when finished

Device Setup:  Only complete the steps below if you wish to change the WAP3205v3 operation mode.  Out of the box the device operates in AP Mode.  Follow these instructions only if you wish to change the operation mode to Repeater Mode or Client Mode.

Accessing the WebGUI

To make changes to the WAP3205v3 configuration you will need to access the web configuration screen.  This graphical interface will allow you access to the device configuration to make the necessary changes.  Please open an internet web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.).  On the address bar type http://192.168.1.2 to access the WebGUI.

When prompted for user credentials, type in admin for the "User Name" and 1234 for the "Password".  Click Login to enter the WebGUI.  Create a new administrator password on the following screen or click the Ignore button to skip the step.

Repeater Mode

Use the following instructions to configure the WAP3205v3 in repeater mode.  Repeater mode is used to extend the existing wireless networks coverage.

Once successfully logged in to the WebGUI, please run the Wizard Setup to change the WAP3205v3 operation mode to "Universal Repeater".  Click Apply to save the changes and reboot the device.

Repeat the process to set the universal repeater mode again, this time the wizard will display a list of available wireless networks (2.4GHz only).  Select the wireless network you wish to extend the range for and click Connect.

Provide the wireless network password (Shared Key) and Apply the settings.

On the following window provide a Name (SSID) you wish the WAP3205v3 to broadcast as well as security parameters.  Click Apply to save these settings and finish the wizard setup.

Client Mode

Use the following instructions to configure the WAP3205v3 in client mode.  Client mode is used to connect devices such as desktop computers, set-top-boxes, gaming consoles, etc., which are too far to connect using an Ethernet cable and have no wireless capabilities built in.

Once successfully logged in to the WebGUI, please run the Wizard Setup to change the WAP3205v3 operation mode to "Client Bridge".  Click Apply to save the changes and reboot the device.

Repeat the process to set the client bridge mode again, this time the wizard will display a list of available wireless networks (2.4GHz only).  Select the wireless network you wish to associate the WAP3205v3 with and click Connect.

Provide the wireless network password (Shared Key) and Apply the settings.

Troubleshooting:

1. WAP randomly disconnects from the wireless base station.
• If the primary wireless base station has an automatic channel setup option and this is enabled, the router can randomly change the wireless channel it broadcasts the signal on.  This option needs to be disabled on the primary wireless base station so it always broadcasts on the same channel.
• Distance can cause random disconnections.  The WAP must be within a 70% signal from the main base station.
• Check your primary base station software/firmware version to make sure it is up to date.
• Upgrade the firmware on the WAP if there is an available firmware patch.
2. WAP will not establish a link to the primary wireless base station.
• Check the primary wireless station to verify that if using wireless security that it is using WPA2 (AES).  The WAP used IEEE802.11n wireless technology which does not support lower end wireless security types [WEP or WPA (TKIP)].
• If your wireless base station is using older wireless standards changing the wireless mode on the WAP to use older standards (IEEE802.11b/g) can improve the chance of a link establishing.
• Make sure the SSID (network name being broadcast by primary base station) does not include any special characters.  The WAP cannot communicate with wireless base stations using special characters in the name.
• Verify that the primary base station does not have an automatic channel option enabled.  If this is currently enabled please disable this feature.
• Upgrade the firmware on the WAP if there is an available firmware patch.
3. Speeds are slow when connecting to the WAP.
• This is a drawback of using wireless repeaters in general; throughput is reduced by 50% (half).  (traffic has to go from Router → Repeater → Client, instead of just Router → Client)  Using a wireless repeater also increases the wireless interference in your environment, this is because the primary base station and the repeater(s) have to work on the same wireless channel, the more devices broadcasting a signal on the same wireless channel the more interference they create between themselves, the slower the performance.
• Check the 802.11 technology the client is using to connect.  If all equipment on the network is 802.11n compatible, please disable legacy 802.11 modes (802.11b/g).  Devices connected to legacy 802.11 modes can slow down other clients.
• Verify the channel bandwidth (channel width) being used.  A wider 40MHz width usage will provide higher/faster speeds depending on network environment.  Urban areas will have a lot of interference in the 2.4GHz wireless spectrum.  This interference will impact the performance of the wireless network.
• Distance between the base station and wireless client will also impact performance, packets take longer to go to and from devices.
• Verify the wireless security method.  802.11n wireless requires WPA2 (AES) security method to reach HT (High Throughput).  Using a lower security method will utilize 802.11 modes 802.11b/g (no 802.11n).
4. Unable to access the Internet after installation.
• The repeater may not be configured (initial setup has not been performed).
• Repeater may be out of range from the main wireless signal or signal level is too low.  Try different channels and channel bandwidth settings to see which provides better performance at the desired distance (where repeater will be installed).
• Connect to main base station to verify it still has an internet connection (power down repeater to minimize connection confusion).
• Upgrade the firmware on the WAP if there is an available firmware patch.
5. Contact ZyXEL Technical support for additional support.  Support is available Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM PT @ 800-255-4101.  You can also get email support by completing the "Support Request Form" here.