ZyWALL 2 and ZyWALL 2WE

Appendix J

Universal Plug and Play

What is Universal Plug and Play?

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a distributed, open networking standard that uses TCP/IP for simple peer- to-peer network connectivity between devices. A UPnP device can dynamically join a network, obtain an IP address, convey its capabilities and learn about other devices on the network. In turn, a device can leave a network smoothly and automatically when it is no longer in use.

How do I know if I'm using UPnP?

UPnP hardware is identified as an icon in the Network Connections folder (Windows XP). Each UPnP compatible device installed on your network will appear as a separate icon. Selecting the icon of a UPnP device will allow you to access the information and properties of that device.

UPnP and ZyXEL

ZyXEL has achieved UPnP certification from the Universal Plug and Play Forum Creates UPnP™ Implementers Corp. (UIC). ZyXEL's UPnP implementation supports IGD 1.0 (Internet Gateway Device). At the time of writing ZyXEL's UPnP implementation supports Windows Messenger 4.6 and 4.7 while Windows Messenger 5.0 and Xbox are still being tested.

UPnP broadcasts are only allowed on the LAN.

Please see your Users Guide for examples of installing UPnP in Windows XP and Windows Me as well as an example of using UPnP in Windows.

NAT Traversal

UPnP NAT Traversal automates the process of allowing an application to operate through NAT. UPnP network devices can automatically configure network addressing, announce their presence in the network to other UPnP devices and enable exchange of simple product and service descriptions. NAT traversal allows the following:

•Dynamic port mapping

•Learning public IP addresses

•Assigning lease times to mappings

Windows Messenger is an example of an application that supports NAT Traversal and UPnP. See the NAT chapter for further information about NAT.

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UPnP