Introducing the ZyWALL

This chapter gives an overview of the ZyWALL. It explains the front panel ports, LEDs, introduces the management methods, and lists different ways to start or stop the ZyWALL.

Overview and Key Default Settings

The ZyWALL is an Internet Security Gateway designed for Small and Medium Businesses (SMB). Its flexible configuration helps network administrators set up the network and enforce security policies efficiently. In addition, the ZyWALL provides excellent throughput, making it an ideal solution for reliable, secure service.

The physical ports on the front panel of the ZyWALL are called "ge1", "ge2", "ge3", "ge4", and "ge5" where "ge" stands for Gigabit Ethernet. By default "ge1" is mapped to port 1, "ge2" to port 2 and so on. Depending on your ZyWALL model, there may also be "ge6" and "ge7".

Also, by default "ge1" is the LAN interface, "ge2" and "ge3" are combined as the WAN_TRUNK.

The Ethernet management interface can only be accessed from LAN side by default. The default management IP address is 192.168.1.1; the default login user name and password are "admin" and "1234" respectively.

To enable management access from the WAN, log into the web configurator, go to System > WWW, and change the default Deny to Accept in the rule in the Admin Service Control section.

You should configure the Network > Interface screens first to establish network connectivity before configuring security features such as firewall, VPN, content filtering, IDP and so on.

Front Panel LEDs

The following table describes the LEDs.

Front Panel LEDs 

LED
Color
status
description
PWR
 
Off
The ZyWALL is turned off.
Green
On
The ZyWALL is turned on.
Red
On
There is a hardware component failure. Shut down the device, wait for a few minutes and then restart the device (see Starting and Stopping the ZyWALL). If the LED turns red again, then please contact your vendor.
SYS
Green
Off
The ZyWALL is not ready or has failed.
On
The ZyWALL is ready and running.
Flashing
The ZyWALL is restarting.
ACT (or AUX)
Green
Off
The DIAL BACKUP (or AUX) port is not connected.
Flashing
The DIAL BACKUP (or AUX) port is sending or receiving packets.
On
The DIAL BACKUP (or AUX) port is connected.
HDD (not in all models)
Green
Off
No hard disk is present. The ZyWALL can run without the hard disk.
On
The hard disk is present.
Flashing
The ZyWALL is accessing the hard disk.
Ports 1 ~ 5 (or 1 ~ 7 depending on model)
Green
Off
There is no traffic on this port.
Flashing
The ZyWALL is sending or receiving packets on this port.
Orange
Off
There is no connection on this port.
On
This port has a successful link.

Management Overview

You can use the following ways to manage the ZyWALL.

Web Configurator

The web configurator allows easy ZyWALL setup and management using an Internet browser.

Command-Line Interface (CLI)

The CLI allows you to use text-based commands to configure the ZyWALL. You can access it using remote management (for example, SSH or Telnet) or via the console port.

Console Port

You can use the console port to manage the ZyWALL. You have to use CLI commands, which are explained in the Command Reference Guide.

The default settings for the console port are as follows.

Managing the ZyWALL: Console Port

Setting
Value
Speed
115200 bps
Data Bits
8
Parity
None
Stop Bit
1
Flow Control
Off

Starting and Stopping the ZyWALL

This section explains some of the ways to start and stop the ZyWALL. These are summarized below.

Starting and Stopping the ZyWALL

method
description
Turning on the power button
A cold start occurs when you turn on the power to the ZyWALL. The ZyWALL powers up, checks the hardware, and starts the system processes.
Rebooting the ZyWALL
A warm start (without powering down and powering up again) occurs when you use the Reboot button in the Reboot screen or when you use the reboot command. The ZyWALL writes all cached data to disk, stops the system processes, and then does a warm start.
Using the RESET button
If you press the RESET button, the ZyWALL sets the configuration to its default values and then reboots.
Using the shutdown command
The shutdown command writes all cached data to disk and stops the system processes. It does not turn off the power.You have to turn the power off and on manually to start the ZyWALL again. You should use this command before you turn off the ZyWALL.
Turning off the power button
Power off occurs when you turn off the power to the ZyWALL. The ZyWALL simply turns off. It does not stop the system processes or write cached data to disk.

Note: It is recommended you use the shutdown command before turning off the ZyWALL.

When you apply configuration files or running shell scripts, the ZyWALL does not stop or start the system processes. However, you might lose access to network resources temporarily while the ZyWALL is applying configuration files or running shell scripts.