ZyXEL Communications HS100/HS100W User Manual

HomeSafe User’s Guide 

UPnP   11-1 

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. 

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 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: 

¾  Dynamic port mapping 
¾  Learning public IP addresses 
¾  Assigning lease times to mappings 

Windows Messenger is an example of an application that supports NAT traversal and UPnP.  

See the SUA/NAT chapter for further information about NAT.  

The automated nature of NAT traversal applications in establishing their own services and 

opening firewall ports may present network security issues. Network information and 

configuration may also be obtained and modified by users in some network environments.  

All UPnP-enabled devices may communicate freely with each other without additional 

configuration. Disable UPnP if this is not your intention.  

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