ZyXEL Communications PLA-400 manual

www .zyxel.com PLA-4xx Series Powerline Ethernet Adapter Series (PLA-400/401/402/470) User ’ s Guide V ersion 1.30 07/2007 Edition 1[...]

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About This User's Guide PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 3 About This User's Guide Intended Audience This manual is intended for people who want to configure the PLA -400, PLA-401, PLA-402 and PLA-470 using the PLA-4xx Series Configur ation Ut ility . Y ou should have your basic Internet access or home network already se t up. Related Docume[...]

Document Conventions PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 4 Document Conventions W arnings and Notes These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User ’ s Guide. 1 W arnings tell you about things that could harm you or your device. " Notes tell you other import ant information (for example, other things yo u may need to configure or help ful [...]

Safety Warnings PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 5 Safety Warnings 1 For your safety , be sure to read and follow all warning notices and instructions. • Do NOT use this product near water , for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool. • Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids. • Do NOT store thin gs on the de[...]

Safety Warnings PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 6 This product is recyclable . Dispose of it properly .[...]

Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 7 Table of Contents About This User's Guide ........................................... ............................................................. .. 3 Document Conventions.................................................................. ......................................... .4 Safety War[...]

Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 8 3.6 About Screen ................... ............. ................ ............. ................ ............. ................ .... ......... 31 Chapter 4 Powerline Network Setup T utorial ...................................... ................................................... 33 4.0.1 Overview[...]

List of Figures PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 9 List of Figures Figure 1 Expand Y our Network with t he PLA-4xx ..... ............. ............. ................ ............. ............. ........ .. 15 Figure 2 Expand Y our Network with t he PLA-402 over Coaxial Cable Wiring ..................... ................ ... 16 Figure 3 .NET Framework [...]

List of Figure s PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 10[...]

List of Tables PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 11 List of Tables T able 1 Password Summary . ................ ................ ................ ............. ................ ................. ...... ............. 17 T able 2 Configuration Screen ..... ............. ................ ................. ................ ................ ............. . [...]

List of Tables PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 12[...]

13 P ART I The PLA-4xx Introducing the P LA-4xx (15) Installing the Configuration Utility (19) Managing Y our PLA-4xx (25) Powerline Network Setup T utorial (33) LEDs and T roubleshooting (43)[...]

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PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 15 C HAPTER 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the ma in applications and features of the PLA-400, PLA-401, PLA- 402 and PLA-470 HomePlug A V compliant powerline adapters. See Appendix A on page 51 for detailed product specifications for each model. In this User ’ s Guide PLA-400, PLA-401,[...]

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 16 1.2.1 Coaxial Cable Netw orks with the PLA- 402 The PLA-402 allows you to be mo re flexible in expanding your network by adding the coaxial cable capability . Figure 2 Expand Y our Network with the PL A-402 over Coaxial Cable Wirin g As well as being able to co nnect your PLA-402 to[...]

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 17 1.4.1 Passwords Y ou use two types of passwords in the H omePlug A V powerline network. The following table describes the differences between the passwords. 1.4.2 Setting Up Security Use the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to set up security on the PLA-4xx or other HomePlug A V[...]

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 18 1.5 Multiple Networks Multiple powerline networks can co exist on a single powerline circuit. Y ou might want to implement multiple power line networks in a small of fice environment where you have two separate Ethernet networks. 1 Connect one powerline adapter to a router or switch[...]

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 19 C HAPTER 2 Installing the Configuration Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configur ation utility for your PLA-4xx. 2.1 Overview of the Installation Process The installation of the configur ation utility does the following: 1 Checks for and installs Microsoft’ s .NET Framework version [...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 20 Figure 3 .NET Framework Installation Prompt 2 Review Microsoft’ s Lice nse Agreement , select I agr ee and click Install to proceed. Figure 4 Microsoft’ s Agreement 3 The next screen allows you to s ee the progress of the installation.[...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 21 Figure 5 .NET Framework Installation Process 4 Click OK to complete the installation process. Figure 6 Microsoft’ s Agreement 5 The Setup utility runs automatically . Click Ye s or Next to continue through the initial screen. Click Cancel only if you want to abort the[...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 22 6 Fill in the User Name and Company Name fields (optional). If you want the utility to be only available to the curren tly logged in user , select Only for me(...) . Otherw ise, click Next to continue and allow all user s to use the configuration utility . Figure 8 Cust[...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 23 Figure 10 Insta ll Begin Screen 9 When the installation is finished , a screen appears to c onfirm the InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to your comp uter . Click Finish to exit the wizard and restart your computer [...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 24[...]

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 25 C HAPTER 3 Managing Your PLA-4xx This chapter shows you how to use the config uration utility to manage security and update software on the PLA-4xxs in yo ur powerline network. 3.1 Overview The PLA-4xx is designed as a plu g-and-play network expan ding solution. This means that once you complete your hardware co nne[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PL A-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 26 3.1.1 Powerline Network Security When the PLA-4xxs communicate with each ot her , they use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the powerline network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot understa nd the message. The Ho meP[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 27 " Use the icon to view online help informa tion in each screen of the utility . Figure 14 Configuration Scre en The following table describes the labels in this screen. T able 2 Configuration Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Network T opology Use this to select which powerline network in[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PL A-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 28 3.4 Firmware Screen Use the Firmware screen to update the firmware on th e PLA-4xx directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility . Firmware is the software which is embedded in the PLA-4xx. This software contains processing instructions for how the PLA-4xx send[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 29 Figure 15 Firmware Scre en The following table describes the labels in this screen. 3.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rate s at which a specific PLA-4xx is communicating with other powerline adapters on yo ur powerline network. T able 3 Firmware Screen LAB[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PL A-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 30 Figure 16 Network Info Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. T able 4 Network Info Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifies which powerli ne net work information is displa yed. Different powerline networks are identified by th e Et hernet inter[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 31 3.6 About Screen Use the About screen to view informa tion regarding the configuration utility and firmware version of the PLA-4xx you are connected to. Clic k the icon in the top right corner of the utility to view the About screen. Figure 17 About Screen The following table describe[...]

Chapter 3 Managing Your PL A-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 32[...]

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 33 C HAPTER 4 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Use this tutorial to expand your existing powerline network. 4.0.1 Overview After setting up your first home powerline networ k (instructions for that are in the Quick Start Guide for your ZyXEL powerline adapter) you may want to extend the network or create a new one by a[...]

Chapter 4 P owerline Netw ork Setup T utorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 34 4.0.2 Import ant T erms 4.0.3 Accessing Y our Powerline Adapter 1 Attach the power cord that came in th e package to your powerline adapter . 2 Plug the power cord o f the powerline adapter you want to ad d to your network into a power socket and, if needed, switch the p[...]

Chapter 4 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 35 Figure 20 Click on the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon 6 Y ou are now ready to extend your po wer line network or set up a second network. • See Section 4.0.4 on page 35 to add a new powerline adapter to your network. • See Section 4.0.5 on page 37 to set up a[...]

Chapter 4 P owerline Netw ork Setup T utorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 36 Figure 22 Adding a New Adapter 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network password for your existin g network in the Network Pa ssword (NMK) field ( C ). Figure 23 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up. Figure[...]

Chapter 4 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 37 4.0.5 Setting Up a New Ne twork with a New Adapter This section shows you h ow to use your new powerline adapters to set up a new powerline network separate to your ex isting network. The figure below shows two p owerline networks in a house. The first network ( 1 ) shows t[...]

Chapter 4 P owerline Netw ork Setup T utorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 38 Figure 26 Making a New Network with the New Adapter 3 After you have set up a new network, you ar e ready to connec t each powerline adapter on your new network to devices, for exam ple, a computer or a games console. 4.0.6 S p litting a Netw ork into T wo Networks This [...]

Chapter 4 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 39 Figure 27 Local/Remote Adapters on a Powerline Ne twork 3 T o set up a new powerline network, type the DAK Password and change the Network Password (NMK) on all powerline adapters you wi sh to ad d to your network. • Look for the DAK Password on a label on your powerline [...]

Chapter 4 P owerline Netw ork Setup T utorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 40 Figure 29 Incorrect DAK or No DAK • If you have correctly entered the DAK Password , click OK on the pop-up. Figure 30 Correct DAK 5 The settings for the ad apter will now grey out and the adapter wil l disappear from the table next time you start up the configurator .[...]

Chapter 4 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 41 Figure 32 Adapters on a New Powerline Network • If you want to access any of your new powerline networks using the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility , change the Network Password (NMK) on your local adapter to the network password for the network you wa nt to access. T[...]

Chapter 4 P owerline Netw ork Setup T utorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 42[...]

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 43 C HAPTER 5 LEDs and Troubleshooting This chapter describes the LED behavior and offe rs some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter . 5.1 LEDs The following sections describes the LEDs (l ights) of the PLA-400 and PLA-402, the PLA- 401, and the PLA-47 0. 5.1.1 PLA-400/402 The following figure is the front[...]

Chapter 5 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 44 5.1.2 PLA-401 The following figure is the front panel of the PLA-4 01. Use the LEDs to determine if the PLA- 4xx is behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network. Figure 34 PLA-401 LEDs The following table describes the LED behavior . T able 7 PLA-401 L[...]

Chapter 5 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 45 Figure 35 PLA-470 LEDs The following table describes the LED behavior . 5.2 Power and LED Problems V The PLA-4xx does not turn on. None of the LEDs turn on. 1 Make sure you are using the power cord included with the PLA-4xx. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PLA-4xx an[...]

Chapter 5 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 46 1 Check the hardware connection s. See the Quick S tart Guide. 2 Inspect your cables for damage. Contact th e vendor to replace an y damaged cables. 3 Check the Ethernet adapter on your computer and make sure it’ s enabled and working properly . 4 If the PLA-4xx is connected to [...]

Chapter 5 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 47 • Inspect the LEDs on your PLA-4xx and make sure that the ETHN and LI NK LEDs are on or blinking. See Section 5.2 on page 45 for troubleshootin g LED related problems. 5.4 Powerline Problems V The signal on my powerline network is weak. 1 Y our powerline adapters may be connected[...]

Chapter 5 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 48[...]

49 P ART II Appendices and Index Product Specification s (51) Legal Information (55) Customer Support (59) Index (65)[...]

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PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 51 A PPENDIX A Product S pecifications The following tables summarize the PLA-4 xx’ s hardware and firmware features. T able 9 Hardware Specifications Dimensions (W x D x H) PLA-400/402 1 12 (L) mm x 106 (D) mm x 28.5 (H) mm PLA-470 162 (L) mm x 1 18 (D) mm x 40 (H) mm Power Input 100 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 0.12 A Eth[...]

Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 52 The following list , which is not exhaustive, illustrates the standa rds supported in the PLA-4xx. T able 10 Firmware Specifications FEATURE DESCRIPTION Powerline Functi onality The HomePlug A V st andard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical wiring. It[...]

Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 53 W all-mounting Instructions Complete the following step s to hang your PLA-400/402/470 on a wall. " See T able 9 on p age 51 for the size of screws to use and how far ap art to place them. 1 Select a high position on a sturdy wa ll that is free of obstructions. 2 Drill two hole[...]

Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 54 Cable Pin Assignment s RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignment s Figure 37 RJ-45 Connector Pins T able 13 RJ-45 Connector P in Assignme nts PIN NO RJ-45 SIGNAL ASSIGNMENT 1 RxD + 2 RxD - 3 TxD + 4 Not connected 5 Not connected 6 TxD - 7 Not connected 8 Not connected[...]

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 55 A PPENDIX B Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2006 by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. The contents of this publication may not be reprod uced in any part or as a whole, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, tran slated into any language, or transmitted in any form or by any means, el ectronic, mechanic[...]

Appendix B Legal In formation PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 56 If this device does cause harmful inte rference to radio/television reception, which can be determined by turning th e device off and on, the user is enc ouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: 1 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. 2 [...]

Appendix B Legal Information PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 57 ZyXEL Limited W arranty ZyXEL warrants to the original en d user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in materials or workmansh ip for a period of up to two ye ars from the date of purchase. Du ring the warranty period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product hav[...]

Appendix B Legal In formation PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 58[...]

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 59 A PPENDIX C Customer Support Please have the following information r eady when you contact customer support. Required Information • Product model and serial number . • W arranty Information. • Date that you received your de vice. • Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solv e it. “+”[...]

Appendix C Custo mer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 60 • Re g u l a r M a i l : ZyXEL C ommunications, Czech s.r .o., Modranská 621, 143 01 Praha 4 - Modrany , Ceská Republika Denmark • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.dk • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.dk • T elephone: +45-39-55-07-00 • Fax: +45-39-55-07-07 • W eb: www .zyxel.dk • [...]

Appendix C Customer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 61 India • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.in • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.in • T elephone: +91-1 1-30888144 to +91 -11-308 88153 • Fax: +91-1 1-30888149, +91 -11-2 6810715 • W eb: http://www .zyxel.in • Re g u l a r M a i l : India - ZyXEL T e chnology Indi a Pvt Ltd. , I I - F l o[...]

Appendix C Custo mer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 62 • Re g u l ar M ai l : ZyXEL Communications In c., 1130 N. Miller St., Anaheim, CA 92806- 2001, U.S.A. Norway • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.no • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.no • T elephone: +47-22-80-61-80 • Fax: +47-22-80-61-81 • W eb: www .zyxel.no • Re g u l ar M a il : [...]

Appendix C Customer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 63 Sweden • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.se • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.se • T elephone: +46-31-744-7700 • Fax: +46-31-744-7701 • W eb: www .zyxel.se • Re g u la r Ma i l : ZyXEL Communications A/S, Sjöporten 4, 41764 Götebor g , Sweden Thailand • Support E-mail: support@zyx[...]

Appendix C Custo mer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 64[...]

Index PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 65 Index Symbols .NET Framework 19 A about screen 31 Advanced Encryption S tandard, see AES 15 AES 17 , 25 AES (Advanced Encryption S tandard) 15 applications 15 , 16 C cable coaxial 16 cabling type 51 CE 52 certifications 52 , 55 notices 56 viewing 56 coaxial cable 16 configuration screen 26 connections overview[...]

Index PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 66 M MAC address 27 management multiple networks 17 overview 25 managing the device using the web configurator . See web configurator . multiple networks 18 N network example 25 network information 29 network ports 51 P Parameter Information Block, see PIB 28 passw ords 26 , 27 , 28 types of 17 PIB (Parameter Inf[...]