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ZyXEL PLA4111 manual

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  • Page 1

    Quick Start Guide www .zyxel.com PLA Series P owerline Ethernet Adapter Utility V ersion 6.0.1 Edition 1, 03/2013 Default Network Name : HomePlugAV Copyright © 2013 Z yXEL Communications Corpor ation User’s Guide[...]

  • Page 2

    PLA Series User’s Guide 2 IMPORT ANT! READ CAREFULL Y BEFORE USE. KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. Note: This guide is a re ference for a ser ies of products. Therefore some features or options in this guide ma y not be av ailable in your product. Screenshots and graphics in this book may differ sl ightly from your product due to differences[...]

  • Page 3

    Table of Contents PLA Series User’s Guide 3 Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................. ..................................................... ........... ................ 3 Part I: User ’ s Guide .............. .............................. .............................. ................. 5 Chapter 1 I[...]

  • Page 4

    Table of Contents PLA Series User’s Guide 4 4.4 Firmware Screen ... ................ ............. ................ ................ ............. ................ ............. .......... .......... 25 4.5 Network Info Screen . ............. ................ ................ ............. ................ ................ ........... ......... .[...]

  • Page 5

    5 P ART I User ’ s Guide[...]

  • Page 6

    6[...]

  • Page 7

    PLA Series User’s Guide 7 C HAPTER 1 Introducing the PLA 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the main applications an d features of y our Z yXEL HomePlug AV co mpliant powerline adapter , which is called “PLA ” in this guide. The following generic icon is used to represent all PLA models. In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring netw ork[...]

  • Page 8

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 8 transfer r ates. The PLA uses 128-bit Advanced Encryp tion Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information. Figure 1 Expand Y our Netwo rk with the PLA Connect your PLA to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA into[...]

  • Page 9

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 9 1.4.1 Passwords Y ou use two types of passwords in the HomePlug A V powerline network. The following table describes the differences between the passwords. 1.4.2 Setting Up Security The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if your powerli[...]

  • Page 10

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 10 1.5 Multiple Networks Multiple powerline networks ca n coexist on a single powerline circuit. Y ou might want to implement multiple powerline networks in a small office en vironment where y ou have two separ ate Ethernet networks. 1 Connect one powerline adapter to a router or switch on the[...]

  • Page 11

    PLA Series User’s Guide 11 C HAPTER 2 Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installati on of the configur ation utility for your PLA. 2.1 System Requirement s At the time of writing, th e ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility is compatible with: • Windows XP (32-bit version) • Windows XP (64-bit version) (you ma y need t[...]

  • Page 12

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 12 Note: If you alre ady have .NE T Fram ewor k vers ion 2 .0 in stal led o n your comp ute r this step will be skipp ed. Figure 2 .NET Framework Installation Prompt 2 The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation. Figure 3 .NET Framework Installation Process 3 The Setu[...]

  • Page 13

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 13 4 If you want the utility to be only availabl e to the currently logged in user , select Just m e . Otherwise, click Everyone to allow all users to use the configuration utility . Click Next to install the utility to the default folder , or click Browse to specify a different location on[...]

  • Page 14

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 14 6 Click Close to exit the wizard. Figure 7 Installation Complete Note: Y ou may be asked to restart your comput er when the installation is complete. Click “Y es” to restart your computer . If you select “No , I will restart m y computer later” , you wi ll not be able to laun ch [...]

  • Page 15

    15 P ART II T echnical Reference[...]

  • Page 16

    16[...]

  • Page 17

    PLA Series User’s Guide 17 C HAPTER 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button Use the RESET/EN CRYPT button to automatically set up a secure powerline connection between your powerline devices. 3.1 RESET/ENCR YPT Button Overview The RESET/ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure powerline connection with other HomePlug A V compliant powerline devices which [...]

  • Page 18

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA Series User’s Guide 18 1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button at the side of your powerline device for 0.5 to 3 seconds. The power ( ) light will blink as the powerline device tries to set up a connection with a new random network name. Figure 8 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure Note: The RESET/ENCRYPT button’s loca[...]

  • Page 19

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button PLA Series User’s Guide 19 4 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both powerline devices ( A and D , B and D or C and D ) for 0.5 to 3 seconds to add powerline device D . This mu st be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the RESET /ENCRYPT button on the PLA. Figure 9 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Y [...]

  • Page 20

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA Series User’s Guide 20 1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device C for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it. This disconnects C from the current network. 2 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device D for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it. This disconnects D from the current network. 3 Pre[...]

  • Page 21

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button PLA Series User’s Guide 21 3.4 RESET/ENCR YPT Button Behavior The following table summarizes the actions that occur when the RESET /ENCRYPT button is pressed for specific lengths of time. Note: The network name is unknown when you use the RE SET/ENCRYPT button. See T roubleshooting in Chap ter 6 on page 45 for s[...]

  • Page 22

    PLA Series User’s Guide 22 C HAPTER 4 The Configuration Utility 4.1 Overview This chapter shows you how to use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (or utility) to secure, manage and set up Quality of Se rvice (QoS) on your powerline network. The PLA is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you complet[...]

  • Page 23

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 23 For the powerline adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the same network name. This network name allows the powerline ad apters to understand the encrypted information sent in the powerline network. By default the PLAs are all configured with the network name Ho[...]

  • Page 24

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 24 4.3 Configuration Screen Use the Config uration screen to see which devices are recognized by your powerline network, to configure your PLA and to set up a secure powerline network by changing the powerline network name. This screen opens up when you launch the utility . Figure 14 Co[...]

  • Page 25

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 25 4.4 Firmware Screen Use the Firmware screen to update the firmware on the PLA directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility . Firmware is the software which is embedded in the PLA. This software contains processing instructions for how the PLA sends and receives[...]

  • Page 26

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 26 Note: Be sure to upload the correct mode l firmw are as uploading the wrong model firmw are may damag e your de vice. Figure 15 Firmware Screen 4.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA is communicating with other powerline adapters [...]

  • Page 27

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 27 The following table describes the labels in this screen. 4.6 Advanced Screen Y ou can configure the powerline adapters on your network to giv e priority to network traffic depending on its importance. When you set the prio rity of a powerline adapter , you set how quickly messages FRO[...]

  • Page 28

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 28 On the other hand, a powerline adapter attached to a printer should ha ve a low priority setting since the slow delivery of messages will not affect the print job. Similarly , if you want to prioritize any downloads from the Internet, set the priority on the powerline adapter attache[...]

  • Page 29

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 29 Use this screen to configure priority settings fo r tr affic from the powerline adapters on your network. Figure 18 Advanced Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. T a ble 7 Advanced Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifi es which powerline ne tw[...]

  • Page 30

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 30 4.7 About Screen Use the About screen to view information regarding the configuration utility and firmw are version of the PLA you are connected to. Click the icon in the top right corner of the utility to view the About screen. Figure 19 About Scre en The following table describes t[...]

  • Page 31

    PLA Series User’s Guide 31 C HAPTER 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.1 Overview Use this tutorial to expand your existing powerline network. After setting up your first home powerline netwo rk (instructions for that are in the Quick Start Guide for your Z y XEL powerline adapter) you may w a nt to extend the network or create a new one by add[...]

  • Page 32

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 32 5.3 Accessing Y our Powerline Adapter 1 Plug the powerline adapter you w ant to add to yo ur network into a power socket and, if n eeded, switch the power socket on. Figure 20 Plug Y our Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket 2 Connect the powerline adapter to your computer . 3[...]

  • Page 33

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 33 5.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter This section shows you how to add a new powerlin e adapter to expand yo ur existing network. The figure below shows the family computer with Internet access on a powerline network. Expand the network by adding a new power line adapter connected to[...]

  • Page 34

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 34 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Name field ( C ). Figure 25 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 26 Network Name Pop-up 5 Y our new adapter will now [...]

  • Page 35

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 35 Internet access but with a media adapter such as the Z yXEL DMA-1100P y ou can use your TV to watch movies and play games which are stored on a computer . Figure 27 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network 1 Connect your new powerline adapter and op en the configur ation utili[...]

  • Page 36

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 36 5.6 S plitting a Network into T wo Networks This section shows you how to split your existing network into two netwo rks. This is useful if you want to set up a second powerline network in yo ur home, for example, in your study connecting a laptop and printer . See Figure 27 o[...]

  • Page 37

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 37 Figure 30 Adding an Adapter to Y our New Network 4 Click Save. • If you do not type the DAK password or type it incorrectly either of the following pop-ups appear . Click OK and type the DAK Pas sword correctly in the DAK Password field. Figure 31 Incorrect DAK or No DAK • [...]

  • Page 38

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 38 5 The settings for the adapter will now grey out and the adapter will disappear from the table after a few minutes. Figure 33 An Adapter on Y our New Network 6 Go ba ck t o s t ep 3 in this section to set the same, new Network Name for all remote adapters you want to add to y [...]

  • Page 39

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 39 • Check you ha ve entered the correct network name for your networ k. • Check your powerline adapter is connected to the same electrical circuit as other powerline adapters on your network.[...]

  • Page 40

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 40[...]

  • Page 41

    PLA Series User’s Guide 41 C HAPTER 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting This chapter describes the behavior of the LEDs (lights) and offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter . 6.1 LEDs The following sections describes the lights on the PLA. The following figure is the front pa nel of the PLA. Use the lights to determine if the PLA is [...]

  • Page 42

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA Series User’s Guide 42 HomePlug Green On The PLA detects another po werline adapter . The data transfer rate is greater than 4 0 Mbps. Amber The PLA detects another powerl ine adapter . The data transfer rate is between 12~40 Mbps. Red The PLA detects anot her powerl ine adapter . The data transfer rate is [...]

  • Page 43

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA Series User’s Guide 43 6.2 Power and Light Problems The PLA does not turn on. None of the lights turn on. 1 Make sur e you ar e us in g th e po we r cord included with the PLA. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PL A and plugged in to an appropriate power source. Make sure the power source is tur[...]

  • Page 44

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA Series User’s Guide 44 4 Make sure that all your powerline adapters are HomePlug A V compliant. Check the package it came in or ask your vendor . This PLA can not detect ear lier versions of HomePlug powerline adapters such as HomePlug 1.0 or 1.0.1. (Although they can coexist on the same electrical wiring w[...]

  • Page 45

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA Series User’s Guide 45 6.4 Powerline Problems The signal on my powerline network is weak. 1 Y our powerline adapters may be connected to electrical surge protectors. Connect them to standard power outlets. 2 Y our powerline adapters may be located close to large appliances such as refriger ators or air- cond[...]

  • Page 46

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA Series User’s Guide 46 The ENCRYPT process has failed. Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both devices for 5 to 8 seconds, then try to reconnect. The POWER lights on both devices blink when I press the RESET/ENCRYPT butt ons, but the HomePlug light does not turn on. • Ensure you hav e pressed the RESET/ENC[...]

  • Page 47

    PLA Series User’s Guide 47 A PPENDIX A Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2013 by Z yXEL Communications Corporation. The contents of this publication may not be repr oduced in any part or as a whole, tr anscribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into an y language, or transmitted in any form or by an y means, electronic, mechanical[...]

  • Page 48

    Appendix A Legal Information PLA Series User’s Guide 48 1 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. 2 Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver . 3 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiv er is connected. 4 Consult the dealer or an experienced r adio/TV technician for help. [...]

  • Page 49

    Appendix A Legal Informa tion PLA Series User’s Guide 49 distributor for details about the W arranty P eriod of this product. During the warrant y period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product ha ve indications of failure due to faulty workman ship and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products [...]

  • Page 50

    Appendix A Legal Information PLA Series User’s Guide 50[...]

  • Page 51

    Index PLA Series User’s Guide 51 Index A about screen 30 AC P ass- Through 7 Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 7 AES 9 , 22 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 7 applications 7 C certifications 47 notices 48 viewing 48 configuration screen 24 configuration utility 8 connections overview 8 copyright 47 D DAK 9 , 22 , 24 DAK (Data Access Passwor[...]

  • Page 52

    PLA Series User’s Guide 52 Index overview 22 managing the device using the utility maximum PHY rate 7 multiple networks 10 N network example 22 network information 26 Network Name 9 network name 21 O other documentation 2 P Par ameter Information Block, see PIB 25 pass-through 7 passwords 22 , 24 , 25 types of 9 PIB (P arameter Information Block)[...]