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ZyXEL PLA4215 manual

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  • Page 1

    www .zyxel.com www .zyxel.com PLA4215 500Mbps Powerline Pass-Thru Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Copyright © 201 1 ZyXEL Communications Corporation Edition 1, 9/2011[...]

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    [...]

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    About This User's Gui de PLA4215 User’s Guide 3 About This User's Guide IMPORT ANT! READ CAREFULL Y BEFORE USE. KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. Intended Audience This manual is intended for people who want to configure the PLA4215 using the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility version 5.2.0. Y ou should ha ve your basic Internet a[...]

  • Page 4

    Document Conventions PLA4215 User’s Gui de 4 Document Conventions W arnings and Notes These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User’ s Guide. W arnings tell you about things that could harm you or your device. Note: Notes tell y ou other important information (for example, other things you ma y need to configure or helpful tips) or re[...]

  • Page 5

    Document Conventions PLA4215 User’s Guide 5 Icons Used in Figures Figures in this User’s Guide ma y use the following generic icons. The icons used may not be an exact representation of your device. PLA4215 Computer Intern et Modem / Router Printer Notebook TV[...]

  • Page 6

    Safety Warnings PLA4215 User’s Gui de 6 Safety Warnings • Do NOT use this pro duct near water , for example, in a wet basement or near a swimmi ng pool. • Do NOT expose y our device to da mpness, dust or c orrosive liquids. • Do NOT stor e things on the device. • Do NOT i nstall, use, or service this device during a thunderst orm. There i[...]

  • Page 7

    Table of Contents PLA4215 User’s Guide 7 Table of Contents About This User's Guide ................................................. ..................................................... ................ 3 Document Conventions ........ .................................................... ............................................... ......[...]

  • Page 8

    Table of Contents PLA4215 User’s Gui de 8 4.1 Overview ... ................ ................ ................ ............. ................ ................ ................. . ........................ . 26 4.1.1 Powerline Netw ork Security .......... ................ ............. ................ ................ ............. .......... .....[...]

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    9 P ART I User ’ s Guide[...]

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    10[...]

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    PLA4215 User’s Guide 11 C HAPTER 1 Introducing the PLA4215 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the main applications an d features of the PLA4215 HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter . This chapter introduces the main applications an d features of the PLA4215 HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter . In this User’s Guide the electrical wiri[...]

  • Page 12

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA421 5 PLA4215 User’s Gui de 12 Connect your PLA4215 to an Interne t gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA4215 into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA4215 for Internet access. Y our network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLA[...]

  • Page 13

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA4215 PLA4215 User’s Guide 13 1.4.2 Setting Up Security The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if your powerline devices have the ENCRYPT button. If your devices do not have the ENCRYPT button , use the PLA42xx Series Co nfiguration Utility to set up security on t[...]

  • Page 14

    PLA4215 User’s Guide 14 C HAPTER 2 Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configur ation utility for your PLA4215. 2.1 Overview of the Inst allation Process The installation of the configur ation utility does the following: 1 Checks for and installs Microsoft’ s .NET Framework version 2.0 software on y ou[...]

  • Page 15

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 15 1 Insert the included CD-ROM into your comp uter’ s CD-ROM drive. The Setup utility runs automatically . Alternatively this can also be done manually by double clicking the setup.exe file on the CD. A prompt appears asking you to install th e .NE T Framew ork version 2. 0. R eview Microso[...]

  • Page 16

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 16 4 If you want the utility to be only availabl e to the currently logged in user , select Only for me(...) . 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 locat[...]

  • Page 17

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 17 When you plug the PLA4215 into an electric socket, it waits for an Ethernet connection. When no connection is detected after sixty (60) seconds, the Power LED blinks indic ating that it is going into Low Power mode. The same process occurs when you disconnect th e PLA4215 from a previously [...]

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    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 18[...]

  • Page 19

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

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    20[...]

  • Page 21

    PLA4215 User’s Guide 21 C HAPTER 3 The ENCRYPT Button Use the ENCRYPT button to automatically set up a secure powerline connection between your powerline devices. 3.1 ENCR YPT Button Overview The ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure powerline connection with other HomePlug A V compliant powerline devices which also support the ENCRYPT fea[...]

  • Page 22

    Chapter 3 The ENCRYPT Button PLA4215 User’s Gui de 22 2 Press the ENCRYPT button at the side of your powerline device for 1~2 seconds. The power ( ) light will blink as the powerline device tries to set up a connection. Figure 7 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure Note: The ENCRY PT button’ s location v aries for each Powerl ine model. 3 Re pe a t s t[...]

  • Page 23

    Chapter 3 The ENCRYPT Button PLA4215 User’s Guide 23 5 Then repeat steps 2 and 3 in this section using any powerline device ( A or B ) you have connected using ENCRYPT and the powerline device you w ant to connect ( C ). Y ou must u se the ENCRY PT button on both devices. Figure 8 Adding More P owerline Adapters to Y our Network 6 If you disconne[...]

  • Page 24

    Chapter 3 The ENCRYPT Button PLA4215 User’s Gui de 24 F or example, you hav e already set up a powerline network in y our home ( A ) which accesses a printer ( B ). Now you want a separate powerline network connection from your laptop to your printer ( C ). Figure 9 One Existing Powerline Network 1 Click the ENCRYPT button on ( A ) for more than [...]

  • Page 25

    Chapter 3 The ENCRYPT Button PLA4215 User’s Guide 25 Congratulations. Y ou now hav e two separate powerline network s as shown above. If the HomePlug ( ) lights on both pow e rl i ne d ev ic e s do not light up, t he p ow e rl i ne de v ic e s are not connected. Repeat the connecti on process, making certain you press the ENCRYPT buttons for the [...]

  • Page 26

    PLA4215 User’s Guide 26 C HAPTER 4 The Configuration Utility 4.1 Overview This chapter shows you how to use the Configuration Utility (or Utility) to secure, manage and set up Quality of Service (QoS) on your powerline network. The PLA4215 is designed as a plug-and -play networ k expanding solution. This means that once you complete your hardware[...]

  • Page 27

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 27 By default the PLA4215s are all configured with the network name HomePlugAV , this allows you to simply plug the devices in and not worry about se tting up security . If you w ant to enhance the security on your powerline network, you can change the network name on the powerline adapters[...]

  • Page 28

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 28 Note: Use the icon to view online he lp information in each screen of the utility . Figure 13 Configuration Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. T able 3 Configuration Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Network T opology Use this to sele ct which powerline netw ork inf[...]

  • Page 29

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 29 4.4 Firmware Screen Use the Firmware screen to update the firmware on the PLA4215 directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility . Firmware is the software which is embedded in the PLA4215. This software contains proce ssing instructions for how the PLA4215 sends an[...]

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    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 30 Note: Be sure to upload the correct mode l firmw are as uploading the wrong model firmw are ma y damag e your devi ce. Figure 14 Firmware Screen 4.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA4215 is communicating with other powerline adapte[...]

  • Page 31

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 31 The following table describes the labels in this screen. 4.6 Advanced Screen Note: This f eature is only available with the latest version utility . Go to the ZyXEL website to download the latest utility and firm ware for your Z yXEL HomePlug AV adapter . Y ou can configure the powerline[...]

  • Page 32

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 32 messages FROM your powerline adapter are sent in your powerline network. T ransmissions TO your powerline adapter do not receive an y priority . For example, if y ou have a file server on your home network to deliv er music and movie files to computers in your home, you should set the [...]

  • Page 33

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 33 • Although device E receives audio or movie files, it does not send a lot of tr affic, so the powerline adaptor attached to it can be set to a low priority . Figure 16 Priority Settings Use this screen to configure priority settings fo r tr affic from the powerline adapters on your net[...]

  • Page 34

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 34 The following table describes the labels in this screen. 4.7 About Screen Use the About screen to view information regarding the configuration utility and firmw are version of the PLA4215 you are connected to. Click the icon in the top right corner of the utility to view the About scre[...]

  • Page 35

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Guide 35 The following table describes the labels in this screen. T able 7 About Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Utility version: This field displays the soft ware version of the configuration utilit y . Firmware version This field displays the fi rmw are version of the devi ce you selected in th e Devi[...]

  • Page 36

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4215 User’s Gui de 36[...]

  • Page 37

    PLA4215 User’s Guide 37 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 yXEL powerline adapter) you ma y wa nt to extend the network or create a new one by adding [...]

  • Page 38

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Gui de 38 5.2 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 19 Plug Y our P owerline Adapter into a Power Socket 2 Connect the powerline adapter to your computer . 3 [...]

  • Page 39

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Guide 39 •S e e Section 5.5 on page 42 to set up a second network with your existing adapters. 5.3 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 [...]

  • Page 40

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Gui de 40 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Name field ( C ). Figure 24 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 25 Network Name Pop-up 5 Y our new adapter will now ha[...]

  • Page 41

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Guide 41 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 26 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network 1 Connect your new powerline adapter and op en the configur ation utility [...]

  • Page 42

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Gui de 42 5.5 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 26 on [...]

  • Page 43

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Guide 43 • Then type the new network name in the Network Name field. Figure 29 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 Password correctly in the [...]

  • Page 44

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Gui de 44 5 The settings for the adapter will now grey out and the adapter will disappear from the table after a few minutes. Figure 32 An Adapter on Y our New Network 6 Go ba ck t o s te p 3 in this section to set the same, new Network Name for all remote adapters you want to add to y ou[...]

  • Page 45

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Guide 45 • 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.[...]

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    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User’s Gui de 46[...]

  • Page 47

    PLA4215 User’s Guide 47 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 PLA4215. The following figure is the front panel of the PLA4 215. Use the lights to d etermine if the P[...]

  • Page 48

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA4215 User’s Gui de 48 The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA4215. 6.2 Power and Light Problems The PLA4215 does not turn on. None of the lights turn on. 1 Make sure you are using the power cord included with the PLA4215. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PLA4215 and [...]

  • Page 49

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA4215 User’s Guide 49 3 Disconnect and re-connect the power cord to the PLA4215. 4 R emove the powerline adapter from the outlet. Then connect an electrical device that you know works into the same power outlet. This checks the status of th e power outlet. 5 If the problem continues, contact the v endor . The [...]

  • Page 50

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA4215 User’s Gui de 50 The POWER and HomePlug light bl ink at the same time. • Y ou have pressed the ENCRYPT button for more than three seconds. T ry setting up a connection again, this time pressing the ENCRYPT buttons on both devices for less than three seconds. 6.3 Configuration Utility Problems The PLA4[...]

  • Page 51

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA4215 User’s Guide 51 3 Y our powerline adapters may be placed close to electrical devices such as electrical insect-killers which produce radio wa ves. These may interfere wi th the powerline signals. Move the adapters further awa y from such electrical devices. 4 Y our wiri ng may be old and/or low qu ality [...]

  • Page 52

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA4215 User’s Gui de 52 The POWER lights on both devices blink, then many lig hts blink and the HomePlug light b links red. Do not worry , the connection process is proceeding normally . The POWER lights on both devices finished blin king, but only one devi ce’ s HomePlug light is on. One device may hav e co[...]

  • Page 53

    PLA4215 User’s Guide 53 A PPENDIX A Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2011 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, m[...]

  • Page 54

    Appendix A Legal Information PLA4215 User’s Gui de 54 • This device must accept any interference re ceived, including interference that may cause undesired oper ations. This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to P art 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are de signed to prov ide reason[...]

  • Page 55

    Appendix A Legal Informa tion PLA4215 User’s Guide 55 This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Viewing Certifications 1 Go to http://www .zyxel.com . 2 Select your product on the Z yXEL home page to go to that product's page. 3 Select th[...]

  • Page 56

    Appendix A Legal Information PLA4215 User’s Gui de 56[...]

  • Page 57

    Index PLA4215 User’s Guide 57 Index Symbols .NET Framework 14 A about screen 34 Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 11 AES 12 , 26 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 11 applications 11 C certifications 53 notices 54 viewing 55 configuration screen 27 connections overview 12 copyright 53 D DAK 26 , 28 DAK (Data Access Password) 12 Data Access P [...]

  • Page 58

    Index PLA4215 User’s Gui de 58 multiple networks 13 N network example 26 network information 30 P Par ameter Information Block, see PIB 29 passwords 26 , 28 , 29 types of 12 PIB (P arameter Information Block) 29 plug-and-play 26 priority settings 31 application type 32 priority levels 34 private network 12 problems and solutions 47 product regist[...]