IOGear GHPB21 manual

HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge User Manual (GHPB21)[...]

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Thank you for purchasing one of the most user-friendly networking devices on the market. IOGEAR’ s HomePlug to Ethernet Bridges are first-class networking devices designed to network your computers at home (or in your small office). This device allows you to set up your home network via the most pervasive medium in your house – the home power l[...]

Table of Contents Overview Features Requirements Introduction Installation Network Configuration Networking Basics - Network Setup Wizard - Checking IP Address - Assign a Static IP address - Sharing Disks/Folders - Sharing Printers - Accessing the Internet T roub leshooting 02 03 04 05 07 14 27 27 38 40 43 48 59 63 T echnical Suppor t Product Speci[...]

Overview IOGEAR's HomePlug Powerline Network Ethernet Bridge allows you to network your home comput- ers through the electric power lines in the house. Setting up a home network has never been so simple, just connect y our computer to the HomePlug Br idge via the CA T5 patch cable provided in the package , and then plug the power end to your A[...]

Features • No extra wires, using the most pervasive medium in your home - power lines • Allows multiple computers to share Internet access, printers, and other resources through the power lines • V e ry easy and intuitive to set up and install • HomePlug P owerline Specification 1.0 compliant • Up to 14 Mbps bandwidth • Up to 990' [...]

• A vailable A C power outlets in the room. • Standard home power line wiring. • Computers with 10/100Base-T adapters, or 10/100Base-T switch/hub. • When used as a node: Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP . • When used as a bridge: any operating system (OS transparent). Requirements 4 System Requirements[...]

IOGEAR's HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge allows you to network your computers via your existing home power lines. It offers a data transmission speed of up to 14 Mbps, and reaches up to 990 feet through standard power lines. Package contents: 1. HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge 2. CA T5 patch cable 3. Power cable 4. User Manual 5. Warranty Registration[...]

Introduction 6 Front Vi ew: (Drawing) 1. Power LED - lights up in green when plugged into a power outlet 2. Collision LED - lights up in green whenever there is collision 3. Link LED - lights up in green after plugged into a power outlet 4. ACT LED - blinks in green when there is network activity 5. LINK/ACT LED - blinks when data is sent through H[...]

Installation There are several ways to network your computers using the HomePlug Bridge. Before we get started, please NOTE: Do not place HomePlug devices under direct sunlight or near high heat emitting devices; Do not place HomePlug devices near water or wet surfaces to avoid electric hazards; Do not place HomePlug devices on any moving or unstab[...]

If you plan to use this unit as a NODE, not as a BRIDGE (refer to the Network Terms for details): 1. Remove the HomePlug Bridge, the power cord, the CAT5 cable and the installation CD from the package. 2. Allocate a space for the adapter's placement. Make sure you avoid the places mentioned on the previous page. 3. Make sure that your HomePlug[...]

Installation 6. Read, understand and accept the License Agreement and Con- tinue by clicking Next. 9[...]

Installation 7. Enter a username and organiza- tion name, and continue installa- tion. (Username and Organization have no importance in device op- eration. This window might look slightly different on other platforms.) 10[...]

8. Click Install to start the Installa- tion Wizard: 11 Installation[...]

9. After the installation is successful, a window will pop up prompting for the installation of the HomePlug Bridge. Plug in the CA T5 cable, one end into the Ethernet port on the HomePlug Bridge, the other end into an available network port on your computer. Please verify that the green Power LED and Link LED on the HomePlug Bridge light up. Insta[...]

13 Installation 10. Y ou hav e reached the end of your installation. Please restart your computer for changes to go into effect.[...]

After restarting the computer, you can see the HomePlug utility icon. 1. Double click the icon to start the HomePlug Configuration utility . The utility is used to configure the HomePlug. 14 Network Configuration[...]

15 2. Once the utility starts, it will display the MAC address of the device your computer is connected to as well as the signal strength. Network Configuration[...]

3. The Network tab displays the additional HomePlug devices on the network. Click on the “Scan” button to scan for additional devices on the HomePlug network. 16 Network Configuration[...]

4. The Security tab displays the Network Password. The default Network Password is HomePlug. 17 Network Configuration[...]

5. The Advanced tab is where you can set the Network Password on all of the HomePlug devices at once . This wa y , you don’t ha v e to connect to each device and set the password one by one. Network Password – Displays the Network Password. Device Password – This is where you enter the password located on the bottom of you HomePlug device. On[...]

6. This screen displays the version number of the utility . Clic k OK to complete the configuration. 19 Network Configuration[...]

7. Go to network connection, you can see that the CA T5 connection is enabled and that the ACT LED in the unit blinks. Network Configuration 20[...]

Network T erms What is a node? A node is any given de vice that resides or is connected onto an existing network. A computer with a network card connected to a switch is a node. The same thing applies to a Mac connected to a hub. What is a bridge? A bridge is used when connecting one side of the network with another network. Pre viously , connectin[...]

22 Network Configuration Y ou will hav e to use bridges to connect two Macintoshes, because the utility software is only compatib le with Windows-based computers. Can I use both in the same network? Y es. It is possible to hav e both nodes and bridges on a network as long as there is only a maximum of 16 bridges. It is also fine to have USB nodes o[...]

a. Using the HomePlug to USB Adapter ONL Y 23 Network Configuration[...]

24 Network Configuration b. Using the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (Node Mode) (Several HomePlug Bridges can be used)[...]

25 Network Configuration c. Using the HomePlug USB Adapter AND Ether net Br idge (Node Mode)[...]

d. Using the HomePlug Ethernet bridge to make a sub network HomePlug ready to communicate with the other HomePlug nodes. (Maximum 16 Homeplug Bridges can be used.) 26 Network Configuration[...]

Prior to installing HomePlug, you may have had some ideas about using your new network. This section will help you get started on those ideas or even give you some new ones. It will go through the process of sharing files, printing from any computer on the network, or accessing the Internet on multiple computers with one connection. Please note tha[...]

Click "Next" in the window(right) for the Network Setup Wizard. 28 Networking Basics[...]

Read and follow the instructions in the following window and then click "Next". 29 Networking Basics[...]

In the follo wing window, select among the 3 options which best describe this computer and then click "Next". If your computer connects to a broadband router/ gatew ay , select the second option. 30 Networking Basics[...]

Fill in the information in the following window as you desire and then click "Next”. 31 Networking Basics[...]

Enter the Workgroup name as you wish and then click "Ne xt". (V er y important: All computers on your network should have the same Workgroup. Networking Basics 32[...]

Review the setting in the following screen, and click "Next" to continue. If you want to change any settings, you need to click "Back" and start over again. 33 Networking Basics[...]

Please wait while the Network Setup Wiz- ard applies the changes and configures the computer . 34 Networking Basics[...]

When the configuration is done, the follow- ing screen will come up. Select one of the 4 options according to your needs. (In this example, the last choice was selected.) Click “Next.” Networking Basics 35[...]

Networking Basics 36 Then click "Finish" on this next window .[...]

The new setting will tak e eff ect after you restart the computer. Click "Y es" to restar t the computer . Congratulations, y ou have completed configuring this computer! After setting up networks on all your computers on the network, you will be able to use your HomePlug network to share files, printers, and Internet connections. Network[...]

T opic 2: Chec king IP ad- dresses in Windows XP/ 2000 Go to Start>Programs>Accessories> Command Prompt. Networking Basics 38[...]

T ype "ipconfig" at the prompt, then press Enter . Y ou will see the IP address of this computer. Networking Basics 39[...]

T opic 3: Assigning a Static IP Ad dress (Note: If you use DHCP-capable gatew a y/router , you don't need to assign any static IP addresses because the gateway/router will automatically as- sign IP addresses to the computers on the net- work.) Go to Star t>Settings>Control P anel>Networ k Connections>Local Area Connection Right cli[...]

At the f ollowing window , select "Use the following IP address:", and fill in the desired IP address and subnet mask (it is recommended to use the default subnet mask as shown in the follo wing window . Subnet mask must be the same for all the computers on the network.) If you need to enter DNS address, you must enter the address of the [...]

Click "Close" on the Local Area Connection Properties window. You have completed static IP address assignment. Networking Basics 42[...]

Topic 4. Sharing Disks/Folders Once the network has been checked / configured, you can access other systems via "My Network Places". T o allow other systems to access data on your disks / in y our folders , y ou hav e to give permission to share your disks and/or folders. 1. Select the disk (or the folder) to be shared (for example in &qu[...]

Networking Basics 44 Once you have selected the folder to be shared, right-click to select “sharing and secu- rity . ”[...]

Networking Basics 45 2. In the following window , click to select "Share this folder". Then click on "Permission".[...]

Networking Basics 3. Please note that by default, all users defined on your XP Professional system will have full permissions. You can reduce the permissions (for example to allow only Read-access) and/or you could add a different group of users to have access permission (but then you should delete the group "Everyone" from this list). In[...]

Networking Basics 4. Click OK on the original Sharing and Security window to conclude the process. 5. Once a disk or folder is shared, the icon will show it via the "holding hand.” 47[...]

Networking Basics 48 T opic 5. Share Printers Y ou may now share an y installed printers connected to this computer with other computers on your net- work. 1. Using the computer that has the printer already connected to it, go to: Star t > Control Panel > Print- ers and Faxes. Click on the printer you want to share with others on the network [...]

2. In the f ollowing window , click on "Share this Printer" and type in the share name you would lik e. After this is done, click on "Ap- ply" and then "OK". Networking Basics 49[...]

Networking Basics 50 Now when you go to "Print- ers and Faxes" in the Control Panel, you will see the supporting hand under- neath the printer , which means that the printer is being shared in the net- work.[...]

Networking Basics For a computer to access a Network Printer, the device driver or software for that printer must be installed and pointed to the proper location of the printer. This is done similarly to the way you installed the printer on the computer it is connected to. 1. Go to a computer that is not connected to the printer and select "St[...]

2. Click on "Add a printer". Networking Basics 54[...]

Networking Basics 3. Select the network printer option and click Next. 55[...]

4. Find the printer you would like to share and click Next. Networking Basics 56[...]

Networking Basics Decide if you would like to choose this printer as a default printer and click Next. 57[...]

You have now added the printer to your computer, click Finish. Now you may use the Network Printer as if it was directly connected to the computer. Make sure that the computer which is directly connected to the printer is on. Networking Basics 58[...]

Sharing Internet Access T opic 6. Sharing Internet Access So how can the Internet connection be shared among other computers on the HomePlug network? Since neither the HomePlug Bridge nor USB Adapter are capable of routing at this time, a router is necessary in order to share an Internet connection. Future versions of the HomePlug Bridge or USB Ada[...]

HomePlug to USB Adapter or a HomePlug Bridge. Please note that sixteen HomePlug Bridges are allowed on one network if used as bridges (without installation of the software). Please follow these steps for setting up Internet Sharing: Sharing Internet Access 60[...]

Sharing Internet Access a. Make sure that the DSL/Cable modem is connected to the Router (using the WAN port on the router .) b. Connect the HomePlug Bridge to the Router (using the Uplink port on the router.) c. Check the link light on the HomePlug Bridge. It must light up green. d. Make sure that the computers that need access to the Internet via[...]

Checking Router Settings: Please make sure that the following settings on your router are set: (The setup windows will depend on the router manufacturer's software.) A) The IP should be obtained automatically; B) DHCP must be enabled; C) Release DHCP and then Renew DHCP to reset the IP Addresses. It is recom- mended that you verify that IP Add[...]

Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions/T r oubleshooting 1. Will HomePlug work in my house or apartment? If the house or apartment was built under U.S. building standards using copper wiring, then it will work. 2. What types of security problems will I be facing? If your house is on the same power g rid as your neighbor , then there is a potent[...]

Troubleshooting 64 4. What is the difference between bridge mode and node mode in the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (GHPB21)? Bridge mode operates without software installation and can work with any 10/100Base-T or 10Base-T Ethernet connections. By connecting the bridge to a router , switch, or Ethernet based device (XBO X, Pla yStation, W eb T ablet, P[...]

5. Will HomePlug operate on different Circuit Breakers? Y es. Circuit breakers do not aff ect perf or mance of HomePlug devices, how ev er the signal will not pass through the power transformers outside your house. 6. Can Neighbors get my HomePlug signal? It is possible for your immediate (next door) neighbor to receive residual signal from your Ho[...]

7. What OS does the HomePlug utility software fully support? Windows 98SE, ME, XP , and 2000. Windo ws NT and Mac are only suppor ted b y the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (Without installing the HomePlug software with default oper- ating mode as BRIDGE, not NODE) 8. What is the Range of HomePlug? Approximately 990 feet (300 meters) in wall power lines.[...]

To help IOGEAR® customers obtain the highest level of performance from their HomePlug devices, the IOGEAR® Service Support team is available to answer your technical ques- tions. Do not hesitate to call if you are having trouble getting your device to work correctly. IOGEAR® Service Support can be reached by phone from 9am to 5pm Pacific Standar[...]

Getting Technical Support 68 1) What is the purchase date and serial number of the product? 2) Were any messages displayed on the screen when the error occurred? If so, what was the exact wording of the message? 3) What type of Computer are you using? 4) When does the problem occur? 5) Can the problem be reproduced? If so, what are the steps necess[...]

Product Specifications 69[...]

Limited Warranty 70 Limited Warranty IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, DISK, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT. The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory [...]

© 2003 IOGEAR® All Rights Reserved. PKG-M0066 IOGEAR and the IOGEAR logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of IOGEAR Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. FireWire, MAC, Macintosh, G3, G4, iMac, Apple are registered trademarks of [...]

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