ZyXEL Communications PLA4201 V2 manual

Quick Start Guide www .zyxel.com PLA Series P owerline Ethernet Adapter Utility V ersion 6.0.1 Edition 2, 04/2013 Default Network Name : HomePlugAV Copyright © 2013 Z yXEL Communications Corpor ation User’s Guide[...]

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[...]

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

Table of Contents PLA Series User’s Guide 4 4.1 Overview ................ ... ... ............. ... .... ... ... ... ............. ... .... ... ... ... ............. ... .... ... ... ... .... . ..................... .... 25 4.1.1 Powerline Netw ork Security .......... .......................... .......................... .........................[...]

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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 yXE L HomePlug A V compliant 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 or[...]

Chapter 1 Introduci ng the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 8 1.2 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 behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network. Figure 1 PLA Lights The following table describes the be[...]

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 9 1.3 Exp and Y our Network with the PLA The PLA plugs into an ordinary power outlet to easily extend a cable or DSL broadband connection or existing Ethernet (LAN) network to any other elec trical outlet in an y room of a house, all withou t the need for any new cabling. Devices can securely [...]

Chapter 1 Introduci ng the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 10 transfer r ates. The PLA uses 128-bit Ad vanced Encryp tion Standard (AES) to ensure safe tr ansfer of information. Figure 2 Expand Y our Netw o rk wi t h th e 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 [...]

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 11 1.5.1 Passwords Y ou use two types of passwords in the Hom ePlug AV po werline network. The following table describes the differences between the passwords. 1.5.2 Setting Up Security The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if your power[...]

Chapter 1 Introduci ng the PLA PLA Series User’s Guide 12 1 Connect one powerline adapter to a router or switch on the first Ethernet network and assign a Network Name (for example “P assword1”) to this powe rline adapter . Add additional powerline adapters to your network by plugging them in to your powerline outlets and assigning them “P [...]

PLA Series User’s Guide 13 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[...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 14 Note: If you alre ady h ave .NE T F ramewo rk ver sio n 2 .0 in sta l led o n yo ur co m put e r th is step will be skipp ed. Figure 3 .NET Framework Installation Prompt 2 The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation. Figure 4 .NET Framework Installation Process 3 T[...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 15 4 If you want the utility to be only availabl e to the currently logged in user , sele ct Just 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 location on[...]

Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 16 6 Click Close to exit the wizard. Figure 8 Installation Complete Note: Y ou may be asked to restart your comput er wh en the install ation is complet e. Click “Y es” to restart your computer . If you select “No , I will restart my computer later” , you wi ll not be able to laun c[...]

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PLA Series User’s Guide 19 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. Note: In this guide RESET/ENCRYPT refers to the ENCRYPT button in PLAs that have separate RESET and ENCRYPT buttons. 3.1 RESET/ENCR YPT Button Overview The RESET/ENCRYPT[...]

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA Series User’s Guide 20 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 r andom network name. Figure 9 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure Note: The RESET/ENCRYPT button’s loc[...]

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button PLA Series User’s Guide 21 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 10 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Y[...]

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA Series User’s Guide 22 3.4 Multiple Sep arate Powerline Networks Y ou can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to create multiple sepa rate powerline networks. Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button on only two PLAs at a time. 1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline devices E and F for 0.5 to 3 seconds. This must be do[...]

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button PLA Series User’s Guide 23 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. 3.6 PLAs with Sep arate RESET and ENCR YPT Buttons Re fe r t o T able 1 on page 7 to s[...]

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA Series User’s Guide 24 3.6.2 RESET Button Behavior Use a pointed device such as a pin to reset the Network Name back to default HomePlugAV . See T roubleshooting in Chap ter 6 on page 47 for suggestions on problems with the RESET/ ENCRYPT button and the lights. T a ble 7 RESET Button TIME ACTION POWER LI GH[...]

PLA Series User’s Guide 25 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[...]

Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 26 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 H[...]

Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 27 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 15 Con[...]

Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 28 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 receive[...]

Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 29 Note: Be sure to upload the correct mode l firmware as uploading the wrong model firmw are may damag e your device. Figure 16 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 on [...]

Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 30 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 tr affic depending on its importance. When you set the prio rity of a powerline adapter , you set how quickly messages F[...]

Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 31 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 attached[...]

Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 32 Use this screen to configure priority settings fo r tr affic from the powerline adapters on your network. Figure 19 Advanced Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Ta b l e 1 1 Advanced Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifies whic h powerline n[...]

Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide 33 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 20 About Scre en The following table describes th[...]

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PLA Series User’s Guide 35 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 powe rline adapter) you ma y wa nt to exten d the network or create a new one by ad[...]

Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 36 5.3 Accessing Y o ur 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 21 Plug Y our Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket 2 Connect the powerline adapter to your computer . [...]

Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutori al PLA Series User’s Guide 37 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 t[...]

Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 38 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Name field ( C ). Figure 26 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 27 Network Name Pop-up 5 Y our new adapter will now [...]

Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutori al PLA Series User’s Guide 39 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 28 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network 1 Connect your new powerline adapter and op en the configur ation util[...]

Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 40 5.6 S plitting a Network into T w o 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 28 [...]

Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutori al PLA Series User’s Guide 41 Figure 31 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 32 Incorrect DAK or No DAK •[...]

Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide 42 5 The settings for the adapter will now grey out and the adapter will disappear from the table after a few minutes. Figure 34 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 [...]

Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutori al PLA Series User’s Guide 43 • 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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PLA Series User’s Guide 45 C HAPTER 6 Troubleshooting This chapter offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter . 6.1 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 pow e r cord included with the PLA. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PL A and plugged[...]

Chapter 6 Troubl eshooting PLA Series User’s Guide 46 2 Use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility to detect all other HomePlug devices on your powerline network. Make sure that the network name (sometimes called the network password) is the same on all of your powerline adapters. See Sectio n 4.3 on page 27 for instructions on checking the n[...]

Chapter 6 Troubl eshooting PLA Series User’s Guide 47 • Check you are using the latest version utility . Earlier version utilities cannot communicate with PLAs using the latest firmware. If you do not ha ve the latest utility , download it from the ZyXEL website. • If you are running an other tool such as the Firmware Detection Tool , the uti[...]

Chapter 6 Troubl eshooting PLA Series User’s Guide 48 • Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button again, making certain you hav e pressed the button for 0.5 to 3 seconds. • The POWER light on some powerline devices do not blink as part of the ENCR YPT process. Check your powerline device is a PLA. • F or PLA, you cannot use the RESET/E NCRYPT button w[...]

PLA Series User’s Guide 49 A PPENDIX A Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2013 by Z y XEL 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, mechanica[...]

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

Appendix A Legal Info rmation PLA Series User’s Guide 51 distributor for details about the W arranty P eriod of this product. During the warr anty 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 [...]

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Index PLA Series User’s Guide 53 Index A about screen 33 AC P ass- Through 7 Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 9 AES 11 , 25 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 9 applications 7 C certifications 49 notices 50 viewing 50 configuration screen 27 configuration utility 10 connections overview 10 copyright 49 D DAK 11 , 25 , 27 DAK (Data Access Pas[...]

PLA Series User’s Guide 54 Index overview 25 managing the device using the utility maximum PHY rate 7 multiple networks 12 N network example 25 network information 29 Network Name 11 network name 23 O other documentation 2 P Par ameter Information Block, see PIB 28 pass-through 7 passwords 25 , 27 , 28 types of 11 PIB (P arameter Information Bloc[...]