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HPE100T
User Manual
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Actiontec electronic HPE100T User Manual

85 Mbps
MegaPlug
Ethernet Adapter
Model #: HPE100T
User Manual
Ver 1.0
Solutions for the Digital Life
™

Introduction

1
Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter. The MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter is one of the easiest ways to enjoy home or small busi­ness networking. It operates on the MegaPlug Powerline Specification Turbo stan­dard, providing data transfer speeds up to 85 Mbps over home AC wiring. Since home power lines are the most pervasive medium in households, with multiple outlets in every room, the MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter allows multiple desktop and laptop computers to be networked easily, enabling them to share an Internet con­nection, printers, files, and games, without any additional wiring. If you want to take your computer networking to the next level, the Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter is sure to be one of the keys to your success.

Package Contents

Make sure the following items came in this package:
s One Actiontec 85 Mbps MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter
s One Ethernet Cable
s Installation CD (includes this manual)
s Quick Start Guide
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual
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Chapter 1 Introduction

Features

s HomePlug Turbo compliant
s 85 Mbps data rate (maximum)
s 56-bit DES encryption
s Two-pronged US power plug (fits ungrounded power outlets)
s Power and Link indicators

System Requirements

s At least 1 available power outlet
s Standard home power wiring
s Computer with the following:
· CD-ROM drive
· IBM compatible running at 200 MHz or better
· Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP installed
· 64 MB of RAM
· Ethernet network adapter
· TCP/IP installed
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Chapter 1 Introduction

Getting to Know the Ethernet Adapter

This section contains a quick description of the Adapter’s external features.
Front Panel
The Adapter’s front panel features 2 lights (LEDs):
Power Light
The Power light glows green when sychronized with another device. If the Power light is off, it can still be powered up.
Link Light
The Link light glows green when an Ethernet connection is detected, and flickers when data is being transferred across the Adapter.
Bottom Panel
The Adapter’s bottom panel contains one Ethernet port:
Ethernet Port
The Ethernet port is used to connect the Adapter to a computer or gateway/ router via Ethernet cable.
Information Sticker
The information sticker (located beneath the electrical prongs) displays the MAC
(Media Access Control) address, device ID, serial number, and other information
about the Adapter.
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual

Technical Support

Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making durable, high-quality, high-perfor­mance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department is available all day every day to provide professional support.
Actiontec Electronics, Inc.
760 N. Mary Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Technical Support
Phone: (USA) 1-888-436-0657
E-mail: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php
Internet: www.actiontec.com/support
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Connecting the MegaPlug Adapter

To connect the Adapter, it must be connected to a computer, plugged into a stan­dard wall outlet, and the Configuration Utility loaded on the computer.

Connecting the Adapters

To use the Adapters properly, two Adapters should be plugged into electrical out­lets, and devices (computers, printers, etc.) connected to them.
Connecting an Adapter to a Computer
1. Get an Adapter and one Ethernet cable.
2. Insert one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the Adapter.
3. Plug the Adapter into a wall outlet.
Note: Do not plug the Adapter into a UPS or power strip with
☞
surge protection. The Adapter’s network signal may not pass through these devices.
4. Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on the back of
a computer.
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Connecting an Adapter to a Router/Gateway
1. Get an Adapter and one Ethernet cable.
2. Insert one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the Adapter.
3. Plug the Adapter into a wall outlet.
Note: Do not plug the Adapter into a UPS or power strip with
☞
surge protection. The Adapter’s network signal may not pass through these devices.
4. Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on a router/
gateway connected to a computer.
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual
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Chapter 2 Connecting the MegaPlug Adapters
5. Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on a router/
gateway connected to a computer.
Follow the instructions in the next section, “Installing the Configuration Utility.”

Installing the Configuration Utility

After connecting the Adapters, install the Configuration Utility:
1. Insert the Installation CD in the CD-ROM drive of the computer connected
to an Adapter.
2. When the “Welcome” screen appears, click Next.
3. When the “Choose Destination Screen” appears, click Next.
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Chapter 2 Connecting the MegaPlug Adapters
4. When this window appears, click Finish.
5. Repeat for other computers connected to an Adapter.
The MegaPlug Adapters are now connected and ready to use, and the Configuration Utility is loaded on the computers. Go to chapter 3, “Using the Configuration Utility” for information about changing the default configuration settings of the Adapter.
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual
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Using the Configuration Utility

Once the Adapters have been properly connected and installed, the user can further configure the Adapters using the Actiontec MegaPlug Configuration Utility. The Utility also provides information about the network. To access the Utility:
1. Click Start on the desktop, then Programs.
2. From the Programs menu, find “Actiontec MegaPlug,” then select MegaPlug
Configuration Utility.
The Utility appears on the desktop. See the following sections for more informa­tion about the Utility’s capabilities.

Quick Setup

Selecting Quick Setup from the row of tabs near the top of the Utility’s window generates the “Quick Setup” tab.
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Use this tab to quickly set up security on all MegaPlug devices on the network.
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual
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Chapter 3 Using the Configuration Utility
Local Device(s) on Your Computer
The list displays all MegaPlug Adapters connected to the computer.
Note: If no Adapter appears in the Device List, make sure the
☞
Adapter is connected properly (with the appropriate Ethernet cable) to the computer. Then, unplug the Adapter, and plug it back in again. If, after performing these actions, no Adapter appears in the Device List, the Adapter may be defective. Contact technical support.
MegaPlug Encryption Key
Enter an encryption key in this text box to provide security for your MegaPlug network. A key is similar to a password, and can be made up of any combination of letters or numbers, from 4 to 24 characters long. Once activated, this key must be entered into a device’s network configuration to join the MegaPlug network.
Important: All Adapters on the same network must have the
P
same encryption key. If not, they will not be able to connect.
Set Local Device Only
Click this button to encrypt the device selected in the “Local Device(s) on your computer” list box.

Advanced

Selecting Advanced from the row of tabs near the top of the Utility’s window gen­erates the “Advanced” tab.
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Chapter 3 Using the Configuration Utility
Local Device(s) on Your Computer
The list displays all MegaPlug Adapters connected to the computer.
Note: If no Adapter appears in the Device List, make sure the
☞
Adapter is connected properly (with the appropriate Ethernet cable) to the computer. Then, unplug the Adapter, and plug it back in again. If, after performing these actions, no Adapter appears in the Device List, the Adapter may be defective. Contact technical support.
Network List
The Network List (the list box at the center of the Network tab) lists all other Adapters connected to this MegaPlug network. Only Adapters with the same pass­word as the Adapter connected to this computer are shown on this list. The avail­able Adapters are listed by their MAC addresses, and include their device name, device ID, and the quality of the connection.
Add
Clicking this button allows the user to add a MegaPlug adapter to the network. In the window that appears, enter the device name and password in the appropriate text boxes, then click OK.
Rename
Clicking this button allows the user to rename a MegaPlug adapter listed in the Network List. Select the device from the Network list, click Rename, then enter the new name.
Enter Device ID
Clicking this button allows the user to enter a MegaPlug adapter device ID. The device ID is found on the sticker attatched to the Adapter (see page 3).
MegaPlug Encryption Key
Enter an encryption key in this text box to provide security for your MegaPlug net­work. A key is similar to a password, and can be made up of any combination of letters or numbers, from 4 to 24 characters long. Once activated, this key must be entered into a devices network configuration to join the MegaPlug network.
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual
Set All Devices
Click this button to encrypt all devices on the MegaPlug network.

About

Selecting About from the row of tabs near the top of the Utility’s window gener­ates the “About” tab.
The About tab displays the MegaPlug Configuration Utility version.
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Troubleshooting

4
This chapter contains a list of problems that may be encountered while using the MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter, and techniques to solve them. Note that these tech­niques may not be successful in all cases. Also included is a list of frequently asked questions.

Troubleshooting

If the Adapter is showing signs of trouble, before attempting any other trouble-
shooting procedures, plug the Adapter into a working electrical wall socket.
The Power light doesn’t light up after I plug the Adapter into a wall outlet.
First, make sure two Adapters are installed and connected. A single installed Adapter will not have any illuminated lights. Then, ensure the wall outlet is working by plugging other electric devices into it. If it is working, plug in the Adapter again, and if the Power light still doesn’t illuminate, try plugging it into other wall outlets. If the Adapter is still experiencing this problem, contact tech­nical support.
The Link light doesn’t light up on the Adapter.
If the Adapter’s Ethernet light is not illuminating, a LAN connection is not being detected.
s Make sure two Adapters are installed and connected. A single installed
Adapter will not have any illuminated lights.
s Check the Ethernet adapter on the computer and make sure it is enabled
and working properly. Also, make sure the right type of Ethernet cable is being used.
I can’t connect to the Internet or any of the other computers on the network.
s Make sure the IP address and TCP/IP protocol are set up properly for all the
computers on the network, then try to ping the gateway.
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Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual
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Chapter 4 Troubleshooting
s Use the Adapter’s Configuration Utility to detect all other Adapters on the
network. Then, plug the Adapters into adjacent sockets. If the Ethernet lights still don’t illuminate, contact technical support.
The Power and Link lights are on, but I can’t access the router/gateway from the computer
s Try plugging the Adapters in different power outlets, preferably closer
together.
s Make sure all Adapters on the network are using the same security parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the transfer speed over the Adapter’s network?
The Adapter’s network transfer speed is 85 Mbps (maximum) over a standard home power line network.
What’s the estimated range of the Adapter’s network?
Approximately 300 meters (~985 ft.) in wall power lines (one household).
Will the Adapter work in any home?
The Adapter will work in any home with built-in copper wiring. It may not operate in some older homes (pre-1950) with alternate wiring.
Will the Adapter’s network signal pass through circuit breakers?
Yes, the Adapter’s network signal will pass through circuit breakers. It will not, however, pass through power transformers.
Does the Adapter work with a 100 – 240V AC input ?
Yes.
Does using the Adapter cause any interference with other home network­ing devices?
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