HomePlug AV with Simple Connect Button
User Manual
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2009 © All rights reserved. Version 1.2
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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DAMAGES
THE PRODUCT AND THE SOFTWARES WITHIN ARE PROVIDED "AS IS," BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER AND
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RELATION TO THE PRODUCT OR ITS SOFTWARE EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY CUSTOMER FOR THE PRODUCT.
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User Manual
Contents
About the Product ..................................................................... 5
How Does It Work?.........................................................................................................................5
Direct Connection ...........................................................................................................................6
Package Contents....................................................................................................... 7
Device Design............................................................................................................. 7
How to Use Simple Connect..........................................................................................................9
Creating a HomePlug AV Network...........................................................................................9
Resetting the Private Network Name ...................................................................................14
Joining an Existing HomePlug AV Network...........................................................................15
Determining Connection Rate.....................................................................................................18
Power Saving Mode.....................................................................................................................18
Getting Started........................................................................ 19
Plan Your Network ................................................................................................... 20
Local Network...............................................................................................................................20
Gaming Network ..........................................................................................................................20
Entertainment Network...............................................................................................................21
Media Network.............................................................................................................................21
Setup the HomePlug AVs..........................................................................................22
For Twin Pack................................................................................................................................22
For Single Pack .............................................................................................................................22
About HomePlug AV Utility ..................................................... 23
Requirements...........................................................................................................23
Installation ...............................................................................................................24
Opening HomePlug AV Utility................................................................................... 25
The User Interface .................................................................................................... 25
Home .............................................................................................................................................26
Private Network Name................................................................................................................27
Local Private Network Name..................................................................................................28
Remote Private Network Name.............................................................................................28
Simulate Simple Connect Button ...........................................................................................29
Quality of Service .........................................................................................................................30
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User Manual
Devices ..........................................................................................................................................32
Firmware Upgrade .......................................................................................................................33
Appendix ................................................................................. 35
Frequently Asked Questions..................................................................................... 35
FCC Statement .......................................................................................................... 39
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User Manual
About the Product
HomePlug AV is ready to use out of the box and does not require the installation of driver
software to work. It can be connected to computers, routers, gaming consoles, hubs,
IPTV set-top boxes, and other Ethernet devices regardless of operating system.
How Does It Work?
HomePlug AV utilizes the existing electrical wiring in the house as a path to create a
secured network of computers and Ethernet devices. With a maximum data rate of up to
200 Mbps, HomePlug AV can reliably handle high requirement applications like
broadband Internet, high definition video streaming, and Voice over IP.
HomePlug AV converts digital signals to a complex analog signal that traverses along the
electrical wires. When receiving the analog signal, HomePlug AV converts the analog
signal back to digital. To make the signal secured, a 128-bit AES encryption is applied.
A HomePlug AV device can only communicate with other HomePlug AV devices that use
the same Private Network Name. The Private Network Name can be changed manually
using the HomePlug AV Utility software on a computer with a Windows operating system.
When you use the software, you have to manually type the Private Network Name for
the device. Another way to change the Private Network Name is to use the Simple
Connect button . Simple Connect automatically creates an encrypted Private Network
Name. It can also be used to reset the Private Network Name or to add a device into an
existing HomePlug AV network.
Note:
Note: HomePlug AV devices from the Twin Pack are already configured to use a common Private Network
Note: Note:
Name unique for that pair and are ready to use. The HomePlug AV from a Single Pack, on the other hand,
uses a random Private Network Name. You still need to change its Private Network Name to allow it to
communicate with an existing HomePlug AV network.
When a HomePlug AV communicates with another device, the Powerline Activity LED
color will give you an idea about the connection rate: Red means below 30 Mbps; Amber
means 30 to 80 Mbps; and Green means more than 80 Mbps.
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User Manual
Direct Connection
For best performance, connect HomePlug AV directly to a wall outlet. Avoid connecting it
to a power strip where other electrical devices are connected. Other devices create
electrical noise that may affect the performance of HomePlug AV.
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Package Contents
The package contains the following items:
• 1 HomePlug AV for Single Pack or 2 HomePlug AVs for Twin Pack
1 Ethernet cable for Single Pack or 2 Ethernet cables for Twin Pack
•
• Resource CD that contains the HomePlug AV Utility installer and the User Manual.
Easy Start Guide
•
Device Design
User Manual
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User Manual
Label
Label Status
Label Label
A
Simple Connect
Simple Connect
Simple Connect Simple Connect
B
Power
Power
Power Power
Powerline Activity
Powerline Activity
Powerline Activity Powerline Activity
C
Status Description/ Function
Status Status
Press to create or join a HomePlug AV network. It can
Blinking
slowly
Off No power.
On
Off Device is not connected to a HomePlug AV network.
On • This LED remains on when the device is part of
Description/ Function
Description/ Function Description/ Function
also be used to reset the Private Network Name to a
random key.
When LED is blinking slowly in Green color HomePlug AV
is on a Power Saving status.
After Simple Connect is pressed for two
•
seconds, this LED will blink to confirm the
button press.
When Simple Connect is pressed for 10
•
seconds, this LED will blink to confirm the
Private Network Name reset.
a HomePlug AV network.
• The LED colors represents the connection rate
within the HomePlug AV network whether it is
good (red), better (amber), or best (green).
• The LED flashes to indicate network activity.
D Ethernet Activity
Ethernet Activity
Ethernet Activity Ethernet Activity
E Ethernet Port
Ethernet Port Accepts either cross or straight Ethernet cable.
Ethernet Port Ethernet Port
F Reset to Factory Default
Reset to Factory Default Press for 2 seconds to reset to the factory default
Reset to Factory Default Reset to Factory Default
Off An Ethernet device is not connected.
On
settings. When you reset to the factory default, all your
configuration changes will be removed.
An Ethernet device is connected.
•
The LED flashes to indicate Ethernet activity.
•
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User Manual
How to Use Simple Connect
Simple Connect provides a more convenient way of creating your HomePlug AV
network without the need to open the HomePlug AV Utility software from a computer.
The button has three main functions which includes:
• Creating a HomePlug AV Network
• Resetting the Private Network Name
• Joining an existing HomePlug AV Network
Simple
Connect
Button
Creating a HomePlug AV Network
To create a HomePlug AV network, you need at least two HomePlug AV devices using
random Private Network Names. When you press Simple Connect on both devices, a
common Private Network Name will be automatically generated to enable them to
communicate with each other.
Note:
Note: New HomePlug AVs from a Twin Pack can already communicate with each other out of the box.
Note: Note:
However, if you intend to create a new Private Network Name using Simple Connect for both devices, you
need to reset their Private Network Names to a random key before proceeding.
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User Manual
To create a HomePlug AV network using Simple Connect:
Step 1
Plug your HomePlug AVs side by side where
you can easily observe the LED behavior.
Upon connection, the LEDs will blink
simultaneously and then the Power LED
lights on steadily.
Step 2
Press Simple Connect for two seconds on
HomePlug X. After you release the button,
the Power LED will blink. If the Power LED
did not blink, press Simple Connect
again for two seconds.
Note:
Note: Do not press Simple Connect for more than 2
Note: Note:
seconds.
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Step 3
Press Simple Connect for two seconds on
HomePlug Y. After you release the button,
the Power LED will blink. If the Power LED
did not blink, press Simple Connect
again for two seconds.
Make sure to press Simple Connect on
HomePlug Y within two minutes after you
press Simple Connect on HomePlug X.
The LEDs on both devices will switch off and
on twice to signify that they are searching
User Manual
for another device to pair with.
Note:
Note: Do not press Simple Connect for more than 2
Note: Note:
seconds
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Step 4
To confirm if the connection was
established, check the LEDs. The Power LEDs
and the Powerline Activity LEDs on
both HomePlugs are on.
When the Powerline Activity LED on
either HomePlug X or HomePlug Y is off,
this means the pairing is not successful. In
this case, you need to redo the entire
process again.
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