Hercules ePlug 200 User Manual
Hercules ePlug 200
CONTENTS
Clicking on a title in this table of contents will display the corresponding section
1. YOUR HERCULES EPLUG 200 ADAPTER ........................................................................................ 2
1.1. Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.2. Specifications ................................................................................................................................ 3
1.3. Minimum system requirements ..................................................................................................... 3
1.4. Box contents .................................................................................................................................. 3
1.5. LEDs overview .............................................................................................................................. 4
1.6. Connectivity overview ................................................................................................................... 4
2. INSTALLING YOUR HERCULES EPLUG 200 .................................................................................... 5
2.1. How to position your Hercules ePlug 200 ..................................................................................... 5
2.2. HomePlug: the partner to WiFi in your home................................................................................ 6
2.2.1. Connecting two computers in a HomePlug network ....................................................... 6
2.2.2. Connecting a computer to a modem, a modem router, an Internet "box" or a
game console in a HomePlug network ............................................................................ 6
2.2.3. Connecting an Internet "box" to a Digital Terrestrial Television decoder in a
2.3. You haven't yet created a HomePlug network: initial installation of Hercules ePlug 200 Duo .... 7
2.4. You have already created a HomePlug network: adding a new adapter to your network (Hercules
2.5. How to change the network password ........................................................................................ 12
3. YOUR HOMEPLUG NETWORK IN PRACTICE ................................................................................. 13
3.1. A few prerequisites ...................................................................................................................... 13
3.2. Identifying your HomePlug network type: Infrastructure or Ad hoc ............................................ 13
3.3. Computers running Windows Vista: Sharing folders, a printer or an ADSL connection ............ 13
3.4. Computers running Windows XP: Sharing folders, a printer or an ADSL connection................ 27
3.5. Computers running a different operating system or adding any other type of network device .. 39
4. TECHNICAL SUPPORT ...................................................................................................................... 40
5. WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................................ 40
6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RECOMMENDATION ................................................................ 41
HomePlug network .......................................................................................................... 7
ePlug 200 Solo or Duo) ................................................................................................................. 9
3.3.1. Windows Vista: Sharing an ADSL connection in an Infrastructure type network ......... 14
3.3.2. Windows Vista: Sharing an ADSL connection in an Ad hoc type network .................... 16
3.3.3. Enabling sharing ............................................................................................................ 18
3.3.4. Windows Vista: Sharing public or personal folders ....................................................... 21
3.3.5. Computers running Windows Vista: Accessing shared folders .................................................... 23
3.3.6. Windows Vista: Sharing a printer ........................................................................................... 23
3.3.7. Computers running Windows Vista : Accessing the shared printer ............................................... 26
3.4.1. Windows XP: Using the Network Setup Wizard in an Infrastructure network ............... 28
3.4.2. Windows XP: Using the Network Setup Wizard in an Ad hoc network ......................... 31
3.4.3. Windows XP: Sharing folders ........................................................................................ 36
3.4.4. Computers running Windows XP: Accessing shared folders ................................................. 37
3.4.5. Windows XP: Sharing a printer ...................................................................................... 37
3.4.6. Windows XP: Modifying a workgroup name (advanced users) ..................................... 39
Hercules ePlug 200
This standard is not compatible with the Homeplug 1.0 standard corresponding to the Hercules
ePlug 85 range (and other adapters conforming to this standard). Nevertheless, you are perfectly able to
create a network composed of Hercules ePlug 85 adapters in your home coexisting alongside another
network composed of Hercules ePlug 200 adapters.
1. YOUR HERCULES ePLUG 200 ADAPTER
PLC (Power Line Communication), also known as HomePlug, is a technology which uses your home's
existing electrical wiring to efficiently transfer digital data (audio, video, Internet, other types of files) within a
secure personal network. HomePlug is an ideal alternative for those who wish to easily create a network,
without the constraints of cables, and are unable to enjoy all of the potential of WiFi due to the configuration of
their home (as a result of the presence of thick walls or other obstacles which impede wireless data
transmission).
Hercules ePlug 200 is an adapter employing HomePlug technology which can be connected to any electrical
outlet in your home (from the ground floor to upstairs), thereby transforming your outlets into as many possible
network connection points. Moreover, you can freely unplug Hercules ePlug 200 adapters and plug them into
different outlets in your home, according to your needs (changing the location of a computer, or of your
modem router...), without having to repeat the installation or re-create your network.
As a network is composed of at least two devices connected to one another, all you need to do is connect two
Hercules ePlug 200 adapters to two electrical outlets in your home (in the same room or in different rooms).
For example, to access the Internet, you can connect your modem or your Internet “box” to a Hercules ePlug
adapter plugged into the nearest electrical outlet, and connect your computer to another Hercules ePlug
adapter plugged into another electrical outlet. Finally, your network is already preconfigured to provide you
with maximum security.
All products in the Hercules ePlug 200 range are compatible with the HomePlug AV standard (including
devices functioning at 200 Mbits/s), allowing you to enjoy high-definition video or stream multimedia files with
ease. These adapters may be combined according to your needs or according to your devices (a TV decoder
with a "Box", a modem with a computer or a game console, two computers, a computer and a printer...). You
will find some possible configurations set out in the installation section of this manual.
Even though this type of device presents no danger in terms of your home's electrical wiring, you should take
care to respect certain recommendations, set out below.
1.1. Recommendations
- Only connect the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter to an electrical network which conforms to the security
standards and specifications detailed on the device's electrical rating plate. If you are not sure about your
electrical network, contact an electrician or your power supplier.
- Never open up the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter, as doing so risks damaging its internal components.
- Do not attempt to insert any objects into the vents and openings of the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter.
- Do not obstruct the vents and openings of the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter.
- If you need to carry out any maintenance on your Hercules ePlug 200 adapter, be sure to first unplug the
adapter and entrust the job to a qualified professional in order to avoid the risk of electrocution.
- In order to avoid the risk of fire or electrical discharge, keep your adapter away from:
- rain or humidity, as well as all fluids (water, chemical products and any other liquids),
- sources of heat such as heaters, stoves and any other heat-producing devices (including amplifiers),
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- direct sunlight.
- Only plug in the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter in a sufficiently ventilated room.
- Only connect the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter using the included Ethernet cable.
- Unplug the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter from its electrical outlet if you do not plan on using it again for an
extended period of time.
- Unplug the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter from its electrical outlet before cleaning. Use a soft cloth for
cleaning and avoid using aerosol cleaners, water, solvent-based chemical products, benzene, alcohol or other
cleaning products.
- Always keep children away from electrical outlets.
1.2. Specifications
Compatible with the IEE 802.3, IEE 802.3u, IEE 802.3x and Auto MDI/X specifications
Compatible with the Homeplug AV standard
Coexists with HomePlug 1.0 modules
Encryption via the AES 128-bit security protocol
200 Mbits/s transfer rate
Asynchronous transmission mode
Modulation: OFDM, 1024/256/64 QAM, QPSK, BPSK
200m range over the electrical network
Ethernet RJ45 port
Average power consumption: 2.6W when in use, 0.9W on standby when no data is circulating (these
values may vary depending on your home's electrical system)
Internal power supply: 100~ 240V AC, 50/60Hz
Connect button, allowing you to add a Hercules ePlug 200 adapter to an existing network
LEDs on front face
1.3. Minimum system requirements
To connect a device to your Hercules ePlug 200 adapter:
An Ethernet type network interface must be available on each device to be connected (computer, game
console, modem, router, TV decoder, etc.)
To access the Internet with the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter:
Active Internet line
Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape Navigator 4.7 or Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or higher
ADSL Ethernet modem, cable modem, Internet “Box” (Livebox
®
, Freebox®, Neufbox®…)
1.4. Box contents
Please verify that the following elements are present in the box:
Depending on the pack:
- Hercules ePlug 200 Solo: 1 adapter
- Hercules ePlug 200 Duo: 2 adapters
Quick Start Guide in English
Ethernet cable (1 per adapter)
Note: The "Hercules ePlug Station" network configuration and supervision software is available for download
at http://www.hercules.com.
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: Power LED: flashes during traffic
: Ethernet connection LED:
- lit up when the Ethernet cable is connected
- flashes during data transfer
: HomePlug connection status LED:
- Green: very good connection (transfer rates greater than
60 Mbits/s)
- Orange: fairly good connection (transfer rates between 60 and
40 Mbits/s)
- Red: mediocre connection (transfer rates less than 40 Mbits/s)
Power plug to plug the Hercules ePlug 200 adapter into an
electrical outlet
Ethernet port allowing you to connect the Hercules
ePlug 200 adapter to a device (desktop computer, laptop
computer, game console, TV decoder, modem routeur, Internet
“Box”)
Restore factory default settings button
Dual-function Connect button, allowing you to:
- connect other ePlug 200 adapters to the network
(press for less than 10 seconds (recommended: 3
seconds)); or
- randomly generate a new network password (press
for more than 10 seconds)
In order for the Hercules ePlug adapter to switch to standby mode, the network card on your
computer or other network device must be inactive (i.e. no data is being transferred). To be sure that the
network card remains inactive, you can unplug the computer from its electrical outlet, particularly if you
don't intend to use it again for some time, or, if the computer is plugged into a power strip with an On/Off
button, you can press the Off button on the power strip.
1.5. LEDs overview
1.6. Connectivity overview
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To optimize the transfer of data on your electrical network, be sure to follow these recommendations:
You should preferably plug the adapters and devices (computer, Internet "box"...) into separate wall
outlets: one for the adapter and one for the device to be connected to the HomePlug network.
If you are using a power strip, try to avoid connecting an adapter and a device to the same power strip
if possible.
2. INSTALLING YOUR HERCULES ePLUG 200
The Hercules ePlug 200 adapter has been designed to be simple to use and install. If you have already
purchased and installed HomePlug (or PLC) adapters, Hercules provides a Quick Start Guide which guides
you through several steps to take to add your Hercules ePlug 200 adapters to your existing HomePlug
network.
If you are new to the world of HomePlug technology, we invite you to follow the pieces of advice set out in
chapters 2.1 and 2.2 in order to get started.
Otherwise, you can proceed directly to chapter 2.3. You haven't yet created a HomePlug network: initial
installation of Hercules ePlug 200 Duo which sets out, step by step, the installation procedure for your
Hercules ePlug 200.
Finally, if you have already created a HomePlug network and wish to add a new adapter, please refer to
chapter 2.4. You have already created a HomePlug network: adding a new adapter to your network
(Hercules ePlug 200 Solo or Duo).
2.1. How to position your Hercules ePlug 200
To help you connect your Hercules ePlug 200, start by selecting an electrical outlet near to the equipment you
wish to connect and follow the pieces of advice set out below.
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2.2. HomePlug: the partner to WiFi in your home
If you have a modem router or an Internet "box", your various pieces of network equipment, whether
connected by WiFi or HomePlug, can communicate with one another. All data is transferred to a central point,
in this case your modem router or Internet "box", and may circulate either on the electrical network via your
HomePlug adapters, or by way of radio waves via WiFi.
It is therefore perfectly possible for a computer or any other piece of network equipment connected via WiFi to
communicate with another piece of equipment connected via the HomePlug network to the modem router.
In chapters 2.2.1 to 2.2.3, you will find different examples of purely HomePlug networks. However, there is
nothing stopping you from adding WiFi devices as well: for example, an Internet "box" connected to the
HomePlug network on the one hand, and a WiFi laptop computer connected to this same "box" via WiFi, on
the other hand.
2.2.1. Connecting two computers in a HomePlug network
2.2.2. Connecting a computer to a modem, a modem router, an
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Internet "box" or a game console in a HomePlug network
Hercules ePlug 200
The HomePlug AV standard of Hercules ePlug 200 adapters is not compatible with the
Homeplug 1.0 standard of Hercules ePlug 85 adapters and HomePlug 14 Mbits/s adapters, but these
two standards can coexist side-by-side. In effect, if you have already installed a HomePlug network in
the HomePlug 1.0 standard (for example, with Hercules ePlug 85 adapters), you cannot add Hercules
ePlug 200 adapters to that network. However, you are perfectly able to install a second network in your
home composed of Hercules ePlug 200 adapters and HomePlug AV compatible devices.
1. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet plug
on your first adapter.
2.2.3. Connecting an Internet "box" to a Digital Terrestrial
Television decoder in a HomePlug network
2.3. You haven't yet created a HomePlug network: initial
installation of Hercules ePlug 200 Duo
To install a HomePlug network:
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2. Plug the adapter into an electrical outlet located
near the device to be connected to the network.
3. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the
computer, modem, game console or any other
network device (for example, a modem router).
4. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet plug
on your second adapter.
5. Plug the adapter into an electrical outlet located
near the device to be connected to the network.
In order to optimize the transfer of data on the
HomePlug network, avoid plugging your adapter
directly into a power strip.
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6. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the
computer, modem, game console or any other
network device (for example, a computer).
When your adapters are connected, the
LED (connection status) lights up and indicates that
the network is functioning properly. The signal
quality is also indicated by a color code, explained in
chapter 1.5. LEDs overview.
Your computer can now access the Internet via your modem, as the two devices are connected to one
another via the HomePlug network and have the same network password.
2.4. You have already created a HomePlug network: adding a
new adapter to your network (Hercules ePlug 200 Solo or
Duo)
Let's take an example of a home in which you have already installed a HomePlug network composed of
HomePlug adapters in the AV standard (Hercules ePlug 200, for example). You now wish to install one or
more new Hercules ePlug 200 adapters in order to expand your network and be able to connect new devices
(printer, modem, router, game console...).
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- Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet plug on
your new adapter.
- Plug the new adapter into an electrical outlet
located near the device to be connected to the
network.
In order to optimize the transfer of data on the
HomePlug network, avoid plugging your adapter
directly into a power strip.
- Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the
computer, modem, game console or any other
network device (here, a computer).
1. Ethernet connection and electrical connection of your new Hercules ePlug 200 adapter
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- Press for 3 seconds on the Connect button on one
of the adapters already connected to the network.
You have 2 minutes to connect the new
adapter.
- Press for 3 seconds on the Connect button on the
Hercules ePlug 200 adapter.
The LED lights up when a connection to
the network has been established.
- Repeat this procedure to add another Hercules
ePlug 200 adapter.
2. Connection to the network
The network password is applied to the Hercules ePlug adapter, which can now communicate with all the
adapters of the existing network.
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If the connection of your adapter to the network has failed, there are several possible causes.
Cause 1: You may not have carried out the connection procedure properly:
- Press for 3 seconds on the Connect button (also referred to as the security button by some
manufacturers) on the adapter which is already part of your existing network.
- Make the connection by pressing for 3 seconds on the Connect button on your Hercules
ePlug 200 adapter. You have 2 minutes to carry this out.
Cause 2: Your adapter may not be properly plugged into an electrical outlet, or this outlet is not
powered:
- Verify that the adapter's power LED is lit up.
Cause 3: There may be a strong disturbance in your electrical network caused by other devices
near to your adapter:
- Avoid plugging your adapter directly into a power strip.
- Unplug the devices plugged in near to the adapter.
- Try plugging the adapter into another outlet.
If you change the network password on an adapter, that adapter will no longer be part of the network.
- Press for 10 seconds on the Connect button on the
adapter whose password you want to change.
Wait until the adapter restarts.
- Connect the other adapters by pressing for 3
seconds on the Connect button on the adapter
which is already part of the network you wish to
create, and then pressing the Connect button on the
adapter you wish to integrate into that network.
- Repeat this procedure for all adapters you wish to
integrate into the network.
2.5. How to change the network password
When you install a HomePlug network, a random password is automatically generated. You can easily
generate a new random password by using the Connect button's restart function.
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You are connecting…
Your mode is…
One or more computers to an
ADSL modem router (or an
ADSL Ethernet modem
connected to a router)
Infrastructure, whereby the adapters are connected to your router.
Infrastructure mode is suited to exchanging data, network gaming,
and also sharing an Internet connection and/or a printer between
several computers. To find out how to install and configure your
modem router or your router, please refer to the manufacturer's
documentation.
One of your computers by cable
directly to an ADSL USB or
Ethernet modem
Ad hoc (also known as Peer to Peer or computer to computer),
whereby the computers are directly connected to one another, by
cable or via HomePlug, without a router. Ad hoc mode is suited to
exchanging data or network gaming between two computers.
To create a network of computers, share data, a printer or an ADSL connection between computers
running Windows Vista, it is not imperative that the computers belong to the same workgroup. However, if
you wish to share between Windows Vista and an earlier operating system, make sure to define the same
workgroup on all computers. For information on how to create a workgroup, please refer to the manual of
your Hercules product.
3. YOUR HOMEPLUG NETWORK IN PRACTICE
Now that your HomePlug network is installed, it's time to move on to some practical examples. In the
following chapters, we will show you how to share files, a printer, or let your friends share your ADSL
connection for online gaming.
3.1. A few prerequisites
- The procedures described in this chapter differ according to the operating system used. Be sure to refer to
the sections corresponding to your system.
- You have created a HomePlug network composed of one or more devices (computer(s), modem, router,
Internet "box", printer...).
- The Internet connection sharing procedures apply to computers or devices connected to your modem router
via a HomePlug network composed of Hercules ePlug adapters.
- To share an Internet connection, your router and your modem (ADSL Ethernet, cable or Internet "box") must
be connected to a Hercules ePlug adapter which is itself plugged into an electrical outlet, everything must be
powered on, and your Internet line must be active.
3.2. Identifying your HomePlug network type: Infrastructure or
Ad hoc
The HomePlug network type will depend on the type of hardware you have.
3.3. Computers running Windows Vista: Sharing folders, a
printer or an ADSL connection
Note: The access paths described hereafter may vary slightly if you have modified the default display in
Windows Vista (that is to say, the Start menu properties and the Control Panel display).
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