IOGear GHPB21 User Manual

HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge

User Manual (GHPB21)

Welcome

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 lines. It is easy to set up, and it doesn’t require any additional wiring in the house.

To better serve you, IOGEAR offers an array of additional USB 2.0, USB 1.1, FireWire, KVM, and other peripheral products. For more information or to purchase additional IOGEAR products, visit us at www.IOGEAR.com

We hope you enjoy using your IOGEAR HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge, another first-rate connectivity solution from IOGEAR.

Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Macintosh, G3/G4 and iMac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. IOGEAR makes no warranty of any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. IOGEAR, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this document.

Table of Contents

Overview Features Requirements Introduction Installation

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Network Configuration Networking Basics

- Network Setup Wizard

- Checking IP Address

- Assign a Static IP address

- Sharing Disks/Folders

- Sharing Printers

- Accessing the Internet

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Troubleshooting

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T echnical Support Product Specifications Limited Warranty

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Overview

IOGEAR's HomePlug Powerline Network Ethernet Bridge allows you to network your home computers through the electric power lines in the house. Setting up a home network has never been so simple, just connect your computer to the HomePlug Bridge via the CAT5 patch cable provided in the package, and then plug the power end to your AC power outlet, you are connected!

This unit is compliant to HomePlug Powerline Specification 1.0 and offers up to 14 Mbps bandwidth while being less prone to interference. By offering 56-bit DES encryption, it is also much more secure than other home networking technologies such as wireless Ethernet.

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

• Very easy and intuitive to set up and install

• HomePlug Powerline Specification 1.0 compliant

• Up to 14 Mbps bandwidth

• Up to 990' distance through the power lines, far enough for most households

• Worldwide compatibility

• Low risk of interference by other RF sources

• 56-bit DES encryption assures data security

• Signal will not pass power meter, thus keeping the data safe in the house

• Encryption done by hardware, with no sacrifice on bandwidth

• Most reliable home networking technology

System Requirements

• Available AC 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

Introduction

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. CAT5 patch cable

3. Power cable

4. User Manual

5. Warranty Registration Card

1. 2. 3.

Introduction

Front View: (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

Homeplug Connection

6. Ethernet port - connecting to the computer

Back View:

1. Power port - connecting to the wall outlet

Front View

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6.

Back View

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 unstable surfaces; It is recommended that you plug the HomePlug devices directly into the wall outlets, not to any power adapters, surge protectors or any device that filters signals.

If you plan to use this unit as a BRIDGE, not as a NODE; there is a limitation of having sixteen BRIDGES PER NETWORK, (refer to the Netw ork T erms 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 above.

3. Plug one end of the CAT5 cable into the Ethernet port on the computer, and the other end into the Ethernet port of the bridge.

4. Plug the power cord into the HomePlug bridge and wall outlet.

5. At this point, the Power and Link LED should be on, and you should see the ACT (Activity) LED start blinking.

6. Turn on your computer and set up your networks (refer to Network Basics for more information).

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 bridge is NOT CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER before you install the driver.

4. Insert the installation CD. If CD does not automatically load, run (CD Drive Letter):\setup.exe.

5. Click Next.

(Note: When used as node, the bridge uses the same driver as the homeplug USB adapter .)

Installation

6. Read, understand and accept the License Agreement and Continue by clicking Next.

7. Enter a username and organization name, and continue installation. (Username and Organization have no importance in device operation. This window might look slightly different on other platforms.)

Installation

8. Click Install to start the Installation Wizard:

9. After the installation is successful, a window will pop up prompting for the installation of the HomePlug Bridge. Plug in the CAT5 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.

Installation

10. You have 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.

Network Configuration

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.

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.

Network Configuration

4. The Security tab displays the Network

Password. The default Network Password is HomePlug.

5. The Advanced tab is where you can set the Network Password on all of the HomePlug devices at once. This way, you don’t have 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. Once you enter the password and click “Add.” This will add that device to the “Remote Passwords” field.

Remote Passwords – This field displays the password for devices you added. Once you’ve finished adding all the HomePlug devices on your network, press the “Set All” button. This will change the Network Password on all the devices listed.

Network Configuration

6. This screen displays the version number

of the utility. Click OK to complete the configuration.

7. Go to network connection, you can see that the CAT5 connection is enabled and that the ACT LED in the unit blinks.

Network Configuration

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